During Game Five, NBC cameras captured a Penguins fans knitting behind the bench.
Naturally because social media is social media, this became A Thing online. Why would someone spend huge dollars to do cross-stich at a hockey game?
NHL Network’s Kevin Weeks was equally as befuddled.
C'mon, can't be knitting at an @NHL #StanleyCupPlayoffs2017 game tho LOLOL . @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/iEO2bQfZJi
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 7, 2017
But I did some research and I have your answer. Known as Penguins Knitting Lady, Michelle knits because it helps her control her anxiety during games.
“I am in my seat for warm-ups and don’t leave until the score is final,” Michelle said to Pittsburgh Magazine. “I started bringing small, easy projects to pass time while waiting for the game to start and during intermissions. Then, even the commercial breaks started to seem long and I had just learned to knit socks, so I thought hey, they’re small and I could just hold them in my hands while the game was going on and have them ready to work on during stoppages in play. And without paying attention, my hands started knitting during the game. I realized when I was knitting, I didn’t get so mad at the bad plays or that my team was losing or the refs weren’t paying attention or whatever. And when I wasn’t so mad, I enjoyed the game a whole lot more.”
Sure, if I spent hundreds of dollars to sit behind the bench of my favorite team, I would fully pay attention to the game and maximize every moment. But that doesn’t mean that my experience has to be Michelle’s. I admire her for having the audaciousness and confidence to not be pressured by what other people think is the right way to be a fan.
Even if she blocks @RussianMachine on Twitter and roots for that other team, she’s a rock star as far as I’m concerned.
Knit on, Penguins Knitting Lady.
@KevinWeekes We support you, @PensKnittngLady.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 7, 2017
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