Chapter 16 - 15: Earning Extra Money
Due to extreme material scarcity, sweaters were really rare at that time. Mainly, people with status, like master workers, had them. For those in districts and rural areas, not to mention sweaters, even yarn was an unattainable dream. If someone wore a set of sweaters on the street back then, they would definitely catch a lot of attention. Sweaters had not yet become a standard outfit for the masses and were considered "luxury" gear.
I remember when she had just divorced, finding work required introductions from others, and the most desirable fields were technical ones. She could only do odd jobs in restaurants. As for clothing, she couldn’t even think about it.
During those toughest years, just when knitting sweaters was becoming popular, there were no books teaching knitting techniques, nor people who could knit patterns. Many times, walking down the road, you could hear women discussing and researching knitting techniques, and at that time, Lin Wan also envied them.
But she didn’t even have the qualification to join in the discussions. In her previous life, to earn money, she did everything. Initially, when she set out, she believed in her design studies and proudly applied to several clothing companies.
During that era, looking for work required diplomas. Without one, people wouldn’t even give you a chance.
She didn’t complete university, had only learned a bit of superficiality, and was even less wanted.
However, she spent a few years in a clothing factory, making samples, patterning, sewing buttons, all odd jobs.
Later, when the factory closed, she had to find work again, like dishwashing, being a nanny, delivering newspapers; she tried everything.
She even attempted to run small businesses herself, but without experience, she lost money.
Knitting sweaters was something she picked up in her thirties while working as a nanny for a family. The lady of the house was skilled in many knitting techniques, and many people came to her home to learn knitting every day, and she even charged a tuition fee. After cleaning up, Lin Wan would sit in a corner and learn along. She rediscovered her old regrets through this.
She remembered spending all her salary of those two months buying yarn.