Knitting In Public
Do you knit in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?
I’ve talked about the fact that I knit in public more often than at home so this is a daily thing for me. And I’ve had very different reactions though never one of offense. I’ve met other Knitters on many occasions because I was working on something. I’ve learned about yarn shops and, events just because I was knitting in public.
I’ve found other geeks while finishing a Dalek on the train and having someone call out, “Exterminate.” And shared that this particular Dalek was for someone becoming a doctor. A very fitting gift indeed. I’ve had other knitters surprised that I could knit while standing. Something I find easy if I have a subway door to lean on. Depending on the project there were days where I would prefer to stand because knitting sitting down, meant not having enough room. I’ve flown with my knitting, without problems so far.
All the images of projects between the paragraphs today are items I have knit in a public venue, be it on the bus, plane, train, convention panel, park, bar, restaurant or somewhere else and were remarked on by someone. So I guess I fall onto the side of people being happy that I knit in public. Of course I am usually wearing headphones, and its rare that someone will go out of their way to make a snide comment to a stranger, so I may be missing the negative ones.
I have gotten the occasional, “Will you make me….; My _____ used to do that; I don’t have the patience; how much do you charge for; Isn’t that an old lady thing (thanks mom)” etc… But my usual reaction to all of those is to just ignore them. Really the alternative isn’t worth it. I mean, it can’t be easy to wash blood out of yarn.
I’m of the mind that I enjoy knitting and it is something that I am able to do in social situations and still keep up with conversation, or something that I can do, when other options are limited. All my friends know this about me and tend to be more surprised when I haven’t pulled out knitting then when I do.
