Great video, Natalie! Earlier this year, inspired by the voice control of the Knit Companion app, I figured out how to use the accessibility tools on my iPad, to program when I say "page" to touch the place on the Libby app to turn the page - so I actually don't even stop knitting to turn pages. And to make it super magical - I often use it as split screen with my pattern on one side and my book on the other. It's been such a game changer! Happy reading and knitting - and thank you for your awesome book recommendations!
Thank you for this comment!! I just set up voice control to turn my page in my kindle app on my iPad and I am so excited to try this out while knitting and taking a bath!! I copied you and used the word "page" too!!! 😀
I've been working on knitting without looking a lot over the past month or so. I found that knitting in the car when it's getting dark was a good time to practice, as if there's good lighting I feel tempted to take a peek just to check, but if there's really poor light I really can't check. I went to a movie a few weeks ago and managed to knit about half a yarn cozy throughout the movie. I'm excited to try some knitting with reading. Also for anyone who can't knit and read a physical book or Kindle whilst knitting, just remember that audiobooks absolutely counts as reading, and anyone who tells you otherwise is ableist. There are a bunch of reasons why people use audiobooks, and sometimes is a simple matter of preference, but sometimes it might be due to a visual impairment or inability to sustain holding a book for long periods. Anyone who tries to gatekeep enjoyment of literature is a jerk.
I have been knitting and reading for decades. When I take my husband to his VA doctors appointments all of the men think I’m a genius. Most of it is muscle memory. If you are doing a rib stitch you fingers and brain will tell you when your off.
I have knit and read since I was a preteen!! My mom, a skilled knitter, has a fit when I do this. It is one of my favorite things to do. I make sure that I always have one simple project going so I can do this. Baby sweaters are my favorite!! There is always a baby who needs a sweater.
Hi Natalie! You have no idea how much you brighten my day and living room! I am so glad for the person you are and for you blessing my life with your podcasts and all your positivity! You encourage me everyday. The change in the weather affects me big time! Don’t forget your vitamin D! I learned to take that when I was stationed in Alaska and it was sooo dark all the time :( i don’t mean to give advice but it’s crazy how the weather ups and downs affect us. I was feeling the same way the week you announced you we’re getting counseling great job btw! I hope your listening to everyone on how awesome you are because you really are the best! My little girls and I love you! I am practicing knitting with out looking lol 😂 ❤
About my earlier comment I’m sorry I really meant well in what I said about taking vitamin D it was just something that helped me. I really wasn’t trying to be insensitive about your situation and presume to know what your situation is. I’m really sorry about that. Truth is I struggle with small bouts of depression and the weather affects me and even sunlight. I truly meant what I said about you brightening my day! We all love you and hope you feel better soon! We have your back! Love you and support you!!! 🎉😊 I’m sure if you wanted to do a live chat we can all tell you these things in person!! Thank you Natalie!
One more thing, I have been knitting and reading successfully for quite awhile but never learned how to knit in the dark. I found that the most important skill for me was the ability to glance between my knitting and my book or screen without losing my place.
I love knitting and reading at the same time! My granny taught me to knit back in Ireland when I was 4. I have been knitting my whole life and it's even better with a book. Thank you for your excellent tutorials!
For the excercice, a tip if you wear glasses, remove them and go hold your project to where you cant see clearly so its blurry, it has the same effect as squinting and its less unconfortable
I enjoyed the practical suggestions here, Natalie. I’m getting better at knitting while reading a physical book and as you say, it does take practice. To all those who say, why not audiobooks, I’m not here to convince anyone or campaign for them. Audiobooks are a personal choice. I will, however, say that listening to audiobooks is a skill too. It takes practice to train the brain to pay attention. It’s not as simple as just cueing up a book and magically getting and staying dialed in. Audiobooks have their own complexities and levels of “difficulty.” Just as it was mentioned to choose a vanilla knitting project, I’d suggest choosing a light audiobook or even a familiar, preciously read, book as a starting point. Start with short intervals and understand that many people’s minds wander. That is what the rewind button is for. 😀
Thanks to you I remembered I have a lap table, and I moved my knitting and reading from the desk, where I also work during the day, to the sofa. So now I have a better separation between work and free time. 🤩
I have been doing this with library books through Libby and hoopla, I’ve been wanting to do it with my physical books too - I’ve never heard of a book bone! That’s awesome!
