Knitting in my living room, wondering.
First, I don’t knit at dinner tables while everyone is eating. Yarn is animal fiber so, that’s almost like someone combing their hair at the table. It is rude. Second, if I’m knitting outside of my home, then I’m literally just trying to finish a project. Not in the sense that it’s all that matters. More like, it’s calming for me to work on whatever I’m knitting while I’m also spending time with people.
I just so happen to be a knitter who will not die without having it with me all of the time, but I do prefer to bring it along just in case I find a moment that feels right.
Also, I don’t talk much while I’m knitting. Depending on who you are, this fact could very well be considered a bonus. If I’m actually knitting; not just holding the WIP, then I’m not doing all of the talking. Take advantage of that and chat me up! I’m still listening; and I can still talk and respond. So, it’s not like when I’m knitting, everyone suddenly becomes invisible.
Still, I think I understand how it comes across as ignoring the people around you. And it doesn’t help that some knitters think it’s cute or funny to claim that they knit so that they don’t stab people and all of that nonsense. Reinforcing the idea that knitting is something we do around people because we’re violently irritated with people is not exactly helping us beat the allegations. We don’t need negative stereotypes associated with something most of us simply do for fun or to manage anxiety or to unwind.
Personally, I knit for all of the neurological advantages it produces. I knit to create and design. I knit for comfort, for mathematizing, and for relaxation. I knit to forget about what attempts to bother me or shift my focus from things that are not good. And most importantly, I knit for gratitude.
Whenever I am sitting around in fellowship, I might start knitting. I don’t knit in front of people to be rude, or to be a show-off, nor to be impressive. However, if someone says I am being rude, I’d then just make it a point to never knit around them.
The problem is that people rarely tell you. They just do an eye roll; or glare in what might be confusion or resentment. That’s not sufficient communication for me to just stop knitting in your presence. Tell me exactly what is bothering you. It’s one less thing for me to be anxious about; hoping that my knitting is not offending someone.
Leave a Reply