Crafting in public...

[NayneeNoo]

Originally Posted by HomeWithMyBabies

I can't tell you how many times I've sat down in a quiet room with a book or a video to attempt to learn the most simple knitting stitches and it doesn't take.

I tried years ago to learn crochet and knitting by book and oh, was it a disaster. I still haven't tried knitting again, but considering how well crocheting is going after looking up YouTube videos, I might. I do most of my work on projects at night after the kids go to bed.

[Wonder Woman]

Originally Posted by HomeWithMyBabies

I can't tell you how many times I've sat down in a quiet room with a book or a video to attempt to learn the most simple knitting stitches and it doesn't take. So I definitely understand the sentiment "I don't have time." I need to concentrate to work on that stuff and I can't in public (or even at home ). However give me an embroidery project and we're good to go assuming I have two hands free...which generally I don't at this point, but someday. I love to see people working on stuff out in public, it's fairly common in the waiting areas of the offices we frequent. It is a nice way to start a conversation.

I'm that way when I'm learning something - it takes some serious time alone with no distractions. Once I learn it though, it's all fair game for public work! (Well, ok. Maybe not machine embroidery, I can see where that would be not-public-friendly )

One of my favorite tat-in-public stories involved my old glasses - I had the frames with magnet for the sunglasses. I was doing the 3 hour glucose-tolerance test (not while preggers, just for my insulin issues) and so I was sitting there tatting in between blood draws.

I use a tatting needle and a crochet hook, so I'd park my hook on my glasses magnet in between using it This guy was staring and staring and staring and after 2 hours he said "I have to ask - HOW are you making that stay there?!" and I smiled and said "crafters are magic." and left it at that.

(For a few minutes, then I took pity on him and explained )

[HomeWithMyBabies]

Neat trick

I still have a gift cert for a knitting class. My Dh gave it to me, it was years ago now. . If I can ever get over there perhaps they can cure me!

[Damselfly]

Originally Posted by Wonder Woman

I'm that way when I'm learning something - it takes some serious time alone with no distractions. Once I learn it though, it's all fair game for public work!

I'm that way too. My attempt to learn tatting at a tatting group was a disaster---several opinionated ladies all attempting to teach me their way.

[Petie]

My husband loves me making projects in public. I can't right now because I'm making a queen sized double thick crochet blanket. It's heavy and BIG! But, when I have smaller projects I am constantly carrying them with me. I can't imagine being embarrassed by it. By the way, I have been trying to knit a sock for months and I keep having to pull it out every time I get to the shaping. I have to say, I am jealous that you seem to do them without issues. I wish I could figure them out.

[Wonder Woman]

the way that really clicked for me - Melissa Morgan Oakes Two at a Time book - I really prefer the toe-up one.

It's so much easier to knit them that way, no picking up stitches along the heel flap!

[ArmsOfLove]

Originally Posted by poleidopy

really? People are embarrassed by...knitting in public!? That's all kinds of weird...

that lesser known public shocker KIP (I wonder if people would explode if you KIP WHILE NIP

[Wonder Woman]

remember knitting socks in Starbucks at 11pm while we waited for my flight out, Crystal? I wonder if that lady ever did start knitting in public...

(We were sitting there laughing hysterically because Crystal's first foray into socks was about like mine, and this lady came over and struck up a conversation with us - she had never KIP'd, and said we gave her courage to! )

[ArmsOfLove]

I do remember that she was so nice, too

[RosalieJake817]

Originally Posted by ArmsOfLove

that lesser known public shocker KIP (I wonder if people would explode if you KIP WHILE NIP

I actually HAVE done that! At a park! And at knitting group, but that probably doesn't count as "public".

[bekah]

Is it some sort of alternate dimension where people don't do this? If I didn't see at least 3-4 people knitting in class every day at college (guys included), I figured something was wrong.

[cro]

I'm still shocked that ppl are embarrassed by crafting in public. I'd love to do it more, but I usually have at least 2 kids w/ me when I go out. But on those rare events where I get to go to the dr by myself...you bet I try to get there early and have a few more minutes in that waiting room to knit!

[SilverMoon]

I've read that in other cultures it's considered rude to K/CIP. I've never experienced any disparaging looks or words when I CIP. Instead, I love that elderly people are always talking to me about what I'm making, how their mother/MIL/grandmother crocheted/knit and they love the memories. I'm often told how happy they are to see someone of my 'generation' carrying on the traditions.

My biggest dilemma is to decide how much information to share when asked, "What are you making?"

I did post a comment on the blog. My husband has only once discouraged me crocheting in public. We were going to attend a hockey game (semi-pro league in the area) and I asked if I should take it. I usually get into the games, so he said, "Why would you crochet at a hockey game?" I started crocheting during the sermon at the last church we attended. However, for me, it was to distract FROM the sermon. When I'm making something for someone I think about that person, how they'll use it, their life, how they've blessed me; it's like the prayer-shawl project, but with any item I make. I found it interesting that parents started letting their older daughters crochet during the sermon after I started.

[houseforjoy]

Originally Posted by poleidopy

really? People are embarrassed by...knitting in public!? That's all kinds of weird...

well maybe everyone is knitting those breast hats because those are soooooooooooo offensive

[poleidopy]

Originally Posted by houseforjoy

well maybe everyone is knitting those breast hats because those are soooooooooooo offensive

Well, maybe if a person is going to be all obscene and knit breast hats, they should do so under a hooter hider. That way there's NOTHING to be embarrassed about!