Hauls & Unhauls · Knitting, Crochet & More · Let's Talk

Yarn Shops I Visited On My Europe Trip!

This past summer I got the amazing opportunity to travel to France, England, and Scotland with one of my great fiber friends! While the ensure trip was magical and I want to share a ton about it, I really wanted to focus on the shops I got to visit while in France and Scotland. Sadly in England the shops were closed the days I was there, but that just means I will have to go back at some point.

Lil Weasel in Paris, France

The first yarn shop we took a peak inside was the Lil Weasel! Located in Paris, inside a really awesome covered walked walkway with shops on both sides. Lil Weasel was really unique in that they actually took up 3 of the store fronts in this area. One focused on fabric, the second on notions and cross stitch, and the third on yarn. It was really fun to browse each of these and I ended up making a few purchases there. I picked up a cross stitch bookmark kit because I wanted to ease myself back into this craft. I also picked up a MUUD project bag, which I have been using so which is called the Cleo Project bag, which is a rectangle shaped knitting back that open in a way they has two sections that lay open when unzipped at the corner. It is great for on the go knitting and acts like a yarn bowl on the go. I also ended up buying some yarn to make a Desert Bloom Top by Rachel Kurihara. I ended snagged the last 3 skeins of their Lil Weasel Lil Tweed in a really lovely bright pink color called
Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

Ginger Twist Studio in Edinburgh, Scotland

This second shop was another one I was really looking forward to on our trip. This super cute shop dyed so much of their own yarn is lined nearly two whole walls. It also had a back room with fabric and so many fun notions! I was on the hunt to find yarn to make the Braidy Loop Tee by Other Loops. While the store had more yarn from all over Scotland and other countries, I decided to get some of their dyed yarn. I ended up with their Ginger’s Hand Dyed Splendor 4ply and Ginger’s Hand Dyed Leading Lady Lace in a lovely Dove color that was a very cool blue/gray. I also could not resist picking up come lovely stitch markers as well.

Being able to travel to each of these stores was such a great time. It was fun to explore and see new yarns and new places and make some great memories. If you would like to see some of the photos they are on my instagram which is linked below.

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Knitting, Crochet & More

I Am Attempting Stephen West Mystery MusiKAL

If you are unaware, every year Stephen West does a mystery shawl knitalong that takes place in October. For years I have wished to take part in this event of sorts, but never have because I was on the fence about dedicating a whole month to a single project while trying to clear my knitting needles for the next year. This year I decided to change this and join along regardless of what is on my needles.

The main reason I want to take part in this knitalong is to learn some new techniques, every year there seems to be different things integrated in the pattern that are new to me. I always love to challenge myself so this is a win-win for me because he creates videos for each clue that is released. The second is because I want the challenge of keeping up with the weekly clues that are set to releases on October 2, October 9, October 16 and October 23. While that is a very busy month for my personally, I think I will be able to do it if this is my only project or at least my main project I worked on.

screenshot of yarn order

As for the yarn, I was going to buy a kit, but with all the unknowns with tariffs and international shipping I didn’t want to take a chance. I am hoping maybe one day in the future I will be able to. I ended up buying from Cape May Fiber who I have met a few times as well as test knit for. I decided to get their sock base to ensure I have the right yardage and picked a pale neutral yarn called Shellfish, a light purple color called Luscious Lavender, a really beautiful peach tonal called Jersey Peach, and a neon yellow/green color called Chartreuse Button that is inspired by the movie Coraline.

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Fall 2025 Knitting Plans

Collage of talked about patterns.

Hello and welcome to a bit of a planning post. I know summer is technically still with us here in the northern hemisphere until Monday, September 22nd, but I am a planner at heart and felt like I needed to get some planning down on paper to focus this fall so I have some great pieces to wear throughout fall and winter this year. This winter I am trying to knit quiet a verity of things from slipovers to winter accessories, but here are the 6 patterns I really want to make this Fall!

