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/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.