Handmade Hats and Scarves For Cold, Winter-y Weather

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Matching Hat and Scarf - Wine Red Clusters on Pine Green - Sold Individually
Hat or Cap - Red on Green
63 Inch Long Scarf - Red on Green

 The Above Photos are examples of the kinds of Cold, Winter Weather Hats and Scarves I make - though I have Crocheted and Knitted quite a variety of different styles since my teens!
Personally, I have made myself all kinds of Hats and Scarves for Cold Weather - in Cold Weather I must have a Warm Hat - and very often a matching or co-ordinating Warm Scarf.  I make them in different colors and yarns to go with different Jackets, Coats or Sweaters!

So, I have lots and lots of experience making them!!

And, so, in addition to the ones I have available for sale in my online shop that carries the Handmade Hats, Headbands and Scarves I make - I can make some for you as a Custom Order!!

Here are a few more pictures - with a linking list of more I have made that are Ready-To-Ship currently in my Etsy Shop:

Center: Hat and Neck Warmer Scarf Set - Black with Multi-colors 

Around Clockwise:  Headband - Black with Multi-colors

Cotton Scarf - Ripples of Spring Colors - 59 Inches Long

Chunky Scarf - Burgundy Marsala Reds - 78 Inches Long 

Cowl Infinity Scarf - Blue Multi Tweed - 25 Inches Around

(Wine Red on Pine Green Scarf and Hat - pictured at top)

Long Skinny Fancy Fur Scarf - Hickory Red Browns - 65 Inches Long

Long Skinny Afghan Crochet Scarf - Blue Multi Tweed - 86 Inches Long

Chunky Cotton Headband - Shaded Denim Blues - 23 Inches Around

Is there something you would like for a Crocheted or Knitted Hat and/or Scarf - in the colors of your choice - and length and width of your choice?

If you don't see what you want in the pictures or at the links above - contact me through this blog and ask me for a Custom-made Hat and/or Scarf !

Handmade "Blue Striped Pouch" I Designed and Made is in On Fire For Handmade Great Finds - Gifts For Her

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

OOAK Handmade Blue Striped Pouch Designed and Made by RSS Designs In Fiber


On Fire For Handmade is really great at showcasing all kinds of items "Made By Hand"!
One of the Weekly Events On Fire For Handmade does is:
"Great Finds"
-- and this week starting Nov. 29, 2015 it is:
"Gifts For Her"

I'm really glad that my "Handmade Blue Striped Pouch or Bag" is included!  It was originally designed as a reusable Handmade Gift Bag with any Holiday in mind - but especially the Winter Gifting Holidays such as Hanukkah and Christmas!

Take a look at "Gifts For Her" - and I would appreciate all Votes for "RSS Designs In Fiber"!!

Winter Holiday and Year End Specials for 2015 in my Handmade Shops

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Handmade for the Winter of 2015 - All By RSS Designs In Fiber

Each Year about this time, I put together what I call the "Winter Holiday and Year End Specials"for the Handmade I have for sale online, which usually lasts from mid-November to early January.

I have 2 Online Shops this year, so each venue is a little bit different.

In my Bonanza Booth --
Automatic Discount thru Jan. 5, 2016:  15% Off any Purchases totalling $20 or more --
plus you can use any other private coupons I have given you.

In my Etsy Shop --
Public COUPON CODE:  WINTERHOLIDAY2015 -- For 15% Off any Purchases totalling $10 or more -- Good through Jan. 5, 2016.


The Collage above is All of the Handmade I've made - which are in one way or another for the Winter Holiday season - it includes:

• Decor Accents of all sizes 
• Personal Accessories of different kinds and sizes - Hats, Scarves, Bags, Jewelry

More Handmade by me in each online shop and I have more projects that I am working - I will get as many of them as I can online -- and I'm taking Custom Orders!

And --- For Those Who Prefer to Purchase Privately, the Discounts will be applied when arranging the Private Sale - just Email !