The first two on my list are two WIPs I have been working on for longer than I care to admit. These would be the DRK Everyday Cardi by Andrea Mowry and Maple Vest by Yun Jeong. The DRK Everyday Cardi is a really comfortable purl side out high neck cardigan with ribbing detail along the raglan increases. I love the textural detail of this that just makes it a smiple and timeless peace I can easily thrown on. I am making it out of Mountain Meadow Wool Tweed Sport in the color way Shale Fire I am about halfway done with the cardigan at the time of making this. As for the Maple Vest, this is a layering piece I cannot wait to wear. I am not a huge vest person, but one again the little details for me with this pattern. I like the split hem with ribbing and cabling along the sides and bottom hem. I have really been enjoying playing this texture lately. I am making this knit with both Chelsea Luxe Eighty Ten Ten in Sunflower and Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair in Ocher brown.

Next is a little winter cape called Waltz by Miki Teragaki, this pattern was published in their book called Knit Pop: Designs for the Modern Maker, which has a ton of great pieces. What really drew me to this cape is that it can easily be a little accessories to use to dress up an outfit, but also function much like a cowl or scarf and keep you warm. It is a mixture of ribbing for quite a few inches and then transitions into beautiful cables. I ended up getting some beautiful yarn from fionakayknits in a beautiful white with pops of pink and purple that I think would allow the cables and such to really show, but also have a pops of color.

As for next cast on plans I am going to get The Weekender Light by Andrea Mowry on my needles since I am buddy knitting this with my lovely friend Allison! This is a really lovely purl side out long sleeve sweater with ribbing at the shoulders and a drop sleeve! We both bought the same kit at Rhinebeck 2024 together, which was such a blast to get to hang out all day together! The kits we got were created by Loop Fiber Sudio that utilizes their colors Everything In Its Place as the main color and A Place for Everything as the contrast color along the shoulder ribbing and sleeve cuffs to give it a little pop!

The last two projects I really hope to finish next are recently acquired yarn! While I am trying to make it a priortity to get through my stash, I am continueing to add some yarn into my yarn closet after finishing a few projects. I figure as long as I am using more than I am taking it, all is good! Anyway, I am planning to made a beautiful tank pattern called Twist Loop Top by Other Loops, that has a large beautiful cable down the center of it. I am using Pascuali Saffira in the color way 016, which is a really lovely blue color, which is missing from my closet. The next is Yuki No Hi No by eri shimizu, which is a chunky mohair cardigan that has a contrast color sew into it around the edges. While I love the idea of the contrast color, I think I am going to personally leave it out because I am making this cardigan out of Kokon Yarn Chunky Mohair in andromeda, which is a mix of lilac, light blue, and gray. I really want these colors to shine and don’t want to get in the way of them too much. Another bonus of this pattern is that it is made of chunky mohair so it is warm as can be, but very light.

So, those are the six knitting project I really hope to have finished over the next few months so I can wear and enjoy them during these upcoming cooler months. Let’s see if I stick to this plan or completely change it by the time the official start of fall kicks off, what are you planning on making this fall?

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Knitting, Crochet & More · Let's Talk

My Knitting Make 9 for 2025

Hello and welcome to a post I should have done closer to the start of the year, but I figured better late than never! I decided this year I am going to be doing a make 9 in regards to my crafting, in particular my knitting and crochet.

My make 9 for 2025 is a mixture of WIPs or Works in Progress that are already on my needles, but also some projects that I really want to make this year and am inspired by. Anyway, here are the pattern I want to make this year!

Honey Bucket Bag by PetiteKnit, this is a small draw string pouch with a honey comb type stitch that I think would be perfect to take when I need a small little purse or a really cute project bag. I have the yarn all ready to go for this project, but it has not been cast on as of right now.

An Italian Autumn Cowl by An Italian Knitter, I am in need of a nice long scarf that I can wrap around my neck a few times for the really cold winter days. I actually bought some yarn at The NY Sheep and Wool Festival at Rhinebeck this past year. I love the mixture of the eyelets and how long this loop scarf is.

