Picture it: You’re about to set out on your dream vacation and you’re wanting to take your crochet along with you for the ride. How does traveling with crochet work? Can you take your supplies through airport security? Are they going to confiscate your favorite hook? Are you allowed to crochet on the plane?
What kind of things are allowed, what kinds of patterns should I take, how do I pack them?
All of these are valid questions, and with all of the traveling I have done with crochet lately, let me tell you: I have become quite the master taking my crochet with me in the car.
And the airplane. And to the beach.
I will crochet through TSA.
I will crochet every day.
I will crochet aboard a plane.
I will crochet inside a train.
I will crochet while in my car.
I will crochet while I’m afar.
I will crochet around this planet.
I will crochet while in transit.
Would you crochet on a beach?
I would crochet if its in reach.
9 Tips for Traveling with Crochet
1. Are crochet hooks allowed on an airplane?
Yes! You can take crochet hooks with you through checkout at airport security at the time of publishing this post. You’ll want to check this page on TSA before packing them in your carry-on. If you are traveling abroad, you’ll want to check the other country’s guidelines as well.
I absolutely refuse to crochet with anything but my Clover hooks. The hooks are so smooth, they glide right through the yarn and stitches. They are ergonomic and just plain glorious and I would never leave home without them.
No really, they are in my purse at all times.
2. Are scissors allowed on board?
Yes and no. While scissors with blades shorter than four inches are permitted to carry on board, they do not allow thread cutter pendants (which are super cool btw). Seems silly. I just keep my fingernail clippers in my purse to use instead.
3. What kinds of patterns should I take?
Take projects that are an easy stitch repeat. You could do a simple double crochet pattern or a corner to corner blanket that is super easy to master (and remember). If you would like to take a more difficult pattern with you, make sure you print it off and keep it with your other crochet items.
See all of our crochet patterns.
4. How should I pack?
I always pack all of my crochet supplies together in one bag, and place that bag in the top of my carry-on. Even for road-trips, I have a separate “crochet bag” containing all of the supplies I could possibly need.
5. Take stitch markers
You’ll definitely want your stitch markers. I splurged and got the higher quality ones that don’t break in two every time you try and close them. How annoying – even if you aren’t traveling.
Keeping track of your stitches (and your rows) is important especially when working in the round. I also love that these stitch markers come with their own case.
6. Try not to use a pattern changing colors often (if at all)
Changing colors isn’t hard necessarily, but it’s not too much fun when you’re traveling. And then there’s the whole extra skein of yarn you’re lugging around. I opt for smaller projects with little to no color changes while traveling for this reason.
7. Don’t do the driving.
You read that right. Crochet is ALWAYS a valid excuse for not having to drive. As an added bonus, download an audio book or two to your phone and crochet while “reading” a book. My favorite!
8. Start the project before you leave.
Get a row or two completed before you head out. This helps you to not only learn the pattern/stitch repeat, but it makes it easier to take up once you get en route to your destination.
9. Take back-up yarn.
Sometimes I surprise myself and finish a project super fast. Nothing worse than sitting on an airplane with nothing to do. So, take a skein of back-up yarn just in case. Go with something lighter weight so you can cram it in somewhere in your suitcase.
More crochet tips, tricks and goodies:
How to Weave in Yarn Ends {So They Don’t Come Out}
Crochet Tip: How to Create a Straight {Invisible} Seam When Crocheting in the Round
Finger Burn? You Need a Finger Cuff for Crochet
How to Remove Wax from Yarn
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