Stitching In Public and an Impromptu Knitting Lesson
This past week I have been in Oklahoma. I went there to move my Moma back after being in South Texas for 4 years. Since I was driving her vehicle up, I had to take a plane to get back home. Air travel is not for everyone....but I simply love it!!! Someone else takes charge of the "driving", and I can stitch, read OR people watch to make the time go by quicker.
Because of airline security and TSA rules I don't carry a normal stitching kit. I pack that in my checked luggage. What I did keep out was a size 8 bamboo circular knitting needles and my small box that I keep my finishing kit in. I forgot to bring small scissors, but was able to find some nail clippers in the airport gift shop during my second layover for a little more than $2.
I had approx 3 1/2 hour wait at Tulsa International airport, so I started a Chain of Hearts knit headband. I was able to complete the knitting portion of the headband before we boarded the flight and had a nice conversation about knitting vs crochet with the woman sitting across from me.
When I arrived at Houston Hobby I had almost 5 hours to wait. By that time I was hungry and in need of those nail clippers I had yet to purchase. So for the next 2 hours I wandered the airport for some exercise, ate a nice dinner at Hunan Express, and called my hubby. While my phone was recharging I pulled out the Chain of Hearts headband and set out to finish weaving in the ends which produced a conversation with a young man also recharging his phone. His Grandma had always made things with yarn he said and spent some time reminiscing about his Grandma to me!
I finally decided with only 3 hours to go I should get a snack and go sit at the gate while I finished up some Mr. Snowman headbands that I had brought with me. Once I got situated a young lady comes around the corner and plops down next to me. She asked if I were knitting and informed me that she learned to crochet when she was a little girl and her grandma had tried and TRIED to teach her knitting but she just couldn't get the hang of it. I told her if she were interested I could show her how to knit the continental style (which is the way I FINALLY learned to knit). She was excited to learn, so we got our little impromptu knitting lesson underway.
Camille was her name. She was bubbly and friendly and full of chatter!! It made me miss the kids I have taught in the past and I LOVED this opportunity to share my passion for fiber arts with a willing participant.
She watched as I finished up the first Mr. Snowman headband and asked who it was for. When I told her I was just making them to make them she laughed and said "well in that case can I have it?" It made me laugh and I said "YES"!!! I had been looking all day for the opportunity to bless someone and God brought her by and she TOTALLY blessed me!!!!
As we boarded the plane several others started conversations with me that they had been watching me teach the young lady or had seen me knitting in Tulsa also!!! Goes to show....you never know who is watching what you are doing and who you might be able to bless with your actions and your words.
Be Blessed!!!
Amy B
Because of airline security and TSA rules I don't carry a normal stitching kit. I pack that in my checked luggage. What I did keep out was a size 8 bamboo circular knitting needles and my small box that I keep my finishing kit in. I forgot to bring small scissors, but was able to find some nail clippers in the airport gift shop during my second layover for a little more than $2.
I had approx 3 1/2 hour wait at Tulsa International airport, so I started a Chain of Hearts knit headband. I was able to complete the knitting portion of the headband before we boarded the flight and had a nice conversation about knitting vs crochet with the woman sitting across from me.
When I arrived at Houston Hobby I had almost 5 hours to wait. By that time I was hungry and in need of those nail clippers I had yet to purchase. So for the next 2 hours I wandered the airport for some exercise, ate a nice dinner at Hunan Express, and called my hubby. While my phone was recharging I pulled out the Chain of Hearts headband and set out to finish weaving in the ends which produced a conversation with a young man also recharging his phone. His Grandma had always made things with yarn he said and spent some time reminiscing about his Grandma to me!
I finally decided with only 3 hours to go I should get a snack and go sit at the gate while I finished up some Mr. Snowman headbands that I had brought with me. Once I got situated a young lady comes around the corner and plops down next to me. She asked if I were knitting and informed me that she learned to crochet when she was a little girl and her grandma had tried and TRIED to teach her knitting but she just couldn't get the hang of it. I told her if she were interested I could show her how to knit the continental style (which is the way I FINALLY learned to knit). She was excited to learn, so we got our little impromptu knitting lesson underway.
Camille was her name. She was bubbly and friendly and full of chatter!! It made me miss the kids I have taught in the past and I LOVED this opportunity to share my passion for fiber arts with a willing participant.
She watched as I finished up the first Mr. Snowman headband and asked who it was for. When I told her I was just making them to make them she laughed and said "well in that case can I have it?" It made me laugh and I said "YES"!!! I had been looking all day for the opportunity to bless someone and God brought her by and she TOTALLY blessed me!!!!
As we boarded the plane several others started conversations with me that they had been watching me teach the young lady or had seen me knitting in Tulsa also!!! Goes to show....you never know who is watching what you are doing and who you might be able to bless with your actions and your words.
Be Blessed!!!
Amy B
Good for you, Amy, for sharing your love of knitting and crochet, and using it to connect with others. I find people seem to be more open about chatting with strangers when a common bond -- such as memories of a relative crocheting or a favorite crocheted item -- is shared. Great blog post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary!! I have realized that the most unlikely people talk to me while I stitch in public.....and I thoroughly enjoy it!!
DeleteGreat story and pictures! Your many hours in the airports were definitely blessed. I loved the smile on your student, Camille's face.
ReplyDeleteThanks Moma!! Yes, they were blessed!!! And Camille's smile was contagious for all surrounding the lesson!
DeleteHow fantastic! A prime example of how to keep your eyes open for opportunities to spread the love! (of knitting and Blessings!)
ReplyDeleteDon't you love how a little yarn opens people up? I take my crochet everywhere including my grandsons baseball games. I always forget that I crochet mainly by feel until comment on it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a lovely day! Super fascinating how crocheting in public places can open up conversations. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! I always try to take a small project with me when I go out, and just like you, it seems to make me approachable and people love to tell me how knitting/crochet brings back wonderful memories for them.
ReplyDelete