Frostina Poncho Vanessa Reyes aka Vanrey Knits, I actually got this pattern as part of my 2024 advent from Chelsea Luxe Yarns. I really loved the look of this textured poncho with some fringe, but I wanted to see all the colors to see if I wanted to change the order. I am hoping to pick this up in the spring to complete.

24 Birds Shawl by Curious Handmade aka Helen Stewart, this is my longest standing WIP. I really love how this pattern looks and the circle design, but I find myself passing over it for other projects. This originally was a mystery lace shawl knitalong from May of 2024 I believe and I cast it on when the first clue came out and then just never really picked it up again. I did get to 5% complete though.

Hazel Kjole by Sandes Designs, I have had the yarn for this project for over 2 years at this point. I saw this relaxed and oversized dress in their catalog and instantly fell in love with it. I really would love to have it for the fall time as a transition piece because I picked up a mauve yarn that I think would be a lovely pink for that time of year. On top of that it is made with alpakka yarn, so it will be nice and toasty.

Heirloom Quilt Cardigan by Katryn Seeburger, this year I really want to make this lovely cardigan. Not only is it a super cute wear, it will be how I use up all of my scraps and mini skeins that need to find a home in a project. What drew me in for this pattern is how the designer really made the knitting look like quilt blocks and how oversizes it is.

Pressed Flowers Kerchief by Amy Christoffers, this little kerchief that is lined with really pretty mosaic flowers along the edges. I have the yarn already picked out for this and ready to go. It is even wound up! I really want to make this on a long weekend or something and make it a little challenge to complete for some reason.

The Traveler by Andrea Mowry, this is a pattern I am currently working on, but it has been on hold for about a month because honestly, this sweatshirt inspired pattern is a huge slog to knit. It is interesting because everyone I know who has made it has felt the same way. Thankfully I only have the back and sleeves left to do. I am hoping to be done in February or March with this one.

Trifle Wrap by Curious Handmade aka Helen Stewart, This has been a WIP for some time, if you want to see more information about this one I actually talked about it in the following post. Current WIPs & Reads | July 2024.

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Knitting, Crochet & More

I Am Finally Sock Knitting Again!

Hello and welcome to a little post where I share my excitement of finally getting back into sock knitting in earnest. A while ago I wrote a post where I was making my way through the 52 Weeks of Socks | Week 01: Intersections. It was fun, but after that I really lost my sock knitting desire. At least with more “complicated” patterns.

This past month I ended up looking through my pattern library and one really caught my eye, Winter Rose Socks by Helen Stewart. I cast them on so fast and moved through the leg like lightning speed it was a ton of fun and really ignited my enjoyment of patterned socks. I still need to finish these, but I am already on the foot of each sock since I decided to knit them in tandem.

Instagram picture of lace weight sock leg laying on leg in a cozy room.

The main reason I wanted to share this is because sometimes I feel guilty just leaving projects to the wayside, but I shouldn’t. If I am not finding that type of fiber crafting fun, it is best left to the side until something really pulls you in and makes you excited about it again! Sometimes I know I need to hear this and maybe you do as well.

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Knitting, Crochet & More

Spring 2024 Knitting Queue

Skeins of yarn on a bed, 6 are a pink linen blend, 4 gray wool blend.

Hey everyone and welcome to my Spring knitting queue! Every season I come up with a bit of a Wishlist of projects I would like to make during that given season. I don’t share it on here usually, but I thought it would be fun to share and see what every one else is planning for Spring whether that be knitting, crochet, or reading. I would love to know! Anyway, here are the four items I would love to make over the coming season.

This first project I have actually already started, but did not get to far into it because I joined a test knit and needed to put it to the side. Anyway the project is called Brienne (Ravelry Link) by Brienne Moody. I am actually already almost done with the first sleeve so it is off to a good start! I am hoping to finish this first out of all the items on my list because I think it would be perfect for Spring nights and early mornings as a nice little sweater running to and from the car. For this I actually got the recommended yarn, which I don’t do very often, in the colors of the tan and pink sample.

