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 so much for these tips. I will pass them on the fellow knitters. But you forgot one very important tip. Always pack more than one project. I once finished a project when we were about two hours from home. Fortunately I found a shop and talked my husband into stopping (I’m sure he didn’t want to listen to me whine the rest of the way home). I bought a needlepoint kit (well, something is better than nothing) to work on for the next 120 miles. ; -)
This was so helpful for someone who didn’t know that you can once again board airplanes with knitting projects. We are taking several long trips and it’s the perfect ‘space/time filler’ when you have down time.
Thank you
Always carry a stamped self addressed envelope with yourself as both sender and receiver. This is to ensure the overzealous and ignorant of the TSA rules luggage inspector can at least return your belongings via mail, rather than throwing things into the bin.