Linen.
One spool of linen, one tote, and suddenly errands have an aesthetic.
Linen is the contrarian of natural fibers. It starts stiff, slightly resistant, a little difficult. Then you wash it, and it softens. Wash it again, softer still. Ignore it in a basket for a season, pull it out, and it has somehow improved in your absence.
For crochet, linen is worth the mild stubbornness of learning it. It doesn't grip the hook the way wool does, but that slight slip produces a fabric with real drape and structure. Exactly what a market tote needs. Something that won't collapse under two bottles of wine and a bunch of chard.
The ancient Egyptians wove linen so fine it was called woven air. Your tote will not be that. It will, however, last longer than your intentions and look better by August.
"Linen is the only material that rewards neglect. The more you use it, the more it becomes itself."
CAST ON : One technique. One material. One reason to start.
Good things are better shared. Especially with people who own too much yarn.
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