Readers Respond: Stories of Knitting and Air Travel

Most knitters enjoy flying because it gives them a lot of uninterrupted time to knit. But security staff and fellow passengers don't always look positively on people who knit in airports and on airplanes. Little do they know fiber fanatics are often more likely to become violent when denied access to their favorite pastime.

Other times knitting on a plane can bring about interesting positive conversations with fellow travelers. Here's your chance to share your air travel knitting stories -- positive or negative -- and offer tips on traveling with your knitting.

Great Tip!

Dental floss cutter..what a great idea! Thank you! I am just nervous about a flight to Hong Kong. If I show up with knitting will I be able to take it on? Thanks for the comments

—Guest knitting in so cal

Knitting On Flights In the U.S.

I've flown several times in the last 3 months with knitting needles of all types and sizes. I have a travel knitting kit that I've outlined on my blog: http://thingsalicewantstodo.blogspot.com/2011/02/knitting-on-plane.html I use nail clippers as my substitute scissors, they're totally allowed. I've got links to the TSA pages for both. I printed them off and keep them in my kit, just in case.

—Guest Alice

Bring Circulars

I generally like to bring circulars on the plane so that I'm not bumping elbows. It's also harder to lose a needle!

—Guest MB at Yarn U iPhone app

Easyjet say no!

I sent Easyjet an e-mail to ask them about an internal flight in the UK. Here is the response: "Thank you for contacting us. I can confirm that you are allowed to take any object on board as long as it cannot be used as a weapon (sharp dangerous). Furthermore, if it does not contain any liquids and chemicals. In line with our restrictions I am afraid that your are not allowed to take your knitting needles on board, however you will be able to take them in to the hold baggage."

—dingoroo

precious knitting time

Once I had problems when going to theatre, they didn't allow me to take my bag with me because of my harmless bamboo needles...I was planning to save some precious knitting time during the intermission...On a plane I always go with small bamboo or plastic needles and a small project. I am going to try my bamboo circular needles in my next flight...Also some plastic crochet hooks, just in case...But people do stare at me when they see me knitting, as if I were from another planet...Crazy world!

—kraftyknitter

Cutters

I am relatively new to knitting. I was asking my knitting group about traveling with knitting. They made several suggestions, but the best one I thought was to use a the cutter on a dental floss container instead of scissors. Going through security in 4 airports, I had no problems with the needles or my "cutter".

—Guest Christine

Scissors in Shoebox

I was flying to Mexico and had a pair of knitting scissors in my spare pair of shoes inside the suitcase and had to open the suitcase and relinquish the scissors if I was to continue on !

—Guest Shirley

Knitted to NYC

I just flew to NYC from Portland, OR and had no knitting needle issues. I didn't expect a problem as I have flown with knitting to other places over the last years, but took size 7 and 8, 16" plastic needles so as not to attract attention to my knitting and I worked on a baby kimono. Took a small thread cutter even though you are allowed scissors 4" or shorter. I'm flying to Australia in September and hope to be able to knit to and from. I'll let you know how that goes when I return. Happy knitting!

—gerjer