Knitted Conversations

Knitting_Guy · 09-24-2007, 10:09 PM

I'm checked into a hotel again tonight. Still feeling a bit ragged from too much sun. I wandered into the hotel lounge around 5:00 to have a beer or two. Of course I took my knitting with me as hotel lounges tend to be a bit slow and boring.

The bartender was an older lady who took interest in my knitting and who happens to knit herself. She complimented my work and we chatted about such things for a little while until the locals began filtering in from their fields. The locals here in this little Iowa town are mostly farmers.

Most of the guys who wandered in for a drink were older guys and were all farmers. I sat drinking my beer and quietly knitting. One gentleman of around 70 I'd guess commented on what I was doing and the bartender told him that I do very good knitting work. He checked out the scarf I'm working on and said that he was quite impressed with it. He then began telling about how he knit all of his own socks as a kid but hadn't picked up the needles in years. He seemed genuinely nostalgic about it.

A few of the farmers there came over to inspect my work and to make their own comments about it. Every single one of them seemed quite comfortable with the fact that this big ugly tattooed truck driver was sitting in their bar knitting a scarf. I actually had a pretty good time talking with them although we had very little in common as my world revolves around traveling the country and their's revolves around bringing in the crops.

I really liked them as they're down to earth people without the slightest hint of pretense and all had a great sense of humor. It seemed that each one had some sort of knitting related story, either personal or a family member, that they were more than happy to share.

It's amazing to me how something as simple as a couple of sticks and some string can create a common ground upon which to base some friendly and interesting conversation. I suspect that had I not been working on my knitting I would have spent my brief time there just sipping my beer and watching the idiot box instead of engaging in some lively human interaction.

Rorshach · 09-25-2007, 03:39 AM

I've often come to the same conclusion. But then I've always had a knack of finding something in common with just about everybody.

BinkyKat · 09-25-2007, 03:45 AM

I actually attracted conversation in the dr's office during dh's colonoscopy on Friday.

Not for him, but the fact that the waiting area was small, and I was really set up with my MP3 and my knitting. Hey, I had the chance to plan and pack accordingly!
A lady and her adult daughter were the only two people in there at first in the early am, but finally after I talked to dh's nurse, and left my earphones out, the mom said she was waiting for a while to ask me what I was making. I'm working on the lion baby bottle snuggly for my soon to be niece and the loopy mane area was giving her fits to try to figure out what I was doing. Funny, I can pretty much figure that someone is watching me and will finally have to ask me a question. I think it's sort of cute. I've knit at and oil change too and the guys are all fascinated.

DianaM · 09-25-2007, 04:01 AM

That's really cool ^^
Mason, have you ever considered doing a podcast? Combine trucking, knitting and your adventures in both. It would be very interesting ^_^

Knitting_Guy · 09-25-2007, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by HanAku

That's really cool ^^
Mason, have you ever considered doing a podcast? Combine trucking, knitting and your adventures in both. It would be very interesting ^_^

Nobody would want to listen to me ramble on in my heavy southern accent

debinoz · 09-25-2007, 02:34 PM

I think you have a really nice voice, Mason! I loved that little video you did a while back.

The only knitting conversation I get is from DH and is only one line... "What in the hell are you making now?"

Denise in Michigan · 09-25-2007, 06:18 PM

Thanks, Mason! I find this really affirming.

Jan in CA · 09-25-2007, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by debinoz

The only knitting conversation I get is from DH and is only one line... "What in the hell are you making now?"

I love your stories about the conversations you have in bars/restaurants etc, Mason. With all the stories we hear about what is going on in the world, these simple conversations with nice people kind of restore one's faith in humanity.

suzeeq · 09-25-2007, 07:40 PM

There's actually a lot more nice people out there than nasty ones. It's just that nasty ones do outrageous things that make the news more often.

suziehomemaker · 09-25-2007, 08:25 PM

I was in O'Hare about a month ago and just knitting away in my own world after 2 days of business meetings. A Mennonite family came over and sat down near me. There were 7 boys all under the age of maybe 10 at the oldest. The 3 middle boys came right over to me and wanted to see what I was making. I instantly had friends!

Most of the people just stared at the family - actually it was very rude - I think because of the way they were dressed. Their mother and I chatted about crafts for a while and was impressed that I spin too. The boys just loved watching me knit.

We come from very different backgrounds but knitting unites us all!