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One Commuter Says the Habit Can Result in Some Horrible Accidents
There are all kinds of things people do to pass the time in a more pleasant manner when they are commuting. While some of these things do not pose any threat or do not annoy other passengers, others are seen as being quite risky.
Not many might think of including knitting in the second category. Yet, it looks like someone saw the dangers of crafting and commuting at the same time. A complaint was written and signed by Tan Lay Hoon regarding commuters knitting and sewing on public transportation and raising her safety concerns.
The complaint is based on the recount of a conversation between Tan Lay Hoon and a commuter who was sewing on a Singapore Mass Rapid Transit train.
The commuter was carefully toiling over her embroidery work when she was approached by Tan Lay Hoon. Asked if she didn’t think what she was doing was dangerous, she gave a negative answer. Since she had been doing that for quite a while, she said she didn’t think of it as a problem.
That was no argument for the complaint sender who proceeded to explain in her letter how this kind of activity could be dangerous to other commuters.
Trains tend to stop brusquely or lurch forward, which can make the people inside be thrown to and fro without them being able to control their posture or movements very well. When someone holds a needle in their hand, the situation can quickly become dire, Tan Lay Hoon thinks.
“There will be very serious consequences if the needle impales an eye or other body part of a nearby commuter who could not move away in time,” Tan Lay Hoon says, worried that something like this may happen one day.
Her point of view on the safety concerns was forwarded to the Singapore MRT officials, but, so far, no answer was sent back.
So, what do you think? Is knitting on public transport hazardous and should it be banned?
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Seriously? If this Tan Lay Hoon is so worried, then MOVE TO ANOTHER PART OF THE TRAIN/BUS!!! For goodness sake people, there are more important things to concern yourself with!
Based on that concern, then there should be no book reading. The sharp edges of the books will impaled the readers or those nearby when the train lurches and the book is hurled out of the readers hands. Tablets, laptops, and phones should also be banned. Those objects become flying missiles when the train stops suddenly.
And, yet…the person has no worry about any of the other objects.
First of all, knitting and embroidery are 2 very different types of needle work. An embroidery needle is a sharp metal needle. A knitting needle is usually a large blunt stick, used with yarn. No comparison.
Knitting is done down low to the body, and with hands close together. Pretty safe. I’ve knitted for over 55 years, and I have yet to impale anyone. I’ve knitted in a car on a boat, and in my bed. No one has ever been hurt.
Pointy objects: Pens, styluses, make up pencils, fingers, book corners,
Heavy objects: backpacks, Suitcases, people
Blunt object: Tablets, phones, purses, babies, toys, books
In order for a knitting needle or sewing needle to hurt someone, the person holding it would have to keep a grip on it when it hit someone else. The holder is more likely to let go of the tool while grabbing for a handle to stop falling.
These worriers should find trouble closer to home to borrow!
I take my knitting with me on the bus and my biggest worry is dropping stitches, no stabbing anyone. There’s a seat right ahead of me, and there’s no way I could ever hurt anyone
I am less concerned about needles causing someone impaled while traveling than I am for someone walking up stairs carrying knitting needles as falls have happened and the person being impaled in the chest, Laying needles in a chair after getting up to do something and coming back to sit on them has also occurred. Knitting is more dangerous to the knitter usually than to others. Life is dangerous period. As far as traveling and implaling someone with your knitting or embroidery …..I don’t live in bubble wrap…..Life is a risk and I am more likely to hurt myself than others with my crafts.
Not as dangerous as texting while……walking, driving. Not as dangerous as not hearing emergency announcements because of ear buds & loud music. Shall we ban all cell phones?
No these activities should not be banned. I knit, crochet and sew on all journies – except when I’m the driver of course. I have done for years whether in car, on a boat, plane or bus. I’ve never had anyone complain. There are far more dangerous things such as pens, mascara wands, phones, iPads. So stop moaning and get a life
I am sorry that Tan has a problem with someone doing something creative with their time. I think Tan needs to take up a new hobby, the hobby of telling someone what they should not be doing is not a hobby.
I certainly agree with all the other comments – knitting 🧶 is very safe and therapeutic – I’ve been knitting for 61 years and if I didn’t have my knitting to keep me patient, I’d be the dangerous one – just saying!!! And not only that, if I needed a weapon, God forbid, maybe my “circular needle” would help!!
In 65 years of knitting the only person I’ve impaled while working in a moving vehicle is myself. Size 1 needles (circular) in a sock when my husband hit a pothole. My usual experience on public transportation has been that DPNs almost always guarantee me a seat with sufficient space to be comfortable.
No, knitting should not be banned on public transportation. The safety issues are just plain silly. However, I might be a danger to others if you take my knitting away from me.
I’m a lot more dangerous if I DON’T have my knitting with me…
I have impaledy leg on a knitting needl but that was my fault .Why do people say such things when there are most certainly more dangerous objects on public transport.
The only danger is if you drop your needle and it rolls under the seats. In crawling about on the floor, you might have your hand stepped on by somebody. Broken bones and hospital visits follow. Lawsuits. Necessity of joining Knitters Anonymous. Lost stitches. Transit Authority investigations.
What about baby strollers with all kinds of large metal pieces that can knock someone out? What about umbrellas that have a sharp tip and a hard handle as well as several sharp edges? What about ladies stiletto shoes that can poke through someone else’s foot, what about hot drinks that can spill and cause burns on others? What about, what if blah, blah, blah.
Needlework tools could be used as weapons but only in self-defense, as no true needleworking is going to ruin their project just to give you grief. Don’t start nothing, won’t BE nothing. See also “tend to your knitting”.
This woman should probably stay home. The world is indeed a dangerous place. She should also be worried about people who wear impractical shoes, they could trip and fall on someone.
Has anyone in the history of public transport ever been injured/impaled by a knitting needle?
The only danger on public transport would be to the person trying to stop me knitting crocheting or stitching
Seriously? Maybe she should tell us what SHE does to pass the time on the train. Bet it could hurt someone if the train stopped suddenly. She should look at herself first before criticizing others.
Those of us who do any type of fiber art are always very well aware of our tools and ensuring they won’t cause harm to ourselves or those around us. I have done needlepoint, crochet, knitting and embroidery on trains, planes, and in other people’s automobiles for over 50 years, and have never hurt anyone.