First Person: Putting love and care into my needlework

Zhang Lijuan, 31, homemaker

During my pregnancy in 2016, I learned to knit sweaters in my hometown in Fujian province after seeing my friend knit a gorgeous sweater for her soon-to-be-born child.

It reminded me of my mother making clothes for me when I was a little girl. However, this remained as just warm memories of my childhood. We bought all our clothes from then on.

So I decided to give it a try. I learned knitting by watching instructional videos. I am a quick learner and I enjoy being focused on doing something. It was a good way to pass time during my pregnancy.

Before my daughter was born, I had finished knitting a sweater, a pair of shoes and a hat for her. There is a feeling of accomplishment when you see something gradually taking shape in your hands.

When my daughter turned 2 years old and had longer hair, I started making hairpins and headbands for her. I usually use colorful woolen yarn to knit different patterns like sweets, ice creams and fruits, and stick them onto the hairpins as decorations. It takes me an hour to make a hairpin.

I also make toys and dolls for my daughter. She is now at an age where she recognizes animals. When she learns a new animal, I will make a doll of that animal for her.