would it be rude to knit?

[One Goat to Rule Them All]

My DH is a grad student in a subject that I am interested in as well (I took a number of classes in University). There is going to be an open lecture at the University tomorrow night, and I'm going to go with him. My question is, would it be rude of me to knit during the lecture?

I would be discrete, and I am quite capable of knitting without looking at what I'm doing, just glancing at the knitting on occasion, so I would still be attentive to the speaker. I don't want to offend the speaker, and I don't want to reflect poorly on my DH (although he says he would have no problem with me knitting). I also know it will bug me to know that I could be being "productive" during this time! When I watch TV or a movie I always have some sort of craft going, or I feel the same way. At the same time I know that a live speaker is a lot different from TV (obviously), and I don't want to be a distraction for other audience members.

Please advise me! I don't want to knit my way into e-hell!

[Kaylee]

Miss Manners is on record as "having knitted her way through classes, ending up with an education and a sweater that were both serviceable but smaller than she had thought."  One of my favorite mystery heroines, Miss Silver, also tends to knit through all her clients' meetings and they find it endearing and confidence-inducing.

I throw that in just for the fun of quoting the classics.  As you are not a member of this class, and are not there regularly, I think your bringing the knitting is likely to be interpreted as "I'm being dragged along to this thing and I really have better things to do," which obviously is not the message you intend to convey.

Maybe you could bring along a notebook and sketch out your future project ideas?  That way, it will look like you're taking notes.   

[Issa]

Ooh I was going to post something like a "when is it rude to knit in public" thread!!

Personally, as a knitter myself, I don't think it's appropriate to knit in class. I know people disagree, and say that knitting helps them concentrate better, and I get that - but unless the professor thinks it's OK I think it's disrespectful to him/her as well as the other students who may get distracted.

That said, I know what you mean about wanting to be productive. I've recently started knitting in public (in cafes, on the train, waiting at the doctor's office) and I usually knit when I'm watching TV. Still in this case, unless it's a small project, a busy lecture, and you are all the way in the back where no one can see or hear what you're doing OR if the prof is fine with it - in general, I don't think it's really appropriate to knit in class.

[loomadoom]

As long as you're unobtrusive about it and obviously paying attention, I don't see a problem with it. However, I'm biased: I knit everywhere except at work (well, I knit in staff meetings).  Right now I'm going crazy because I've been in a thumb/wrist splint for two weeks and I can't knit or do anything else that requires two hands, including work. I've got socks to make!

I find that as long as you're clearly paying attention, most profs don't seem to mind if you knit. None of mine objected when I knitted my way through college -- in fact, I think that most of them didn't really notice.

A word of advice: Never knit a cabled scarf at the movies. It can get really ugly. Literally.

Edited to clarify. Edited again to say edited to clarify. It's 2:30 a.m. and my brain wants to shut down.

[blarg314]

I would say only if you can sit in the back, in a somewhat isolated spot.

A lot of people find someone sitting right next to them, knitting, to be very distracting - there is a distinct noise, and the motion of the needles out of the corner of the eye. It's very similar to sitting nest to someone who fidgets.

[redwineonsundays]

I agree that other people might find it distracting, and as it is not your usual class and one of your DHs does he know whether it is the norm for this university for people to knit??

Other than that I would say if you are unobtrusive I don't see how it could offend anyone, it is an open lecture after all. 

[camlan]

This is an "open lecture." Does that mean it is not a regular class and is open to the public? If that's the case, I don't see any problem with knitting during the lecture. As long as you aren't poking someone with the knitting needles, you should be fine.

When I was in grad school, my department had a monthly lecture series with guest lecturers from other universities. There was one student who knitted during the lectures and a faculty spouse who attended all the lectures and did her needlepoint during them.

The people who arrange these things want bodies in the seats. I know, because I've been the recipient of a few desperate phone calls begging me to show up at lectures that are nowhere near my field. A quiet, well-behaved knitter who is interested in the subject should not be a problem.

