Knitting On The Go… What Supplies To Pack When Heading On A Trip… Part 1
Your Projects are Your Palette
I like to think of my knitting projects as a painter’s palette. Each one brings its own colors, textures, and emotions to my journey. Just as a painter carefully selects their colors, I, too, thoughtfully consider the knitting projects that will accompany me on my adventure.
In the next three blog posts, I will be unpacking the whole packing experience. lol see what I did there 😉
This blog post will focus on what projects to bring on your trip.
Although my two primary crafts are knitting and quilting, the principles I'll share apply to pretty much any craft, especially crochet.
Travel-Friendly Projects:
Stitchtastic Companions For A Flight
Have you ever knitted on a blanket on a plane? Not the best idea, right? Or working on your beaded lace project, where the beads start rolling away from your tray table or lap? The key is to choose projects that are portable and manageable. I usually recommend smaller items like socks, hats, cowls, or baby items. They don't take up much space and are easy to handle in confined spaces. If I want to focus on working with fabric, I will bring some EPP “English Paper Piecing” or hand-sewing small blocks together.
Practical Tip: Opt for projects that use smaller needles and lighter yarns. This makes your knitting bag lighter and more compact. Plus, when you have to get everything back into your bag quickly, you have less to stuff to put away. Single-skein projects are also a must; you shouldn’t have to manage multiple balls of yarn while in a tight space. Trust me I have had yarn balls rolling down the isle before. Yucky 😝
Interesting fact: According to a few flight attendants that I have talked to, the clean-up crew has often found balls of yarn, DPNs, needles and hooks, and, of course, tons of stitch markers left behind. Believe it or not, even full projects still on the needles have been abandoned by accident.
“Traveling with knitting is like carrying a piece of home with you. It’s comforting and keeps your hands busy.”
These were the knitting supplies I brought up with me on my last trip to a family cabin. But I had two grandkids with me under the age of 4. lol. The socks on the far left were the only things I knitted on the whole time. I was a little over-prepared, don’t you think? 🤣
One Project Is Never Enough
Imagine this scenario: you’re halfway through your trip, and you’ve just finished knitting that cozy pair of socks. Oh, shoot, now what? To avoid running out of projects to make, always pack more than one project. Diversifying your projects can also help keep boredom at bay.
Practical Tip:
Pack at least two different types of projects – one that is mindless and one that requires a bit more concentration. This way, you can switch between them depending on your mood and the level of noise around you. Or if you get stuck, lose a necessary tool, or need to put your project on time out, you have something else to work on.
Statistic: A survey by the Craft Yarn Council found that 85% of knitters feel more relaxed and less stressed when they have multiple projects on hand during travel.
Ok, so I know what some of you might be thinking, “Nicole, you mentioned not to pack a bunch for fights, but now you're saying to bring more than one project?”
Ahh, ha! Well, here is my response. For the plane ride, only pack one project in your carry-on bag. Then, pack a backup project or more in your checked bag or additional carry-on. If I get bored or finish a project while on a flight, then I have been working on that project for quite a while, so it’s time to take a break, maybe pull out a book, watch a movie, or even take a nap. But for vacations where no flight is needed, you have more room to bring more creative projects with you.
Wrap-up and More Coming
As we wrap up this first part of our series on "Knitting On The Go," I hope you've found some valuable tips and inspiration for packing your crafty projects for your next adventure. Remember, the key is to choose travel-friendly projects that are both manageable and enjoyable, ensuring you have a piece of home with you wherever you go.
But we're just getting started! In the next parts of this series, we'll dive deeper into:
Part 2: Essential Tools and Accessories for Travel
Part 3: Tips for Organizing Your Project Bag for Maximum Efficiency
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Thank you for joining me on this journey, and happy crafting!
Warmly, Nicole Vieira
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