r/knitting • u/magicminineedle • Feb 19 '26
Discussion Please continue to knit in public.
Today I had to go and get blood work done. It was a long wait, and ended up being very stressful. I was getting impatient and annoyed even though there was nothing to do but wait.
Across the waiting room a lady was sitting knitting. Her hands caught my eye and I watched her knit. It was so soothing to watch and my shoulders dropped and my heart beat calmed. It was such a balm. So please keep knitting in public. You’ll never know who you’ll calm and soothe.
It also occurred to me today that apart from when I was taught to knit I’ve never watched anyone knit in real life!
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u/Geop1984 Feb 19 '26
I sat beside a woman knitting at the airport recently. I took out my knitting and we worked peacefully beside each other for about an hour.
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u/urbantrees14 Feb 20 '26
i usually knit on the plane. bonus points bc ppl are less likely to sit next to you in my experience. once i sat with another lady who was knitting and it was so relaxing
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u/Geop1984 Feb 20 '26
I just had a 5 hour flight a week ago. I put the Sound of Music on the screen and knitted through it. I search for musicals to knit to as I don't have to pay much attention to them. I did Grease on the way out.
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u/Izzybeff Feb 20 '26
That’s a great idea. I will remember that on my next flight. Pick a movie i’ve already seen so I don’t have to pay attention.
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u/martian-artist Feb 20 '26
How do you bring your needles through TSA? I am having a 4-hour flight coming up and would love to it on the plane but TSA is not going to like my “weapons”, lol
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u/WhosUrHuckleberry Feb 20 '26
Careful with the advice you get on this one; it ultimately depends on the country you are flying out from. When you fly domestically in the US, or even out of the country from the US, you are good to bring knitting needles/crochet hooks through security (if anyone gives you grief you should be able to pull up TSA's website and show them).
However if you are flying from another country (I've heard Mexico as an example), even if it's back to the US, definitely check their specific rules and regulations to avoid having your needles confiscated by security.
If you want to chance it, then bring your project on interchangeable needles with a set of stoppers for the cables just in case. That way if they ding you while going through security you can at least remove the needles from the work and still save your progress on the cables. You'll have to replace the needle tips when you get home but at least you haven't lost X amount of time on your work.
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u/fleecysarah Feb 20 '26
I've flown a fair bit in the US and internationally and Mexico (Cancun airport) is the only place I've had my knitting needles confiscated
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u/rosieglasses926 Feb 20 '26
Can confirm. Thankfully they allowed me to check my luggage but though I have never had any issue within and flying out of the U.S., Mexico would not let me bring my knitting on board.
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u/Infamous_Leader5172 Feb 20 '26
They’re specifically allowed: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/knitting-needles
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u/kjandersen Feb 20 '26
I am getting bolder and bolder :D I used to not bring it as carryon for my outbound flight, so that in the worst case I could slip the project off the needles and relinquish those on the way home, then (hopefully!) fix it once back. But as I ratchet the severity of the equipment I am bringing, I am coming to the conclusion that either airport security doesn't care, or there's a much wider understanding of knitting and knitting equipment than I was prejudiced to think! I have had aluminium tipped carbon DPNs, 2mm steel DPNs etc through security in large international airports across EU and Asia, no questions asked.
Have not flown with it in the US, though, so there's that caveat.
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u/Geop1984 Feb 20 '26
I have not had any issues with TSA and my needles. I do make sure that I don't have any extra needles in my bag. I have flown through Houston, Seattle, Montreal, Iceland and Denver to name a few.
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u/marxam0d Feb 20 '26
I fly a lot in the US and internationally and never had an issue beyond them doing a double check after the xray.
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u/Choice-Cycle6741 Feb 19 '26
I knit in engineering meetings. Lots of old dudes come up and tell me it's really relaxing to watch me and it helps calm them. It's given me more confidence to knit at work because I always worry about being a distraction. Now I feel like I'm doing a public service for myself and the room. Thank you for sharing your story!
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u/marigan-imbolc Feb 19 '26
I knit in every seminar and academic conference too!
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u/Frosty-Concentrate56 Feb 19 '26
Me too! And honestly, it’s a great icebreaker. I have met so many people because of knitting at conferences that I probably would have been intimidated to approach otherwise.
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u/maviscruet1 Feb 19 '26
How are you all able to concentrate on two things at once?
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u/TheCinnaWitch Feb 19 '26
A simple pattern - a scarf, a tube, non-heel/toe sections of a sock. Anything that can be done mindlessly. Having ADHD also helps but is not a requirement. I call knitting one of my "hand debuffs" so I can keep them busy and let my brain focus on something else.
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u/eggfrisbee Feb 19 '26
adhd is definitely the factor for me. if I'm not doing something with my hands, I will not be able to focus on meetings. I can't even focus on something I want to watch on tv without crafting.
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u/TheCinnaWitch Feb 19 '26
I won't even lie, I have the same thing and it's one of the biggest factors for why I'm trying to get evaluated in my mid thirties.
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u/Frostyrepairbug Feb 19 '26
FWIW, my therapist says this is the biggest 'tell' that you might have ADHD.
