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Do You Think Knitting in Public is Rude?

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knitting in publicOne thing that’s great about knitting is that it is usually pretty portable. We can knit when someone else is driving a car (or flying on an airplane), in waiting rooms and all sorts of places that might otherwise be tiresome without it. I made a lot of progress on my Hitchhiker shawl yesterday while my daughter played at the gymnastics place and an indoor playground. Better than looking at my phone the whole time!

And while no one would question my right to knit in these situations, there are times when people might consider knitting rude. At a work meeting, for instance. Or a lecture. Or at church.

I think this is mostly because of the perception of other people that knitting is rude, that it means you’re not paying attention, when in fact moving our hands can bring us more focus.

Posts often pop up talking about whether and when it is rude to knit; this one says it’s not OK at times when it might be perceived as not paying attention.

What do you think? Are there times when you think it is rude to knit or places you won’t take your knitting? I’d love to hear your thoughts! And you can check out more on knitting etiquette over at About.

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Comments

  2. I don’t think its rude when having casual conversations with friends and family or when having coffee. If someone really had a problem or needed sage advise, I think they would want me truely present and to be truely present, I can’t be knitting at the same time. That is my guideline for when I knit around others.

  3. You aren’t bothering anyone when ou are knitting in public. Unlike when you are talking on the phone.

  4. It’s a great conversation starter. I often get questions about my projects (knitting or crocheting) and always try to ask questions when I see someone working on a craft project. The response I get is always positive.

  5. As long as it is not at a business related doing, or church or function where you should be giving someone your attention I think it is okey. I stop knitting if someone ask me a question or needs my assistance with a problem or something like that but I think it a lot less rude then all these people talking on their darn phones especially when you are trying to carry on a conversation with them.

  6. I’m a cross stitcher but I think the same thing applies. Doctor’s office, dentist office, bus, wherever I don’t have to be paying much attention. Meetings, church …, etc where I have to pay attention then I don’t cross stitch. How would this be different than someone playing video games or going online? None really.

  7. I definitely would not take my knitting to a business meeting at work or to church. Other than that, I would take my work. I always carry my projects for when I am waiting for a dr or dental appt, when I am waiting for my car to be serviced, or when someone else is driving. I get a lot of work accomplished that way.

  8. any function that requires you to take notes is not a place to knit. I would not consider it rude for a person to knit at church, kids or adults games or any where else in public. I think knitting or doing a craft in a waiting room is a lot more productive then pacing the floors or being on the phone.

  9. I must be a rude knitter as I knit in church every Sunday during the sermon. ???? Knitting gives my hands something to do as I am listening. I am able to have a discussion with my pastor most sundays regarding the sermon and he knows I am knitting. In fact the lady who sits in front of me is jealous I can knit without looking at my work most of the time she wishes she could. It is not rude to knit and listen or talk as I can do more than one thing at a time. People are so funny

  10. I wouldn’t knit, crochet or x-stitch during a business meeting, church or something requiring my full attention. However, in waiting rooms, on the road with my husband driving or something like that, it’s a different story. I usually have several projects going and when I’m in public, I’ve got a small project – scarf, potholder, etc. going with a pattern that’s “mindless” so I can keep track of what’s going on around me while I’m doing something constructive. It must be genetic – my grandmother never went ANYWHERE with out a “bit of something” in her hands. She crocheted bookmarks, edged hankies, etc. When my kids were little, I always had some kind of handwork when we were in a dr’s waiting room and with 5 kids, it seemed as if we were at the dr a lot! People always commented, “you have to have so much patience to do that.” I’d always reply with a laugh, “it prevents child abuse!” I’m sad that my daughters and daughters in law don’t do handcrafts, but my granddaughters (and grandsons) are getting old enough for their Grammy to teach THEM! 🙂

  11. It is great to knit around other knitters because they realize it’s possible to knit and have a conversation without making eyecontact.
    I picked up on that you were working on a hitchhiker shawl, there are about four of us in my knitting group working on that also! It is taking me forever, I should be knitting in public more often.

  12. I find knitting during meetings helps me focus on the words being spoken because it helps my mind not wander into other things: “I hope the kids gave fresh water to the goats.” “I wonder if I can work on my quilt tomorrow.” “I can’t forget to pay that bill!” However, I do refrain because of others thinking I’m rude even though it would greatly benefit my retention.

  13. I sew/knit/crochet when I do not need to interact. Church works because I am just listening, or if we are hanging out at grammas, but work is a big no. I have too much to do and I do not have many meetings to attend. Just piles of paperwork.

  14. I’m a knitter for 43 years and a Christian theologian and preacher for 18. I knit anywhere that my hands have no other occupation. That sometimes includes church. As far as seeing people knitting from the pulpit goes, we preachers see people snoozing far more often! Go ahead!

