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Tips for Traveling with Your Knitting

Whether you’re traveling for work or planning a long getaway for summer, you’re probably planning to bring your latest knitting project with you. With these four tips, you’ll be ready to travel with your needles in no time!

Know the rules

If you’re planning to fly, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) generally does allow knitting needles and

Whether you’re traveling for work or planning a long getaway for summer, you’re probably planning to bring your latest knitting project with you. With these four tips, you’ll be ready to travel with your needles in no time!

Know the rules

If you’re planning to fly, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) generally does allow knitting needles and scissors smaller than 4 inches long in carry-on bags. Circular thread cutters and large scissors must be checked. Although needles and scissors are allowed in carry-on bags, they are subject to search.

To minimize problems, cast on before you head to the airport. Having some yarn already on the needles and a project in process makes the purpose of the needles clear. Use children’s safety scissors since these meet the length requirement and are unlikely to cause injury as you dig into your bag for your passport.

Make a portable essentials kit

If you travel frequently, keep a separate set of notions on hand to make packing easier. Set aside a ruler or gauge check, yarn needles, children’s safety scissors, locking stitch markers, a pen or pencil, and a small notepad in a project bag. When you’re ready to travel, just add yarn, needles, and your pattern and you’ll be ready to go! You may also want to keep a set of needles in your favorite sizes in the bag so you can start a project right away if you buy yarn on your trip.

Don’t overdo it

If you’re like me, you always think you’ll have so much time to knit while traveling that you stuff your suitcases full of yarn before leaving home. Spare your back and your disappointment by packing small amounts of yarn for portable projects, like blanket squares, hats, socks, or one-skein accessories. This also leaves you plenty of room to pick up new yarn during your travels.

Investigate local knitting options

Add some more creativity to your trip by visiting local yarn shops, textile museums, or knit-in-public events while traveling. You’ll get a great souvenir and you may even meet new friends! To find local knitting activities, ask local Ravelry groups for recommendations, use a site like KnitMap to find local yarn shops, or check MeetUp.com for events while you’re in town. When visiting yarn shops, be sure to ask if they have local or regional yarns that you may not have access to from home.

Now that you’re ready to travel with your knitting, all you’ll need to do is find the perfect project! If you’re bringing your tablet or laptop with you, you can knit from your favorite I Like Knitting pattern with ease!yarn ball

Comments
  • BARBARA

    I run a safety line through the last row just in case anyone gets antsy and makes me junk the needles. I use cheap bamboo needles for traveling, and it’s always socks.

    Reply
  • The first time I brought knitting on a flight I used metal needles and the needles were confiscated. They did allow me to take the project off of them. I found, when speaking to TSA folks that wooden needle are acceptable. I take my knitting when ever I fly but now I always use bamboo needles. I’ve never had it questioned, nor have I had to explain.

    Reply

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