Handkerchiefs. My grandmother won't leave home without them. My dad relies on them. My partner laments his shrinking stash. Yet I've never really taken to them.

I'm a constant nose-blower. I recall the first time I managed to blow my nose into a tissue properly. I was quite behind the times. From that moment, though, I've maintained a devoted tie to the tissue box. But I'm ready for something different. I've been considering making the switch to handkerchiefs lately, ever since I borrowed Kym's about a week back and felt that gentle cotton against my nostrils (maybe too graphic?). I suddenly realised I didn't want to squander my life buying countless packets of paper wastefully. And they always fall apart precisely when you need them most. I've decided. I'm going for handkerchiefs. And because I'm not keen on forking out cash for a scrap of cloth, I've opted to sew my own.

Kate xxx