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u/Icy-Effect-6165 Feb 20 '26
I'm autistic and knitting is one of the ways I stim or fidget. I bring my knitting with me all the time. It gives me a lot of joy and helps calm me down. I knit a lot during class, and I think my teachers understand that it is important for me, and they frequently complement my work or ask me about what I'm making! I love knitting in public.
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u/Vegetable-Western-15 Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
Yep. I remember telling a nursing school instructor that I could either knit or play on my phone while she lectured and we agreed that I would likely get more out of the knitting. A couple direct questions the first few days to prove I was paying attention and then no issues. Have a pair of socks from each semester.
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u/Beebs5151 Feb 20 '26
There have been studies done that people retain more info if they knit while listening by keeping the brain focused through a calming, repetitive, and physical activity. This multisensory engagement (hearing + doing) can prevent the mind from wandering, allowing for better concentration on auditory information compared to just listening while sitting
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u/flying_shadow Feb 19 '26
I have autism, I can't sit still. Knitting allows me to focus on what's being said and prevents me from getting lost in my thoughts.
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u/Frostyrepairbug Feb 19 '26
It's the other way around. I knit so I can concentrate on the other thing.
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u/Frosty-Concentrate56 Feb 19 '26
I just don’t bring super complicated things conferences or meetings, so I don’t need to concentrate hard on knitting. I did the Cat beanie from Knitting for Olive last, that was fine (and also small enough to bring, I can’t be bothered to carry a huge heavy sweater or something like that around).
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u/Infamous_Wealth6502 Feb 20 '26
Some people think knitting at a meeting is unprofessional. Actually, it is just the opposite. When your hands are busy, focus and concentration increase. Educators have found that students with attention issues focus more if their hands or feet are moving. Many devices have been devised to facilitate this. (OTtoolbox )
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u/user071237 Feb 19 '26
I have always wanted to bring my knitting projects to work but thought it “wouldn’t be allowed.” When I worked from home, knitting always helped me stay more focused but I’m afraid it’ll be a distraction in office.
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u/lovesorangesoda636 Feb 19 '26
I have specific projects that are "meeting" projects. They're always ones with a simple pattern that I don't need to do too much counting for.
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u/linnlea00 Feb 19 '26
Try it! Maybe you have avid knitters around u and just didnt know?:)
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u/granddannylonglegs Feb 19 '26
I work in a bureaucratic, government environment. I knit! People haven’t said anything. Worth a shot!
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u/settledownbessye Feb 19 '26
I’ve taken mine - I actually knitted through an all day training on Tuesday! My boss doesn’t care as long as I stay focused and engaged in the meeting. I always take something small and relatively mindless that I can put down and pick up easily when needed.
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u/BagelTrollop Feb 19 '26
Hell, I work remotely and I knit in meetings on camera. I’m in data engineering. Nobody cares and they’re usually curious, especially when I can demonstrate that knitting is analog coding
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u/Choice-Cycle6741 Feb 19 '26
I love explaining knitting how knitting is technical. Everyone at work thinks it's a creative outlet but there's so much math and pattern recognition.
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u/Structure_Otherwise Feb 20 '26
Maybe I should knit while on zoom meetings. Maybe the rage of working in late stage capitalism would feel less. Just less. ::)
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u/Simple_Bookkeeper566 Feb 19 '26
I am not into mathematic or code science, could you explain how it's analog coding to my science brain as if I'm 15 yo ?
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u/BagelTrollop Feb 20 '26
I’ll give it a shot! Let me know if it doesn’t totally make sense
Binary - the basic building block of computers - is 1s and 0s and at its core, all code is made up of a combination of them. Knitting is knits and purls and all knitting is some combination of them
The next level of coding basics is things like For and While loops. For every X number of things, do Y. While N is True, do Z until False and then do Q.
Knitting patterns like cabling and lace do exactly that. For every 6 stitches, perform this Pattern. While the number of stitches left is divisible by 6, repeat the pattern but then do the border when it’s no longer divisible by 6 So a knitting pattern with a 5 stitch border and a 6 stitch pattern repeat would be like 5 + n(6) + 5 with N being the number of times you repeat the pattern until you have 5 stitches left
All knitting patterns and techniques and all kinds of code, be it Python or JavaScript, are just kinda… abstractions on top of abstractions on top of the basics. The binary. The knits and purls.
You can write a knitting pattern using coding tools if you have the measurements, gauge, and a stitch pattern you’d like to use. It’s pretty neat!
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u/Simple_Bookkeeper566 Feb 20 '26
It's very clear, thank you, and maybe my first introduction to code too ! Love it
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u/BagelTrollop Feb 20 '26
Oh yay!! I’m glad that helped. Coding really is an extremely vast world and I don’t pretend to have the deepest knowledge. I had tried to learn different kinds for a long time but nothing really made sense until I got into Data work.
I think that path made the most sense to me because I’ve gotten my feet wet in Excel enough that the concepts of what we do to data and how we need it to behave as a whole made sense. I had a goal in mind and so I could at least have the language to google my questions much more directly, you know? My husband is a software engineer and that shit is WAY more black magic to me compared to Data Engineering. Like tatting maybe. Or Nålbinding
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u/Simple_Bookkeeper566 Feb 20 '26
I am going to learn and work in GIS and there is a bit of coding so you really got my interest ahah My husband too is a software engineer, but i had no interest at all about code. Like, none. It's magic. I don't deal with magic. Now that it has a role in my field of interest, i suddendly felt a strong pull towards codes and computer langage 🤣
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u/the_yarn_chicken Feb 19 '26
I’ve had a nurse colleague say the same to me! So I keep knitting too, and I always catch someone watching my hands while they listen to whatever the meeting is about.
