Knitter’s world
PhD teacher and knitter, Emma Elvidge, explains how knitting in meetings increases her ability to concentrate
Although a little di erent in the current circumstances, meetings are still a frequent part of the working week for most, even when working from home. But have you ever been in a meeting where you’ve had to sit through information that isn’t relevant to you – and felt like it’s a bit of a waste of your time? Well, Emma Elvidge, a PhD teacher at the University of East Anglia and avid knitter, decided to make her time in meetings as productive as possible – by taking her knitting along!
“I decided to be proactive – I wasn’t in a position to start changing the format of the meetings, but I could change my own attitude to concentration and productivity,” explains Emma. “What started out as a playful exploration of getting more out of my day soon turned out to be so much more.” At first, Emma just took in whatever her work-in-progress was, but she found that she often made mistakes or it was inconvenient to take in big projects. “So now I try and have a simple, small project on the go to keep at work,” she says. This includes hats, simple mittens, scarves and shawls. “Next I plan to start making twiddlemu s or small lap/sensory blankets for charity during meetings.”
Emma explains that the benefits from knitting during meetings go much further than the actual knits themselves. “I’m more engaged. Even whilst knitting, I’m convinced I’m often one of the most engaged people in the meeting,” she says. “When my hands are busy, my brain has nothing else to do but focus on what others are saying. And it isn’t just me, scientists have been investigating the idea that fidgeting or small movements may be linked to our ability to concentrate.”
“A current theory is that fidgeting provides just enough sensory stimulation to use up spare attention before it distracts us and I would imagine knitting works in much the same way. I see many people on phones and laptops during meetings,” says Emma. “I’m sure many are looking up the meeting notes or taking their own (I do the same), but how easy is it to get distracted by email when you have your technology open in front of you? When my hands are occupied with needles and wool, I’m less tempted by my iPad.”
Emma finds that knitting has been an ice-breaker and a conversation starter in meetings too, allowing her to network more e ciently and build connections. “Yes, knitting in meetings did take some bravery,” she says. “Although nobody asked me to stop in person,
I’m sure I was talked about out of earshot. But I am also confident that the positive interactions will have outweighed any negatives ones.”
Emma is now working on this topic as part of some research for an MA in Higher Education Practice she’s working on. “Knitting is also a great tool for helping people embed creativity into their everyday routines – as a wellbeing tool. For example, if you decide you want to do be more creative and you take up pottery, then you probably have to go once a week to a pottery studio. There’s no problem with that, but it’s not a regularly embedded part of your day-to-day life. Knitting can be done anywhere. People don’t have to go all-out and knit in meetings, but even if they take their co ee/lunch break to do a few rows, or do some on their commute, I think it will make a positive di erence.”