What to knit at the River Concerts

In this week’s newsletter I talked about knitting while you’re in a casual group or relaxed audience setting, such as the St. Mary’s College River Concerts.  Learning to knit without looking is especially helpful, but not necessary.  What is essential, though, is a mindless project.  You want something that takes almost no concentration so that you can knit and still be fully engaged in the event you’re attending.  Your ideal mindless project depends on your skill as a knitter.  You'll want to have a large stretch of knitting that doesn’t require you to refer to notes or count stitches.  You’ll also want to avoid anything with fiddly stitches or with fussy fibers that split or can’t be easily worked by touch alone.  For some, socks are the perfect project.  Seasoned sock knitters know their pattern by heart and can whip out a simple pair without ever looking at a pattern.  Personally, I am enjoying Petrie,  which I’m knitting in the round.  Also simple to work and in the round and a bit more interesting that just stockinette is Phiaro.  There are lots of other appropriate projects too, like the Nivernais, a free pattern from Berroco, or Summer Wrap.  

Of course, if the weather is hot, you'll want something very small that doesn't lie in your lap, so now is probably not the time to work on your alpaca afghan.  Other than that, just grab something you don't have to think about, and enjoy the music!