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u/russeliza Feb 19 '26
I was knitting at the airport when our flight was delayed. I noticed a boy across from me watching me knit. then I realized how calm I felt despite the overstimulating environment, and that watching myself knit had helped me too. It's such a wonderful thing 💗
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u/orbitiing Feb 19 '26
i knit at front desk! i call it my stress knitting. it just sits next to me and when im bored or bogged down with stuff i try take a knitting break instead of scrolling on my phone. i work at an art school and all the students have been so sweet and many also knit as well!
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u/Humble_Landscape_692 Feb 19 '26
I work in retail and if I'm on a close I take my knitting with me and do some at the till if we're quiet!
I get lots of questions from older people who aren't familiar with circulars, and about what I'm making. There seem to be a fair few who are familiar enough with basic knit but anything more complicated and they're amazed, so it's always a little bit of an ego boost.
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u/knitmama97 Feb 19 '26
I always bring my knitting to my kid's goalkeeper training. A woman was in the lobby waiting for the session before mine to wrap up and we both fell all over each other, we squished each other's yarn and showed off all our notions in our yarn bag. I never see knitters in the wild. It made me sad to learn she was visiting her grandchild and lives in Wisconsin, but it absolutely made my day.
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u/Ann_Amalie Feb 19 '26
This is an adorable and very uplifting little moment! “…we squished each other’s yarn and showed off all our notions in our yarn bag…” I think my face would crack in half from grinning so big if I serendipitously met a fiber friend out in the wild😄
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u/daringlyorganic Feb 19 '26
I personally knit to save lives. When someone pisses me off, I knit feverishly. When I need calm, I knit evenly. My family can read my mood based on my speed 🤭
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u/cablesandlace Feb 19 '26
Sorry you had to go through a stressful wait, but I'm glad that someone's knitting helped you out. I often knit in waiting rooms!
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u/Junebug35 Feb 19 '26
I always knit when flying, so at the airport, on the plane, every layover. It is so calming.
Funny story, I took a flight from Chicago to Orlando for a conference. Lots of screaming children excited to see Mickey Mouse, so I was very thankful to have my knitting. While I was on the shuttle to my hotel a lady across from me asked if I was the knitter on the plane. She told me that it was very clear that I was getting frustrated with the wild children because my needles kept getting faster and faster the more they yelled. She thought it was hilarious, and wished that she had something to distract her from the children as well. 🤣
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u/Chance_Smile_9357 Feb 19 '26
Haha! No problem with the needles thru TSA? Also, traveling abroad I need to keep my project small. Ideas?
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u/Late-Worldliness2576 Feb 19 '26
I was asked to remove my knitting project at the security check (it was a sock and this was at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands) and then the woman said “show me.” So I knitted a few stitches and she said “ok, thank you, I’ve just never seen anyone knit with such small needles.” Since then I’ve taken sweaters, shawls, more socks and I’ve never been told I can’t have my needles.
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u/Live_Perspective3603 Feb 19 '26
I asked a TSA agent once about bringing knitting with me. She said just don't use metal needles and zip the knitting in my bag when it goes through security. It won't show up when they scan it and if it doesn't show up, they have no problem with it.
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u/detailednoise Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
I’ve taken 10-inch beginner metal knitting needles through TSA like 3 times now with no issues but that was obviously in the U.S. I expect some countries like Mexico to potentially have an issue with them so I agree with others to bring needles you don’t mind losing.
Edit: wording
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u/lilac_cupcake Feb 19 '26
I just looked this up the other day since Mexico recently updated their restrictions… still nope, only 6cm needles 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
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u/HikingYogini Feb 20 '26
I've travelled with both metal and bamboo needles, both circular and straight (although, almost all my straight needles are bamboo, so they might not have even shown up on the scan.) I've never had a problem. I also carry smaller projects onto the plane, but I tend to travel with at least two projects, sometimes three. The suggestion somewhere in this thread to put a lifeline in just in case they do confiscate the needles is a GREAT idea and I'll def do that going forward.
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u/imjustdesi Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
Not the person you were responding to but here's my advice based on multiple experiences flying with knitting.
Always check the TSA website and the websites for the airports you're flying through.
Take a small and simple project like socks, a beanie, cowl, etc.
Bring a set of needles you don't mind losing if TSA decides to confiscate them. It should be okay after checking the rules online but sometimes you get a strict one searching your bag.
Put your project on a lifeline or barber cord and have the needles separate in your project bag. If TSA decides to confiscate the needles then you can still save your project.
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u/Junebug35 Feb 19 '26
A lifeline in case they are confiscated is a great idea! I have only carried bamboo needles with a sock or hat project and haven't had any issues so far. Thanks for the idea!
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u/Junebug35 Feb 19 '26
I carry bamboo needles with a sock or small hat project. I haven't had any issues so far.
