Bus stitching!

[burgundyice]

Well for some reason the roads into Middlesbrough where I work have had the worst traffic jams ever recently. It's a journey that should only take 35 mins (and less than 20 by car) but for the past week I'd been getting the bus at 7.40 and not getting into work until 9.15!!! (supposed to be 9 o'clock)

I had the idea of getting a really early bus & doing some stitching at work before starting, as I used to do this time last year with Snow White, so I carefully wrapped up Queenie, threads & my current page to bring with me. However I missed the early bus by a whisker, ended up on 7.30 bus which hit the same bad traffic, so while we were sat going nowhere I did some stitching, and got quite a lot done! I'm hoping to get as much done on her by the end of the year so thought I should take the opportunity!
I know, Queenie is very big, but I folded it into quarters and worked on the top quarter, I was also just filling in a big area of solid black that normally would have been boring to do but was just right for on the bus as it didn't require much counting But once we got moving again it was impossible to stitch (couldn't tell where I was putting the needle) so I think I'll be going for the earlier bus again and doing some before work It was great while we were sitting in the traffic jam though, everyone else was getting really bored but I was enjoying myself!!

Has anyone else managed to do some stitching while travelling? I should think it might be quite good on a train, it's not as wobbly as a bus!

Louise

[helbel]

I've done small stuff on the train before now but i can imagine it would be difficult on the bus.

I sometimes see people knitting on the tube (usually using circular needles)

[Angel]

I stitch on the train to and from Leeds and I always stitched on the coach down to London

[kathryn]

I find it quite impossible to stitch on the bus

[Lessa54]

Trains, yes, I'm a veteran! Don't do it so much now though as have got a car so we don't have the long train journeys to visit parents any more. Used to get lots done on those journeys. I occasionally do it on my commute train as it's quite a nice one with carpeted floors and little tables, but it can be a little busy. Done a lot on planes making sure I had nail clippers instead of scissors with me. Never tried buses though - aren't they a bit bumpy for stitching? And isn't the lack of table a problem? I think I'd find it hard to juggle thread, pattern and fabric without at least a little table nearby.

[Busy_B]

I haven't done any travelling by plane, bus, or train, but I do usually take a small project with me when we are travelling in the van for family functions since they are usually at least 2 hours away. I do get a little done in between taking care of everyone's needs.

[Play Outside]

I have stitched on the bus, but only inter-urban where there the trip was mostly major highways so the ride was fairly smooth. However...last year I was racing to finish mom's Christmas present before Christmas, so was working on it on in the car on the 3 hour drive to my Aunt's house. Unfortunately we were in the middle of a storm which was pelting the road with sleet and freezing rain, and the highway we were on was through a very large, deserted park in northern Ontario. OH was taking advantage of his Subaru with winter tires and the absence of any traffic, so the driving was a bit...erratic. I finally gave up, as the needle was bouncing around so much there was no way I could get it through the right whole in the fabric.

[burgundyice]

Never tried buses though - aren't they a bit bumpy for stitching? And isn't the lack of table a problem? I think I'd find it hard to juggle thread, pattern and fabric without at least a little table nearby.

You're right Lessa, they are very wobbly when moving normally (I can only just manage to read & sometimes write on buses), but this was a massive traffic jam where we were barely moving at all. As soon as we got through it I had to give up as I couldn't control where I was putting the needle!
I did manage without a table though as I was using my handbag on my knee to support the fabric, which was folded up small anyway, and kept the page folded & underneath that, I was only doing rows of black so only needed to check where one row here & there was a couple of stitches longer or shorter.

Just been doing a bit more in my lunch hour & showed it off to some suitably impressed colleagues Only thing is I've noticed the bright lights in the office really show up the fabric through the stitches!!

Louise

[Thursday Next]

I take the train when I go back and forth to my parents', and I can stitch a bit but your trains must be much smoother there if you enjoy it so - I found it fairly bumpy and difficult...my crocheting is much easier to do as a traveling hobby! I'll be on the train for 3 hours again today, so I'm trying to figure out what project to take with me!

[JenEric]

I used to stitch on planes - but with the tightened security, did not want to have my scissors taken away - Lessa - thanks for the nail clipper idea.

We travel by car to Vegas to visit the in-laws several times a year - wish I could stitch in the car - tend to get motion sickness trying to read the pattern - buy my newly acquired HAED may be just the trick - big blocks of the same color - very excited for the next trip now.

Louise - good for you finding time to get extra stitching in - I have found that taking quick break and finishing some stitching can turn the day around.

[megandmog]

I always stitch on the train.

Never on buses though - the one I get to work only takes about 15 minutes and is always packed.

[coffee_freak]

i stitch small things when on a long car trip..and sometimes whenever my hubby drives even around town i'll stitch on my plastic canvas smalls.
but now that we got a 2nd car..i do drive more and we share rides less..lol

[~threadbear~]

I've stitched in the car but depending on the journey, as sometimes it's too bumpy to do it. I like to have it with me though when we go into town and then I've been known to encourage hubby to 'take your time, there's no rush' as he heads off to look at cars or buy something for his car. I always manage to keep myself amused!

[grub72]

I have tried stitching on a bus and a train ,i have not tried the plane yet as we have not traveled by plane. I am not allowed to stitch in the car while moving just in case we have an accident. I do find the bus a bit bumpy sometimes but other times i do take it if i will be taking the train afterwards.