Thank you so much! The biggest reason I had issue reading and knitting was that I couldn’t keep the pages from flipping. This video was really informative and helpful
I can see it would be an issue for me with the book bone tho because I read very fast sometimes so I’d have to flip pages often. But for the e book, that’s perfect. Unfortunately the books I’m reading isn’t available in audio, otherwise it would’ve been amazing.
Great video. 2 options, AirTurn is a foot pedal musicians use to turn the page in an ipad. 2, An upright and firmly padded chair will keep your low back healthy and flexible for longer. Happy knitting and reading.
Thank you very much for breaking this down for me I have often wondered how you do this! So I have two little girls 4 and 18 months. I have been making them simple tops. I have to look up while they play and I have been trying to use your podcast and past videos I missed for practice. Plus now that the snow is melted I have been looking up watching the girls play outside and I’m getting better! It was always a challenge because I never felt like I could do both knit and watch the girls until I followed some of your pointers. Oooh 😂 also your past videos visiting your parents at home you mentioned I think your dad made the comment of “people watch your 1 hr long videos about knitting?” Yes I do!!! Hahaha I love it! But I was also laughing because my parents are the same way!! They are just barely be getting into TH-cam. Thanks again! Say hi to Mr toaster for me!
I started knitting or crocheting and reading for 30 minutes about 6 months ago, after you had mentioned that's how you like to start your day. I'm a poet and hadn't done much reading, and now I either listen to audio books or have my kindle while I go.
Ever since you said you read and knit every morning, I've been working on this skill. It definitely takes time. So feeling confident, I tried it in dark locations. So so results but still practicing. Unfortunately, I really would love to crochet without looking, but I figure it will take me a long time to master anything like that if even possible.
Some great tips! I can watch tv when knitting a stocking stitch but I like an audio book when I’m concentrating on a more detailed pattern. Like your book stand very much for in bed reading! X
Followed you on Goodreads, thanks! I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t knit without looking-I definitely echo your method of practicing while watching TV/movies at home. I find I concentrate better with needles in my hands! Also, for those who want a low-tech method of holding their pages open on a physical book, try using an upside-down TV remote. I learned this from LilyKateMakes!
I NEED a book bone now. I am a voracious reader and the cozy mystery is my ultimate pleasure. Mary Daheim (am I spelling that right?) has an amazing bed and breakfast series and Caroline Hart’s Annie Darling series is my absolute favorite. Thanks for sharing your love of reading.❤
I’ve been practicing crocheting and reading sometimes. I would like to do it more, because I want to read more, but not give up crochet time 😅 Single crochets in a continuous round are to me the easiest, because no turning or slip stitching to connect the round. Otherwise a really long row, like on a blanket would work too, because you only have to look at your work for turning once in a while. Half double crochets work for me too, but only with a thicker hook and yarn. I think I might start practicing this a lot in the cozy MAL in May!
Thank you for this. I saw Ruth Loves to Knit and she recommended it so she could read. I ordered a computer laptop adjustable holder on Amazon. It has legs that look like robot kind of legs that move forward or backwards so you can us in a chair or couch and then I move the legs a bit different for reading in bed. The first one I ordered came in reg. Or wide but when it came it was just a bit tight so sent it back and got the wider one. Love it!