  15. I don’t think it’s rude at all! I’ve knit in lectures before, and it makes the lecture more enjoyable, and I take in so much more. I can see it might be rude if the knitter was working on a project needing intense focus, but if it’s relatively easy to work on and talk at the same time, then go for it! Our craft needs more publicity anyway 🙂

  17. We could all look back to President Roosevelt’s wife Eleanor Roosevelt. She would sit with him as he conducted important business with dignitaries and she would listen. I bet once they were in private she could discuss those meetings at length with him. I even knit when I am driving if I am stopped at a long stop light or have a train going by where I have to wait. I knit when I am on phone calls a lot and while watching TV since I was raised calling it the boob tube and can follow both my knitting or crocheting as well as most shows at the same time. At the end of a show I have something positive to show for my time. I made 72 pair of baby booties a couple years ago watching the Jodi Arias trial so I didn’t feel crummy watching such trash then donated them to my local hospital. Half were regular size and hardware preemie so a lot of babies had something special.

Have you read?

How To Do Kitchener Stitch: A Beginner-Friendly Guide To Grafting Knitting Seamlessly

Kitchener stitch is one of those knitting techniques that feels a little bit mysterious until you finally sit down and do it. It is often used to close the toes of socks, but it is also a wonderfully neat way to join two sets of live stitches together without making a bulky seam.

If you have ever finished a beautiful sock and then paused at the toe because the pattern says “graft remaining stitches,” this is the tutorial you want to keep handy.

Kitchener stitch, also called grafting, creates a row of stitches between two pieces of knitting so the join looks almost invisible. Instead of binding off and sewing two edges together, you use a tapestry needle and yarn to form a new row of knitting between the live stitches.

It is one of the most useful finishing techniques for knitters, especially if you enjoy knitting socks, mittens, cowls, loop scarves, or garments where a smooth join matters.

You might also like this older CraftGossip post on grafting with Kitchener stitch, and if you want to go deeper into finishing techniques, this post on mastering grafting in knitting is another helpful read.

What Is Kitchener Stitch?

Kitchener stitch is a method of grafting two sets of live stitches together. The stitches stay on two needles, usually held parallel to each other, and you use a threaded tapestry needle to work through the stitches in a specific order.

When done well, the finished join looks like one continuous piece of knitting.

This is why Kitchener stitch is so popular for:

  • sock toes
  • mitten tips
  • shoulder joins
  • cowls
  • loop scarves
  • seamless tube projects
  • underarm stitches on some sweaters
  • small knitted bags and pouches

It is most commonly used on stockinette stitch, but grafting can also be adapted for other stitch patterns once you understand the basic idea.

Why Use Kitchener Stitch Instead Of Sewing A Seam?

The biggest benefit of Kitchener stitch is that it creates a smooth, almost invisible join. That matters most in places where you do not want a bulky seam, such as the toe of a sock.

A sewn seam across a sock toe can feel uncomfortable inside a shoe. Kitchener stitch avoids that by creating a flat, flexible finish.

It also gives knitted items a more polished look. If you are making gifts, charity knits, socks, or heirloom-style projects, learning this one technique can make your finished pieces look much neater.

For knitters who enjoy socks, you may also like this roundup of knitting patterns using sock yarn, especially if you have leftover yarn after finishing a pair.

Supplies You Need

To work Kitchener stitch, you will need:

  • two knitting needles holding live stitches
  • a tapestry needle or darning needle
  • yarn tail or matching yarn
  • scissors
  • good lighting
  • a little patience the first time

If you are working sock toes, most patterns will tell you how many stitches to leave on each needle before grafting.

As a general guide, leave a yarn tail at least three times the width of the stitches you are grafting. If you are unsure, leave a little extra. It is much easier to weave in a longer tail than to run out halfway across.

A blunt-tip tapestry needle is easier to control than a sharp sewing needle because it slides between yarn strands without splitting them as much. You can find tapestry needles, sock knitting tools, stitch markers, and finishing supplies through places such as Amazon, Mary Maxim, or your favorite local yarn store.

Before You Start: Set Up Your Stitches

For standard Kitchener stitch on stockinette:

Hold the two needles parallel, with the wrong sides of the knitting facing each other.

The right side of the knitting should be facing out.

The needle closest to you is the front needle.

The needle farther away from you is the back needle.

Thread your yarn tail onto a tapestry needle.

Try to keep the stitches sitting neatly on the needles and avoid twisting them before you begin.

The Kitchener Stitch Mantra

Many knitters remember Kitchener stitch with this little rhythm:

Front needle: knit off, purl on.
Back needle: purl off, knit on.

That means:

On the front needle, go into the first stitch knitwise and take it off. Then go into the next stitch purlwise and leave it on.

On the back needle, go into the first stitch purlwise and take it off. Then go into the next stitch knitwise and leave it on.

Once you get into the rhythm, it becomes much less intimidating.

Kitchener Stitch Step-By-Step

Setup Step 1

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to purl.

Pull the yarn through.

