Ever since i started knitting wristwarmers, handwarmers, mittens and gloves, i’ve been selling them in different ways. Via social media, markets, my mother’s wool shop or other people’s shops. Selling handmade materials can bring about nice conversations with people. There is often an interest in the product, process and or recognition because many people, in this case knit, themselves too, and like to exchange experiences, techniques or just compliments.
It is such an easy way to connect with people.
At other times, when picking up my son from school and waiting outside the school, i would take my knitting with me and most of the time, someone would come and say something or ask a question. People’s curiosity overcomes what at other times could be a barrier.
In this case it is knitting, but it can be anything we share with the world, which creates an opening or invitation for people to interact. And for me, being a bit of a lonewolf and an introverted extrovert, this is a really nice way.
So i really enjoy sitting down at a market or crafts fair, putting my creations on display, for sale. The variety of people, people i might normally never talk to, never have a reason to interact with, that suddenly enter my life and often with a little story to tell and often open to hear the story of a particular creation, is enjoyable to me. And sometimes, when sitting at the same market, year after year, the same people pass by again and again, and they become familiar and my awareness of who lives in my neighborhood grows.
i’ve heard people say that it feels calming and grounding, when i sit and knit, for instance at the outdoor afterschool care of a friend of mine. i guess practicing a craft requires a certain energy, a certain focus of attention which feels pleasant to be around. i love to hang out with people who do handicrafts or some kind of manual labor. My body loves to sit in that energy and as a youngster i would do it often. And isn’t that how we learn. By mapping to those who are good in their crafts. Sitting in their energy and absorbing all the little details, often without being fully conscious of it, until we try it out ourselves.
Iliana –
I have my dedicated time and space to knit with Nicholette, but other than that I have to carve time for my knitting. So yes, I am one of those persons that carries a knitting bag and does it when waiting for things, for my son’s at school, when traveling, at airports, etc. And it has been a surprising tool to connect to people. As I was waiting to start jury duty in the waiting room, a lady asked me if she could join, she pulled out her knitting and chatted for a bit. Then one more lady joined the conversation about her experience knitting. On a recent trip to California, once I was seated in the airplane, I pulled out my knitting then right away the couple next to me wanted to know all about it. He shared how his mother-in-law knitted him a sleeveless sweater, he showed me the pictures and shared how he started a trend among his male friends. From here we discover other interesting aspects about each other and create a great connection.
I found knitting in public is somehow similar as when you are walking my dog. The conversation about “them” is not too personal, is friendly and warms us up for more if we want. They are a great bridge for us to connect to others, or icebreakers as we settle into our natural ability to be social and find connection.
What helps you connect to others?
knittingnewrealities 