HC: Pacifist | Ch. 194 - Purl Stitch

“Now, grab your needles. Let me teach you how it’s done.” Juliette picked up a piece of fabric and demonstrated, "In the plain stitch, you insert the needle from the front to the back of the fabric. Now, with the purl stitch, we reverse the process. Instead of going from front to back, we go from back to front."

She watched as Roth picked up his knitting needle and yarn, "Hold the needle with the yarn in your left hand. Insert the needle from the back to the front of the fabric, just like this." Juliette demonstrated the motion, her hands moving gracefully. "You'll notice the yarn now sits before the needle."

After spending so many hours doing knit stitches, it felt unnatural to invert the order of steps. It was as if he had been knitting with his right hand and had just been asked to use his left. Nevertheless, he soldiered on, closely watching and copying Juliette’s motions.

"Now, wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the needle," she continued, guiding Roth through the motion. "After that, slide the needle back through the loop, again from back to front, pulling the yarn with it. Congratulations! You've just created your first purl stitch!"

Roth mimicked the steps, feeling the yarn weave through the fabric in a different way. Juliette nodded approvingly, "Excellent! The purl stitch creates a bumpy texture on the side facing you. Practice this motion until you feel comfortable with the technique."

As Roth practiced, Juliette watched patiently as she threw in some additional tips. "Remember to maintain a steady tension on the yarn and don't rush the process. Consistency is key in tailoring."

“Thanks, I think I’ve got it.”

You’ve learned [Purl Stitch].

“Good, now that you know [Purl Stitch], I want you to make a cloth. Use the [Knit Stitch] in one row, and on the next one, use the [Purl Stitch]. Alternate between the two and see how it goes.”

Roth grabbed the needles, cast on the yarn, and then made one row of knit stitches as he had many times before. The motion was smooth and quick. Once he finished the row quickly, he clumsily switched gears and made the row using purl stitches. He kept alternating stitches between rows, going swiftly through one and slowly through the other. He almost felt like he was an old typewriter. The only thing missing was the ding every time he did a row using knit stitches.

As he finished crafting the cloth, he got a notification.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully crafted [Woolen Cloth].

+10 ecotailor XP.

Congratulations! You’ve learned a new profession skill: [Stockinette Stitch].

Stockinette Stitch (Profession)

Description: By alternating between knit stitches and purl stitches, you make your fabric stronger and more durable.

Effects:

Pieces of equipment crafted with this technique gain one bonus stat. Consumables gain half a grade.

Restrictions: Tailor, lvl. 10.

Roth studied the new profession skill and nodded approvingly. Just by slightly changing his working method, his work was instantly elevated.

“Awesome! So by alternating between knit and purl stitches, I can make different patterns.”

“That’s right.”

“Can you teach me more stitches?”

“I’m sorry. That’s the only one I can teach someone at your level. Maybe some other day, I can teach you more.”

Roth didn’t know if Juliette was holding back on him because of his level or if it was because profession trainers only taught the basics, and it was up to the players to find out more techniques through quests or experimentation. He couldn’t wait to keep exploring more types of stitches and techniques to improve his equipment. He wondered how many of these skills Rhapsody and Leanne had. He should message them and ask what other types of stitches he could learn.

“Thanks. This is an incredible technique.” Looking at the clock, Roth added, “I’ll come back soon so you can teach me how to work with linen and a loom.”

“No problem. Anything else I can do for you?”

“Yeah. I need to do some shopping.”

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Juliette said, turning away and going to the counter, where she opened a book and studied it with a concentrated look. Roth activated the shop window and studied everything available for sale. Other than clothes, there was a new type of wool available.

Alpaca Wool (Crafting Material)

Description: Wool sheared from alpacas.

Restrictions: Tailor, lvl. 10.

He had seen several items crafted utilizing this material, and it was nice that he could use it, too. It was a bit pricey compared to sheep’s wool, at one silver and forty coppers, but after all the discounts he could get as a VIP customer, and as a broker, he could get one stack for one silver.

There was also flax for sale, but since he didn’t know how to work with it, he just left it alone for now. After stocking up on raw materials, he moved on to recipes.

[Wool Sweater Recipe]

Item description: This tailor recipe teaches you how to make a simple fashionable sweater.

Requirements: Tailor, lvl. 10; [Knitting]; [Purl Stitch].

[Wool Trousers Recipe]

Item description: This tailor recipe teaches you how to fashion a simple pair of trousers, which will keep you warm and comfy.

Requirements: Tailor, lvl. 10; [Knitting]; [Purl Stitch].

[Wool Socks Recipe]

Item description: This tailor recipe teaches you how to fashion a cute pair of socks, which will keep your feet warm.

Requirements: Tailor, lvl. 10; [Knitting]; [Purl Stitch].

[Wool Cape Recipe]

Item description: This tailor recipe teaches you how to fashion a simple wool cape.

Requirements: Tailor, lvl. 10; [Knitting]; [Purl Stitch].

He bought the recipe for knitting jackets, pants, socks, and capes for one gold each. After reaching level 10, there was also some better knitting gear that offered some interesting options.

Copper Bucket (Common)

Description: These buckets can hold heat for a little longer, thus speeding up the washing process.

Item effects: It’s 10% faster to dry fibers.

Restrictions: Tailors, lvl. 10.

Copper Shearing Scissors (Common)

Description: Scissors with a somewhat sharp edge that help you shear animals more effectively.

Item effect: When shearing, there’s a 10% chance of getting double the amount of wool.

Restrictions: Tailors, lvl. 10.

Novice Carding Pads (Common)

Description: These carding pads are made of sturdier wool and can help you comb fibers a little quicker.

Item effects: Carding is 10% faster.

Restrictions: Tailors, lvl. 10.

