Has anyone read Dear Abby today? She said that in her opinion it is rude to knit, crochet or do quilting at a meeting or public gathering. Any comments?
I have a friend that knits during family gatherings like Thanksgiving. It does sound rude and anti-social.
I know it bugs my mother when my sister takes her knitting to family functions.
I can’t bring myself to do it, but when I think about doing it, it doesn’t feel rude. Does that make sense?
But I think non-knitters find it rude, so I don’t do it.
:!!!: That’s crazy! She is obviously not a knitter! I have a feeling she’s going to be getting a few angry letters from knitters, crocheters and quilters.
When I knit at events it is always something easy so I don’t have to keep referring to a pattern. I wouldn’t knit at say a wedding or funeral but I have knit at lectures at my church. No one was bothered and it helped me stay alert. I think more people were disturbed by the guy a few rows behind me playing on his cell.
I think it depends on the situation…we had a party last Saturday and I was the cook…no time to knit although part of the time we sat around and just talked. Since I do lace, it’s hard to concentrate except in solitude but one of the ladies was working on simple dishcloths and was able to knit and join the conversations… so for me, as the hostess, it would have been difficult, rude and inappropriate because I was in charge of serving, but for Alice, it was okay. I don’t think it would be proper to knit in church or somewhere that your purpose for being includes your attention and involvement. I knit at work when we are slow but do it in my sewing room area so that if a customer comes in, they get my complete attention. There’s a time and place for everything. Just my opinion…
I can easily see how it would be seen as rude to a non-knitter or even a knitter. Sometimes it IS rude to knit at a meeting and public gathering.
Some bosses are probably okay with it, but I don’t think I’d want to knit in a meeting, no one would think you’re paying attention. Plus you’re at work…shouldn’t you be working?
Public places it’s different, like on the bus, or at a park, but I doubt that’s what she meant. She probably meant at public gatherings like concerts or a play, which would be very rude. The performers would probably be insulted because it looks as though you are bored or ignoring them.
All in all, I think we all have to be aware of the situation when we knit in public and make sure we don’t do it an innapropriate times.
Does anyone have a link to it? I couldn’t find it online.
I don’t have a link, but I read it in both the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times this morning. It was the last letter.
DEAR ABBY: Is it rude or inconsiderate for a person to knit, crochet or piece a quilt while attending a meeting or other gathering? – CURIOUS IN THE SUNBELT
DEAR CURIOUS: Although I may get some argument about this, I do think it’s rude. When someone is attending a meeting or a social gathering, it is considered good manners to give the speaker or other attendees your full attention. And while I expect to hear from readers who say they can “multi-task,” to do so sends the wrong message.
I have to agree with her this time!
I saw it and it does seem rude the way it was framed. She did say she expected letters to the contrary. I think it is fine to knit in public if you are alone or with friends who don’t mind. :knitting:
That’s why I am thankful I listen with my ears, not my hands. 
I would think it was rude if the person who was knitting or crocheting was not able to participate in the conversation, was having to concentrate on a row or just plain ignoring me, yeah that would be rude. But if the person was talking with me and not missing a beat, not only would it not bother me but I would also be very impressed cause there is no way I could no that!
It’s such a short letter that it’s hard to decipher what the person meant. I’m sure she didn’t want to ask if it was rude to knit or crochet while alone in public, but rather while with others.
I used to knit at work to purposely avoid certain co-workers (likely the reason my boss let me do it!)
I could hear them and participate fine, I just chose to let them believe I was concentraiting. smiles It also allowed me to keep my eyes buried deep in my knitting rather than them having to make eye contact. Although I know I can knit stocking st endlessly without looking at it…they didn’t know that!
