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.]

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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