[AbbyW]

I recently attended a lecture through the Smithsonian and there were a number of knitters in the lecture hall.  I wish I had brought something to work on.  The lecture was fascinating but I'm not used to inactivity.

[Xallanthia]

I think you're probably OK.  In this situation, I think that I, personally, would bring a small project (no long needles or complicated stitch patterns) and watch to see if anyone else was doing something similar or just get a feel of the hall and the speaker.  If you can do what you're doing without really looking and you aren't poking people, I think you're fine.

Oh, and wooden needles are probably better, they "click" less than metal.

[Sharnita]

Am I the only one taking notes during lectures?

I think if you are going to the trouble of attending it would be more polite to leave the knitting at home.

[ShadesOfGrey]

I'm going to have to disagree with everyone else (even with Miss Manners).

I do think it's rude to be actively doing something else while attempting to listen to a lecture.  And I am also someone that is always doing two things at once.  There's more than a good chance, especially since this is an open lecture, that it's going to distract others - no matter where you sit.  Aside from this, listening/audience participation requires that your attention be on the speaker.  Yes, I realize that people can do more than 1 thing at once, but the fact is that your attention is still divided.  Think about it from the speakers perspective also.  I cant imagine a speaker being pleased that members of the audience are doing something else, while he has taken the time to speak to them.  I also find the notion that learning isnt productive is counter-productive.  jmo. ymmv. 

[Kimblee]

I crochet everywhere, during classes, family gatherings, car rides and church. Never been scolded, once was asked if the observer could have my project. (The preacher! I gave him the washcloth, of course... but was amused. He said it was his wife's favorite color.)

As long as i am paying attention, I've never had trouble, and I remember what i hear better too.

[One Goat to Rule Them All]

This is an "open lecture." Does that mean it is not a regular class and is open to the public? If that's the case, I don't see any problem with knitting during the lecture. As long as you aren't poking someone with the knitting needles, you should be fine.

When I was in grad school, my department had a monthly lecture series with guest lecturers from other universities. There was one student who knitted during the lectures and a faculty spouse who attended all the lectures and did her needlepoint during them.

The people who arrange these things want bodies in the seats. I know, because I've been the recipient of a few desperate phone calls begging me to show up at lectures that are nowhere near my field. A quiet, well-behaved knitter who is interested in the subject should not be a problem.

This is exactly the case. They periodically have guest lecturers who give a few different lectures over the week, and the Grad students are expected to attend. This one will be held in the evening, and is open to the public.

Am I the only one taking notes during lectures?

I think if you are going to the trouble of attending it would be more polite to leave the knitting at home.

I took notes while I was in University. I have not looked at them since! one of the joys of not being a student is that I don't have to take lecture notes anymore.

I'm still unsure of what to do. Maybe I'll take my knitting along and see what the set up is like. If there is a ton of people there and we can sit in the back maybe I'll give it a try, but if it is mostly empty and we end up closer to the speaker (or to DH's professors) I'll just listen. part of the reason I want to take my knitting along is that at about 30% of these lectures the speaker is either boring or using language that is waaaay over my head.

[SammyKit]

I am myself a knitter but I would not knit in a class.  Everyone says how it relaxes them, keeps their hands occupied, gives them something to do.  Unless you really can sit in a corner away from all the others don't do it.  The movement and sounds drive certain other people to distraction.  I'm sure some of the people at this open lecture want to hear every word and some of them may be easily distracted.

If a knitter sat next to me when I had to listen intently to something I would have to move or they would have to stop knitting.  There are many of us who are distracted very easily and really have to make an effort to pay attention.  Since this is in a classroom listening without distractions takes precedence over anything else. 

[cicero]

i agree with rdge - i think this is rude. i also sometimes find it hard to concentrate - even in an interesting lecture - so i may doodle a little, but i would never take out 'something else' to do. to me it seems disrespectful - think about the person who is giving the lecture.