Knitting on vacation? Yes or no?

All the knitting enthusiasts in this world will tell you that knitting or crocheting on vacation is a YES! You just have to plan your equipment well and you don't have to deprive yourself of your favorite activity, no matter where you are or how you get there.

Whether we're driving to the cottage or flying across the world, the basics of our planning remain the same: we have to be well-organized.

First, we will think about our project. If we are confined in a vehicle for several hours, traveling from one place to another, it may not be the best time to work on the enormous 2 meter by 1 meter shawl lying around in the sewing basket in the living room. It is better to leave it alone at home and come back to it after the holidays. We will instead choose something small, that is easy to transport. Socks, mittens, a hat, even a sweater!

Which brings me to my second point: the complexity of the project. If you have to get up all the time to let your seatmate go to the bathroom, or pass snacks to your offspring in the back seat, then a complex cable-chart project is probably not the idea of ​​the century! Choose something simple, where you just have to count the rows (or not!) or repeat the same stitch sequences without having to undo everything if you make a mistake.

It is important to have everything at hand, to be able to carry everything easily. It is therefore necessary to have a small project bag in which we can put our work, an extra ball of wool (the others, if necessary, can be stored in the luggage) and a small case containing our accessories . We will only put the essentials: a pair of folding scissors (or children's scissors, with a round tip), a finishing needle , a few stitch markers , and a retractable measuring tape . With this, we should be able to complete pretty much all the basic projects.

You'll also need to think about needles . If you're more of a crocheter , the choice is easy, but if you're more of a knitter, my personal recommendation is circular needles. If you're actually knitting in the round, whether it's socks, a sweater, or a hat, I recommend circulars over double-pointed needles. The needles will always stay attached to the cable (and thus, to the work) and there's much less risk of losing one in between seats! Even if you're knitting flat, I still lean toward using circular needles. Being shorter, they're less bulky in tight spaces and, once again, there's no risk of losing one in an odd place!

Are you wondering if you can really bring your knitting on a plane? The answer is YES! I have done it several times, to the United States, the Caribbean and Europe and I have never had any problems, either on the way there or the way back. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website tells us that it is perfectly permitted to carry needles and hooks of all materials, in carry-on and checked baggage. However, keep in mind that each country has its own rules and that there is no guarantee that you will be able to take your knitting in your carry-on baggage on the way back. It is important to check with the air authorities of the country concerned to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Finally, the choice of fiber can also be an important factor. If you plan to knit on the beach, in the bright sun (lucky you!!), you will probably appreciate working with a lighter material such as cotton , which will not risk felting between your fingers! Make sure the skeins are baled before leaving the house, otherwise you will have to make friends quickly with your seat neighbor!

So there you have it, treat yourself, enjoy your vacation, relax and, above all, knit!