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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be puzzled at knitting in meetings

226 replies

JoanThursday1972 · 09/03/2023 10:41

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?

OP posts:
spiderlight · 09/03/2023 11:25

I have a friend who has recently become unintentionally famous for doing this. In her case it's to distract her from severe chronic pain so that she can concentrate better.

Original poster
JoanThursday1972 · 09/03/2023 11:25

BigglyBee · 09/03/2023 11:17

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.

Socks, yes.

OP posts:
butterfliedtwo · 09/03/2023 11:26

My god, that's unprofessional. Wtf is it with some people these days? It's as though they have forgot to function in the workplace.

LittleRedYarny · 09/03/2023 11:26

isthewashingdryyet · 09/03/2023 10:47

It’s the only way I can control my anxiety in (pointless) meetings. Especially if they are Teams
I also have ADHD so it is my fiddle toy, and means I can actually concentrate on the corperate bollocks we are there to hear.

Please make a reasonable adjustment for the way my brain works. I will sit at the back so no one can see me, and my needles are wooden and don’t click

Second this - @JoanThursday1972 not all disabilities are visible and this maybe a coping mechanism.

FoxInSocksSatOnBlocks · 09/03/2023 11:28

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Magenta82 · 09/03/2023 11:29

FoxInSocksSatOnBlocks · 09/03/2023 11:23

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

Says someone who has no experience of neurodiversity.

For some people with ADHD keeping the active disteacted part of our brain busy us the only way to focus. If I don't do something mindless my brain will try to sabotage me.

theswoot · 09/03/2023 11:29

I use fidget toys on Teams meetings. In person I am probably just annoying (pen clicking and fiddling with my phone etc) because I don’t take the fidget toy into the office for fear of judgemental opinions from colleagues who know nothing about me. Looking at some of the comments on this thread, I’ve been making the right call!

nearlyretired · 09/03/2023 11:30

Knitting in meetings keeps me awake! - although only done on zoom calls and off camera

Flossflower · 09/03/2023 11:30

I think knitting can be very distracting for other people. Many years ago when I was sitting my O level mocks, the invigilator, a teacher, sitting about 3 feet from me, knitted during the exam. I found it very distracting.

bellac11 · 09/03/2023 11:31

PennyRa · 09/03/2023 11:19

Are you afraid of typing and cooking too?

Show quote history

This doesnt feel like a genuine question to me, it feels like you are taking the piss out of phobias.

Magenta82 · 09/03/2023 11:33

theswoot · 09/03/2023 11:29

I use fidget toys on Teams meetings. In person I am probably just annoying (pen clicking and fiddling with my phone etc) because I don’t take the fidget toy into the office for fear of judgemental opinions from colleagues who know nothing about me. Looking at some of the comments on this thread, I’ve been making the right call!

It's so depressing isn't it! Being told that we're just making excuses for poor behaviour.

Working in the office and having to look like I was focused the whole time was exhausting. I get so much more done WFH where I don't have to worry about optics and can fidget as needed.

Judgemental arsehole everywhere.

FoxInSocksSatOnBlocks · 09/03/2023 11:33

Magenta82 · 09/03/2023 11:29

Says someone who has no experience of neurodiversity.

For some people with ADHD keeping the active disteacted part of our brain busy us the only way to focus. If I don't do something mindless my brain will try to sabotage me.

Show quote history

Incorrect.

And that is what you call an excuse.

PuttingDownRoots · 09/03/2023 11:33

I think its easy for people with one type of ND to forget or not realise their coping mechanisms can have an effect of other people with ND.

My younger DD, who we suspect has ADHD, can drive her elder sister, with a form of Sensory processing issues, crazy with the humming and fidgeting and tapping. Younger DD doesn't even realise she does it half the time... as shes concentrating!

Viviennemary · 09/03/2023 11:34

It's rude IMHO.

fdgdfgdfgdfg · 09/03/2023 11:38

I really struggle with paying attention to people talking for long periods if I'm not doing something with my hands. I've got a succession of fidgety toys and wooden puzzles sat on my desk that I play with in meetings to help me concentrate. A few people have mentioned ADHD to me over the years, but it's the only symptom of it I seem to have, so I've not really investigated it any further.

If I've not got anything I can fidget I end up unconsciously slowly destroying things like pens and rubbers in an attempt to concentrate.

journeyofsanity · 09/03/2023 11:39

It's tricky. One person's work lace adjustment like knitting to help them focus can cause problems for other people ie distracting and causing them misophonic rage. Hard for organisations to balance

Leftbutcameback · 09/03/2023 11:41

wizzywig · 09/03/2023 10:45

Is it a meeting at Shreddies HQ?

Or maybe at Innocent with those little woolly hats?

HeavenIsAHalfpipe · 09/03/2023 11:41

WTAF?! 😂

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/03/2023 11:42

PennyRa · 09/03/2023 10:52

It's like a fidget toy. She probably has ADHD, Anxiety, or something else that means this helps her concentrate

Probably not doing much for anyone elses concentration though.

Anyway, no it isn't normal in a meeting OP.

Although I know a couple of people who do it off screen or whatever, which is obviously fine.

JamAndButterOnColdToastPlease · 09/03/2023 11:43

underneaththeash · 09/03/2023 10:45

I have an colleague who isn't very good in meetings and brings her adult colouring with her as it helps her relax in social settings.
However, knitting is very noisy.

Jesus.

PennyRa · 09/03/2023 11:44

bellac11 · 09/03/2023 11:31

This doesnt feel like a genuine question to me, it feels like you are taking the piss out of phobias.

Show quote history

Is it a paranoid thing? I asked because those are similar in hand movement and little tink tink sounds. I was just curious

shineanight · 09/03/2023 11:45

This thread has made my day Grin

RoxTen · 09/03/2023 11:45

If I can do something mindless, knitting, doodling, candy crush, whatever then I can focus on what is being said.

So many like minded people here. I crochet on teams, but have to settle for doodling pretending to make notes in person. All fine until someone wants a copy!

carriedout · 09/03/2023 11:49

underneaththeash · 09/03/2023 11:15

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??

Show quote history

Mine really doesn't, I use fine wooden needles and knit using very small movements.

I can't hear my son's knitting at all, he uses a circular needle but is silent.

carriedout · 09/03/2023 11:50

Viviennemary · 09/03/2023 11:34

It's rude IMHO.

<yawn>

Everything is bloody rude to some people.

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