This next pattern is called Hazel Kjole (Ravelry Link) by Sandnes Design, I have had the yarn for this since January 2023 and have had the yarn since then as well. I really would love to finally get this yarn out of my stash and this lovely easy going dress in my wardrobe. I have made a dress in the past as a test knit that I love, but is more formal, this would be a fun relaxed one with longer sleeves to also help in the cool mornings and evenings. I picked up the recommended yarn for this pattern since I needed to buy the yarn to get the pattern book. I do love the yarn though it is a really fluffy alpaca nylon blend.

The next two patterns are more of a two for one. They are the Flutter Buttshirt and Flutter Buttshorts (Ravelry Link) by Jessie Maed Designs. While these are two different patterns, they make a really cute set to wear around the house. I don’t have air conditining so staying cool around the house is a bit difficult. My current lounge wear is mostly sweat pants and long sleeve shirts so making these will really fill a need. I already have the yarn for this project, I ended up getting undine by Ritual Dyes in a really vibrant fuchsia color called Drago fruit I believe.

All of these projects I have the patterns and yarns ready to go, I just need to get the few projects off my needles and be on my way. I recently started a new method of managing my WIPs called the Gideon Method, which you can read more about in my post called, Trying the Gideon Method to Manage My WIPs. So, I feel like this will really help me dedicate the time needed for these larger projects, but also allow me to move though different projects so I am enjoying myself as well. Anyway, that is my knitting queue for the Spring Season, I hope you enjoy a little peak into my project planning! What are you planning to make or read this season?

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Knitting, Crochet & More

52 Weeks of Socks | Week 01: Intersections

Hello and welcome! Todays post is going to be a little walk through in my experience in knitting my first pair of socks from 52 Weeks of Socks published by Laine. For this first week I ended up actually picking the first pattern in the book, who would have thought? When I first brought up this series in my post, 52 Weeks of Socks | Series Introduction, I said I was going to pick pattern from a bottle. I ended up getting my hands on some beautiful yarn that wouldn’t work with just any pattern so I ended up picking differently. The name of this pattern is Intersections (Ravelry) and was written by Marceline Smith. Anyway, here is how it went!

Casting On

52 Weeks of Sock Book with the completed toes of two socks in a multi colored yarn and a mini skin of a golden solid placed on the floor.

I ended up casting this pair of socks in early March of 2023. I ended up using a limited edition color way from TheLittleWolfKnits in her Catamaran base. This pattern is written toe up, which is something I am new to, but casting on and completing the toes went well and flew by. At this point in time I was thinking about having a contrasting heel and cuff, so I wound up a mini skein as well.

The Process

These socks took me some time, not because I was not enjoying them, but because I had a lot of gift knits I needed to get done. I picked them up for a bit then would put them on the back burning, leading to these taking about 3 months. I will say, I really did like working on these socks. The pattern repeat was really easily memorized and even after putting it down for a few weeks at a time I had no problem picking up where I left off.

I think the only downside to working on these socks or frustrations I had was purely my own fault. I ended up knitting these in tandum, which is something I usually do. I decided for some reason to pull from the inside of the ball and the outside to do this. Usually I am smart and split the skein, but I don’t know why I felt it was a great idea to pull from both ends of the ball. This led to tangles needing to be fixed before starting my knitting session. It wasn’t horrible or a huge deal, but it cut into my knitting time and was annoying.

Final Socks

I ended up finished June 30th, 2023! I am in love with these socks. They are my first all over lace socks and I will say I really learned a lot from them. Always split my yarn if I knit in tandem was a huge one. On top of the practical lesson I learned I like doing a heel flap and gusset from the toe up more than cuff down. While I can and do pick up stitches in my socks normally, I enjoyed this process a ton more and it has inspired me to try some other heel, options such as the Shadow Wrap Heel (Ravelry Link). Spoiler alert, I used it this heel last week and I loved it so much. Anyway, I also realized if I do lace I might invest in US 1.5 needles. While they do fit very well while wearing them, I really have to tug to get them over my ankle. Overall, I feel like this first sock was a huge success and I am inspired to keep on going with this series/challenge.

