Leaving on a Jet Plane? How to Take Your Knitting with You

It’s getting to be travel season, and if you’re a knitter you know that travel time and vacations can leave lots of time for knitting. But it seems like every year I get questions about whether it is allowed to take knitting and assorted knitting tools on airplanes.

The short answer is, in the United States, yes, it’s fine to take knitting needles and some knitting tools on a plane with you. Rules vary among nations, and sometimes even airlines, outside the states, so if you’re traveling abroad or don’t live in the United States, check with the nations and airlines you’ll be traveling to/with for specifics.

Studio Knit has a more specific rundown of what’s OK and what isn’t when it comes to traveling by airplane in the states (and you might be surprised to learn that tiny scissors are OK but sharp pendants that cut thread are not). The rules haven’t changed in a few years but it’s always good to review.

I usually pack something on circular knitting needles (easier to work without bothering seat mates) that I’m not likely to finish so I don’t need to worry about sewing needles or scissors (even though I know they are allowed). Sometimes I’ll pack scissors in my checked bag to ensure I have them if I need them but don’t have to worry about getting hassled by the TSA or slowing down the security line.

Do you have any tips or horror stories about traveling with knitting or other craft supplies? We’d love to hear them!

[Photo: Studio Knit.]

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It felt like it had been a while since I’d done a roundup of knitting patterns involving sheep, and if search is any indication, that is true. I found a roundup of patterns for knit sheep from a few years ago, but the only one with v I could find is from 2015. So it’s definitely time to revisit this fun genre of knitting patterns.

This all started with a headband. Alyssa Kaat’s Icelandic Sheep Headband (free on Ravelry) to be specific. Ravelry showed it to me as a pattern highlight and I couldn’t resist taking a closer look. It’s worked with two colors of worsted weight yarn and alternates sheep with stars around your head.

Another great sheepy headband is this one from Loch Fyne Crafts on Etsy. These sweet little sheep are worked in bulky yarn and you can make the background look like field and sky or work it in a solid color.

Or make a headband (or a hat, cowl, or all three) covered with a flock of sheep with this set of patterns from New Age Knitting CA. These pieces also use the field/sky coloring, but you can use whatever colors of worsted weight yarn you like.

Speaking of hats, there’s also the sheep hat from Lynann Knits Designs. The sample was worked in Icelandic wool to make the sheep and the hat extra fuzzy and warm, but any worsted weight yarn will work.

There’s also the Wandering Sheep hat from Kat Hudon (on Ravelry), which features a fun collection of speckled sheep that can be worked in different yarn weights to make different sizes of hats for kids and adults.

And lest you think sheep need to be knit in traditional stranded colorwork, check out the Rebel Sheep Mob blanket by Deborah Moore. This one is worked in mosaic knitting using fingering weight yarn. In mosaic knitting you’re only working with one color per row so it’s pretty easy. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

I can’t possibly share sheep knitting patterns without mentioning the amazing Black Sheep Shadow Shawl by Mark Jamieson. Shadow knitting is a technique I want to do more of, but it involves working two rows alternating in two different colors and the pattern emerges when you look at the design from an angle. It’s so cool and the sheep on this one are amazing! It’s not a beginner project but well worth the work. You can find it on Ravelry or at the designer’s website.

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