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Woman Knitting at Wimbledon Causes a Stir

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knitting wimbledonAll eyes were on center court for the dramatic conclusion of the Wimbledon tennis match in which Andy Murray defeated Marcos Baghdatis in a contest that ran into the night, but the commentators were briefly more interested in a mystery woman and a bit of pink knitting.

The cameras found the woman in a crowd shot, wearing a smart green shawlette and knitting a pink rectangle on long, straight needles (it appears to be ribbing; there’s a brief video of it on YouTube). The commentators said she looked more interested in her knitting than the match, and that knitting was one way to deal with nerves and the cold at the match, with one saying “she’s knitting herself a jumper to warm up with.”

The commentator said it was the first time he’d seen anyone knitting in the stands, and wondered what the players would think if they looked up and saw it.

If the players or the commentators knew anything about knitting, they wouldn’t have worried. They would know that knitting is a great multitasking activity that actually allows some of us to focus better on what’s going on around us than if our hands were unoccupied.

She clearly brought some simple knitting so she could knit without paying much attention to it, and her row mates don’t seem too bothered by it, so why should anyone else be?

Next time, though, I think she should use circular needles. They’re a little friendlier for cramped seating.

What do you think? Are there some places that should be off-limits for knitting in public? Where’s the strangest place you’ve taken your knitting? Spill it!

[Photo from the BBC broadcast via the Daily Mail.]

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Comments

  1. Gee imagine being able to multi task!! It’s not like she’s got a fair isle pattern or anything. I watch foreign films with subtitles and knit so a) I have to read subtitles, b) I have to watch the film and c) I still knit away to my hearts content!!
    So how much of the match did the commentators miss since they were busy watching the knitter…lol

  2. I did knitting in church a few months back, and everyone kept asking me if I was pregnant!!!! (I guess they thought I was knitting bootees!!)

    But I’ve also knitted in the library, car journeys & hospital waiting room.

    No where is off limits.

  3. Ive been known to take my crochet projects with me to the pub quiz. People look like Im a bit strange. But if someone else writes and the husband brings me a straw with my drink I feel content.

    I also take it with me in the car while my husband drives.

    I can just imagine someone knitting at a snooker game though where its usually quiet.

  4. Nothing wrong with knitting at a tennis match. People do things all the time to get themselves centered and pay attention, like kicking their foot or tapping on something or doodling. Knitting can serve the same purpose. Sitting in one spot in one position for a long time is boring. Prima dona tennis players and rabid fans can just get over it. (I read books at football games. Drives my spouse nuts! I only read between plays, though.)

  5. Haha I think it’s wonderful! Why not?! What’s the big deal!? As long as she’s just sitting there, may as well make good use of your time! I did cross stitch once at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game! I don’t think my date appreciated but….ohhhh wellll! I think it’s great! Good for her!

  6. I have knit and crocheted all over the place. Drs offices, riding in cars, classes (high school, college and teaching), church, while walking.. Even in the NICU where my son was for 5.5 months. The one that shocks most people is when I was knitting a preemie hat (very basic pattern) while on magnisium (severe Pre-eclampsia) on the L&D floor before he was born. The mag made me feel like I was on fire and light sensitive. We kept the curtains drawn and the lights off. I also was wearing an eye mask the whole time, so essentially blind. Later I also crocheted him some preemie booties as well, but I don’t think I was on the mag at the time. He is now 2years old and has a healthy full term little sister. 🙂

  7. I can only think a funeral might be disrespectful as a place to knit. I’ve done it everywhere else,I think. Car rides,when I’m not driving obviously are a must. I’m about to embark on a 2000 mile round trip car excusion and what I’ll take to knit is a priority!

  9. I was only critised once badly at a recovery convention for making a lap robe during a discussion group. The lady went off on me and she wouldn’t stop until I gave a group apology and I stopped my work.

    When I saw this woman afterwards, there was a wide path between us.

  10. I knit everywhere! From middleschool to college I knit at all m daughters performances. Last month my daughters best friend was in his first Broadway show, Mama Mia, and I knit before and during the show. I felt like it was a closure of a circle.

  11. I have almost an hour commute to work every morning so I always knit in the car pool. In Church, I make scarves for charity. Dr’s offices, school plays, etc.

  12. I have no problem with knitting at any sporting match. It’s a recreational venue.

    I draw the line at church, however. It seems disrespectful. Sure, some people say they can concentrate better while knitting, but for an hour I really think they could bear it.

    I wouldn’t want to see a seamstress hemming a pair of pants or a beader making earrings in church, either.

    As much as I feel it’s disrespectful and inappropriate, I also wouldn’t be so rude as to point it out to the person.

Have you read?

Patriotic Knitting Patterns to Celebrate America’s Birthday

As I’m writing this the United States is about to celebrate a pretty big birthday, and while some of us have complicated feelings about that country right now, I think most of us would agree both that it’s a place worth fighting for and that it’s a good time to remember what got us into this nation in the first place. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some patriotic knitting patterns. 

I thought there might be more knitting patterns produced specific to America’s big celebration this year, but I only found one (so far, there are probably more as you read this). The Semiquincentennial Scarf by Kristen Rettig is a bias knit scarf using DK weight yarn. It has one solid blue side and one red and white striped side. The pattern is available for free on Ravelry. 

Sara’s Patriotic Shawl by Mitsziko is another great project for the Fourth of July or whenever else you want to show some patriotic pride. This one has a wide lace border, stripes and a blue section that includes white bobbles to imply stars. It’s worked in DK weight yarn. You can find this one on Ravelry. 

If there were prizes for the punniest pattern names, Stars & Socks Forever from Katie Franceschi would definitely win something. These socks feature stripes on the body and stars at the top of the leg and the toe, as well as on the heel. The pattern comes in three widths and you can knit to your desired length. This pattern uses a chart for the stars and you can find it on Ravelry. 

This little patriotic doll from Nadia Perepelitsa is styled like a boy, but you could give it longer hair if you like. It uses fingering weight yarn and is worked on two straight needles in such a way that you’ll only have to sew side seams when it’s done. So cute! You can find it on Ravelry. 

This American flag sweater knitting pattern from SC Pattern is giving big Ralph Lauren vibes. It’s a drop shoulder crewneck with unisex styling that comes in five sizes. The flag is worked in intarsia, so the pieces are worked flat and seamed. 

The Patriotic Tam from Judy Lamb is a little more subtle, though it does have red, white and blue colorwork, and a bunch of golden eagles around the base of the tam. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn from the bottom up and the colorwork is charted. This pattern is available on Ravelry. 

If you’re looking for a big project to work for the fourth that you can use all summer every summer and you’ll want to, because it’s a big project) check out the American flag blanket pattern from Dr. Josie’s Joys. This is a vintage pattern, so the yarn doesn’t exist anymore, but it would still be lots of sun to make. It is worked with the stripes and block of blue, and the stars are added with duplicate stitch.