Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

WynJeanne — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:59:42 GMT

I just found this thread, so forgive the johnny-come-lately comment.

I love to knit in public. It exposes people to knitting and lets me feel productive. Last knit I took my knitting to the opera. I started a 'prayer shawl' for a friend having surgery, and decided on a stitch pattern that could be worked in the dark. I got more than fifteen inches knit during a performance of 'La Traviata'. (It is worked in a horizontal rib - knit two rows, purl one row.)

People are always amazed when I walk into a movie theatre with a ball of yarn and walk out with half a scarf knitted.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

UlrikaE — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:54:36 GMT

I knit everywhere, even in the bath. Yes it is possible even if it's only to do smaller swatches or a dishcloth. The bath is also a very good place for winding skeins into balls.

I always bring my knitting to work, I knit int the car, on the bus and while walking the cat. My one rule when bringing it outside is that it has to fit in my knee. When it gets to big it's turned in to a TV project.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

PeggyS — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:55:19 GMT

I took a knitting project with me on a hike on June 14th, KIP day! I was making a pair of "Scar Rib" socks from Sock Wars II for myself. The hike was above Park City, near Park City Mountain Resort (no snow on June 14th). The group was made up of non-knitters. Imagine their suprise, when we stopped for a snack and I took out my knitting! Happy knitting! (Socks are my favorite!) --Peggy

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

C. L.F — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:31:54 GMT

I got a big purse so I could carry a project with me everywhere.

I googled for jackets and found a pattern for a paneled jacket. It is about one small skein for each panel. So each panel fits perfectly in my purse.

My husband however says it's impolite to knit while visiting with someone. I think it helps pass the time - even waiting for the movie to start.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

MichelleJ — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:42:54 GMT

I have just read the comments and though I would expand on Fliss's mention of cricket. A test match takes 5 days. Even the short version, called a One-Day match, takes 8 hours. I think that cricket and knitting just go together and love them both.

And a warning for all you international travellers. You still cannot take knitting needles onto Australian planes. Stick them in your checked in luggage or you'll have to pull your project off your needles.

Cheers

Michelle

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

MichelleS — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:40:18 GMT

I knit in the car and in waiting rooms like any respectable knitter would, but I have taken to knitting at the family cookouts this summer. This had led to me teaching 1 niece to knit, several requests for birthday presents and some real genuine interest from 2 of my nephews, who are as rough and tumble as they come. I am now questioned if I show up somewhere without my knitting.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

JanH — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:49:33 GMT

I feel panic stricken even on a short car or bus journey if I've not got my smallest knitting bag...just the right size for one sock on a circular. The thought of wasting the chance of even a few rows feels wrong!

I'm not absolutely convinced about socks on circulars but keep one project on the go because it's so liberating knowing I'm not going to look silly if I drop a small dpn under the seat in front on the bus or pull all the stitches off one needle.

A couple of friends and I often knit together in the coffee shop near their workplace but don't very often see anyone else doing so in our area...so I'm delighted to know that there are so many of us who do knit in public!

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

Knit kNerd — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:13:28 GMT

i KIP at Walt Disney World whenever I'm there (which is quite often due to my family having a time share at WDW). i'll knit in line while waiting on attractions, poolside at the resort, or while sitting around at the quick service restaurants resting, or while waiting on the bus to and from the resorts/theme parks.

i knit mostly socks, but before i started knitting socks, i would drag along sweater projects or scarves. the kids are the most intrigued by my hobby and the brave ones will ask me what i'm doing and i'll show them. the adults also look at me with intrigue and i've gotten a few knowing smiles from adults of all ages. i've even had some cast members smile at me or come up to me to say that their grandmother/mother/sister/aunt knits and ask about what i'm making.

i've never had an issue getting my knitting through the security checkpoint at the entrance of the parks b/c i carry my knitting in a clear plastic baggie (you know, a ziploc bag) and i'll just say to the guard "oh, this is just some knitting." some will smile, some will look at me oddly, one even positively commented about it... but all let me pass w/o any issues.

having knitting at WDW can make the experience there a bit less tedious.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

Patti — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:05:25 GMT

My moto is have knitting will travel. Don't leave home without it

I have actually been televised knitting at a Colorado Rockies game and not the Stitich and Pitch Game, long slow Sunday afternoon game,boy was I glad that I brought a project. My friens thought they lost the gmae feed and was sent to a crafting program until they saw it was me I have knitted in Yellowstone, top of the Towers of America, Mexico and beyond. I have spent many an all day Blues Music event working on socks, scarves, baby blankets, anything small and portable. My loving husband has driven miles out of the way to puchase needles that I left at home or lost.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

DianaB — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:57:15 GMT

Oh socks for sure! I knit constantly on the bus since I've got a 45 minute ride to and from work :) Valuable knitting time! I did knit almost an entire sweater on the bus, but it was a cardi, so plenty of small pieces.

I also have a pop top oval shaped container that holds scissors, stitch holders, stitch markers, pencil, tapastry needle, and bobby pins! Sometimes my hair gets out of control and when knitting is in order the hair has to be tamed :)

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

StephanieR@2 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:48:13 GMT

I've been knitting in public for over 40 years! When my daughter was playing basketball in high school and someone would ask if her mother was there she would reply-yes. She's the one up in the stands knitting! I always have my knitting with me-just in case! The last baseball game I went to was the Seattle Mariners. It's a 5 hour drive from our house. We got stuck in a bad traffic jam (Tractor trailer accident) and it took us 9 hours to get to the game. I finished my project and started another with the leftover yarn!!

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

Kairi — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:06:04 GMT

I got most of my Xmas presents done at my daughter's soccer practices last year- my first sweater vest, some fingerless gloves, a pair of slippers, a drop-stitch scarf. It was 2 hours of pure knitting time that woul dhave been wasted time. I kept threatening to teach the dads to knit.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

SharonK — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:09:51 GMT

I have been knitting in public for years. In the dorm, at Bible study, and all the usual places where you have to wait, ( the really long traffic light that you always hit changing to red).

My project is whatever I happen to be working on, of course if it is too large a blanket it stays home and a new project gets started. (that must be how I have so many UFOs sitting around.)

Last summer I took my knitting and crocheting with me to our minor league games. My dad got such a kick out of watching work will cheering on our Wildthings. I completed several preemie caps and chemo caps for the local hospitals.

Next game is Friday nite guess what is in my bag? Another new project and some conversation.

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

Slickchick — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:04:08 GMT

Being a ballet mum, I have had many hours to pass waiting for my girls. We live out of town and with petrol and time and wear and tear on the vehicles, it was easier to stay in town. This gave me a minimum of 7 hours/week ......just knitting! What sacrifice! I have knitted everything from socks to lace shawls, designed my own and helped other mums. It often opens up opportunities to talk with people who otherwise might not approach you. My knitting travels with me everywhere, usually a couple of different projects so I have a choice.

What fascinates me is the number of children I meet who have never seen someone knitting. My own girls all learn to handle the needles when they're about 4yrs old. With 7 of them, I figure I should be able to balance out the world somehow. I also remember knitting whilst waiting at a gymnastics class and the Dads there saying how old fashioned I was;only grandmothers did it!

re: Knitting Out In The Wide, Wide World

JenniferC@4 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:14:21 GMT

I immediately thought of your post on Saturday evening when I was knitting in the strangest, most public place I've ever knitted: the middle of Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. My boyfriend's car broke down on our way to my apartment, and it was too hot to sit inside waiting for the tow truck. Instead, I hopped on top of the car and happily knitted away. A few people sitting in traffic commented that it was a strange place to knit. I just smiled and waved like it was my own KIP parade.