Part of the issue--at least as I've analysed it--is that I knit Continental and you can't have your fingertips in the way when you are pulling the yarn through the stitch from the back. In order to knit and read, you have to be feeling/counting each stitch in order to have your attention elsewhere. Your fingertips are doing what your eyes are not. My fingertips never even get close to the end of my needles except when I "knit one make one" to increase. I would FIRST have to teach myself to knit completely differently in order to implement the process...and I knit the way I do in order to alleviate triggering my carpal tunnel. I've been pretty darn successful at keeping it a bay, too!!! I CAN knit and watch TV/videos. All I have to do is have the TV/screen within the same field of vision and I can glance back and forth as needed...doing more listening for continuity than focusing on the screen...instead of having my eyes constantly looking at the screen.
I learned to knit without looking last year… I watched most of the Miss Marple series while knitting the body of my sweater. My husband was mortified when I brought my knitting to the movies for the first time😅
Are you also the podcaster who knits while walking ? I watched that one day, and thought that’s a disaster waiting to happen 😅 . I was sitting on the deck last weekend, listening to my favorite tunes , and I realized I was knitting without looking at my piece, because I was watching the birds flying from tree to tree , and admiring the beautiful blue sky ❤
Regarding audiobooks, people often forget how active listening really is. How often have you put on a podcast/radio programme/whatever while doing something else and just completely glazed over it? It becomes background noise. If I want background music on, I'll just switch on the radio and let it play. If I want to listen to a specific thing, then I need to not be doing anything else. It'd be the same with audiobooks. You need to have enough concentration to listen to the story as well as the thing that's right in front of you. You're probably more likely to zone out into tunnel vision on the thing you're working on, because the audiobook is a disembodied voice - your project is right there, visible and tactile.
#question Do you find your gauge is different when you knit with and without looking at your stitches? I'm just learning to knit without looking and it seems like my stitches are looser when I look away than when I am looking as I knit. I so look forward to your videos on Tuesday and Thursday.
I'm a PhD student so I do a LOT of reading and papers are so dull, I'm going to try this out and see if it keeps me concentrating. I might not do it in work though, I knit at lunch but I think in the office will get people asking questions 😜.
Natalie, I’ve been reading a lot this year, but I’m not quite sure how to set up my page on GOODREADS. Would it be possible for you to do a tutorial on GOODREADS? Thanks a lot, Brenda
I also cannot do audiobooks. I just tune them out! Doesn't matter how interested in the book I am, I won't hear 2/3 of it. I don't know why. I can listen to music or certain podcasts (which I only recently started listening to because I figured I would also tune those out) fine, but someone reading to me? My brain just turns off.😂
@@KnittyNattySame here. I was able to listen Trevor Noah’s funny book with no problem but novels just put me to sleep! I’ve got other non-fiction books narrated by the author-like Michelle Obama-and hoping to stay focused enough to get through them. Otherwise I have to “see” to read either paper or ereader.
You play a online multiplayer competition with lots of wait times. I do this with fall guys, wait for game to load, quick race, wait for other players, wait for points to add up, repeat.
Great video, Natalie! Earlier this year, inspired by the voice control of the Knit Companion app, I figured out how to use the accessibility tools on my iPad, to program when I say "page" to touch the place on the Libby app to turn the page - so I actually don't even stop knitting to turn pages. And to make it super magical - I often use it as split screen with my pattern on one side and my book on the other. It's been such a game changer! Happy reading and knitting - and thank you for your awesome book recommendations!
This is brilliant!!!
Thank you for this comment!! I just set up voice control to turn my page in my kindle app on my iPad and I am so excited to try this out while knitting and taking a bath!! I copied you and used the word "page" too!!! 😀
I've been working on knitting without looking a lot over the past month or so. I found that knitting in the car when it's getting dark was a good time to practice, as if there's good lighting I feel tempted to take a peek just to check, but if there's really poor light I really can't check. I went to a movie a few weeks ago and managed to knit about half a yarn cozy throughout the movie. I'm excited to try some knitting with reading.
Also for anyone who can't knit and read a physical book or Kindle whilst knitting, just remember that audiobooks absolutely counts as reading, and anyone who tells you otherwise is ableist. There are a bunch of reasons why people use audiobooks, and sometimes is a simple matter of preference, but sometimes it might be due to a visual impairment or inability to sustain holding a book for long periods. Anyone who tries to gatekeep enjoyment of literature is a jerk.
