I am still at a point where I have to focus on the knitting, so right now the most I can do while knitting is listening to music that I need to learn, or participating in a conversation that does not take 100% of my brainpower.
EDIT: Revelation. I can also play idle/incremental games while knitting.
Podcasts are great to listen to while knitting/ crocheting/ stitching. I find it easy to have something like football on the tv while I’m working. Movies grab my attention too much, but it’s the visual stimuli that distracts me.
But if I just sit quietly and work, that’s no good either. I’ll distract myself within minutes. Podcasts seem to be the best combo of occupying my attention just enough that I’m not bored and can also follow patterns.
Knit while walking (slower than a power walk) on treadmill = getting my steps in for the day
This only works for sock knitting for me or doing sleeves where most of the work is on a platform in front of me.
For Lace/chart knitting I count out-loud to keep husband from interrupting mid-repeat. I have him trained to wait and I will stop at the end of the repeat
Youtube videos. See how many repeats you can get in during ads. Like to support my subs with the ads. Volume is muted and I have closed captions on. So if I am not looking, they are getting the ad revenue without me actually “watching” them.
I’ll listen to a simple book or put on a video I don’t need to pay close attention to. Videogame playthroughs mostly.
If I’m doing an easy pattern like in the round I can get away with watching TV. Otherwise it’s got to be just reruns that I can zone out a bit.
Honestly I’m usually knitting fairly simple things so can listen to music, watch TV, chat to partner or even be in a group conversation or whatever without too much trouble. Just about the only thing I can’t do is read, but that’s only having two hands for you!
It does cause occasional mistakes, but I’m ok with ripping out where necessary and just living with small mistakes where not, so that’s fine.
On those few occasions I attempt complicated lace, though, oof. Any sort of distraction at all is a day-ruiner!
Audiobooks. I’ve “read” over a hundred books by now, all while knitting.
There are free ones on librivox.org if you want to try it without spending money to see if it’s something you can do.
I usually knit with my mom and we watch local TV and chat a bit. When I knit by myself I usually put on a rerun but I mostly listen and not really watch the show (currently it’s Grey’s Anatomy). I’ve been thinking about listening to audiobooks.
Another one for listening: mostly TV and youtube that are not visually heavy. I’m getting into some podcasts, but I haven’t made the leap to audio books yet.
TV, YouTube, podcasts, music, watching my partner game. I originally picked knitting up as something to do other than scroll on my phone while doing those things.
