Is it rude to knit while chatting to friends??

[KnittingKnewbie]

Hi all,
I'm new to the Arts and Crafts page 😁

I've recently re-started knitting. With two small kids I don't have lots of time to knit so it's usually a half hour watching tv in the evening.

I met up with friends for a girls day recently, we had tea and sat around and chatted.

I brought my knitting with me and asked if they minded if I knitted while we chatted and they said not at all, go for it.

I mentioned it in passing to my mother who'd be a very good knitter. And she nearly died at the rudeness of me knitting while chatting. She couldn't believe I had done that and was horrified I was SO RUDE.

Was I? Is it a major faux pas??

I just thought as a busy person it was a good way to get a few rows in!

Not rude at all!!

I'd be reluctant if it was a complicated pattern that needed detailed stitch counting and/or something like cable needles where you need to concentrate, but if it's just straight knitting where you can continue to participate in the general conversation and don't need to shush people while you count, then go for it!

No, do it often. Friends have no problem. Took my knitting to spa day yesterday and they didnt care, althiugh didnt do any in the end

There are literally groups called knit and natter where I live

This, but one thing that gets annoying after a while is the sound of neeedles banging together

I do agree with this though

It was a simple set of fingerless gloves so
K2P2 for a number of rows then garter stitch then stocking stitch etc
No pattern
No clacking needles either!

My needles are wood, they dont clack either

I'm also laughing at the idea of shushing people while counting stitches 😂
Like people who sing in pubs and expect everyone to stop talking and listen!!

Fine if it's just a casual meet up!

Absolutely fine. It's not like you were sitting there reading a book!

Get them to join in!! Nothing I love better than knitting with friends.

So glad you have rediscovered this amazing hobby and hope it brings you as much pleasure as it has me over the years😊

I don't think so

It's fine, I would maybe just reference it casually though

I would actually find this very rude. If you asked me if I mind your knitting, I would say I don't because you have put me on the spot, and there's not really a nice way to say "yes, I do mind, I think you're being really rude even asking this". But in my mind, yes, I would think you're being rude. When you are with friends, you are supposed to be present with them, engage with them and give them your time and attention. Pulling your knitting out takes the attention away from them, and it'ss a way of telling your friends that their presence and company is boring you - you have to have something else to entertain or distract yourself with. It's very rude.

Its possible to knit and be fully engaged. If its a basic its all muscle memory.

Not rude at all in my eyes

If you are in a bigger group or people you see all the time (I sometimes do it in my breaks at work) AND a simple pattern then it's OK, although I find I don't engage as much in the chat and listen more. If it's a smaller group, or someone wants to discuss something more important/serious, then it's a definite no for me.

You missed the point completely. My point is that I would feel insulted that my presence and company is not enough for my friend, she feels a need to entertain herself with knitting. Why can't she knit on her own time?

I also make sure I pause quite a bit to listen and talk and make sure I don't just stare down at my work the whole time. To be honest I don't get much done.

@Draculina my mother in law is the type who can crochet, watch TV and have a full conversation all at the same time. Impressive skill 🤣
I don't think it's rude.
Traditionally this is what women have done for centuries - sat around, chatted, drank tea and worked on their crafts.

There were crafty mums at my dds school they used to sit there knitting on nights out in a pub. It really got on my nerves plus was quite embarrassing glad to lose touch with them once primary years over.

The thing is I have always found that when just sitting and talking to people (whether pub, coffee shop, at their home) I can lose focus and I need to have something to "do". It's like fidget toys that children have in schools.
If I was knitting it would actually keep my mind on the conversation. If I don't have something I am doing my mind would wander off and I would be less attentive.

Not rude at all, I always have a crochet hook and wool in my bag.

I don't think it's rude at all. But DS2 absolutely hates me knitting while we're watching anything. He always says 'Can we watch something together? No knitting.'🤣 I do respect it though. He's only 11 and I suppose he wants me in the zone for watching SpongeBob😆😆