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

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How to take your knitting on an airplane.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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Comments

  1. Traveled to Mexico. Got my knitting needles in but, not out. I am sure the TSA agents have a great collection of knitting needles.

Have you read?

Knit a Glasses Holder for Your Bedside Table

knit glasses holder

Not too long ago I was seeing a crochet pattern for a glasses holder shaped like a bear all over the Internet. It was super cute, and also useful as a place to put your glasses on your bedside table instead of just throwing them somewhere random.

This project stewed in my brain for a little while and I decided I needed to make a knit version, but I didn’t want to make a bear. If you know anything about me you might know that I’m a cat person, so of course my version had to be a cat.

The base is just a basic little basic worked from the center out to the desired size, then up the sides as long as you want them. Knit some ears and add embellishments to make it whatever kind of animal you want.

The way I figured out to work the base from the center out was to use a crochet cast on, which gives you an easier way to pick up stitches from the back of the cast on than if you worked a more traditional cast on for a knitting project. It’s kind of fun to do things in a different way from time to time.

This little project is adorable if I do say so myself, and even as a plain little basket not made into an animal it’s a cute way to keep your glasses or other little things in one place. I’m tempted to make one for my desk to hold pens or even little little scissors and sewing needles that are always on my desk but somehow always seem to get lost on my desk.

If you need a little holder for your glasses on your table, check out the pattern at Our Daily Craft.

[Photo: Our Daily Craft]