Any maker will tell you that no vacation is complete without packing a travel knitting project. And it's true! Whether you're traveling by land, sea, or air, the journey from Point A to Point B offers some of the best times to knit: you can make incredible progress in your WIP while still engaging with the sights, sounds, and people that you encounter on your way.
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In order to be a successful travel knitter, you have to be a successful travel knitting packer. We share our 10 tips for packing your travel knitting so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy (your knitting on) the ride.
1. Pack just one work-in-progress (WIP) project. Limiting yourself to just 1 WIP that you have already started is key. If you pack a new project that you haven't started, you run the risk of realizing that you've picked the wrong yarn, packed the wrong needles, or forgot an important notion at home. A
2. Pack the right project. Choose a project that isn't overly complicated. Bonus points for a pattern that is memorizable, intuitive, or one that you've made before. There are lots of stops and goes and losing yourself in breathtaking views while traveling, and an overwhelming pattern can lead to lots of mistakes.
3. Have a backup of your pattern. Carry with you both the printed version of your pattern (for those moments you don't have cell phone reception or when your tablet loses its charge) and an electronic version (in case you misplace the printed version).
4. Read through the pattern before you leave and pack only the necessary notions. Packing just essential knitting notions will eliminate the hassle of having to dig through suitcases and carry ons for the tool you need. This goes for yarn, too. Only take the yarn you think you'll use. But...as a general rule to knitting, you can never have enough stitch makers.
5. Know what notions you can take on a plane. According to TSA, knitting needles are allowed on a plane.* You can also bring scissors smaller than 4" and sewing needles.
*as a precaution - especially when traveling internationally - make sure you have a lifeline (or long length of scrap yarn) to put your stitches on hold should someone take your needles.
6. Scout out yarn shops along your travel route ahead of time. You never know when you will need supplies, pattern help, or a souvenir skein of yarn! Having a plan is always helpful when you need to convince other travelers that you need to visit a yarn shop.
7. Pack a reusable shopping bag. An extra bag will come in handy if you buy yarn on your trip or need a secondary bag to tote a project on an excursion.
8. Label your bag with your name and number and snap a picture of it. If you unfortunately misplace your project bag, a reference photo will be helpful when you go searching for it. And your name and number will help the finder return it to you.
9. Choose a waterproof project bag. Adventures can get messy - things spill and things splash. A waterproof project bag will help keep your yarn safe from unexpected mishaps.
10. Carry a notebook. Just in case you want to take notes of the people, yarn, and ideas you meet along the way. Embrace new experiences and be inspired!
Our knitting is the first thing we reach for when we pack for a trip. Keeping your project organized and ensuring that you don't overpack is key to making your knitcation a success. As well as ensuring that you have plenty of room for yarny souvenirs.
8 comments
Thank you for these great tips! I would add one more. When flying internationally, check with each airline you will be using to know their “needle” policy. My husband and I just returned from a trip abroad. I was surprised when the flight attendant on Brussels Airlines told me I couldn’t knit on the very long 10 hour flight. I slightly “argued” with her (because I’ve been knitting on domestic as well as international flights for years), couldn’t convince her otherwise, and decided to comply rather than lose my needles and yarn (which she threatened). When I reached my destination, I looked up the information on the Brussels Airlines website. Sure enough. All knitting needles (no matter the type or style) are considered dangerous weapons. 🤦♀️
I always pack at least two projects when traveling. In case I just get tired of one and want to do something else. Right now I’m working on two shawls. Same pattern, two very different yarns and gauges. So it feels like I’m doing something different even if I’m not. An easily memorized pattern that I’ve made before. I house sit about once a year for friends who are traveling and then I take three projects, because I have room for them. Thanks for the tips! Always good to find out what others do. 😁
A friend always keeps a sock or hat project in each car so that she doesn’t have to wonder what she’ll work on during short trips.