There are so many things in our lives that are unavoidable—and they’re often unsightly, too. And the reality is that we cannot avoid cords. Cords stick out from our lamps, from the wall where the cable for our internet comes in, from our chargers. We try not to notice them, but they are everywhere.

Cords feel so utilitarian to me, like metal—and indeed, if metal is the element of focus, think about how cords literally focus energy.

Wrapping a cord with yarn not only makes it less unsightly, but also softens it, makes it a part of the home, not something to be shoved out of sight or glanced away from as quickly as possible. We live in a world of cords and electricity. Instead of resisting that, perhaps we should embrace it.