To be puzzled at knitting in meetings

[JoanThursday1972]

I go to a few cross-organisation working groups and meetings. One woman always brings her knitting - I was really surprised. Is this a thing now to bring crafting projects to meetings?

Knitting noisy? I've never made noise knitting.

I would be really disturbed by this, I have a sort of phobia (not sure if that is the right word) of knitting, the way the hands move, the sound of the needles,, I find it really sinister and upsetting. I wouldnt be able to be around that.

I crochet on zoom (out of sight) and used to do it at voluntary meetings (regional committees etc).

Like doodling it is known to aid concentration.

I don't do it in formal work meetings because doing anything non-standard freaks the drones out.

It will be deemed 'unprofessional' because the definition of professional is still pretty narrow and boring.

Then she very likely needs the knitting to help her focus.

By the way, this is for all those saying knitting isn’t noisy

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad3cGfLC5v8

If I have any screens off meetings on Teams I cross stitch through them. I find it easier to concentrate on the content this way, and screens on meetings I find so hard to focus on content if it's not a contributory meeting.

My child kneads blue tac when listening to instructions in class. Helps focus her massively. I might send her in with knitting one day see what the outcome is

Presumably because she's able to concentrate better and her mind will be more receptive to what is being said.

For people who are sensitive to repetitive noises, knitting is seriously hell.

I used to make blue tac animals and people in class - women in ballgowns were a favourite.

I'd find meetings much easier if I could crochet but I wouldn't dare try it, people think I'm odd enough already.

I have no problems in it as such but I have heard it noisy sometimes so that is not on if that happens in the meeting

It clicks each time you touch the two needles together. It’s a bit like a dripping tap, annoying and repetitive. Unless you’re doing hand knitting??

I'm sure on Sarah Millicans stand up dvd as she chats to the audience, one of the women she is chatting too is doing her knitting. Brilliant!

On TEAMS with camera off I might pick up some hand sewing or needlepoint, as it helps me concentrate in listening mode ie a seminar or meeting I'm not really participating in but there for info. Stops my mind wandering.

Not done it at in-person meetings as I feel it would be rather attention- seeking, but wouldn't have an issue with someone else doing it.

Knit and natter, sewing circles etc are quite normal! Multi-tasking at its best.

What does she knit? I have a friend who knits socks, constantly. She used to drive a taxi and in between fares she would whip out her knitting and knit until the next one. If she pops in for coffee, her knitting is with her. She's been like this for at least 30 years and her socks are fabulous.

Since this woman is contributing well, and not just treating the meeting like a stitch and bitch session, then I wouldn't mind at all. It's such an unusual thing to do in a formal setting that it probably started as a result of a problem she had and I would assumes it's a reasonable adjustment.

Knitting with bamboo needles is quieter than the click clack of metal needles.

Are you afraid of typing and cooking too?

I'm a knitter, yet I wouldn't knit in face to face meetings, or even on Teams if I could be seen.

It isn't noisy at all but there is a fair bit of movement shuffling stitches round the needles etc. I can understand its fairly distracting for other people.

But mostly, if I'm in a meeting then generally I'm there because I've got a job to do, either chairing, contributing to the discussion, or making notes. Knitting wouldn't allow me to do this, and would draw attention my my presence there not really being needed.

I'd only ever knit in big company wide meetings, online only, where I'm just listening. But I don't because for me knitting is not something I do during my work hours.

Even without the the noise it's distracting. I wouldn't be able to concentrate on a meeting at all, I'd be hypnotised by the movement of the needles. But then focusing in meetings is really difficult for me anyway. I'm another doodler. Perhaps I should take up knitting 😀

I don't knit in meetings (and I doodle or write copious notes in in person meetings) but I do do origami during meetings - if I am not leading them and driving the conversation I can find it really hard to concentrate unless I occupy a chunk of my brain on mindless stuff.

I do see knitting is a bit odd and if the needles clicked it would be irritating but if silent it might be helpful for them so I think I would just ignore it. I don't do origami in in person meetings for the same reason.

It's a more useful, less noisy version of a fidget spinner.
If I have to look like I'm paying attention in a meeting it will take up all my brain space and there will be nothing left for focusing on the content. If I can do something mindless, knitting, doodling, candy crush, whatever then I can focus on what is being said.

I'd consider myself a hardcore knitter and can definitely knit whilst watching, listening and concentrating on something that doesn't need the use of my hands. Like (IIRC) Ma said in Little House on the Prairie "Sewing occupies the eyes and hands whilst leaving the mind and voice free".

If I'm WFH I'll pick my knitting up if I have to watch a long presentation/Teams broadcast type thing where I don't need to take notes or be on video. I am not ND but it definitely helps focus as otherwise I would be fidgeting or checking MN my phone.

However there are so many people who would assume I'm ignoring or not engaging in an in-person meeting that I wouldn't do it IRL. Given half a chance I'd knit in church, cinema, all trains and buses, gigs, work...

I've voted YABU because we need to lighten up and be more tolerant of people's different working and engaging styles. Knitting does not really need to be noisy and clicky , you can use non-metallic needles and good technique. I sort of feel it would be less distracting to knit something small and worthy like a sock.

It’s rude, unprofessional and shows they aren’t giving it 100% attention.

I think it's a fine idea. If i knew how i would.

My head of department used to knit in meetings, pre-covid (I think it became more common for people to do things in meetings during covid). I liked it because it encouraged me to bring my sewing, too. It helps me concentrate. But I'd put it away if someone else found it distracting.

However during lockdown people were suggesting going for a walk during meetings on Teams/Zoom - that seems even worse to me!