Brand New Scarf in My Etsy Shop - Burgundy Marsala Reds and Roses - Long, Soft and Textured

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
- Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Long 78 Inch Scarf in Burgundy Marsala Reds


My newest completed Handmade project is a Personal Accessory - made with Colder Times in mind, it is a 78 Inch by 4 1/2 Inch Chunky Scarf Crocheted in 2 Yarns in a Textured Pattern.

Below is a Closeup Photo of one end of the Scarf - the "front" side - it shows that the Solid Burgundy Yarn and the "Heathered" Yarn are somewhat "inter-woven" in this stitch pattern, which is call the "Bee Stitch" - and in this Closeup Photo, you can more easily see how textured it is.

This is a COLORFUL - and rather Practical Scarf - it is Soft - and you can wear it a number of different ways - including wrapped around your neck, tied around your neck - or just hanging down.

See the details on materials and purchasing in my Etsy Shop!

Plus the care for it is fairly easy as you can either wash it by hand in cool water with mild laundry soap and lay out to dry - or throw it in a washing machine if it has a setting for delicate knits in cool water.

Rather a Fun Scarf - especially if you like Burgundy Reds - or Reds in the Marsala Color Family!!!

And Pssst - if you would like it in another combination of Colors, send me an email about it - I'm still doing Custom Orders!

New Piece of Irish Crochet Decor I Made - Fall Orange Leaf Square Mat

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
- Get My Handmade in my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Fall Orange Leaf Square Mat - 14 Inch Square

I really enjoy doing Irish Crochet - it is based on traditional known techniques - I like the way it looks!

The above square is a pattern from a Magic Crochet Magazine with Irish Crocheted Leaves - but I did it in quite a thicker thread than that pattern called for - and in 2 Colors - this time in a Fall or Autumn Color Theme - Orange and Cream, though some might like this Color Theme at any time!!

Here is a Closeup of one corner, so you can see the design more clearly.

Closeup of 1 Corner of the "Fall Orange Leaf Square" - A Large Leaf in the Corner with a Smaller Leaf on Each side.

I made and photographed this piece with the idea in mind for it to be used as a Decor Accent on a Table - such as:

• Coffee Table 
• Side Table 
• Center of a Dining Table

 -- but you could also frame it - I think it would look best against a darker background - as a Wall Hanging.

See more details about it on my Etsy Shop Listing.

Honoring the Creativity in Crochet of Marinke - "A Creative Being" - Mandalas For Marinke

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
- Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

I was very sad on the day in June 2015 when I read the Crochet Concupiscence article with the news about Marinke of "A Creative Being" succumbing to suicide - but I immediately thought that the creation of the Project "Mandalas For Marinke" was great - to honor and celebrate Marinke's creativity.

What Marinke and I - along with many others - had in common was the Love of doing CROCHET and getting CREATIVE with it - with lots of COLORS!!!

So, I decided right then and there - when I first read about it - that I would crochet some things based on Marinke's Mandala Patterns for that project.

The photo above is of the first one I did - based on Marinke's Spoke Mandala Pattern.  When I first saw Marinke's Mandalas, it was the one that caught my attention and I wanted to do!  This one is done in Peaches and Creme Cotton Worsted Yarn - and is 10 Inches in diameter.

But I wanted to do more - I have been crocheting Hats and Scarves longer than anything else - and I thought it would be neat to make a Hat based on Marinke's Standard Mandala Pattern in lots of cheerful colors - I decided to do it in Peaches & Creme Cotton Yarn, which I have in lots of colors - and I did them in the order of the Color Spectrum - Red to Purple/Magenta - here are the Photos of what I call the "Mandala Hat" --

Then I decided to do another Spoke Mandala - but this one is done in a thinner thread - a Size 3 Cotton Thread - in Red, Green and White - coming out to 6 1/2 Inches in Diameter ---

All 3 of these pieces will be donated to the Mandalas For Marinke Project being done by Kathryn of Crochet Concupiscence .