He bought all three without blinking. After all his discounts, they only cost one silver each, and he would take any help he could get to craft better and faster. He also found a new tailor tool to speed the spinning process.

Pedal Spinner

Item description: A wheel that you can power with your feet to spin fibers faster.

Restrictions: Tailors, lvl. 10.

When he saw Leanna using her electrical spinner and how fast it went, he felt like a noob. With this small upgrade, he would definitely gain a little more traction when crafting and getting the job done faster.

Finally, he also purchased a lanolin extractor.

Lanolin Extractor

Item description: a machine that allows you to extract lanolin from washed wool and repurpose it.

Restrictions: Tailors, lvl. 7.

Compared to the big one he had seen in the back of this shop, this was much easier to transport. This was yet another way of making money when working wool. He just had to dump the buckets of water into the machine to get the precious oil he could then resell to chemists.

With this, he was finally done shopping. The only thing left to complete his equipment makeover was to go see the results of the Crafting Battle that, according to Drake, was nearly done. With a swing on his step, Roth walked north toward the gate and headed back to the guild camp.

Now that he had been here once before, for some reason, the trip felt faster than the first time he’d been here. He saw the Union’s tent, even more crowded than he had left it. More than a hundred people were here, but they weren’t huddled together, watching the battle. It seemed that during the time it took Roth to learn a new tailoring technique and come here, the jewelers had finished the competition.

Drake was already walking toward him, “Hey, there. You’re back.”

“What’s going on over there?” asked Roth pointing at two new groups that were beginning to form. One inside the tent and another just outside of it.

“Well, while Godsfried and Nakia’s battle was being fought, a couple more requests for crafting battles came in. You’re looking at the two new Crafting Battles that will start at any moment, now.”

“Really? Already?”

“Oh, yes. The requests keep coming in. That group over there,” he said while nudging toward the group gathering in the tent, “will be a carpentry battle. Two carpenter friends want to settle a dispute.”

“What kind of dispute?” asked Roth curiously.

“It seems they did a quest together and obtained one rare piece of timber. Whoever crafts the best quarterstaff gets it. Now, the other group over there is just a group of friends fooling around. The participants are both tinkerers and their friends are placing bets on who does a better job.”

“Are you going to be the referee?”

“I want to investigate the intel you gave me. Maggie will arbitrate the carpenters, while Charlie will do the other one. But, come. I’m sure you’re curious to see what Godsfried and Nakia made, right.”

Roth nodded happily and followed after Drake, making his way through the crowd. He first found the veteran who, just by his presence, seemed to make whatever group of people was gathered around him become soldier-like. SergeantSarg stood stoically in the middle of the crowd like an island in an ocean.

Roth nodded a hello, to which the sergeant responded in kind. Next to the sergeant, Godsfried and Nakia had both set up shop with two tables, two portable furnaces, toolboxes, magnifying lenses, and several gadgets that made Roth think of Red's workshop back in the Green Woods. At the sight of their work, Roth couldn’t help but drool a little.

“So, who won?” he asked the sergeant, even though he could tell the answer from Nakia’s radiant smile.

“It was Nakia, barely. But check for yourself the things they crafted during the battle.”

Roth first approached Godsfried’s crafting table. Even though he was the loser, he couldn’t help but be drawn by the glistening earring, ring, belt, and necklace shining beautifully. They all had a combination of silvery blue metal with green gemstones. Together, they made a beautiful ensemble that Roth could tell was valuable.

Glancing toward Nakia’s side, all he saw were several black items. Godsfried’s items won by a long margin in terms of glamor and coolness.

“Hello, master Godsfried.”

“Hi, Pax.”

“Mind if I take a look?”

“Not at all. By all means.”

Roth picked the items one by one and inspected them carefully.

River Silver Earring (Rare)

Item description: An earring crafted from river silver collected from Forest Creek encrusted with faceted green jade. The craftsman outdid himself.

Item effects:

+5 intelligence;

+1% cooldown reduction;

+20 energy.

River Silver Necklace (Rare)

Item description: A necklace crafted from river silver collected from Forest Creek sporting beautiful faceted green jade. The craftsman outdid himself.

Item effects:

+7 intelligence;

+3 charisma;

+10 energy;

+10 hp.

River Silver Ring (Rare)

Item description: A ring crafted from river silver collected from Forest Creek encrusted with faceted green jade. The craftsman outdid themself.

Item effects:

+6 intelligence;

+1% cooldown reduction;

+20 energy.

Jade Encrusted Belt

Item description: A beautifully crafted belt encrusted with jade that offers some protection and dignifies the wearer

Item effects:

+6 intelligence;

+5 charisma;

+2% damage reduction;

+1% cooldown reduction.

All the items were beautiful and delivered on what Roth had asked. Altogether, they granted over twenty intelligence and a three percent cooldown reduction. He wondered if Godsfried would sell these items, and how much they would go for. These had to be worth at least a thousand gold. He was having trouble imagining how Nakia could have done better than this.

Godsfried stood by his work, regarding Roth curiously. “Master Godsfried, your work is amazing!”

“I'm glad you like it, but as much as I hate to admit it, Nakia outdid herself. She pulled out a rare crafting material that decided the battle before it even started.”

For a master jeweler to say that the item Nakia made was valuable meant that it had to be exceedingly precious. Roth couldn’t wait to inspect the jewelry Nakia had crafted.

“Well, anyway, thank you so much for participating. It's an honor to have someone like you in the union.”

“Oh well, I know I'll get one of the Union VIP seats eventually, so save me a spot, will you?”

“Count on it,” said Roth, giving the dwarf jeweler a hearty handshake. Roth walked over to Nakia’s working table to inspect her work.

Ch. 193 - Getting In

INDEX

Ch. 195 - Time Sand