Travelling with Crochet

Everyone is travelling again!  It’s great to be able to get around and see family and friends and places we have always dreamed of.  But it doesn’t mean we have to give up our crafting.  With some preparation and planning and getting the right tools, crafting while on the go can make the ‘travelling’ experience – such as when you are sitting on planes, buses, trains or in waiting areas – just that bit more enjoyable.

Firstly – types of projects.  Keep them small and preferably where it is just 1 or 2 colours.  They can then squeeze in anywhere!  I love to make socks, hats or bags when I’m on the go.  Also choose something that isn’t too complex as you’ll likely have to pick it up and put it down many times, and have many interruptions.  If the pattern is in a book, take a copy, so you don’t have the weight of a book.  I often take my ipad and copy the pattern onto that for reference.  My final hint here is to not take a project that is nearly finished!  You’ll likely finish it earlier than you expect then be left without anything to do!

Tools –  only take with you as hand luggage those essential for the project you are on.  I have managed to whittle this down to:

• the hook I need for the project (not extra).  And yes I do take my good ergonomic hooks.  I have a small hook holder for this purpose, about the size of a toothbrush holder.
• a few stitch markers.  I don’t take them all, as I would likely lose them!
• travel scissors or pendant cutter.  Travel scissors are those where the blade is no longer than 6cm and they are blunt tip (or rounded) rather than pointy.
• necklight
• small project bag/ball holders – to stop the balls rolling everywhere while you are working, and to keep your kit together.

Items I specifically avoid are: – finer crochet hooks for lace due to the pointiness of the hooks, sewing needles for the tails and a yarn threader.  The plastic ones are best as some security officers don’t like the metal ones.  However I find that they are very easy to lose and the movement is not often condusive to sewing.

One of the common questions I get – can you knit, crochet and tat on flights?  Yes you can – however do check with the airline you are using.  I always have a crochet project with me when I travel and it invariably becomes a conversation starter with someone – another passenger and the airline staff.   I think it’s a great way to show that the crafts are all still alive and to show off the versatility of what can be made.