I have been knitting and reading for decades. When I take my husband to his VA doctors appointments all of the men think I’m a genius. Most of it is muscle memory. If you are doing a rib stitch you fingers and brain will tell you when your off.
This is the coolest thing I have ever heard about! 😎
I have knit and read since I was a preteen!! My mom, a skilled knitter, has a fit when I do this. It is one of my favorite things to do. I make sure that I always have one simple project going so I can do this. Baby sweaters are my favorite!! There is always a baby who needs a sweater.
Hi Natalie! You have no idea how much you brighten my day and living room! I am so glad for the person you are and for you blessing my life with your podcasts and all your positivity! You encourage me everyday. The change in the weather affects me big time! Don’t forget your vitamin D! I learned to take that when I was stationed in Alaska and it was sooo dark all the time :( i don’t mean to give advice but it’s crazy how the weather ups and downs affect us. I was feeling the same way the week you announced you we’re getting counseling great job btw! I hope your listening to everyone on how awesome you are because you really are the best! My little girls and I love you! I am practicing knitting with out looking lol 😂 ❤
About my earlier comment I’m sorry I really meant well in what I said about taking vitamin D it was just something that helped me. I really wasn’t trying to be insensitive about your situation and presume to know what your situation is. I’m really sorry about that. Truth is I struggle with small bouts of depression and the weather affects me and even sunlight. I truly meant what I said about you brightening my day! We all love you and hope you feel better soon! We have your back! Love you and support you!!! 🎉😊 I’m sure if you wanted to do a live chat we can all tell you these things in person!! Thank you Natalie!
Great video!
I loom knit while reading, and as a passenger in the car (I use a neck light to knit in low light). It makes the time fly by!
One more thing, I have been knitting and reading successfully for quite awhile but never learned how to knit in the dark. I found that the most important skill for me was the ability to glance between my knitting and my book or screen without losing my place.
I love knitting and reading at the same time! My granny taught me to knit back in Ireland when I was 4. I have been knitting my whole life and it's even better with a book. Thank you for your excellent tutorials!
For the excercice, a tip if you wear glasses, remove them and go hold your project to where you cant see clearly so its blurry, it has the same effect as squinting and its less unconfortable
I love to knit and read!! I started doing it after I saw that you knit and read and I thought it was a great idea! ❤ Thanks for the tips!
I enjoyed the practical suggestions here, Natalie. I’m getting better at knitting while reading a physical book and as you say, it does take practice.
To all those who say, why not audiobooks, I’m not here to convince anyone or campaign for them. Audiobooks are a personal choice. I will, however, say that listening to audiobooks is a skill too. It takes practice to train the brain to pay attention. It’s not as simple as just cueing up a book and magically getting and staying dialed in. Audiobooks have their own complexities and levels of “difficulty.” Just as it was mentioned to choose a vanilla knitting project, I’d suggest choosing a light audiobook or even a familiar, preciously read, book as a starting point. Start with short intervals and understand that many people’s minds wander. That is what the rewind button is for. 😀
Thanks to you I remembered I have a lap table, and I moved my knitting and reading from the desk, where I also work during the day, to the sofa. So now I have a better separation between work and free time. 🤩
I have been doing this with library books through Libby and hoopla, I’ve been wanting to do it with my physical books too - I’ve never heard of a book bone! That’s awesome!
Thank you so much! The biggest reason I had issue reading and knitting was that I couldn’t keep the pages from flipping. This video was really informative and helpful
I can see it would be an issue for me with the book bone tho because I read very fast sometimes so I’d have to flip pages often. But for the e book, that’s perfect. Unfortunately the books I’m reading isn’t available in audio, otherwise it would’ve been amazing.
Thanks for the tips, Natalie! Added you on Goodreads!
Great video. 2 options, AirTurn is a foot pedal musicians use to turn the page in an ipad. 2, An upright and firmly padded chair will keep your low back healthy and flexible for longer. Happy knitting and reading.
