What are you knitting?

My local café

“I love knitting in public and have recently organised a craft group meet in a local café. Lots of people love to stop and chatter, and ask what we are up to… we normally have loads of things going on, including crochet, knitting, beading and colouring.”

Karen Shepherd

Work and play

Compliments all round

“It’s not exactly knitting in public, but I had a fair sized piece with me which I was button matching, and it received lots of compliments – especially from people who used to knit but have stopped.”

Kate Bob Bailey

Sending a message

Get it right

“I was recently asked (correctly ) what I was CROCHETING by a MAN in the hospital waiting room! It makes a change from ‘What are you knitting?’, when I’m using ONE hook!”

Dawn Guarnieri

Curious minds

Nothing, I'm crocheting!

“I keep getting asked what I’m knitting, I tell them ‘Nothing, I’m crocheting whatever my latest project is!’”

Elizabeth Gould

Crafty commute

Elbow room

“I crochet or knit on the bus to work. Often no one says anything but I’ve had a couple of people sit next to me while I’m doing it. One woman said she used to knit but had never used double-pointed needles, and others sometimes check if I’ve got enough arm room!”

Helen Maloney

Passing the time

Just swimmingly

“I crochet when my kids have their swimming lessons - most people are really interested! One little boy who was amazed at what I was doing asked his mum ‘Mum, can you do that?’ And she answered ‘No, I’m not interested in that sort of thing, but it’s very easy to learn!’ It made me smile!”

Jodie Collins Maiden

Stop and stare

Anywhere and everywhere

“I crochet anywhere and everywhere, especially on the bus. I always have a special ‘carry along’ project that I can just grab and go. People usually watch me and if I catch them, I smile at them. Sometimes they will strike up a conversation!”

Rainbow Valley Crochet

What are you doing?

Strange reaction

“I remember knitting in the garage once, while waiting for my car. The salesman actually went and got a group of people to come and look at me, and was standing pointing going “Oh oh, I haven’t seen anyone knitting for years!” And he thought I was the weirdo!”

Corrie Bishenden

Every row helps...

Crochet in public

“I crochet in public! On long coach trips, in a local cafe, and whilst visiting my cousin.”

Suzanne Robson

In the local

Digital age

“Generally people are pleasantly surprised and watch. I have had remarks like ‘No technology - good on you!’”

Sharyn-Lee N Simon Calder

Share a story

Get it right!

“I often crochet in public and whenever I am waiting for something like an appointment. I regularly get asked ‘What are you making?’ but the most frequent comment is ‘Oh, knitting… my mum/granny used to knit.’ Well, I don’t knit - I crochet! I used to say that but often got comments like ‘What’s the difference?’ or ‘Well, it’s the same thing’ – so stopped correcting people!

Tracey Whitfield