The Do’s and Don’ts of Knitting in Public

Knitting is a great way of passing the time, and wherever I go, I usually have a small knitting project in my bag, but when venturing out with your knitting there are a few things I recommend considering:

Pack Enough Yarn: It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if you think you might run

Knitting is a great way of passing the time, and wherever I go, I usually have a small knitting project in my bag, but when venturing out with your knitting there are a few things I recommend considering:

Pack Enough Yarn: It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if you think you might run out of yarn, pack an extra ball. There is nothing worse than running out of yarn when you still have another two hours of time to pass.

Be Prepared: Have you packed everything you might need? Current knitting project and the pattern is a given, but are you going to need anything else? For example, extra stitch markers, a cable needle or different needle sizes? As a rule of thumb, I also always keep a pair of small scissors, a tape measure and some waste yarn in my project bag. You’d be amazed how many times those three items have been useful for non-knitting situations!

Choose Small Projects: That enormous king-size blanket is probably not the best project to work on in a small coffee shop. Instead, opt for small, portable projects which will easily fit in a small bag, e.g. a pair of socks or a hat.

Check the Rules: This only applies to a very few places, but if you want to knit in a court room or on an airplane it is worth checking. Each and every courthouse and airline will have their own policies; some don’t allow any knitting, some only allow wooden needles and some don’t have any regulations regarding knitting. It’s worth checking to avoid your project and supplies getting confiscated.

Don’t Forget Your Knitting: I’ve heard so many stories from knitters who have accidentally left their knitting project bags on buses and in shops and they’re not able to get them back. No one wants to see their hard work lost forever! Take the time to double check you’ve got everything before you leave.

Secure Your Yarn: Trust me; sitting on a train and watching your ball of yarn go rolling down the whole length of the carriage is not something you want to happen!

Talk to Other Knitters: If you keep a look out you’ll be amazed how many other people you can spot also knitting in public. Don’t be shy — go ahead and say hello! I’ve met some wonderful knitters in many different places and it’s great to have a chat with someone who shares your interests.

Consider the Environment: Always consider the place you’re going to knit before selecting which project to take with you. If you are planning on knitting at a sports game or at the movie theater, a simple project is probably best — in a darkened room or noisy arena, trying to concentrate on complex cables will not be easy. Whereas if you are knitting while waiting for an appointment, then an interesting lace pattern may be a good way to keep your mind occupied and help the time pass quickly.

Make New Friends: I’ve discovered that so many people are fascinated by my knitting that I regularly get asked what it is that I am making (I like to get people to try and guess). I hope that by interacting with people and explaining how much I love my craft that I may have inspired someone to pick up a pair of needles of their own and try knitting for themselves.

In summary, just go out and knit! Whether you’re knitting in the sunshine at the beach or at an outdoor café in the shade, knitting can be wonderfully relaxing. So get out there and enjoy your hobby ― no matter where your plans might take you!