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Knitting WIP Parade

Hello and welcome to a what is going to shape up to be a post on the longer side. Since I have been on the quite side and updating some things on the blog (I still have some things to do as well), I wanted to take a moment to share all the projects I am currently working on. So, if you are not familiar with what a WIP parade is. It pretty much is just showing all of the projects you are currently working on. In some cases others will take this as a moment to maybe determine to frog or unravel a project as well. I am not going to frog any of my WIPs I am talking about because I recently posted, Projects I Decided to Frog, but I will be evaluating my project priorities.


Coming Together (Website | Ravelry) by Lisa K. Ross

The start of a multicolored and textured shawl in a bag full of balls of yarn.

This is a gift project, they picked out the pattern and yarn in October 2022. I ended up casting it on in March. I am in the fourth section of it and I am enjoying the process. The only thing is I really need to pay attention while I am working on this pattern since the sections are so different and I am learning a lot of new stitches. I am planning on slowly working my way through each section and hopefully be done by October.


Intersections (Website | Ravelry) by Marceline Smith

The feet of two textured zigzag socks that are partially done connected to the ball of yarn and knitting needles.

These socks are my first socks I am knitting from the book 52 Weeks of Socks, I did a post a while ago called 52 Weeks of Socks | Series Introduction. I am still planning on keeping track of my experiences knitting from this book, but a lot of other things got it in the way. As with the last pattern, this as well as others from the book, I need to pay attention to and isn’t a pattern I can just watch tv or read a book while working on. I would really love to finish these by the end of the month since I only have the legs and cuffs to do at this time.

Test Knit Seashore Dress by TheLittleWolfKnits – Unreleased at this time

Start of a dress on the knitting needles sitting on a couch.

This is a really fun test knit I am flying through for TheLittleWolfKnits. I have never knit a dress before, but I am really loving the process so far. This picture is a little outdated at this point, but I finished the body of the body of the skirt as well as the bottom ruffle. It is shaping up to being a really awesome me made wardrobe piece. I am planning to finish this by Mid-July.


Ghost Whisperer (Payhip | Ravelry)by Park Williams

Start of a mohair (lace weight) shirt on the knitting needles.

This is a summer cast on that I have been wanting to make since the middle of Winter. I ended up casting it on during the last week or so of May and I am flying through. This is an older picture once again. I am actually on the back shaping currently. I am planning on finishing this project this month as well. I am excited to throw this over a dress during the hotter months.

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Knitting, Crochet & More

Projects I Decided to Frog

Hello and welcome to an interesting post where I am going to talk about two projects I am planning on frogging. If you are not familiar frogging is where you unravel a knitting or crochet project. There are many reasons to unravel a project, does fit how you want, want to remake something since your skills have progressed, or you just lost interest. There are most likely more as well that I can’t think of at the moment. Either way, they are your projects you are allowed to do what you want with them. Anyway, on to the frogging projects!

Pressed Flowers (Ravelry)by Amy Christoffers

Four yarns, two balled up and two still in the skein. One of each format is a solid red and the others are multi-colored yarns with shades of pink, yellow, and orange. They are sitting on the floor next to a pillow.

This project I am actually surprised that I came to this decision. This has been on my needles for over a year and I kind of pretended it did not exist for a bit. I am not sure why it ended up in this position because it was one of my most looked forward to projects. It is fun, playful, and all around beautiful. Plus, I ended up picking up some beautiful yarn from Ritual Dyes to make it, Ritual Dyes Marona in the shade Lambs Ear and Spincycle Yarns Dream State in the color way Written in the Stars. I honestly think I just was not in the mood to knit flowers in the colder months and then when it was nicer I didn’t have time to make it. Now that a year later I finally made the decision I was going to frog this project, I did some digging for other uses for this yarn, because I am not going to waste it. I think I have settled on making a two tone version of Nightshift (Website | Ravelry) by Andrea Mowry.


Alpenglow I (Ravelry | Website) by Andrea Mowry

Complete color work sweater with various colored yarns and textures showcasing lines, zigzags and little rectangles. Sweater is long sleeved and cropped.