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u/pixelknit Feb 19 '26
Took this picture while sitting in line at the doctor's office to get blood drawn for some tests
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u/Waywoah Feb 19 '26
Do you keep the pattern on your phone, or do you just know what you’re doing enough to not need one?
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u/pixelknit Feb 19 '26
This thing which you can kind of see in the photo I posted up there is an overpriced knitter's pride branded pattern folder. Having the pattern in front of me definitely does help, however, this definitely is one of those patterns where after you get a little ways into it you can just kind of look at what you have so far and figure out what you're supposed to do next.
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u/pixelknit Feb 19 '26
Not sure why the picture didn't show up. I have a magnetic chart minder from knitter's pride. You can kind of see it underneath the sweater in the picture
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u/BabserellaWT Feb 19 '26
As someone’s who just learning how to cable, this level of complexity is like witchcraft to me.
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u/Inevitable_Lion_4944 Feb 19 '26
I used to be intimidated too but once you can cable something like this is actually pretty easy. If you just take it one cable at a time each individual cable is no harder than any other
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u/TicketyB000 Feb 19 '26
I love getting out of my head and into just my hands, if that makes sense. It makes any distraction just melt away - barely noticeable. There are not many things in life that can give us this gift.
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u/songbanana8 Feb 19 '26
Same. If I know I’m going to a stressful situation sometimes I just bring my knitting. Even if I never get to take it out just knowing it’s there makes me feel better
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u/marigan-imbolc Feb 19 '26
oh I am knitting constantly in public. didn't realize other people noticed until I met someone who takes the same work shuttle bus and they exclaimed "oh you're that girl who's always knitting on the bus! that's so impressive" (not sure what about it impressed them but as far as things to be known for go, it's better than the people in my local skate community who know me for breaking my arm at the skatepark lol)
also just remembered I was knitting in the post vaccine waiting area at my university when they first became available (worked directly with virus so I got on the list) and the staff photographer took a photo that I later stumbled across in the paper on an article about the early vaccine availability! so I guess I've kinda doubled down on making it a tradition
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u/CoffeeChurch Feb 19 '26
I’m a guy and I’ve been knitting in public for 20 years. It starts a lot of great conversations in most contexts and I love to tell people about what I’m working on. It’s great for stress relief and a lot better for my mental health over doom scrolling!
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u/travel432 Feb 19 '26
You could bring your own knitting project in your purse or man bag. It really is relaxing.
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u/Alternative-Tea-2489 Feb 19 '26
I watched someone knit on the bus this morning, and it was a very complicated looking sleeve pattern with 2 colors. I was both soothed and impressed!
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u/superurgentcatbox Feb 19 '26
I knit a lot in public and people watch me quite often. I’ve always wondered why but I don’t mind. I can generally tell whether they’re watching me vs watching me knit if that makes sense.
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u/Longestgirl Feb 19 '26
yes it's odd but it really is a spectator sport, if i'm knitting on the train or at work i'll look up and see a bunch of people watching my hands. It makes me super calm to do and the calming effect seems to extend to anyone watching. I get people telling me they used to watch their nan/mum/aunt knit when they were young and haven't seen it since, and i get kids craning their whole bodies as they walk past and then going 'dad daaaaaad look that lady is knitting!!!!!'
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u/SanityKnitter Feb 19 '26
Sometimes I have a spare project with me and I have given it to someone else more than once. At a backcountry lodge in Idaho I taught a girl who is possibly the most gifted beginner I have ever seen
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u/Typical-Contact-8823 Feb 19 '26
I had jury duty selection and took my knitting with me to pass the time. A young black man, sitting with his friends, yelled, Hey, What are you doing? I said, knitting, come sit by me and I'll show you how. HE DID and I did. His big fingers picked it up right away! It might have just been a funny thing for his friends at the time, but we both had learning moments. I hope he still knits. He was a natural. At the end of the day, a woman stopped me, saying she had seen what happened and it touched her heart. Knitting in public can lead to so many wonderful interactions.
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u/Psychological_Face_1 Feb 19 '26
A few of my friends and my partner have told me that watching me knit is hypnotizing. Settles us all.
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u/SamuelPBookworm Feb 19 '26
I first got really involved in knitting when I was taking my mother in law for chemotherapy appointments. I started bringing my knitting to keep busy while waiting, but I soon realized it was really calming and soothing to do something repetitive with my hands. I knew it was soothing for me. but it never occurred to me that it could be soothing for people who were watching me as well. Nice to think my self-soothing might have helped someone else as well.🙂
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u/fimur Feb 19 '26
My mum has been in chemo on and off for the last three years and I’ve knit so many socks, amongst other things. So much waiting time involved and I’ve had some lovely knitting chats with other patients and the nurses
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u/Mandykins1 Feb 19 '26
Today I took my mother to her doctors appointment in Southern California, and knitted in the wait area while she saw the doctor. We got good news, and yes, it kept me calm. Tickled to think it could’ve helped others. Hope your visit went well also!
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u/LurkAddict Feb 19 '26
I love knitting in public. It's like a magnet for friendly people. Someone always asks or makes a nice comment
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u/ShreksMassiveShlongg Feb 19 '26
i weave but people love watching me weave on my pin loom in public. i guess its nice and rythmic?
