Hobbies in public . . .

Hobbies in public . . .

I had a bizarre experience the other day when knitting outside. It got me thinking about the hobbies I can take with me and those I can't or don't. Jewelry making is not on my list of portable hobbies - what if I had a bead accident, it just wouldn't make for a happy experience. Painting is a bit borderline there's an awful lot of stuff you need to bring with you but I do enjoy alfresco painting so I put up with it.


When painting people will stop and have a look. Sometimes they want to know how long you've been painting. Sometimes they offer praise or advice. It's always been a very positive and laid back experience. Probably because it's not unexpected to paint a landscape outside.


In years gone by when I commuted to work by train I would sometimes take my embroidery with me - easy all you need is needle thread and the thing you are embroidering. Doesn't take much space in your bag. It sometimes elicited curious looks but few comments. I've knitted on trains more recently for a couple of long distance journeys in Scandinavia and I was not the only one knitting so perhaps it is more common. And on occasion I've had my knitting on the train in the UK - but I no longer commute by train (I drive or bike and neither one of those forms of transport will combine happily with knitting).

A few weekends ago the weather was lovely and I had a baby's hat to knit. I did not want to sit inside all day so took myself and the knitting to the park. Within 15mins of sitting down and taking out my knitting I had been joined by a man who found my knitting deeply interesting. First he felt the location was all wrong for knitting. Secondly I should really be reading or sunbathing. Thirdly only his aunt knitted. Fourthly I was weird to be knitting outside. I admit to having a terrible habit of engaging strangers in conversation, but generally not to tell them what they are doing wrong with their life (yes he felt that I was living my life wrong too).

Oddly I declined to give him my number or go for a drink with him in the pub. Can't think why.

This is not going to stop me knitting outside, or on the train or where-ever, but I do hope it is not the beginning of a trend.