Wilderness knitting

I loved your post Catherine, thanks!

Great post, Thanks!

Catherine! 

I love your post! I recently attended the Web of Change conference where conversing, planning for change and building community were the name of the game. My friend Madeline and I were both seen with our knitting projects (she even made me a glorious hat) all over the conference. here is another picture of me happily knitting  my way through various workshops and breakout groups - I always find that it allows me to focus more on the speaker. I am able to stay grounded in my body while my attention is focused on the person presenting (and I am making a humungous blanket...nine feet wide by four feet tall, so I really feel like I am getting things done) This, to me is an example of when multi-tasking is a good thing. I wish workplace knitting was considered more acceptable. 

I remember John Campey knitting at Ontario NDP Provincial Council meetings back in the early 90's, I think while he was an out School Board Trustee. A great way to fill the hours. At the time I was surprised anyone, let alone a guy, would knit in public, but it seemed amusingly in-your-face to the homophobes around. Like in so many things, he was just leading the way. I wish I hadn't given up knitting at 10 after a day of lessons with my Grandma - my wife finds it one of the most calming, soothing, and satisfying activities she knows.

Joe Murray

I agree that workplace knitting should be more accepted.Knitting helps me to open mind to listen to what the other person is saying. I do not always think of how I will reply, but rather leave myself open to the flow of the conversation.

Public Knitting:            I too have spent much time knitting on the road. My husband is an ultra marathoner and I have spent many hours knitting in public while he runs. At one race there were other knitting wives of runners. We all agreed to meet next year for another knitting circle. It looks like my husband will have to do that 100 miler again.We often go out to eat on the weekends and I always have my knitting in tow. I often get comments of curioaity but mostly people think it is cool.
Would anyone be interested in starting a knitting circle (in public of course) at a coffee house in Vancouver? The goal could be to always knit something for someone else. It would be nice to knit things for people in need (this can be open to interpretation). For example, you can knit for a relative who needs to feel you loving support, a friend or even a homeless person.

Knitting on a ferry --

I was knitting on a bike/ferry adventure this past weekend (five ferries in two days). Socks are perfect for that sort of travelling; they're small enough to slip into a pannier.

I'd love to join a public knitting circle.

Well, I thought it was great to see you two knitting. I always draw/doodle during meetings (I really can't keep still for very long without doing something with my hands). Knitting is so much more practical than doodling though. I would love to learn when I have time one of these years :-)

Love the idea of promoting knitting as much as possible. In fact, I was knitting a pair of socks on my recent vacation in Phoenix (sadly, I dropped a bunch of stitches and had to rip the whole thing out). Socks always generate conversation.

Want to see the power of knitting and knitting blogs? Check out www.yarnharlot.ca -- aside from inspiring thousands of knitters around the world to take on new challenges for the knitting olympics, knitter/blogger/doula/published author Stephanie Pearl-McPhee has also raised more than $100K (and counting) for Doctors without borders. The knitting/blogging community is a powerful one.