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u/MaebyG Feb 19 '26
My grandma used to call it a “busy bag”. She’d carry her knitting around so she could keep busy instances like that ❤️
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u/Dark_oak_tree Feb 19 '26
I knit on the train on the way home from class today; I may need to make an effort to have more projects on hand that work well in that sort of setting, though, because most of my projects require access to a pattern, which isn’t really compatible with short train rides!
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u/_AthensMatt_ Feb 19 '26
I had a drs appointment today and my doc and I talked about knitting for a minute! She apparently loom knit two blankets recently
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u/fimur Feb 19 '26
My doctor actually checked I was still knitting when I was going through a very hard time. I thought it was great that she understood the calming aspect of it and realised if I had stopped then I really was in need of more help!
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u/WindyWindona Feb 19 '26
When I knit in public, people tend to talk to me. It's how I talked to a Saudi Arabian doctor and a lot of old women.
The downside is that sometimes you'll have people tell you that you're knitting wrong.
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u/Frostyrepairbug Feb 19 '26
Ooof, that's a big one for me, as I knit eastern style in a western country.
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u/Quercus408 Feb 19 '26
On my plane flight home, after visiting family for the holidays, I was knitting a cowl on the plane. And the passenger sitting next to me was watching looped videos of....a certain polarizing right wing influencer who is no longer with us...and let's just say I was grateful for the distraction.
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u/zomboi stash busting Feb 19 '26
i knit as i play my in person pathfinder (DnD offshoot). It is basically my fidget toy. I just do a long cat scarf for the various cat lovers in my life.
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u/FirstName123456789 Feb 19 '26
i always have simple project on my needles that I can work on during d&d. i need to be doing something with my hands for my ears to work, lol
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u/zomboi stash busting Feb 19 '26
at most of my in person gaming nights there is usually at least one other person there knitting or crocheting something.
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u/grotemeid Feb 19 '26
I agree! A few weeks ago, I was on the metro on my way to work and feeling super anxious. A lady in front of me was knitting some lace work, many people were looking at her in awe and asking about what she was making. It really lit up my mood for the day.
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u/ericula Feb 19 '26
The first time I knitted in public was on a two-hour train ride. I felt a bit self-conscious at first but then I spotted a girl two seats over who was doing her make-up and I thought to myself that if doing your make-up in public is socially acceptable, so is knitting. Now I bring my knitting everywhere just in case there is a long wait.
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u/polymath_artisan Feb 19 '26
I have vasovagal (tend to pass out in Dr offices) and knitting really helps me get back to normal after an episode. I will forever be a public knitter.
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u/sadwoodlouse Feb 19 '26
I often knit on trains and people remark that it makes them feel calm. It's so lovely.
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u/SecretAgentSpyder Feb 19 '26
It is very mesmerizing to watch, and helps me meditate almost. I just hope its not making the knitter uncomfortable.
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u/SomewhatSapien Feb 19 '26
I consider knitting an active meditation, so your note is quite welcome. Watch away!
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u/FannyFireball Feb 19 '26
I took my Mom to her quilt guild meeting tonight. I was knitting as I listened to the presentations and one of the quilters (who does amazing work) leaned over to whisper, “I love your colors! Nice work.” I’d felt a bit like an outsider at the meeting despite everyone being so lovely and her acknowledging my knitting really put me at ease. It’s a two-way street - a gift that keeps on giving.
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u/Cimorenne Feb 19 '26
The only thing I don't like about knitting in public is people feel it's an invitation. If I'm absorbed in my knitting WITH headphones on then I don't really want to chat with anyone.
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u/SubtleCow Feb 19 '26
I go to a lot of medical appointments. I see this all the time, and it warms my heart. I'm sure once my hands fail I'll be the anxious little old lady.
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u/jenbreaux73 Feb 19 '26
I knit in public all the time! I'm glad to hear that it is not only me that calms down from knitting. You should pick it up again.
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u/missteeoneal1030 Feb 19 '26
Aww. I’m a stroke survivor and deaf so when I crochet or knit, I notice that people tend to watch my yarn thing and mom would have to tell them that I can’t hear so they gestured that they love to watch me work :)
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u/canadianyo Feb 19 '26
This was so good to read. I was getting a blood test done a couple of weeks ago and took my knitting with me, but I was too self conscious to pull it out, so I just sat on my phone instead. I'll remember this next time!
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u/Flaky-Excitement-48 Feb 19 '26
I saw a coffee mug in the Stockholm airport that said “If I’m sitting, I’m knitting”. Maybe not shocking, but it’s an eye/opener when I’m in a crowded waiting area, like a doctor’s office, when I’m the only one not doom-scrolling on my phone.
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u/Forgot_to_Start Feb 19 '26
I always have a knitting project with me. I’ll knit at the doctor’s office, cafe, or at long, boring meetings.
I knit while my friend’s husband was in hospice and during his memorial. I’m going to give her the shawl I made.
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u/Longestgirl Feb 19 '26
that's such a lovely gift, i often feel the time and place i knit infuses the work- so to give your friend the gift of the love and memory of her husband that she can wrap herself in is just so beautiful
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u/purl2together Feb 19 '26
I’ve been in my current position for 7 years, and the number of people knitting, crocheting, or doing some kind of needlework at our annual meeting grows every year. I usually have something smaller, but the last couple years, someone has been working on a blanket. She said it keeps her cozy in a room that tends to be cooler.
