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?

I bring my crochet to lectures. It helps me focus and concentrate on what the speaker is saying. Without it I get extremely distracted. It’s also absolutely silent, no clicking of needles.

If I could knit I’d love this as I find I need a fidget activity in meetings, especially on teams.

I think people don’t realise that some of us need something to fidget with in order to concentrate

Do you have ADHD? Because you seem very sure of how it affects people.

This thread has a actually inspired me to do it more often. I'm in a lot of senior meetings now, might help distract from the rank pulling/politics.

I think some people dont realise that it is rude and distracting for other people to hear and see fidgeting and silly repetitive little movements in their perephial vision.

I'd end up refusing to attend these meetings with people colouring, knitting, crocheting and fidget spinning.

Is it a meeting or craft centre?

I stopped doing this sort of thing when my 1,000 piece jigsaw slide off the board, that was on my lap, and I missed the rest of the trial whilst trying to gather together all the pieces.

In the end I just had to go along with the rest of what the jurors said in the deliberation room. 🙄

I very occasionally knit if I'm at the back of a large hall listening to a presentation and not next to anyone.
It is NOT noisy and anyone who thinks it is has never sat in the same room as anyone knitting.

I have a bad habit of doing the online grocery shop, or playing Wordle, during Teams meetings and I'm pretty sure knitting would mean I'd listen more.

The maths teacher secondary education knits through parents evening 😂

Oh go away @FoxInSocksSatOnBlocks and educate yourself!

Anyone doing this should not expect to be taken seriously.

@drspouse it is extremely penetrative when you have noise sensitivity. It becomes all you can hear.
I know that from sitting next to my mother who loves knitting. All I can hear is click click click.

That is my reality. Its my DDs reality.

Fortunately I've never experienced anyone doing it in a meeting.

Yep. I can't concentrate on watching TV without doing something with my hands too, and was a prolific doodler in school and college.
Nowadays, I have to be doing something with my hands even when I am sat having a chat with someone.

If that makes me rude, then tough. It would be far ruder for me to admit I just was not listening as my mind was off elsewhere.

Does anyone else who has to multitask, find they struggle with things like mindfulness?

I can see how others would find that distracting. She needs to find alternative techniques if she needs something to help her focus in meetings.

My needles don't make any noise, though, maybe your mum needs different needles. None of my knitting group use needles that make noise.

Crochet can't possibly make noise as there is only a hook and yarn. Ask your mum to learn crochet or get different needles.

I have known someone to do this and it is just so inappropriate and not professional

As a adult, with no willpower - i ask you to kindly fuck off with your wilful and gleeful ignorance. How a condition AFFECTS ME is the whole point you dufus.

(as a fidget spinner and doodler during meeting in person and on zoom)

I do this on Teams meetings. Helps me concentrate and not nod off. I'm still able to respond as needed.

I don't see the issue.

I don't see why it is inappropriate and unprofessional, really.

I understand it is unusual, but like a lot of cultural norms, when someone doesn't follow them the sun still rises the next morning.

People get all aerated but they're just stuck in their ways.

Bringing colouring books and knitting to meetings just seems attention seeking to me.
Unless their is a diagnosed need, do we need to pander to everyone's preferences and if there is a diagnosed need can it not be something discreet for them to fiddle with, instead of causing a distraction to everyone else.

I'm fed up of people telling me I shouldn't be allowed any reasonable adjustments and should just suck up all the stress caused by having to fit into a world that was designed for other people.

I have ADHD albeit largely controlled with medication, and I'd it distracting to the point I wouldn't be able to concentrate. I guess it depends on the group as one person's needs don't surpass the rest, if no one is effected or bothered by it then don't see the issue; if people are for whatever reason then there should be a compromise.

I'd find it*

Hmm I'm not sure as I can't help but think it might be a nervous thing/related to panic disorder. I had a bad phase of panic attacks several years ago and found meetings particularly difficult. If I had something to fidget with it really helped. It wasn't obvious to others that I was struggling with panic around that time and I would still contribute in meetings if I could stay calm.