Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Knitters in the Wild

Where are the knitters?


They are everywhere. That’s where.


They are in your city, in your parks, in your subways stations.

Have you seen a knitter in the wild?
They are your neighbors, your teachers, your relatives, your friends.


They fly on airplanes and travel in trains.*


The knitters are everywhere.


I cannot tell if it is the case that the number of knitters in America (or, at least, in Midwestern America) is increasing, or if I am simply more aware of the presence of knitters now. Over the past year, I've run into knitters in the strangest places...


Recently, I traveled to California to visit a galpal and escape the snow. As I boarded the airplane and fumbled to my seat, I came to find myself in the same row as another knitter. She had delicately set her pattern to perch on the fold out tray table connected to the back of the seat in front of her. At first I was quiet. I took out the partially-completed hat I had started for my mom. The woman in my airplane row quickly became chatty with me. This is not the first time this has happened.


Where else will I find the knitters?


More curious is the idea that knitting brings together individuals who come from such a diverse array of backgrounds. 

What draws knitters to knitting?


I have a hunch that the sense of community plays a leading role in the whole game. I'll be on the lookout for these knitter in the wild.

*Yes, TSA allows you to carry on your needles!


Knitting can calm those pre-take-off nerves. 

1 comment:

  1. It's true! There are knitters in the wild in the most unexpected places. Once I dropped a stitch and asked a complete stranger in the airport, "Do you happen to have a crochet hook? She did and told me to keep it. Now I try to keep one with me to help another knitter in in the wild.

    ReplyDelete