I take the subway around once a week. I marvel how individuals waste/spend their time waiting and riding. Some daydream, others sleep. Students cram and study. I’ve seen a woman file her nails, and at least one lady in each compartment is reapplying her lipstick. Men read various newspapers and magazines; women are buried in novels. But 95% of the riders look bored and uncomfortable. Reading while in motion isn’t for everyone; some feel nauseous while others can’t concentrate.
I love doing needlepoint on trips via the subway. I pack a small preschool style scissors (nothing too sharp), a small sized canvas, and 5-6 skeins of thread. I place them all into a large Ziploc bag and am on my way. At the station, I grab a seat and needlepoint. I continue on the train and needlepoint till my destination. In fact, I’ve noticed that I prefer the train rather than driving myself since I get to complete various projects this way. Hey, this is even a good way to promote using mass transit and public transportation!
People constantly comment on my needlepoint canvas. They ask where I purchased the canvas, exclaim what a great idea it is to stitch on the train, is it easy, hard, etc. I recommend commuters to take along needlepoint supplies; the whole experience will change for the better.
Tip: Write your name and telephone number on the edge of the canvas with permanent marker. This way if your project gets lost somehow, it has a better chance of finding its way home. Also, have a special subway canvas that is inexpensive and easy to replace in case it does get misplaced. The smaller the canvas, the better. Don’t bring along your whole stash of thread; choose only a few strands of colors you definitely need.
Happy Stitching!