Knitting during class: ok or not?

[BusyBee91]

Hi folks,

so I'm an auditory/kinesthetic learner, and I recently decided to start bringing my knitting to class, to see if it kept me more engaged in the lecture and off my electronics. It's pretty much a silent hobby, so I was surprised when a friend/classmate mentioned that she felt it was distracting and rude to the professor and other students. This is a class with many people on their laptops/tablets for lecture. Anyway, I grew up with a knitting mama who had hers everywhere, so I've never really seen it as inappropriate. Just curious what you all think? Would it bother you? More or less than people using electronics or eating in class?

Thanks for for the thoughts :)

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

I agree with what others have posted, knitting in class is inappropriate. It would be similar to someone bringing a knitting project with them to a meeting at work, or orientation for a new job. It is unprofessional. If you want to listen to the lecture while you are knitting I would suggest recording the lecture, if allowed and then listen to it again while knitting outside of the classroom. While knitting is a fairly quiet activity, the needles do make sounds, and if you where sitting next to me in a lecture I would find it to be very distracting.

As mentioned by a previous poster, most students who are using a tablet or a laptop in class are usually using them to take notes, or to follow PowerPoint slides on. I use my iPad in all of my classes, to record the lecture, follow the PowerPoint slides and to make notes. As for eating in the classroom, if it is a snack and something that can be eaten fairly quietly it is okay, unless food and drink are not allowed in the classroom such as in a lab setting. I always carry some snacks with me, there are times when that energy boost from a snack is needed.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

After reading everyone else's replies, I've given it more thought.....I guess I'm in the minority because it wouldn't bother me if someone else were doing it, nor would I be 'unengaged' just because my hands are busy. And I really WOULD ask the prof what he/she thought was ok and not. I wouldn't equate it to orientation or anything more than what it was: a lecture, designed for listening and possibly note-taking.

I'm also clearly less likely to negatively judge you than some others I'm seeing here....But I guess when in Rome....if it's causing a stir, better to skip it!

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

While you may think it's a silent hobby, I've been around friends and family who knit. There is often a barely perceptible clicking sound that comes with knitting. Most people will probably never hear it. However, this would drive me crazy.

I hate it when people click their pens, tap their feet, etc. In the medical community, it's called misphonia. If you're my husband, you may just call me picky. Either way, I'm in class to listen to the professor, not you click your pen/tap your feet/smack your gum/etc.

[Aurora77]

I'm an avid knitter too, love making socks and shawls. One thing I loved about my online RN to BSN program was the ability to sit and knit while listening to the lectures. It helped me tremendously. That being said, in a face to face class, I wouldn't do it. Too distracting and unprofessional.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I am with the others, I think more than anything it would be rude towards your classmates and disrespectful towards the professor.

HPRN

[BusyBee91]

Wow.. I am surprised at the overwhelming majority of you that find it rude. To clarify - certainly some of the students use their tech for

class related work, but many of them are working on other projects or something completely unrelated to school. Not that it changes this issue. And related to the size of the project, it is quite small - certainly contained in my lap. There are some classes I take notes in, but certain classes that I prefer just to sit/think/fidget. I certainly am kinesthetic, but perhaps I'm incorrectly attributing

my need to move during long lectures to this. When not knitting, the fidgeting comes out in nail picking/biting, and rocking, both of which seemed worse than knitting.

Thanks for the thoughts.

PS - I promise it is not the clicking. I am not a clicky knitter. Maybe the person sitting right next to me might hear the sound of my yarn slipping on the needle, but no clicking. I could totally understand if it were clicking.

[VampyrSlayer, CNA]

When I was in a government class we had a student who played solitaire on his computer the whole time. Teacher walked while teaching and called him out on it. Turns out he had narcolepsy and by keeping his mind occupied it helped him. Actually brought in a dr note. Know this is kinda unrelated but it made me think of it

[SionainnRN]

The clicking of the needles would drive me mad! This is very unprofessional and inappropriate. If you can't make it through the lecture with your hands still, doodle or take notes.

[Backwardo]

It really wouldn't bother me. Knit, snack, type....whatever. Just don't try chatting with me while I'm in my I-must-absorb-everything-the-instructor-is-saying zone and it's cool.

And honestly, if your instructor hasn't said anything, I don't think it bothers her. Maybe just bring up that someone mentioned that it might be seen as rude, that it's not your intention, and ask for permission.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

It would not bother me. If it works for you....GO FOR IT! GOOD LUCK. :)

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I would have run it by the instructor FIRST to see how he/she felt about it before actually doing it. I'm a knitter myself and I find it very calming. However, your classmates probably aren't used to seeing someone knit and I think it would be quite distracting. I know if I saw someone knitting, I'd be trying to figure out what stitch they're using, what they're making, etc. It would definitely distract me. Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to do this in class. It can give the impression to your instructor that you're not even listening or absorbing the material.

[RookieRoo]

As a fellow student I would chime in on the inappropriate chorus; however, I would do so with the caveat that I have ADHD and sometimes find my attention wandering during class. During such times using a small "tangle" toy or even stress ball can help, because it's something to occupy my hand while I listen and take notes. I'm not sure how others on here would view a stress ball in relation to your knitting but if you absolutely must keep your hands occupied when not busy writing, that is a way to do it. I also write out my own notes and keep electronics put away because if they're out, I WILL play on them.