Miss Manners and Knitting in Public

I quote below from Miss Manner's column from July 30. I find it fascinating that someone is so bothered by knitters knitting in public that they have complained to that bastion of politeness, Miss Manners.

DEAR MISS MANNERS:

Over the years I have noticed people knitting in public and have had no particular problem with it. However, I am a bit put off by those who knit in church or at an event such as a recital or concert.

Is it acceptable to knit at a church, synagogue or other religious service? And what about a concert or recital? I recently attended a piano and violin recital in a small venue where someone was knitting in the third row. Surely it was evident to the performers. And if such knitting is not appropriate, how should the knitters be approached, or prevented?

GENTLE READER: Please do not -- repeat, not -- make a hostile approach to knitters. Have you not noticed that they are armed with long, pointy sticks?

Of all the multitaskers who could annoy you, Miss Manners would not have guessed that knitters would top the list. There is a centuries-long history of ladies quietly doing needlework while remaining alert to what was going on around them.

But perhaps your complaint is that they are not quiet. If the clicking of needles is what bothers you, you could appeal to the authorities at church or concert hall that as they ban texting, it is only fair to ban activities that create similar noise. And if they don’t already ban texting, you might start by asking that they do before going after those comparatively unobtrusive knitters.

Visit Miss Manners at her Web site,www.missmanners.com, where you can send her your questions.

2011, by Judith Martin

Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

I want to address this "Gentle Reader" and ask what is it that is really bothering you? Did you have an aunt who knit you itchy sweaters that you were forced to wear as a child? Or are you just too inept to actually learn a constructive hobby, rather than just griping in a public forum about someone else's choice of recreation?

This is precisely one of the many reasons I DO knit--to help me keep my foot out of my mouth during such events as congregational meetings and Little League baseball games. It never distracts me from what is going on around me, rather it gives me focus that keeps me sane. I joke to friends that "I knit so I don't kill people" and while that is extreme, there is an underlying truth. By "sticking to my knitting" I am able to be involved on a level that keeps me coming back, and prevents me from being asked to leave because I've said too much in the heat of a moment.

I adore what Miss Manners says about the "centuries-old history of ladies quietly doing needlework while remaining alert to what was going on around them." This contrasts sharply with the current trend of ladies AND gentlemen too engrossed in their latest smart phone app to notice what is happening in their lives and the lives of those around them. I have tried both, and if you are checking your email during a meeting, you really can't LISTEN to what is being said. But knitting lets you do it all--listen, pay attention, and retain what you hear.

All this doesn't even take into account the fact that some people listen better if they aren't perfectly still, and having something to do with their hands enables them to listen better than if they were otherwise unoccupied.

For now, all I can do is shake my head and wonder, with all the evils running rampant in this world, why ANYONE would have a problem with quiet knitting. If someone is poking you with a sharp pointy knitting needle, you have a more than valid complaint. Otherwise, maybe you should stick to YOUR knitting!

Yarn Sale Follow-Up

The One Day Only Huge Yarn Sale was a success! But success is a tricky thing, and for the sweet lady with all the yarn, true success will be won when she no longer has bags of yarn to pack up and take home.

I know we've all been to yard sales and estate sales and even yarn sales where the merchandise was just thrown about and pricing was confused or non-existent and the people working the sale were less than helpful. THIS was NOT one of those times! The yarn was organized and easy to look through (and there was a lot of it!), the prices were clearly marked, fair, and negotiable, and Linda and Amy are two of the nicest ladies you'll ever meet. We came, we shopped, we sat and knit, and it was a lovely experience, dampened only by my own lack of funds to buy MORE yarn! Well, that and the thought of where in the world would I put it all.

We got to talking at the yarn sale and agreed that July is a month for vacation for a lot of folks and maybe, just maybe, more yarnies would be available in another month or two to make it worth setting up the yarn sale for a second go-round. So, for those of you who missed it the first time, and for those of us who would like to set aside a little more $$ for the next time to get more Noro Kureyon (heh, heh), I just wanted to say....STAY TUNED!

The price of yarn is going up at our favorite retail and online sources, so in order to keep the hobby going full steam, whether it be knitting or crochet, we're going to have to get creative. Let's be honest, though, there's only so long that any of us can knit solely from stash.

So watch this blog, check the Facebook page, keep an eye on the South Carolina Knitter's group on Ravelry...and as soon as I know something concrete (like a date, time and place!), I will spread the word!

More Yarn Sale Info...

We are now one week away from The HUGE Yarn Sale!! Linda, the lady holding the sale, sent me a list of most of the yarns that she will be selling, as well as some of the needles available. Because it's so astounding, I wanted to share it with you (because who doesn't want to share an astounding list of yarn??).

The yarn listing starts with #3 and goes through #375. Each number refers to one yarn. Not always one skein, though; #75, for example is 64 skeins of Berroco Sensu Wool, black, dye lot 42. Yes, you read that right--64 skeins. Do you like Cascade 220? There are 15 skeins of Colonial Blue Heather listed at #8. Here are some more random numbers, just to give you an idea:

#26: Jaeger Matchmaker 100% Merino Wool in Cherry, dye lot 0656--10 skeins

#103: Brown Sheep Co. Nature Spun, 100 % wool, Pepper--5 skeins

#216: Schachenmay Nomatta Mohana, 35% Cot 35% Polymide 15% Kid Mo 15% Wool, Maroon-10 skeins

#349: Regia Mini Rengel Color, 75% wool 25% Polyaminde , Green/brown/white--3 skeins

I counted 27 different Noro yarns, averaging 10 skeins per color. There are 20 skeins of Rowan that I'm hoping is a color I love, plus yarns by Sirdar, Manos del Uraguay, Tahki, Mountain Colors, Plymouth, Trekking, Lang, and more.

So what's the big deal? So this lady in St. George has a ton of yarn, so what? Well, my friends, the big deal is this: She wants to get rid of this ton of yarn and she's hoping that you will come help her out. Hence the One Day Only Huge Yarn Sale or ODOHYS, if you prefer.

Pricing? All yarns will be at least 40% off retail prices, with the vast majority 50% off retail. They come from a smoke-free, pet-free home, and they want to come to your home and grow up someday to be something fabulous.

AND DID I MENTION THE NEEDLES???

Crystal Palace, The Noble Needle, Addi, Boye, Inox, Clover....straight, double-pointed, circular....wood, metal, bamboo, Ebony, Rosewood, Birch....US sizes 0 to 17.

Bring cash, 'cause you're gonna want to stock up!!