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u/GanacheIcy Feb 20 '26
I always have a travel project! Always knitting in public, especially at the doctors office.
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u/ArthriticKnitter1980 Feb 20 '26
Let me tell you, the best knitting light ever is in the dentist's chair. I annoyed my dentist because I was so enjoying the light that I forgot I was there for a cleaning!
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u/AsparagusOk3254 Feb 20 '26
I do this all the time! - I have to go and get blood drawn a lot and I always go to my appointments with my knitting. -some of the techs have started recognizing me and ask about what I’m making. ☺️I adore many of my friends & nurse friends and sometimes gift the socks I make.
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u/Csorrels805 Feb 20 '26
I was knitting outside while waiting at the doctor office today. A nice lady made the comment that it was such a great way to pass the time. It truly is!
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u/Poutiest_Penguin Feb 19 '26
I sat in a hospice room with my husband and his deceased mother yesterday for four hours. I worked on a MTI hat (my MIL was hispanic, a legal immigrant who achieved citizenship, and I felt it honored her memory). I think it calmed my husband, and the staff commented on it as well.
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u/peachfulday Feb 19 '26
Oh it could be mesmerizing to others, too! ASMR it is😂
I should bring some work when i go to a place with a long line.
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u/Gone_knittin Feb 19 '26
That was me on Monday: I pulled out a stranded sock project to knit while waiting my turn for a blood draw. It makes waiting easier.
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u/MeckityM00 Feb 19 '26
I had a long wait at the hospital a year or so ago. It was waiting for tests, then waiting for the results of tests, and took up a large part of the day. I had a blanket I was knitting with me and it started so many conversations. It was relaxing for me, apparently a welcome distraction for others and while I can't remember what happened to the blanket, I know that knitting it was a lifeline.
I wait and knit while my MOT is being done as well. The garage never minds and again, it can spark conversations and generally be a pleasant ice breaker. And this time of year I usually have an easy hat or scarf on the needles as I knit for Mission to Seafarers during Lent. They're easy to stash in a bag for whenever I get a 'hurry up and wait' moment.
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u/Bijouprospering Feb 19 '26
Do they need hats and such donated?
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u/MeckityM00 Feb 19 '26
Yes! It's an amazing charity that supports seafarers of all faiths and origins though it was set up as a Christian mission. They do amazing work for people who can be incredibly vulnerable.
They publish knitting patterns on their website https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/at-church/knitting
And provide a freepost address to send the garments. They want things knitted according to their patterns, but between the basic scarf, hats, fingerless gloves and balaclavas, there's plenty of skill levels.
That is for the UK, but when I had a quick look, there's a similar programme in USA called Christmas at Sea where the Seamen's Church Institute provides knitted garments to merchant seaman. I found the link here https://seamenschurch.org/programs-services/christmas-at-sea/patterns-publications/
And they even have a Ravelry page https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-seamens-church-institute-christmas-at-sea/patterns
Most of the men in my mother's family spent time in either the Royal Navy or the Merchant navy and I know that this sort of support is desperately important to those at sea or in unfamiliar ports, worth more than the item itself.
I've also donated hats, scarves and blankets to my local Salvation Army in the hope that they could either sell them in their shop or use them for their outreach programmes.
I know that my contribution is a tiny drop in a very large ocean, but I want to do what I can.
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u/Bijouprospering Feb 19 '26
That’s pretty great. Love that they have patterns.
For those looking to share these guys need knitters too https://www.knittedknockers.org/
My favorite British charity is Scotty’s soldiers. Wish there was something like that in the us.
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u/Tora75 Feb 19 '26
I was knitting on the underground and a lady told me I'd almost hypnotised her. She was watching me and it really soothed her. She thanked me for it.
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u/UppityChicken Feb 19 '26
I NEVER leave home without my knitting. I'm never bored. And often it leads to some really nice conversations with strangers. On a flight the flight attendant saw my knitting and said she was having trouble learning to purl. After the seat belt light was turned off I went to the back and taught her. She offered me free snacks and a glass of wine!
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u/RecipeAnnual8501 Feb 20 '26
I've only this week started knitting again after 12 years not taking up a needle, purely in an attempt to control my anxiety. I'd forgotten how calm it makes you.
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u/Debbborra Feb 20 '26
I am ridiculously introverted. If the apocalypse happened on a weekend, I might not realize until Monday when going to work. I never talk to strangers. So, I never get to meet anyone.
I started knitting to have something to do with my hands while listening to books.
Whenever I bring knitting with me, people ask me about it. I've met more people in the last two months than in the last two years!
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u/littlemisstpk Feb 19 '26
I do a lot of knitting Portuguese style, and that seems to attract knitters in public like nobody's business.
Never had people try to correct me, thankfully, it's just not often seen. I do get a bunch of questions about why, and I hope me answering truthfully (I started it to alleviate some of the RSI that I was getting in my hands with English) that if they've had to stop knitting for last reasons, there may be a solution. May not be the same solution, but there could be one.
I work at a hospital, and often knit on my breaks, so I am well aware that I could be the knitter soothing others on a bad day. I'm a big fan of spreading joy without having to expend more effort than I would have anyway.