Okay, so this project is a huge one for me and I am kind of surprised at how easy it is to say goodbye to. This is one of my first color work items I ever made, prior I only made a shawl with minimal color work before this. On top of that I jumped into this full color work sweater after this as well as it being my 4th ever wearable top I knit. This sweater was a bunch of fun, but also challenging. It really tested me, but I also grew so much as a knitter, I learned about catching floats, how to mosaic knit, and figured out how to mange so much yarn. On top of that I ended up wearing this to my first ever Rhinebeck – Sheep and Wool Festival. I have a lot of memories wearing this sweater and meeting up with some awesome people. So you might be wondering, why in the world I am frogging it?! Well, It is way to big on me. I made a size way to large for me, plus I have lost some weight since then. The arms are also a big unruly when trying to eat due to their length. The truth is I love this sweater so much, but I only ever wore it that one day. I realized I could do so much more fun things with this beautiful yarn. So, I am frogging it. I am thinking of maybe trying to make the Robinia Light (Ravelry | Website) by Anne Ventzel or save for another sweater. I haven’t fully committed to anything just yet.

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Finished Object | Anker’s Sweater by PetiteKnit

Hello and welcome to a little post where I share some of the details about my most recently finished knitting project, the Anker’s Sweater (Website|Ravelry)! This project is a top down textured yolk sweater with some raglan increases, the rest of the sweater is stockinette. This particular pattern is made for sizes 3 months to 8 years. So, it works up super quickly! I ended up making the size 9-12 months so it can be used next fall/winter by the baby and their parents. I figured, they would get a ton of stuff for when the baby is very tiny, so having something for down the road would be helpful.

Picture of completed baby sweater on a comforter.

Why This Pattern

Well, I made this project for a few reasons, the first being I made an adult T-shirt version of this sweater in the past so I was very familiar with the construction already. This is for sure a beginner friendly pattern, but already knowing kind of how it was going to work up was for sure a selling point on the pattern. I also had yarn that I could use for the project already in my stash, so I wouldn’t have to wait to receive an order or take a tip to a yarn store. Normally, I would have no qualms about doing either of these, but I found out about the shower about a month before it was set to happen. Time was for sure not on my side to complete this project.

The Yarn

For this project it calls for two strands of fingering held double, which tends to be a DK once combined. Taking that into consideration, I took a peak at my yarn stash, I had a large enough pile of worsted weight yarn and did a swatch. It worked out so I decided to use Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers from Plymouth Yarn. I also liked that it was made of a material that could be washed with a little less care. Always good for baby things. I ended up using a green/blue color called 678 Light Green Forest.

While Knitting

Picture of half finished sweater next to its project bag with a wintery scene fabric on a couch.

This thing worked up so quickly, it was kind of hard to believe. I have never made a baby sweater, so that might be why I thought it was going to take longer. I knew, obviously, that it would work up faster than one of my sweaters, but honestly, it was kind of staggering how fast it went. On the first day I was already 60% though the yoke, the second day I was already entirely through the yoke and halfway through the remaining body. Only two days and I was working on other projects. The arms also only took about a day each, this really is a fast knit, I didn’t even knit the smallest size. The one thing I noticed while working is I did not enjoy working on such small circumference with a thicker yarn. It was more so noticeable the first 10 rows of each sleeve. It felt like there was just too much around my hands, but once length was added it was perfectly fine.

Thoughts Overall

I really think this is a great simple pattern with a little something going on for visual interest. It is a combination of simple stiches, and uses them to make something that looks harder than it is. Obviously, it still takes some work, and those increases can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with them, but a quick tutorial on youtube will fix that quickly. It was also well written pattern, it was all straight forward. Also, I just want to make it clear, I did not make any modifications to this pattern other than working with worsted weight yarn. So, this really shows how much I enjoyed this pattern, I tend to make modifications to wearables these days. I think I would for sure make this pattern again since the process was fun and enjoyable and the outcome was super cute and I cannot wait to gift it.

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