Thank you very much for breaking this down for me I have often wondered how you do this! So I have two little girls 4 and 18 months. I have been making them simple tops. I have to look up while they play and I have been trying to use your podcast and past videos I missed for practice. Plus now that the snow is melted I have been looking up watching the girls play outside and I’m getting better! It was always a challenge because I never felt like I could do both knit and watch the girls until I followed some of your pointers.
Oooh 😂 also your past videos visiting your parents at home you mentioned I think your dad made the comment of “people watch your 1 hr long videos about knitting?” Yes I do!!! Hahaha I love it! But I was also laughing because my parents are the same way!! They are just barely be getting into TH-cam. Thanks again! Say hi to Mr toaster for me!
Great tips! Knitting without looking is such a fabulous skill. I keep certain projects for in the dark work.
Thanks for the tips!
Great tips Natty! I'm a visual learner/reader too, so I'll be practicing my knitting and reading together
I really need this! Thank you so much for your in-depth explanation and demonstration! Happy knitting and reading! 💖
Thanks for sharing your tips!
I started knitting or crocheting and reading for 30 minutes about 6 months ago, after you had mentioned that's how you like to start your day. I'm a poet and hadn't done much reading, and now I either listen to audio books or have my kindle while I go.
That's so awesome!
Ever since you said you read and knit every morning, I've been working on this skill. It definitely takes time. So feeling confident, I tried it in dark locations. So so results but still practicing. Unfortunately, I really would love to crochet without looking, but I figure it will take me a long time to master anything like that if even possible.
Some great tips! I can watch tv when knitting a stocking stitch but I like an audio book when I’m concentrating on a more detailed pattern. Like your book stand very much for in bed reading! X
Followed you on Goodreads, thanks! I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t knit without looking-I definitely echo your method of practicing while watching TV/movies at home. I find I concentrate better with needles in my hands!
Also, for those who want a low-tech method of holding their pages open on a physical book, try using an upside-down TV remote. I learned this from LilyKateMakes!
I love my knitting and reading/watching movies time ☺️
I also knit and read with my kobo. My kobo case can be converted into a stand so it makes it easier to enjoy a hands free reading session while I knit
I NEED a book bone now. I am a voracious reader and the cozy mystery is my ultimate pleasure. Mary Daheim (am I spelling that right?) has an amazing bed and breakfast series and Caroline Hart’s Annie Darling series is my absolute favorite. Thanks for sharing your love of reading.❤
I’ve been practicing crocheting and reading sometimes. I would like to do it more, because I want to read more, but not give up crochet time 😅
Single crochets in a continuous round are to me the easiest, because no turning or slip stitching to connect the round. Otherwise a really long row, like on a blanket would work too, because you only have to look at your work for turning once in a while. Half double crochets work for me too, but only with a thicker hook and yarn.
I think I might start practicing this a lot in the cozy MAL in May!
LisaR: excellent tutorial ! I've used magic ring for amigurumi .Not sure why I've not done this hat ...Now , Im curious to cast on . Thanks ❤
Thank you for this. I saw Ruth Loves to Knit and she recommended it so she could read. I ordered a computer laptop adjustable holder on Amazon. It has legs that look like robot kind of legs that move forward or backwards so you can us in a chair or couch and then I move the legs a bit different for reading in bed. The first one I ordered came in reg. Or wide but when it came it was just a bit tight so sent it back and got the wider one. Love it!
Part of the issue--at least as I've analysed it--is that I knit Continental and you can't have your fingertips in the way when you are pulling the yarn through the stitch from the back. In order to knit and read, you have to be feeling/counting each stitch in order to have your attention elsewhere. Your fingertips are doing what your eyes are not. My fingertips never even get close to the end of my needles except when I "knit one make one" to increase. I would FIRST have to teach myself to knit completely differently in order to implement the process...and I knit the way I do in order to alleviate triggering my carpal tunnel. I've been pretty darn successful at keeping it a bay, too!!!
