What has been your experience when knitting in public?

[AngelaR]

I tried knitting at work and it was worse than knitting at the mall waiting for the children to finish shopping. The interruptions caused me so many mistakes on a sweater I was knitting that I frogged it and made caps.

This is the deal, when you knit in public, you spend most of your time talking to people who know nothing about knitting about... knitting. So, instead of knitting you're just talking about it. Why bother, unless you have trouble starting conversation and you're dying to chat with someone? Do you see my point?

However, I would love to knit with other knitters in public, because we would all understand and could talk while knitting and not get hurt if someone was being quiet while counting stitches. And, if history serves, we would be talking about anything BUT knitting.

[laikabear]

That is so funny, Angela! I hardly ever get questions about my knitting when I KIP. Usually I only knit in waiting rooms at the doctor or dentist, or in airports/ on planes, though.

The extent of questions I usually get is: What are you making?

I do knit during downtimes at work, but my coworkers usually aren't that interested in what I'm doing.

[Jan in CA]

I officially declare this day my most favorite moment of knitting in public.

Great story and it does sound like an awesome day!

[chixdilla]

I'm always pretty self-conscious about pulling my knitting out in public, I don't know why! I have done it a couple of times though, in the waiting room or at the airport, and no one's ever said anything to me about it. I did see a lady knitting at the airport, and since I'd never seen anyone knitting out in public before, I got so excited I wanted to shout, "Ohemgee, I knit too, let's be best friends!" but I held my tongue. Lol.

[janae1987]

I just got back from vacation yesterday! and i had a couple different KIP experiences. while at the airport waiting to leave i took out a baby blanket that i had been working and noticed a lot of people watching me but no one ever came up to talk to me - i smiled and tried to look as friendly as possible but nothing! it was so strange! and then yesterday on our flight home i was working on it again and the gal sitting next to me was watching and finally asked what i was working on and so it started! it turns out that both she and the gal on the aisle seat all knitted! we chit chatted about knitting for almost hte entire 2 hour flight! it was wonderful!

[Woodi]

I belong to a weekly knitting group which talks and talks - about everything BUT knitting. I'd like to find a group that would like to talk about knitting itself....maybe wherever Stephanie Pearl McPhee goes.

Say, she is coming to our local LYS in August! Excited.

[Jan in CA]

My group talks about all kinds of stuff from what we saw on TV, the movies and also lots of knitting. Someone is almost always "auditioning" yarn colors or buttons for their next project and we all give opinions. It's lots of fun!

[knitcindy]

Whenever I whip out my current project I inevitably hear 1 of 2 questions/comments!!!

#1 - My grandmother used to do that!!!

#2 - What are you making??

Mostly everyone's comments beyond that are VERY positive. Since I've taught a knitting class at my church, whenever I've got my knitting out at a church function/activity someone will ask me "What are you working on NOW???" Like they're not surprised, since they already know it's ME, the knitting lady!!
knitcindy

[chixdilla]

I actually pulled out the baby blanket I'm working on when I was waiting for my car to get inspected a few days ago. There was a young guy sitting near me and the mechanics kept going back and forth, and no one said a word. Then a girl around my age walked in and sat next to me, so I expected her to maybe make a comment. Nothing. She just sat down and opened her homework (guessing she was in college). Then one of the mechanics walked by and asked about her homework! So a binder full of notes is more interesting than knitting now? Hmph!

[offgridgirl]

I take my knitting with me everywhere and even to meetings....I knit and can listen to the speaker. Not a problem for most people....
They ask what I'm making and if they can get one made for them.....
I usually can knit and hold a conversation with no problem....

I only gotten one negative comment...."It's rude to knit in public!"
When I asked "why, she thought so?" She told me that it meant that I wasn't paying attention.(HUH????) That I couldn't pay attention and count stitches???