Leave the stitch on the knitting needle.

Setup Step 2

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit.

Pull the yarn through.

Leave the stitch on the knitting needle.

Now you are ready to begin the repeating sequence.

Step 1: Front Needle, Knitwise, Off

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit.

Pull the yarn through.

Slip that stitch off the knitting needle.

Step 2: Front Needle, Purlwise, On

Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl.

Pull the yarn through.

Leave that stitch on the knitting needle.

Step 3: Back Needle, Purlwise, Off

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl.

Pull the yarn through.

Slip that stitch off the knitting needle.

Step 4: Back Needle, Knitwise, On

Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to knit.

Pull the yarn through.

Leave that stitch on the knitting needle.

Repeat these four steps until all stitches have been grafted.

A Simple Way To Remember It

Say this out loud as you work:

Knit off, purl on.
Purl off, knit on.

It feels silly the first few times, but it works. Many knitters mutter this little phrase while closing sock toes, and honestly, anything that helps you avoid losing your place is worth doing.

How Tight Should Kitchener Stitch Be?

One of the most common mistakes with Kitchener stitch is pulling the yarn too tightly.

You are not sewing a seam closed. You are creating a new row of knitting.

After every few stitches, gently adjust the tension so the grafted row matches the surrounding stitches. If you pull too tightly, the join may pucker. If you leave it too loose, the grafted row may look stretched out.

A good trick is to look at the stitches beside the graft and try to match their size.

Do not panic if it looks a little uneven while it is still on the needles. Kitchener stitch often looks better once everything is off the needles and the tension has been gently adjusted.

How To Finish The Last Stitches

When you get to the final stitches, continue the sequence as closely as possible.

If there is only one stitch left on a needle, work the “off” part of the sequence for that stitch.

Pull the yarn through gently and then weave the tail into the inside or wrong side of the project.

For socks, weave the end into the inside of the toe so it will not be visible.

Troubleshooting Kitchener Stitch

My graft looks too tight

You probably pulled the yarn too firmly as you worked. Use the tip of your tapestry needle to gently loosen each grafted stitch, working from one side to the other.

My graft looks loose

Gently snug up the grafted stitches one at a time. Do not yank the working yarn all at once, as this can make one area tight and another loose.

I lost my place

Pause and look at the stitches. If the last stitch was removed from the front needle, you are probably ready to work the “purl on” part on the front needle or move to the back needle. If you are a beginner, it helps to say the mantra out loud every single time.

I split the yarn

A blunt tapestry needle helps prevent splitting. If a stitch looks split and messy, carefully undo that part before continuing.

The join looks like a seam, not a row of knitting

This usually means the tension is too tight or the needle was inserted in the wrong direction on some stitches. Practice on a swatch before using Kitchener stitch on a special project.

Practice Before Grafting A Real Project

If Kitchener stitch makes you nervous, knit two small stockinette swatches and place the live stitches on two needles. Use a contrasting yarn to practice grafting across the stitches.

Practicing with a different color makes it easier to see what the grafted row is doing. Once you understand the movement, try again with matching yarn.

This is especially useful before grafting handmade socks, because sock toes are small and can feel fiddly the first few times.

When Else Can You Use Kitchener Stitch?

Kitchener stitch is most famous for sock toes, but it is helpful in many other knitting projects.

Use it for joining the ends of a cowl or loop scarf, especially when you start with a provisional cast on. This CraftGossip post on making loop scarves from stash yarn mentions using a provisional cast on so the ends can be grafted together neatly.

You can also use Kitchener stitch for small bags, seamless headbands, mitten tips, and some garment joins.

If you are brushing up on knitting basics, this post on favorite ways to cast on is a good companion read, especially if you are learning how different beginnings and endings affect the finish of a project.

Kitchener Stitch For Sock Knitters

If you knit socks from the cuff down, Kitchener stitch is one of the most useful finishing techniques you can learn.

Most cuff-down sock patterns end with a small number of stitches divided between two needles. Kitchener stitch closes those stitches without creating a ridge across the toe.

For a comfortable sock toe:

Keep the stitches evenly divided.

Do not pull the graft too tightly.

Check that the toe lies flat before weaving in the end.

Use matching yarn whenever possible.

Once the sock is finished, blocking can also help smooth the stitches and even out the graft.

If you enjoy knitting small accessories, you might also like these easy headband knitting patterns, which are great projects for practicing finishing techniques on something smaller than a sweater.

Kitchener stitch has a reputation for being tricky, but it is really just a short sequence repeated across two needles. Once you remember the rhythm — knit off, purl on, purl off, knit on — it becomes much easier.

The real secret is to slow down, keep your tension relaxed, and remember that you are creating a row of knitting, not stitching a seam shut.

It may not feel natural the first time, but after a few sock toes or practice swatches, Kitchener stitch becomes one of those finishing skills you will be glad to have in your knitting toolkit.