Skeins on a Plane
Thursday February 15, 2007
It's hard to believe, but Spring Break is just around the corner, and that means lots of people will be traveling by plane. Whenever knitters travel, the question always comes up: Can I take my knitting on a plane?
The short answer is yes, but nothing is ever as simple as yes or no these days when it comes to flying. A lot of what's allowed and what isn't is up to the judgment of the particular security person you are dealing with.
With that in mind, I've complied a few tips to help you (and me) get through a flight with our knitting intact. There's nothing better for passing the time in an airport or on a plane that working on your knitting, so take the time to find a good airline-friendly project and knit your flight away.
The short answer is yes, but nothing is ever as simple as yes or no these days when it comes to flying. A lot of what's allowed and what isn't is up to the judgment of the particular security person you are dealing with.
With that in mind, I've complied a few tips to help you (and me) get through a flight with our knitting intact. There's nothing better for passing the time in an airport or on a plane that working on your knitting, so take the time to find a good airline-friendly project and knit your flight away.
Comments
I’ve been knitting on planes for years and have never had trouble with security. Courtesy dictates that knitting needles be circular or short to keep them out of your fellow passenger’s way. Other than that, the airport and airplane are wonderful for knitting without interruption — and how often do we get to do that!!!
I don’t do well with planes, and I remember calling the airline shortly after 9/11 and BEGGING the woman on the line to let me take my knitting. “It’s the only thing that calms me down!” Even at that point, I didn’t have any trouble, but I did bring needles of every material (bamboo, wood, aluminum, plastic) just in case some were okay and others were not.
On my international flight in summer 2006 I was only allowed to bring bamboo knitting needles on the plane, no metals.
Oh my gosh! You KNEW that I was having my first international flight in May and was worrying about whether I could knit! You, madam, are a treasure!
I was pretty sure I would be able to and told my husband that I would if I promise not to knit an Afghan…
*grrooooaaaaaannnnn*
I flew from Canada to Hawaii and never had a problem with my circular metal needles. I did check on-line before I left. Took cotton and made dishcloths.
I would hate to have to have to mail my needles back. Last year I had a hard time finding a mail box at the Houston airport. I had to go through security twice.
Flying out of OTTAWA AIRPORT last month I was denied the use of metal knitting needles ,short or circular but bamboo was allowed.
Returning on an Air France flight I WAS REFUSED TO CARRY MY KNITTING ON THE PLANE BECAUSE THEY WERE NEEDLES I WASIN THE MIDDLE OF KNTTING A BEADED PURSE AND IT WOULD HVE BEEN HEARTBREAKING TO HAVE THEM DISSQUALIFIED.A THAT IS WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO. I BEGGED AND PLEADED FOR THEM TO UNDERSTANDHOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR ME. IN THE END I WAS ALLOWED TO CHECK MY SUITCASE IN THE END IT WAS A VERY DISTRESSING HOUR FOR BECAUSE IHAD TO RUN DOWN 3 FLIGHT OF STAIRS TO THE CHECK DESK AND THOUGHT I HAD ONLY 20.MINUTES I HAD NEVER RAN SO FAST IN ALL MY LIFE. BUT NEVER AGAIN NO KNITTING UNTIL I RETURN HOME. I HOPE NONE OF YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH.
Flew Air France last summer; didn’t even bother to take knitting. Air France can be difficult to deal with; doesn’t help if you are an American.
No one has mentioned nylon needles, circular or otherwise. Surprised to see that metal both circular or straight were allowed by some.
In 2005(international flight from LAX to Tokyo) I was able to take plastic circular knitting needles. The same in Jun and August of 2006 (both were domestic flights). What I was NOT able to take were the little ’snip it’ type scissors OR childrens rounded point scissors. Luckily I carried a dispenser of tooth floss (to cut embroidery thread) and that worked on the thin yarn.
Again, it depends on where you are travelling. If you are coming to Australia, you should be aware that unfortunately knitting needles of any type are banned on ALL flights within Australia – so pack your project, but take some of those knitting magazines you haven’t had the chance to thoroughly read yet!
Have flown Northwest many times. Have never had a problem taking needles but do have a small circular cutter that hangs on a chain to cut yarn instead of scissors. Usually just take socks to knit.
Knitting needles on airplanes can be tricky! I just returned from China – flew United both directions and had bamboo double pointed needles with me in my carry on for each leg of the round trip flight – No problem! BUT – Chinese internal flights are a different story. Be certain to pack your needles in your checked luggage . Do not attempt to go through Chinese security with knitting needles – Chinese security is not knitter friendly!!
A day or so before I travel I always print a list of ‘allowed’ or ‘not allowed’ items from the TSA site: tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
I carry that with me to show security if I’m ever denied any item that is one the approved list. I have even carried my fine crochet hooks (sz 12) without problems.
Not long after 9/11 I was flying to England via U.S/ Air, I called the TSA to see if I was allowed to bring my knitting on board, I was told yes, as long as the needles didn’t have any points, I replied that this would probaly make the (needles) pencils or dowels, the agent replied that this would be perfectly alright….
