Crochet in Public

I think of this question quite often: “What do you do while you’re waiting?”

I went to Six Flags the other day, and (of course) I brought my WIP crochet with me. Because of the weather and probably school already started in some areas, I barely had to wait in lines. Usually in amusement park you have to wait such a long time for a ride, right? Before I got in to crocheting, I didn’t bring anything with me to kill time. I usually just talked with my friends and/or siblings, but I got so bored waiting in line! Now I bring my WIPs anywhere if I know for sure I have to wait for long time.

Last April, I went to Japan and that time I brought a new project (Sea Breeze Sweater from All About Ami) and WIP that can last for the whole trip. Flight to Japan takes about 10 to 12 hours. Including resting and eating time, I knew I had a looooooong time to kill. The airplane for my flight had your own screen at your seat so I watched couple movies while I worked on my projects! Also, I had layovers as well so I worked on my project everywhere, anywhere.

Not just during the flight, but I was working on the project during the train ride, Fuji Q (best amusement park!!), and bus ride…yes pretty much anywhere. I’m 90% finished with the sweater because I worked on it everywhere I went! All I have left to do is sew the pieces together!

Thanks to technology advancement, you can do so many things with your phone now. You can read, watch videos, draw, etc. I was watching this Japanese TV talk show one day, here’s the conversation MC and the guest had:

MC: “Do you use public transportation?”
Guest: “Yes”
MC: “Don’t others recognize someone famous like you?”
Guest: “No not at all because almost everyone is one the phone, looking down!”

I bet that guest (he’s really famous in Japan) wears hat and mask to cover their face, but it’s so true. I was so shocked to see how so many people were on their phone!! I’m not saying being on your phone is bad. I still do sometimes, but for much less time now because I rather make something than killing my phone battery.

Do I care what others think when I crochet/knit in public? Just a little, but not really. It’s not like I’m doing anything bad! Why do I have to be ashamed or feel something negative for something creative and others can make and use as well? If others are crocheting/knitting in front of me right now, I’ll probably go up and ask what that person is making! I get little embarrassed if someone stare at me, but I just let them stare at what I’m doing. When I was crocheting at Six Flags in line, this little girl was staring at me for quite a long time, but hey! She might got inspired and start crocheting one day! You never what inspires others, right?

Don’t be afraid of what others may think, and do what you love to do!

Thank you for reading and happy crocheting!