So I guess that was the opposite of what you wanted to hear…in that scenario, I was knitting purposely to be rude…(if you knew these two - out of four - co workers, you wouldn’t dissagree) I would also like to qualify that with I had to sit 8+ hours no more than 2-3 ft away from them, it wasn’t a walk around and avoid situation…
I would say as long as the meeting or situation warrented it…I mean, a work board meeting…yes rude, a social gathering with friends who knit, not rude. Could it be portrayed as rude with non knitters? Perhaps…but more likely only with ppl that need constant eyecontact, or don’t understand that you can listen and knit at the same time…
To that end, I would only have a mindless project on me at the time, even when I was trying to be rude, my projects were always very simple…(socks for the most part)
I think it totally depends on the situation. If you can make eye contact while knitting, then go for it. Part of having a conversation is eye contact and if you’re looking at something else, you’re not participating to the full extent. If it’s a big huge meeting that you don’t care about all of the other things there (you know the type where you want to listen to Person D talk, but not A, B, & C, but you have to sit through them anyway!) why not? You’re not disrupting them. If you’re loud and clicking in a perfectly silent room, maybe. If others find you distracting, what the heck are they looking at? Why are they watching you and not the person they are supposed to be. It’s their own darn fault!
Kelly
PS Here’s a link: http://www.arcamax.com/dearabby
I am not certain it would be ‘rude’ but rather inconsiderate. As a few of you have stated: there is a time and a place for everything. I mean, one would not manicure their nails, look at photos in a magazine, etc., during a social or business gathering. I envy those of you who can knit without looking at the work but am wondering how many can. People who don’t knit would not understand you can talk and listen and still not look at them. We are strange creatures sometimes.
I think that if the reason you are going to a meeting or social gathering is to listen to a speaker or participate in a discussion then it would be just as rude and talking on the phone or texting… but I think if it’s a casual gathering where people are mingling, swimming, playing games, and other various activities - it would be fine. If I go to a WW mtg or to a medical assisting conference, I do not knit during those meetings. But if I go to a lawn party where there are various activites and the party doesn’t require everyone’s personal attention, then I think knitting is fine. I think it just depends on the situation. It’s the same with cellphone ettiquete.
I have to agree with what many others said. It depends.
If it’s a serious meeting where people have out their notebooks, are supposed to be looking at a presentation or interacting with with others then it’s inappropriate. If it’s one of those casual meetings where you are mostly just listening then I don’t see a problem. I think one should always ask the head/boss in the situation of they mind first, too.
As for casual gatherings of friends let the situation and friends be the guide. You can probably help them feel more comfortable with your knitting if you do talk and respond appropriately so they know you’re listening and can knit and keep up at the same time.
And always, always keep the project simple so you don’t have to stop and count 300 stitches at intervals. :teehee:
ETA: Texting, playing games on the cell phone, or chatting is entirely different. Those require your brain to be elsewhere. Most of us can listen and knit. If you haven’t reached that point then you probably shouldn’t.
I TOTALLY agree that it depends on the situation and your knitting. I usually have at least two projects OTN. One is mindless, no-looking knitting. That’s my take-along project for appropriate places. My at-home knitting is usually more complicated.
Situations differ, too. I went to a conference DH was hosting. I asked the keynote speaker if he minded if we knit during his sessions and he was all for it. In fact, he said he doodles, and he didn’t see a difference. I have no problems knitting during a concert if I am not visible by the performers and not distracting anyone–including those around me. If I’m with my family, I sit in the middle, and if not, I’ll ask the person I’m seated next to if they’re okay with it. No one has ever objected.
Knitting in a public place is definately not rude but I can see where folks would think it is at a gathering where you are expected to mingle or talk or pay attention to something. I love the St. Louis Knitters Guild meetings! Everyone is knitting while we listen to our speakers. AWESOME!!!
I agree with the others - it depends entirely on the situation. I wouldn’t knit during a church service, a wedding, formal meeting, etc. However I knit at family get togethers all the time. I take an easy project and continue to participate in the conversation. People are actually suprised when I [I]don’t[/I] knit at such events.
I KIP quite often, at conferences and meetings, and have gotten nothing but positive comments.
As others have said it is highly situational. For me, having busy hands frees my mind to focus on the discussion or lecture.
That being said, I stick to simple patterns that don’t require counting, use my Harmonies (so no clack, clack) and always maintain eye contact with the speaker.