The sixth hexagram of the "Yijing" (Book of Changes), Tun, states: "Riding a horse, wandering like a herd; weeping and bleeding, like ripples on the water." It signifies being stuck in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat, and weeping until tears flow like blood. It is a portrayal of the extreme hardships and impasses encountered during the initial stages of a venture. For us, handcrafting pet sweaters, this hexagram serves as both a warning and an opportunity to break through the deadlock.
The "crying blood ripples" of the hand knitter
The wool in our hands is akin to the nascent creatures in the hexagram Tun. Each handmade dog sweater represents a creation of "craftsmanship".
When knitting to the neckline, cuffs, and binding-off points, the stitchwork is complex, the dimensions are difficult to control, and there is repeated dismantling and knitting. The yarn gets tangled, fingertips become raw from friction, and one feels utterly defeated. This is precisely the predicament faced by Cheng Ma Banru.
Staying up late to rush through work, striving for perfection, only to have all previous efforts wasted due to a single mistake in stitching, the mix of grievance and exhaustion evokes a heartfelt emotion of tears and blood.
What's worse, blindly pursuing complex patterns and neglecting basic stitches and size planning, the final work is distorted and out of shape, ending up with a sigh of desperation.
Historical Lessons: The Predicament of Tunji and Its Turnaround
Liu Bei's defeat at Yiling: a tragic tale of reckless aggression
In order to avenge Guan Yu, Liu Bei mobilized the entire country to launch an eastern expedition, disregarding the fact that his foundation was not yet stable and the timing was not yet ripe. He was impulsive and rash, and ultimately suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Lu Xun's fire attack in Yiling. His army was completely annihilated, and he retreated to Baidi City, overwhelmed with grief. This is a true portrayal of his situation, as described in the poem "Riding a Horse, Bending His Back, Weeping Blood, Waves Like Ripples". His defeat lies in the fact that during difficult times, he did not adhere to the principle of "holding fast to the fundamentals and consolidating the foundation", but instead took a desperate gamble, ultimately leading to a hopeless situation.
The predicament of King Huanhui of Han: a hopeless situation with no support
During the Warring States period, the state of Han was sandwiched between Qin and Zhao. It should have strengthened its foundation, formed alliances, and accumulated power. However, King Huanhui of Han was weak and helpless, attempting to rely on the powerful Qin. Ultimately, the national strength declined, and he died, leading to the destruction of the country. This is precisely the tragedy described in the sixth hexagram of the hexagram of the Book of Changes, "Below, there is no support; above, there is no direction."
The Enlightenment of the Sixth Trigram of Tun for Hand Knitters
Know when to stop and you won't be in danger; avoid venturing down a dead end
The sixth hexagram warns: When at a dead end, change; when changed, progress. When knitting wrongly, there's no need to cling tenaciously. Dismantling is for better knitting; when encountering a bottleneck, put down the needle and thread, sort out your thoughts, rather than blindly persisting in chaos. Just like knitting a dog jumper, when the accumulated errors reach the extreme, only dismantling and reworking can restore order.
Prioritize consolidating the foundation, and do not be greedy for quick success
The core of the hexagram Tun is "hardness and softness begin to interact, making things difficult to produce". Everything is difficult in the beginning, and the foundation is the most crucial. When knitting a pet jumper, you first determine the size, practice basic stitches, and then try complex patterns; similarly, when starting a business, you first lay the foundation and then plan for development. Impatience and rash advance will only lead to "crying blood and waving tears".
Leverage peers' strengths and avoid working in isolation
The sixth hexagram of the hexagram series, "No Support Below," is precisely the root cause of the dilemma. Knitters do not have to fight alone; exchanging needle techniques and seeking advice with like-minded individuals is a way to "build a foundation" and leverage support. When one person is stuck with incorrect stitches, with guidance from others, they can break out of the dilemma.
After enduring extreme hardships, one finds a way through; after shedding tears and blood, one is reborn
Although Tun-Six represents a dead end, it also signifies a turning point - when Tun reaches its extreme and is covered with mist, the mist nourishes righteousness, and after the dead end comes new life. The knitter manually dismantles the failed work, sorts out the thread balls, and starts anew, which is the restart after "crying blood ripples". Every setback is a buildup of strength for the next perfect work.
The sixth hexagram of the hexagram Tun is a mirror for those who knit by hand. It tells us that the path of knitting is never smooth. There are grievances from dismantling and knitting, confusion in difficult situations, and even bloody perseverance. But as long as we know when to stop, strengthen our foundation, leverage external forces, and wait for the right time, we can emerge from the wandering of "riding a horse in formation" and, after the tempering of "weeping blood like ripples", knit warm and resilient splendid garments.
The way of knitting is akin to the way of life: amidst difficulties, one should adhere to principles and wait for the right time. Eventually, the clouds will clear and the sun will shine, and the threads will be knitted into a pattern.
The following Products may interest you!
Post time: Apr-28-2026