VOA文化艺术2025--Knitting While Watching Movies Gains Popularity

Nearly 200 people in Vienna, Austria, gathered recently to enjoy two fun activities at the same time.

They worked with needles and yarn¹. And they watched a movie together called The Devil Wears Prada.

"It sounds a bit like a grandmother, but it's relaxing. And…what's wrong with letting the grandmother in us express herself," joked Austrian Alexander Koch. He is a 28-year-old who crochets³.

Knitting or crocheting⁴ while watching movies has gained popularity in Europe.

Luisa Palmer was one of the organizers of the event. Palmer said that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, "A lot of people started knitting during the lockdown alone at home." Palmer launched the knitting evenings once a month at Votiv Kino, a place to watch movies in the center of the Austrian capital.

"Now we need to find ourselves…" in real life, the 30-year-old told the French News Agency (AFP) before the event.

People are knitting, eating, or even breastfeeding babies while watching a movie. This movement is the latest attempt to add different things to the movie-watching experience, said Lisa Stolze. She is a spokesperson for Votiv Kino, the movie house.

To avoid knitting mistakes, a soft light remains⁵ on during the movie. This also helps to increase exchanges between the attendees.

Organizers based their event on similar ones in the United States, Northern Europe, Germany and France. Since launching in December of 2024, the movie events in Vienna are usually full.

"I usually knit while watching movies or listening to podcasts at home, so movie theaters are the perfect place for this activity," said Kaja Vospernik. She is a 23-year-old fashion student.

As the movie plays, the colorful projects take shape. The film takes a back seat, meaning it is less important than the work of knitting or crocheting. Everyone shows off their work. Experienced knitters and crocheters help beginners learn new skills.

"You can come alone and knit in silence to relax. But if you are looking for company, this kind of event seems to me to be the right choice," said Judith Hasl?wer.

She is another organizer of the event.

People attend the events for several reasons. Some say the events let them reconnect with something real that is not on a computer. Others say they can “slow down a little.”

Palmer said, "Doing something with your ten fingers is still more rewarding…" than working at a computer all day.

She added that picking the right movie is also important. Palmer likes to watch a good "cozy⁶ comedy” that she has already seen. She joked that it is best to avoid scary movies. They can make you jump causing you to lose your place in your knitting.

I’m Anna Matteo.

Kiyoko Metzler reported this story for AFP from Vienna, Austria. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

needle –n. a thin piece of steel that is used to repair or connect cloth (or in this context, two long knitting needles are used to loop yarn and work the material into knitted items)

yarn –n. a thin line of cotton or wool that is thicker than thread and used to make kinds of clothing and things around the home

relaxing –adj. something that eases tension and calms

crochet² –v. making clothing using a certain method and a special needle with a hook and yarn

knit –v. to make cloth using yarn or thread

podcast –n. a kind of program that is listened to or watched using a device like a mobile phone or computer

fashion –n. related to making or selling popular clothing

rewarding –adj. causing a good feeling about something’s value or usefulness

cozy –adj. a feeling of ease and warmth

1 yarn   

n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事

参考例句：

• I stopped to have a yarn with him.我停下来跟他聊天。
• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。

2 crochet   

n.钩针织物；v.用钩针编制

参考例句：

• That's a black crochet waistcoat.那是一件用钩针编织的黑色马甲。
• She offered to teach me to crochet rugs.她提出要教我钩织小地毯。

3 crochets   

v.用钩针编织( crochet的第三人称单数 )；趾钩

参考例句：

4 crocheting   

v.用钩针编织( crochet的现在分词 )；钩编

参考例句：

• She sat there crocheting all day. 她整天坐在那里用钩针编织东西。 来自互联网
• The crafts teacher is skillful in knitting,crocheting,embroidery,and the use of the hand loom. 手工艺教师善于纺织、钩编、刺绣和使用手摇织布机。 来自互联网

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 cozy   

adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的

参考例句：

• I like blankets because they are cozy.我喜欢毛毯，因为他们是舒适的。
• We spent a cozy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。