Based on Marinke's Patterns - they Honor and Celebrate her Creativity!

From the Crochet Concupiscence post starting "Mandalas For Marinke":

"Each post will include at least one fact about depression to help raise awareness about this issue as we celebrate Wink’s work."

Though my medical problems are different than Marinkes and not in the field of Mental Health, Crocheting has brought me much Joy!!!  And I totally support and respect the Human Rights and Dignity for those who suffer from Mental Health problems - I have known about this organization for some years: 

Citizens Commission On Human Rights and their "Mental Health Declaration of Human Rights" 

- and I strongly believe in Patients Rights and proper medical care for all.

My Filet Crochet "Proud Rooster" in On Fire For Handmade Great Finds Fall 2015

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

"Proud Rooster" - Designed and Crocheted by RSS Designs In Fiber

I designed this Rooster Mat or Wall Hanging - charting it out based on a picture - and then crocheting it in Filet Crochet with some textured stitches - and a rectangular edge, making it easy to frame for hanging - 15 1/2 Inches Wide by 16 3/4 Inches Long.
Roosters are a popular Folk theme - very often for Fall or Autumn or Country or Farm Decor - and it is also considered "French Country Style".

This week the On Fire For Handmade Great Finds is:
"Lil Bit Country"
~~ and my "Proud Rooster" got in it!
Definitely a "Lil Bit Country"!!!

A fun event on a different theme each week showcasing online Handmade from On Fire for Handmade, Great Finds has a Poll at the bottom where you can VOTE for your Favorite.

You can VOTE for "RSS Designs In Fiber" in the Poll!

Hickory Red Browns Fur Scarf & Hat Set in Fall Great Finds by On Fire For Handmade

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Scarf and Hat Set in Fall Hickory Red Browns Fancy Fur

Presenting Handmade is what the "On Fire For Handmade" site is all about - and their weekly "Great Finds" Event is a great way to see some!

I'm always glad when I can say that something I've made - "makes the cut" - and this week it's about getting ready for FALL with Decor, Jewelry, Bags, Wear-ables and Paperwork - All 100% HANDMADE!

My Handmade that got in this week's Great Finds Event is this Scarf and Hat Set I crocheted with this Gorgeous, Richly Colored Yarn in Hickory Red Browns - definitely Fall Colors great for Fall outfits!!

~~ Or for any time if you like Red Browns!

It is a Long, Skinny Scarf - 65 Inches Long and 3 Inches Wide - wrap it around the neck once and let it hang down - wrap it around twice and keep it shorter.  The Hat is a Slouch.

The Yarn is a Nylon Eyelash Yarn - Very Soft and Silky!

Here is the "Fall Great Finds" for this week at "On Fire For Handmade" - and you can VOTE for your favorite in the Poll at the bottom - I appreciate all the VOTES for RSS DESIGNS IN FIBER !!!

Newest Laptop Sleeve or Case - Handmade in Tunisian Crochet - Thick and Cushion-y!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Laptop Sleeve in Earthy Colors - Open with Laptop peaking out

In addition to my own Laptop Sleeve - which I always use to protect my Laptop whenever I take it off my Desk - I've made a few of these that I've Sold.

This is my newest one - I decided to make it in Earthy Greens, Browns and Tans - and do it in Tunisian Crochet Tweed using 2 acrylic yarns Double-Strand Thick:

• Paddy Green
• Amazon Ombre

Closeup of Laptop Sleeve showing the detail of the Tunisian Crochet Tweed in Paddy Green and Amazon Ombre.

It is rather Soft and Sponge-y - and I tightly joined all pieces together - and gave it a finished edge with the Rounded Crab Stitch.

The Back Piece is longer - extending over with a Flap that Buttons on the Front piece, as you can see here:

<---- Back of Laptop Sleeve with the Flap extended -------

-------->  Photo Below shows the Front of the Laptop Sleeve with the Flap folded over on the front and Buttoned shut. 

