It's Independence Day, and I have the day off. I finished a little knitting project.

Just a humble dishcloth. I made dishcloths when I was a beginning knitter without much money. I could handle the simple knit-and-purl patterns, the small projects that didn't involve shaping. I could afford $1.29 for new yarn.

I can make more advanced, more glamorous projects. I have a stash filled with silks, mohair, and oodles of fancy sock yarns. But this is a palate cleanser, a meditation. Not only do I want to knit wonderful wraps and sweaters and all of Cookie's sock patterns, I want to remember the simple joy of knitting for the sake of knitting. And the freedom to choose!

• Pattern: Garterlac Dishcloth from Criminy Jickets. I found this pattern on Ravelry

• Yarn: Lily Sugar n' Cream. I don't know what the colorway is called, but this is old yarn.

• Needles: Size 7 straight