When planning our first family vacation that required airline travel after learning to crochet, my first question was obviously, “Can I take my crochet hook on an airplane?”. This is a really common question that I see others ask on Facebook all the time so I decided to share my travel tips and what I’ve found in my research for my own trip here for you to help assist you in answer your travel-related questions.
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Can I Take my Crochet Hook on an Airplane?
If you’re travelling in Canada or the U.S. then you can definitely travel with your crochet hooks (and knitting needles) in your carry-on luggage (and in your checked luggage). Both Canadian and United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sites state that you can travel with knitting needles and crochet hooks of any size and material. So this means whether you prefer plastic crochet hooks or metal crochet hooks, you’re safe to add them to your bag. The Canadian TSA and the U.S. TSA have handy tools where you can look up lists of permissible items and those that are banned. (Check out the Canadian tool here on the Canadian TSA site and the U.S. tool here on the U.S. TSA website.)
International flights may have different rules than domestic flights so it’s always a good rule of thumb to check out the TSA site for your international destination to make sure that you know what the rules are.
Can You Take Scissors on an Airplane?
At the time of writing this, Canadian travellers can take small craft scissors in their carry-on luggage as long as the blades measure less than 6 cm (2.4″). In the U.S. the blades on the scissors must be less than 10cm (4″) long if packed in your carry-on luggage. Sharp objects must be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to people checking your bags so little foldable ones like these folding scissors on Amazon (these are the ones I personally take with me) are perfect and require no additional work.
The U.S. TSA site notes that “Circular thread cutters or any other cutter or needlepoint tools that contain blades must be placed in checked baggage. You are permitted to keep scissors smaller than 4 inches in your carry-on baggage.” So if you have one of those thread cutting pendants or another circular cutter and must take it with you, put it in your checked baggage.
If you’re unsure about the scissors or don’t have a small set like these on Amazon, then you can always take nail clippers. They are allowed in your carry-on luggage and they can cut yarn in a pinch.
My Personal Experience
You have likely heard from other crocheters that they have had their crochet hooks and / or travel scissors taken from them by security staff at security checks at the airport. I have never had this happen and have never had an issue travelling with my crochet supplies.
The rules can be different depending on where you’re travelling so avoid disappointment and check out the TSA equivalent for wherever you’re going as well as wherever you’re leaving from.
Can I Take Yarn Needles / Tapestry Needle?
Both Canadian and U.S. TSA sites note that you can take “small needles” with you. Tapestry needles should be fine as long as they are secured with your hooks or knitting needles. As a precaution, I always make sure that the ones in my carry on have blunt ends.
Tips for Travelling With Your Crochet
Don’t Take Your Best Stuff With You
Now that we’ve established that you can take your crochet hook on an airplane, let’s talk about which ones to bring with you (and which ones to leave a home). That gorgeous and expensive crochet hook you got as a Christmas gift? Leave it at home. In fact, if the thought of losing your hook in your couch makes you panic, don’t take it with you.
Luggage gets lost all the time and baggage handlers usually toss the bags into the plane, assuming that folks have taken precautions to protect any valuables. So it’s a good idea to leave your best hooks at home. I have a set of cheap ergonomic hooks that I’ll be taking with me on vacation. It costs me $20 to replace the whole set so if I lose one, it isn’t going to devastate me.
The TSA site does state that the final decision as to whether or not items are permitted are the TSA officers so there could be a chance that even if an item is on the allowed list, it could be confiscated if the TSA officer feels it poses a risk to safety.
Choose Small Projects for Carry-On Luggage
It’s not news that space on an airplane is limited. You’re not going to be making friends with the person (or people) sitting next to you if you bring your queen size afghan project with you on the flight. Maybe they’ll be into it and want to snuggle under it but odds are, they aren’t going to be thrilled. So keep larger projects in your checked bagged and only take smaller projects with you on the plane.
Use Project Bags For Your Project
I like to keep my project, yarn and hook case all contained in a small project bag inside my carry-on. It helps keep my stuff accessible and organized. If your bag has straps, you can keep the bag on your wrist, lap or hang it on the back of the seat in front of you on the plane. If you have space to put your bag on the floor during the flight, it helps keep your project clean. Something like this project bag on Amazon looks like it could do great for a trip. If you plan on storing your crochet project in the same bag as a liquid (like your drink or some hand sanitizer), store your crochet project, yarn, hooks etc. in a plastic bag to keep it safe should something in your bag leak.
Be Realistic About How Much to Take With You
Confession time (it’s a real shocker): I ALWAYS overpack when it comes to yarn. Everytime I have to pack I tell myself I’ll limit what I take and then next thing I know, I have more projects with me than I could realistically finish even if I was vacationing for weeks. Don’t do what I do. I have to do better with this vacation because we’re flying so I have to limit what I bring. Bring what you need for your project because running out and not being able to get more while you’re away could be upsetting. So take what you need and that’s it.
Need some quick and easy project ideas to take with you on your trip? Check out these free one skein patterns: Once in a Blue Moon Triangle Scarf, The Ava Cowl, Arctic Gem Beanie, Into the Fade Beanie, Spring Breeze Shawlette.
Take an Empty Bag
If you can fit most of what you need in your checked luggage, keep your carry-on empty or near-empty. Alternatively, take an extra, empty bag with you. Why? So you can buy more yarn! Everytime I go travel I scope out the locations of local yarn stores to see if there are any I’d be interested in checking out. I have discovered so many great yarns and yarn stores this way.
Thanks for reading and happy travels! Don’t forget to take your crochet hook on an airplane with you the next time you travel! What have your experiences been like travelling with your crochet stuff on an airplane? Got any tips? Share them below and help our community!
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