I like these Crocheted (and Knitted ones like pictured at the Bottom) - Double Strand Thick - to make a Sleeve that really CUSHIONS the Laptop - so you don't have to worry when you take it out in a Knapsack or Briefcase or Carryon Luggage - or a Suitcase - because it is PROTECTED from scratches and anything knocking against it with this type of Sleeve!!

See the Listing for this Earthy Colors Protective Laptop Sleeve for Full Details!

It is 100% Handmade in Yarns (and Fully Washable) - even the Button is a Three-Color Crocheted Button - and the Yarn is sturdy - my own Laptop Sleeve pictured below that I made has lasted me for Years!

A Crocheted or Knitted Laptop Sleeve like this can be made in any variety of Worsted Yarn - Double Strand - and I will take Custom Orders for making them!

My "Roses and Shamrocks" Doily in On Fire For Handmade Great Finds "Strawberry and Mint"

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Roses and Shamrocks - Irish Crochet Colorwork Doily with Multi-Color Crocheted Roses

So!  It's another Great Finds from On Fire For Handmade!

This time it's called "Strawberry and Mint" - and it's about the colors Pink and Green!

In my Colorful Crochet - both in Threads and Yarn - I have quite a bit in both Pink and Green - and combinations of the 2, like the above "Roses and Shamrocks"!
Done in "Colorwork" with the color design of it designed by me - it is a Vivid and Bright Decor Accent - and for those who like Nature Themes and/or Irish Crochet Floral Themes!

It is in this Great Finds online event July 26th through August 2nd, 2015 - by On Fire For Handmade:

"Strawberry Mint" Great Handmade Finds
Do Vote For Your FAV - and support the Handmade you like!
And keep in mind Voting for "RSS Designs In Fiber" for this Roses and Shamrocks!
(PSST - You can Vote every 24 Hours through Aug. 2nd on this Great Finds)

Early Holiday Ideas - Gifts - Decor - To Wear - All Handmade or Vintage - with Some Specials

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

So-o-o - it's July!  It's Summer - some are on Vacation - some are planning way ahead for the rest of the year - Well, if you are that kind of person, you might be interested in what I and some "Handmade and Vintage Friends" are doing online!

We thought we'd give people some time to look over what Unique, Distinctive Items that we, as Indie Sellers - (some of us - like me - who are only selling things we've made with our own hands) have to offer for the upcoming 2015 Holidays - but NOW!

Harvest

Halloween

Veteran's Day

Thanksgiving Day

Hanukkah

Christmas

New Year's Eve

- or whatever you celebrate -

Here is a Pinterest Board where I am presenting all kinds of Handmade and Vintage from Indie Sellers:

Follow Ruth Sandra Sperling's board 2015 Early Holiday Ideas on Pinterest.

Some like to buy all year long for all kinds of occasions - "buy when you see it" - and hide it away until the big day or Holiday or Celebration!! - If you are like that, you can get 15% off EVERYTHING in both my Bonanza Booth - and Etsy Shop - through the end of July 2015 with Coupon Code:
EARLYHOLIDAYSPCL2015

Bonanza Booth Early Holiday Specials for Artistic Handmade Decor - 15% Off with Coupon
(Psst - this 15% Off is in addition to the Quantity Discount of 5% Off Orders totaling $60 or more)



- and in my Etsy Shop - For Handmade Personal Accessories - 15% Off with Coupon -

Newest Irish Crochet Handmade Decor Accent I Made

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber

 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately 

"Giant" Irish Crochet Rose Table Topper

17 Inches Point-to-Point Across -

If you like "Classic Irish Crochet" Rose Decor Accents - here is one!

The "Giant" Irish Crochet Rose - the Center Focus Point of this piece - is 5 1/2 Inches in Diameter - with 6 Layers of Petals - on the Outer Layer of the Rose are 16 Petals.

