Knit one, purl one: what could be more rhythmic and relaxing, especially if you have hours ahead of you with nothing to do? Whether you are an anxious, relaxed, productive, or intrepid traveler, the thought of knitting on a plane seems like a perfect fit. And, of course, you want to be able to knit on vacation, or in the evening on a business trip.
Unfortunately, the reality is not always as simple. In most circumstances, it is not a problem to bring knitting in your checked baggage, but it can be quite a different story as far as your carry-on and handbag are concerned. Rules are always changing, and we've included some helpful links below for current information.
I have flown with my knitting in my checked bag, and on occasion I have brought my knitting on a plane. Once, on a flight to Denver, I brought a fineweight lace shawl that I was working on, and it made it through security without a problem. It was very nice to have a project like that to work on while I was waiting in the terminal, both to allay my anxiety, and to while away the time.
Made from one color of yarn, and an easy-to-remember and soothingly repetitive pattern, the Pyrope Shawlette would be a great project for knitting on-the-go. Photo by Gale Zucker
But I could tell by the faces of the passengers sitting near me on the plane that they were alarmed when I pulled my project (which was on a long and pointy metal circular needle) out of my bag and started to knit. I also found that slipping the markers and navigating the cone yarn was a little unwieldy. Although I was happy to have my knitting with me, I was also aware that I had risked having my favorite circular needle confiscated, so I haven’t flown with another project like that in a carry-on bag on an airplane since.
I always wonder if other knitters have figured out a better way to make this work. Many people have travel projects that are just the right size for their trip, others choose circular needles vs. straights. I asked some well-traveled industry professionals to help us all make good packing decisions, and we’ve featured some patterns that might fit nicely in your carry-on! (Find links for each of the patterns in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library at the bottom of the page.)
The Experts Weigh In
I reached out to several knitters who travel a lot and asked about their experience with this.
Noted knitted author Carol Sulcoski states:
“From waiting to board to deplaning, I’ve taken knitting needles on a plane many, many times in the last twenty years. I generally bring socks on two circulars as a travel project (I switched to two circulars after losing one of a DPN set and watching it roll down the aisle of the plane!). TSA has never raised a concern about them to me.”
Pack your yarn for the cozy Farmer’s Favorite Socks to pass the time in-flight. Photo at left by Kate Larson, at right by Gale Zucker
Hazel Tindall from the Shetland Isles (aka The World’s Fastest Knitter) explains:
“I always place my projects in my checked luggage for safekeeping—in fact, I can’t remember the last time I knitted or crocheted on a plane.”
Stranded-knitting master Mary Jane Mucklestone recounts:
“I always travel with wooden double-pointed needles. Fellow passengers are always intrigued when I knit on flights—making something with sticks and string right before their eyes! Socks are my favorite travel projects, I like to pick up sock yarn as a souvenir of my trip.”
Instagram intricate-knitting sensation Marion Engels-Hauser from Luxembourg relates how she second-guessed herself while preparing for a recent flight:
“My first airplane trip of 2025 was a 4½ hour flight from Luxembourg to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands. I always take my knitting with me when I travel; however, it was the first time ever that I intended to take a project in my carry-on luggage. The project was an Orenburg Lace shawl, on long, straight bamboo needles (15¾ inch [40 cm] long, US size 2.5/3mm).
“I didn’t overthink and just packed one pair of spare needles in my checked luggage in case security confiscated the needles. But then I thought that I had better pack one more knitting project, in case they decided to keep the needles with the shawl on it. Half an hour later I thought, ‘Yes, better pack circular needles in your carry-on luggage, in case security asks you to remove the shawl from the needles.’
“Before leaving for the airport, I thought it might be better to transfer the shawl to the circular needle and I started to transfer the stitches. The very fine yarn got stuck in the screw of the cable—I couldn’t get it out, and finally it snapped. I was so frustrated and slid all the stitches back onto my straight needles and decided to take my chances. I am happy to report that I passed through security with my bamboo straight-knitting needles. While I was waiting for the flight in the terminal, I repaired the dropped stitches and the broken yarn and everything was zen again by the time I boarded the plane.
“Meanwhile, I have taken several more flights, always with my beloved long straight needles, and I am happy to say that I haven’t encountered any objections from airport security!”
The Leaf Cap (left) and Montadale Beanie (right) would be convenient projects for knitting on-the-go. Photos by Gale Zucker
And, finally, beloved knitting icon Meg Swansen tells a tale of remarkable ingenuity:
“In 2003, before an international flight with my sister Lloie, we were informed by the airline that knitting needles were “absolutely forbidden” to take on board. We knew there would be hours of waiting, and Lloie rose to the challenge with two brilliant ideas: watercolor brushes would make excellent straight needles, and a plastic weed-wacker replacement cable might work as a circular needle.
“I took my needle gauge to the art-supply store and bought a pair of US#5 Grumbacher brushes. I sharpened them a bit in a pencil sharpener, then sanded them smooth. Lloie found a very thick plastic cable, cut it to the desired length, and put the ends into a pencil sharpener. (Note: You must get the sharpener going at great speed before you insert the cable.) Then we gently melted the ends over a candle and shaped them into needle-tips.
“We happily (and only a little awkwardly) knitted two pairs of Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Addaboodies (slippers) for relatives we visited in Europe. As we went through screening in Chicago, the official studied the x-ray of my bag and asked: ‘What are those long, pointy things with metal ends?’ ‘Paint brushes,’ I said. He said, ‘Ah, that’s what I thought.’ And off we went.”
Worked in the round from the cuff up, the warm and durable Mittens from the Mitten State make a great travel project. Photo by Matt Graves
(Suit)Case by (Suit)Case
Rules change, and your ability to bring your knitting aboard can depend on the airline, the agent, the country, and the type of knitting you are bringing, so it is always better to be safe than sorry to ensure that you will be able to enjoy your favorite pastime.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has pages that you can check for current updates:
In general, common sense seems to prevail, and the information I found suggests that:
- Double check: Before packing knitting into your carry-on bag, check with your airline and the airport for the most up-to-date regulations.
- Materials matter: Wood, plastic, and bamboo needles may be less likely to be confiscated than metal ones.
- Plan ahead: A project that requires short needles or circular needles is not only less likely to be problematic than one with long straight needles, but it is also more considerate to your seatmates.
- Pack strategically: Tip protectors are a good idea, as they will protect you, your project, and the TSA agent tasked with searching your bag.
- Add a lifeline: Save your last row worked on a piece of waste yarn, and keep a spare set of needles in your checked baggage; this way if your needles are confiscated, you will be able to salvage your knitting and be able to knit when you reach your destination.
If you, like me, are like most knitters, you will probably have more than one project going at a time. It might be worth packing your knitting in your checked bag (or keeping your knitting on a lifeline in your carry-on) and carrying a small project on board. This might be a nice time to make swatches and dream of your next project! Safe travels!
Subscribers can find the following patterns in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library:
Special thanks to:
Marion Engels-Hauser (@knitnoiram)
Mary Jane Mucklestone (@mjmucklestone)
Carol Sulcoski (@blackbunnyfibers )
Meg Swansen (@megswansen)
Hazel Tindall (@hazeltindall)