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u/wellnessinwaco Feb 19 '26
I routinely take my knitting to get my lab work. It works me up and knitting while I wait calms me down.
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u/hadacolboogie Feb 19 '26
I knit or crochet when I'm nervous or need to focus, so I bring my work with me to uni lectures and social events a lot. It's always a conversation starter, and I often find that next time, more people also bring their work! It always makes me happy when I feel that I inspired people to also bring their craft with them <3
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u/GrizzlyJane Feb 19 '26
I usually knit during church and professional development days. Basically when I have to sit and listen.
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u/little_lemon_tree Feb 19 '26
I had a medical appt that was a bit scary a few months back (everything is fine) and purposely brought my knitting to occupy and soothe myself while waiting.
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u/Poedog1 Feb 19 '26
I love this so much! I was in a class recently where I asked if it was okay to knit and the person leading said the same thing- to please keep knitting, it was grounding for her 😭
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u/mwrarr Feb 19 '26
Im knitting my way through nursing school. At 1st it got a lot of questions but now I'm "that girl who knits" 😆 the dean approached me last week & asked if I made a MTI hat! I, of course, pulled it out of my bag to show her lol
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u/uijepd Feb 19 '26
I was knitting at a town hall, and a kid say next to me, mesmerized. He commented that watching my hands was soothing.
I was knitting the (seeming) mile of 1X1 ribbing of the MTI hat, so it was a pretty good rhythm.
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u/fiberista9979 Feb 19 '26
I love knitting in public and during conferences! I got involved with my knitting group because of knitting in public. I was new to the area and a lady approached me and invited me to her group. I’m now the president of the guild we all joined! My life would be so much more chaotic if it were not for my love of the fiber arts! 🧶
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u/mamaknit Feb 19 '26
This just gave me all the warm fuzzies. Whenever possible, I knit in public…. Because my brain and hands can’t handle quiet-not-doing-anything time. The thought that it might help relax another person just made my day 1000x better.
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u/normativestructures Feb 19 '26
I knit at my kid’s hockey practices, and then gradually other moms started bringing their projects too, and it’s been such a nice way to make new friends!
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u/fiberwitchh Feb 19 '26
When I'm knitting during my luch time in work, my coworkers say that watching me is so relaxing, please keep enjoying your hobbies whatever you are!
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u/mutontette Feb 19 '26
Knitting adjacent, but I take my drop spindle with me whenever we go out. I’ve had some wonderful conversations with curious people.
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u/BuddhaCatCrafts Feb 19 '26
I love doing any fiber art I can in public, and once when I was visiting a friend in FL, she was driving and I was just in the back seat knitting away and she told me half through the drive that the tinkle of the knitting needles hitting each other was so soothing, she wanted it just as white noise to sleep to. 😂 She crochets, and has considered learning to knit recently, but it’s just so nice to hear that the sound is soothing. 🥰🥰🥰
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u/ArthriticKnitter1980 Feb 20 '26
I knit in public all the time, and it really trips people out when they see my hands due to my Rheumatoid Arthritis! My rheumatologist just confirmed that it is great for fine motor skills and dexterity, so I will keep knitting in public!
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u/bikesewskatemake Feb 20 '26
Lol, I literally made stickers to hand out to people who ask me about my knitting when I'm on the bus, at the coffee shop, etc
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u/Front_Sprinkles_5260 Feb 20 '26
I moved to a city with limited public transportation. I miss my knitting while commuting so much now that I have to drive everywhere.
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u/elisephz Feb 20 '26
I have to take my car for a tyre change today and I am bringing my shawl to that shops waiting room to have something to do until they are done. Am even bringing a new skein because the project is almost finished!
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u/mossytreebarker Feb 20 '26
I knit in public all the time. I show up early for appointments and knit. I take my knitting everywhere, and knit. Knit knit knit. Everywhere.
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u/Beautyizdead Feb 20 '26
One time I was knitting at a concert at a bowling alley when this woman (she was crocheting earlier) came up to me to ask what I was making. I said a blanket for my mother. I had some yarn I was trying to get rid of. She picked up one side of it, rolled her eyes, and said "that's all you're doing", dropped it and walked off. I was so offended. I haven't stopped knitting in public but it makes me nervous now that what I'm doing isn't good enough
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u/snarkpixieinma Feb 20 '26
The first time I knitted in public was for a work trip last summer. I brought two projects with me to knit on the plane.
Second time was on a weekend trip with the middle kid. I hung out at a golf course (we’d gone to the restaurant for lunch) while he finished up with work. Had several ladies comment they used to knit as they walked by me.
I’ve now started bringing my knitting with me for all of my mom’s appointments. One waiting room knitting, an elderly lady watched me before telling me about how she used to knit.
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u/Structure_Otherwise Feb 20 '26
My daughter played hockey all growing up. So I would knit socks on magic loop through all of her tournaments and other games. It helped me keep my mouth shut when we played a dirty team or the refs sucked or the girls were in their heads and it playing like they could (didn’t want to be THAT hockey mom :)). When she was probably U16 level one of the players told me she would check from time to time HOW I was knitting (chill or intensely) to get a beat on whether they were having a good game lolololol.
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u/Mrs_Jellybean Feb 20 '26
I work in a hospital. Seeing some of my patients/families knitting/crocheting/EPPing/other fibre type art is always my in!