I have never had a problem knitting on a U.S. domestic flight with any kind of knitting needles, including metal ones. I did not try on the international flights. Although 2 weeks ago, once I got to my seat, a woman sitting behind me saw me knitting and asked if that was allowed. I put my finger to my lips, said sh!, don’t tell anyone. She was so horrified I could see reaching for the call button, until I told her I was just kidding, and yes they were allowed. I don’t think she thought it was as funny as I did.
I flew to Germany with 16 high school students in June on US Air. I took my size 7 circulars and knit dishcloths for at least 5 hours each way. The US security guard asked me about my knitting. When I explained that I was a chaperone and needed something to keep me calm around all those teen-agers, he waved me on through. The German security never asked anything. I recommend taking something small and simple. You know that the person next to you is going to want to talk about what you are doing, and it’s nice to be able to chat back without messing up your pattern.
Interesting reading, I live downunder in New Zealand and haven’t tested the system lately, but am going to consider doing so later this year with short bamboo needles and my sock pattern. Sounds like I might have a bit of trouble as we are heading to Australia, will be interesting to see.
I don’t fly often but love to knit when I do. I flew to Minneapolis in Aug of 05 and took some socks I was doing on bamboo needles. I asked about them at check in and was told they would be ok. On the plane, the flight attendant approched me and was so happy I was knitting. Then she brought her knitting to show me. Her grandmother had just taught her how. We had a great conversation. Just last month I flew to
Savannah, GA and I took the sweater I am working on for my daughter-in-law on metal straights. Going through security, on of the workers watching my bag go through the scanner said loudly “well what do you know we’ve got a knitter here!” Then he pointed to his stocking cap and told me that his aunt had sent it to him for Christmas and it sure was warm. I guess knitters are recognized here as the friendly warm hearted souls that we are.
I have been flying in and out of the Ottawa, Canada airport several times a month for a LONG time, and have never had a problem getting through security with my knitting needles as long as they are circular, or non-metal straight ones. On the plane, however, I’ve given up using straight needles, as often the seats are so narrow that I couldn’t help poking my neighbor. I don’t want to give us knitters a bad name!
Margaret
When flying from SFO to New Zealand on Air New Zealaznd, I was told upon asking at check-in absolutely no knitting needles, even my 5″ size 0 sock needles which are the size of large toothpicks! Returning to the US, I met a yarn shop owner that was working on a complicated shawl knitting away in the gate area. When I asked her how she managed to get through with her needles, she said she’s gone back and forth many times and just takes her plastic circulars . . . . and no longer asks if it’s alright.
Australia is definitely not knitting friendly. I usually pack in my suitcase as I travel to watch sporting events, (grandson). I dont have many plastic or bamboo needles but next time I might try that one
During security scares over the past years one of the things that could not be taken on an airplane were knitting needles, not even bamboo or plastic. Now there has been a easing of this concern and they can be taken on an airplane.
Do you know where metal knitting or crochet needles can’t be taken (at least in my city)? Metal knitting needles cannot be taken into a courtroom or jury room..I took bamboo ones through the metal detector though.
Flew to the UK last Spetember, admittedly not long after a scare, but neither then or on my return was I allowed to take knitting. Even my comb was confiscated. Travelled Sydney-bangkok-London.& Return the same. Would have sropped me feeling stressed. Even contemplated Crochet with no success.
I have taken numerous flights within US through Chicago, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Akron, New York LaGuardia and have never had a problem with any type of knitting needles – just got through today with metal dp size 0 (which do look like weapons!) Even went through security in Singapore, Amsterdam, and Munich with no problems of any kind. All I have had taken away were childrens blunt point scissors.
Pam
Went from JFK to Las Vegas on New Years Eve’06 and had looked up the “rules” on knitting needles from the TSA. Straight bamboo and plastic needles were okay. Circular are better (I can’t get the hang of them). But I’ve found the best policy is “don’t ask” and they will let you go through. It really does depend on the person doing the scannings mood that day. If they are having a good day you’ll be fine. Going to or from Las Vegas my knitting was never an issue. The flight attendant only wanted to make sure my knitting bag was under the seat during take-off and landing. Knitting is very calming when you have to spend any length of time on the tarmac, let me tell you! Enjoy!
Thank you for the info re: knitting on flights to Oz. With all those sheep you’d think NZ and Oz would be knitter friendly! I haven’t experienced a problem taking bamboo needles on any domestic flights. Flew to Barcelona last month on Lufthansa and was asked not to knit during take-off and landing. Other than that, no problem. I even carried scissors with a 1 1/2″ blade.
thanks so much for the information. I have wondered many times over the last few years about bringing knitting onboard. I am definitely taking plastic circulars. I have taken crochet with a plastic needle in the past without a problem. I have had childrens scissors taken away in the past (at the airport in Oahu,HI) so I don’t plan on taking any scissors even though the current prohibited items list says that I can take the small blunt edged type that children use. I am thinking about taking one of those cutter pendants. Anyone had any problems using one of those?
i am taking my firt international flight in 5 days, so i have been surfing the internet trying to find a straight answere to the the question: can i taking my knitting on the plane?
Thank you so much for helping me choose my baboo needles,i’m sure it will help a lot!
Thanks!