The Lustrous DMC Pearl Cotton the Crocheted Rose - and the Crocheted Leaves around it  - really makes this piece Beautiful!

Below is a Closeup of the "Giant" Crocheted Rose - most Crocheted Roses are 1 to 2 Inches in Diameter, so this one being 5 to 2 1/2 times bigger really makes it "Giant" - and you can see the details here:

Closeup of "Giant" Irish Crocheted Rose in Garnet Reds

See more Handmade Irish Crochet Flower Decor Accents in my Bonanza Booth!

My World Wide Knit In Public Day 2015 - Out in Nature in the Antelope Valley of California

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Today, June 13, 2015 is "World Wide Knit in Public Day 2015" From what I understand, it is about celebrating All Fiber Arts in Public - which include my Crochet!

Above is a photo of my Tunisian Crochet project I was working on in Public today where I live - though I did not find a local event with other Fiber Arts friends, I like going outside - and I was on a street bench, sitting there crocheting away Publicly!!

Of course, I do this in different places all year long - but I wanted to make a point of it today - two of my activities that I enjoy the most in my life now is my Fiber Arts - and Nature - and today I combined both of them.

Below are some Photos I took today, as I was outside in the Western Antelope Valley of Southern California - crocheting and enjoying the views and Nature around me!

Looking West over the buildings where I live:

Looking North from 65th Street West - I do believe the mountains in the background are:

- The Darker ones at the bottom that stand out more are the Eastern End of the Tehachapi Mountains.

- The Vague ones behind and sticking out a little above them, I do believe is the Sequoia National Forest - the most Southern tip of the Sierra Nevada!  Yes, on a Clear day you can vaguely see the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance from where I live!

The Eastern Sky of the Antelope Valley - what I kept looking up at as I crocheted!

Lovely Day - and I love doing my Crochet - outside in Nature!!

Sparkling Orange Flower 18 Inch Table Topper I Made in "On Fire For Handmade Great Finds" Now

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Sparkling Orange 3D Crocheted Rose Flowers on Tan Lace Table Topper
Outrageous Orange On Fire For Handmade Great Finds June 8 - 14, 2015

Anne Hopfer does it Every Week - a "Great Finds" of Handmade Online - this Week, June 8th through the 14th 2015 - she chose the theme "Outrageous Orange"!

Well, I guess you might think these Orange (with some Yellow) Crocheted Roses - on the Table Topper I made - are a bit Outrageous - I added some Copper-y Kreinik Metallic Blending Filament to the edges of the Crocheted Roses - and the Tan Lace - to add some Sparkle!

If you like this, VOTE FOR "RSS Designs In Fiber"!!!

Orange Roses are a bit new on the scene!  According to proflowers.com :

"When everything’s coming up roses there’s no better way to celebrate than with a bright bouquet of orange roses. With their suggestions of fire, citrus, glowing sunsets, they have a passionate intensity that says thanks, congratulations or I love you with boundless enthusiasm. ...."Blending the friendly associations of the yellow rose with the true-love implications of the red enabled a much subtler, intriguing suggestion of love emerging from friendship."

So, if you would like something a bit intense - being Welcoming or Celebratory - on your Table - think of using my Handmade Table Topper with Sparkling Orange Crocheted Rose Flowers !! 

For June Romance - Handmade Roses and Hearts by RSS Designs In Fiber

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Follow Ruth Sandra Sperling's board Hearts in Fiber Arts I Made on Pinterest.


I've been crocheting things with Romantic Roses and Hearts in them since I started - as I have mentioned before in blogging, Roses and Hearts are some of my favorite things!

June is known as a Month of Romance - June Weddings, June Anniversaries, June Roses - as the Rose is one of the Flowers associated with June!

My Pinterest Board about "Hearts in Fiber Arts I Make" shown above has only ones that I have made myself.