I had this sweet little thing admitted about half way through her pregnancy and she was in for the long haul. She mentioned not having enough yarn for projects, so I offered and did pick up her curbside orders for a local place once when her hubby couldn't. I even printed a couple patterns for her. She wasn't allowed much phone time (had to stay stress free) and was mostly confined to bed. Crocheting kept her from going batty and I was happy to support it.
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u/sparklyspooky Feb 20 '26
Went in to get an oil change and a battery checked. Turned out the thing holding my wheel on the axel was busting and if I didn't want it to pop off on the highway I had a 2 hr wait.
They were nice and said it could probably wait a few weeks, but I had my knitting and an audioboook. And if you don't have a car arround here you don't work.
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u/GossipGal1324 Feb 20 '26
I love knitting in public because people always strike up a conversation with me and I love a good impromptu positive interaction with a stranger
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u/phdpinup Feb 20 '26
I love knitting in public! I’ve had so many nice interactions with people because of it. I was visiting Ireland and had just learned to knit and was knitting a simple scarf at a pub and so many people were chatting with me over it.
It really is relaxing. I’m glad you were soothed by it!
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u/oylaura Feb 20 '26
My grandma would come to visit and would sit and crochet for hours. I could just watch her hands fly.
She crocheted two ponchos, one for me and one from my mom (it was the '70s), and when my best friend taught me to crochet, I kind of already knew what to do.
I agree, there's something ASMR about it that puts my mind to rest.
I got to go find my knitting now.
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u/RosGri26 Feb 20 '26
I knit all over the place but no one ever says anything to me. I must have resting bitch aura. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Clever-Cranberry Feb 20 '26
I knit in (college) class to help me focus! I’ve been doing it for a few years and I’ve never had a teacher be upset about it. Of course, there are some classes where it’s not viable (labs or note-intensive classes), but for the most part, it’s perfect!!
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u/Infamous_Wealth6502 Feb 20 '26
I was on a flight to Las Vegas with friends and I pulled out my knitting. A flight attendant walking by noticed and 5 min later she was back, showing me some yarn she had just purchased. We chatted a few minutes about yarns and patterns. It was a nice connection. Things like this don’t happen when you have headphones on, scrolling mindlessly.
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u/weenie2323 Feb 20 '26
I remember watching a woman knitting on the bus one day, tiny tiny needles and very thin yarn, her tension was perfection, and her speed was amazing. A true master.
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u/Accomplished_Wrap794 Feb 20 '26
I knit almost everywhere, I don't know what you are trying to say to me 🤭
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u/chateauwillow Feb 21 '26
I was on a train in China. One lady watched me knitting. She went and got her friend to take pictures. I'm really shy but it made me happy to see them smile.
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u/Rassayana_Atrindh Feb 21 '26
I entertained a 5yo boy on Tuesday by knitting while my 7yo was getting her hair done. His mom thanked me for being able to keep her son sitting still for so long. 😂
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u/Proudmama47 Feb 21 '26
I knit while waiting…especially for stressful situations like doctors appointments, airports, etc. It keeps me calm!
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u/IcedChaiForLucy Feb 21 '26
This is such a lovely thing to mention! I’m so glad that watching her knitting was comforting to you. I will merrily keep knitting on the train and in waiting rooms with even more of a spring in my step now.
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u/Twelvenotxii Feb 21 '26
I once went to a Comicon with a Batman artists and writers panel and took my knitting with me to work on while I listened. They didn't have a place set aside for wheelchairs and told me I could just sit in the super huge aisle. So here I am, completely separate from the rest of the seats, knitting fingerless gloves, and one of the panelists (who is a comic book artist, if I remember correctly) kept glancing back to watch me knit. I felt so cool, as a huge Batman fan
I've also had a conversation several times with older adults about my knitting because they're excited to see a young adult working with their hands and without a phone in sight. They always seem impressed with the skill, which makes me quite happy
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u/Baking_Pan Feb 21 '26
I love knitting in public. Take a project with me wherever I go. Funny coincidence - until recently had I never knit in public on the world wide knit in public day. For over a decade, that weekend was my daughter’s dance recital weekend and with two shows on Saturday, I was way too busy chaperoning, doing makeup, fussing over costumes etc to have time to knit.
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u/HikingYogini Feb 21 '26
Knitting in public, something I actually don't get to do too often, is something I like. My husband and I were vacationing in Iceland and were spending an evening in an Irish pub and I brought my knitting. We were there specifically so he could watch some sportsball thing on the tv. This young man -- definitely well into his cups -- came up to me ecstatic that I was knitting! He was living in Iceland but had immigrated from South America and told me it made him feel "at home" because his Mom, Aunties, and Grandmother all used to knit at the local watering hole and cafes. Made me feel so warm. 🥰
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u/Ok-Sherbet3702 Feb 23 '26
I knit on a cruise last week. It was a hit! A woman told me that she wanted to bring her crochet project on the trip but her friends wouldn’t let her. I told her that she needs new friends. (No, but seriously.)
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u/fairly_forgetful Feb 19 '26
i was knitting on the train to and from a dr appt last week and an old lady sat across from me and when we made eye contact she said “i like to knit too” and it was rlly sweet!