I CAN knit and watch TV/videos. All I have to do is have the TV/screen within the same field of vision and I can glance back and forth as needed...doing more listening for continuity than focusing on the screen...instead of having my eyes constantly looking at the screen.
I learned to knit without looking last year… I watched most of the Miss Marple series while knitting the body of my sweater. My husband was mortified when I brought my knitting to the movies for the first time😅
Ordered one of these bed tables to use in my reclining chair! Hopefully it’ll give my arms/neck some strain relief
Love this tips on reading and knitting about to try it out right now.
Great podcast, as always! 💗
Currently following the "learn to knit without looking" instructions as if I didn't only learn to knit 30 minutes ago 😂
Are you also the podcaster who knits while walking ? I watched that one day, and thought that’s a disaster waiting to happen 😅 . I was sitting on the deck last weekend, listening to my favorite tunes , and I realized I was knitting without looking at my piece, because I was watching the birds flying from tree to tree , and admiring the beautiful blue sky ❤
yes she is!! x
Your brown hair really hi-lights your blue eyes. ❤
Thank you so much!
Audiobooks are great for multitasking too!
Yes they are!
I knit and read at the same time by just listening to audiobooks haha!
Regarding audiobooks, people often forget how active listening really is. How often have you put on a podcast/radio programme/whatever while doing something else and just completely glazed over it? It becomes background noise. If I want background music on, I'll just switch on the radio and let it play. If I want to listen to a specific thing, then I need to not be doing anything else.
It'd be the same with audiobooks. You need to have enough concentration to listen to the story as well as the thing that's right in front of you. You're probably more likely to zone out into tunnel vision on the thing you're working on, because the audiobook is a disembodied voice - your project is right there, visible and tactile.
#question Do you find your gauge is different when you knit with and without looking at your stitches? I'm just learning to knit without looking and it seems like my stitches are looser when I look away than when I am looking as I knit. I so look forward to your videos on Tuesday and Thursday.
Wouldn't it be easier to just listen to your book than reading it? Audiobooks work really great for this 😊
That works too! I’m just not an audiobook person
Didn’t find your Goodreads link and would love to connect :)
I knew I was forgetting something!! Just added it to the description and here it is: www.goodreads.com/user/show/57069280-natalie
I was looking for it too. I would love to follow along on your reading journey
Does anyone have any pattern suggestions for knitting and reading? :)
I'm a PhD student so I do a LOT of reading and papers are so dull, I'm going to try this out and see if it keeps me concentrating. I might not do it in work though, I knit at lunch but I think in the office will get people asking questions 😜.
I think that’s a great idea! Having knitting in my hands always helps me keep my brain focused
I’m a PhD student too and would get so much more knitting done with this skill! And I totally knit at work and most people think it’s cool 🙂
Natalie, I’ve been reading a lot this year, but I’m not quite sure how to set up my page on GOODREADS. Would it be possible for you to do a tutorial on GOODREADS?
Thanks a lot,
Brenda
I also cannot do audiobooks. I just tune them out! Doesn't matter how interested in the book I am, I won't hear 2/3 of it. I don't know why. I can listen to music or certain podcasts (which I only recently started listening to because I figured I would also tune those out) fine, but someone reading to me? My brain just turns off.😂
I am the same way! The only audiobooks I am comfortable with are books I’ve read multiple times or comedic authors reading their autobiographies haha
@@KnittyNattySame here. I was able to listen Trevor Noah’s funny book with no problem but novels just put me to sleep! I’ve got other non-fiction books narrated by the author-like Michelle Obama-and hoping to stay focused enough to get through them. Otherwise I have to “see” to read either paper or ereader.
Do you crochet and read
I can't do that yet! I'm working on crocheting without looking
How many of you bought the Amazon bookbone after each this vid? Lol
now…how do i knit while gaming? lol
You play a online multiplayer competition with lots of wait times. I do this with fall guys, wait for game to load, quick race, wait for other players, wait for points to add up, repeat.
Haha you need another pair of hands!