A long time ago, I found this pattern in a 1970's Craft magazine - except it was in White - and I, loving Colors - crocheted this one in Wild Rose Pink and Garnet Red:

Irish Crochet Heart with Multi-Layer Crocheted Roses

But I have done a number of different versions of this - in a variety of Colors - and some with Beads crocheted in.

Marsala Red Heart with Shaded Garnets Roses - Beaded

Big Red Irish Crochet Heart with 3D Roses

Pure White Irish Crochet Heart with Beaded Roses - with White Pearls - Sold

Baby Pink Irish Crochet Heart with Shaded Pinks 3D Lace Roses - Sold

Garnet Red Irish Crochet Lace Heart with Beaded Shaded Pinks Crocheted 3D Roses - Sold

Yellow Irish Crochet Lace Heart with Shaded Yellows Crocheted 3D Roses - Sold

Lavender Irish Crochet Lace Heart with Shaded Purple Crocheted 3D Roses - Sold

~~ Then there is a Variety of other Handmade Items by me with Roses and/or Hearts ~~

How About Enjoying Your June Romances with some Designs In Fibers??!!

Rose Vase Fiber Art

Classic Irish Crochet Round - Pink Roses in White Picot Lace

Burgundy Red Heart in White Irish Picot Lace - Coaster-size Doily - Set of 2

Keychain with Irish Crochet Red Roses and Leaves

Red Rose Motif - Garden Cottage Style

Red and White Cotton SunHat with 3D Rose

Brand New Creation - A Wrist Cuff That Hugs Your Wrist! - New Personal Accessory

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Sometimes - in my own world of doing Handmade - I come up with something to solve a problem - and this Brand New Wrist Cuff That Hugs Your Wrist is just that!!

This one is in Shaded Denim Blues - as it really is in the shade of Blue, "Denim", I thought that in this world of "Jeans-wearing people all over the place", it might appeal to someone!

I designed it to Hug and Cushion the Wrist while on a Computer - or using a Mouse - Huh - Like other blogging, online roaming  people like me, LOL!!

I had to figure it out, but having been crocheting all kinds of things (many of which have never seen the light of online at all) in many different types of stitches, I figured it all out and it worked on the first try! (Yes I'm wearing the one I made for  myself as I type this!)

I used 2 types of Crocheted Rib Stitches - to explain - these are Crochet Stitch Patterns that create Ribs - you know those Ribbed bottoms of Sweaters or at the ends of Sweater Arms - that STRETCH - you see - STRETCH is the key word here!

I needed something that would Cover the Wrist area - sort of Fit and Hug it, but not wanting to have to attach some fastener - it had to be able to Stretch over the Wider Part of the Hand to put it on - and still "Hug The Wrist"!

The Section that "Hugs The Wrist" is Crocheted with "Post Stitch Rib", which is really rather thick and CUSHIONING (another key word) - and here is a Closeup picture that shows the detail of the Post Stitch Rib Section of this Wrist Cuff:

Then -- since I wanted the Top of the Cuff to be wider to accommodate easy movement with the Hand and still fit comfortable - I did this upper part (see it in the pictures at  the top) with a Back Loop Single Crochet Rib Stitch, which is a little more flexible and Stretch-y.

Well - some experienced Crocheters will know what I mean - and it all worked out.

It is crocheted in one of my favorite Cotton Yarns - Peaches and Creme, which I have in quite a few colors.

These are Real Casual - designed for Everyday Use - that you can slip in a pocket, case, purse, desk drawer - and then just pull out and pop on - definitely convenience in mind ( I get impatient sometimes, do you?)!

Available in my On Fire For Handmade Gift Guide Shop at:

Shaded Denim Blue Wrist Cuff - Protective - Handmade Casual Stretch-y Ribbed Cotton Yarn Hugs Wrist 

-- And I've thought some people might want some in other Colors (who knows?) - I can make one of these in all kinds of Colors - I have this cotton yarn in quite a number of Colors - practically the whole Color spectrum - just Email Me to request a Custom one made in the Color you want - and tell me the Size you need!!