Back in 2020: One day, I was scheduling appointments in the office; the next, I broke my leg and had to stay in bed. Over time, I grew sick of video conferencing and TV marathons, and started searching for something new to fill the long and restless days.
A headline on a website caught my eyes: “This Weaving Loom (织布机) Saved Me When All My Previous Hobbies Disappeared.” This was the universe speaking to me. I immediately bought all the things recommended—a small loom, a few colors of threads (线) and a weaving book.
My first weaving looked...not great. I skipped the book and free-styled a pink-and-white cloth to hang on my apartment door. It started off OK; I strung the loom successfully and figured out how to slide the threaded needle over and under the backbone of the cloth.
Then, mistake after mistake, I pulled the thread way too tight, making the sides curve in. There were lots of gaps, where I could see the white threads underneath the colored ones. I couldn’t make the long fringe (穗) at the bottom. In a fit of frustration, I left it a mess.
Humbled by my pride, I opened the weaving book. I learned how to get my edges straight and my ends neat. I figured out how to sew backs onto cloths, stuff them with cotton and make colorful pillows to display on my sofa. Soon I started making some for my families and friends. I even saved up money to buy a 4-by-4-foot loom, where I worked on bigger objects.
I was officially taken with it. Actually, I’ve never been good at anything that requires hand-eye-brain cooperation. But weaving, somehow, feels different. It requires the same steps repeated over again and encourages you to lose yourself in the process. Every time I pick up my loom, my brain quiets down; as my needle slips between threads, I ground myself. I’ve never loved a hobby like this.
4. Why did the author buy a loom?
A.To pass the time. | B.To try out an idea. | C.To escape from work. | D.To replace marathons. |
5. What did the author think of her first weaving?
A.Boring. | B.Pleasing. | C.Disappointing. | D.Encouraging. |
6. What is Paragraph 5 mainly about?
A.The value of the weaving book. | B.The advice for weaving beginners. |
C.The attitude towards previous mistakes. | D.The process of growing love for weaving. |
7. What does the author seem to love about weaving?
A.It is a means to make a living. | B.It is a craft with calming quality. |
C.It is a way to keep traditions alive. | D.It is a practice for human connection. |