According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, Crochet Hooks can be brought in carry-on and checked baggage. You can check the TSA Website Here.
I've never had an issue taking a crochet hook or knitting needles in most of the places I have visited.
For Canadians, you can also check the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the official website, for things you can bring in your carry-on and checked baggage. Check The CATSA Website Here.
At the time of writing this, both agencies are okay with crochet hooks and knitting needles. However, the agent at the security checkpoint has the final discretion. There could be a heightened security check, which may result in your hooks or knitting needles being taken away.
The item to watch for the most is the scissors.
Scissors
I would strongly advise not to bring scissors in your carry-on. The scissors rules are the same on the cruise ships being only 4" from the end of the handle to the tip of the scissors.
If any item may have a security second glance, it will be the scissors.
Travel with a dedicated pair of nail clippers to cut your yarn. I've never had a problem with nail clippers. In September 2024, they did pull my carry-on to look at the nail cutters, and it was with my crochet hooks in a pencil case with yarn cuttings I was saving. I didn't have a problem, but they did inspect them.
There is talk that items like the Yarn Pendant Cutter can be taken from you as they are considered concealed sharp blades. So it's best to leave that in your checked baggage.
Yes You Will Hear
- You will hear of crocheters having their hooks taken from them in airports. For reasons they don't understand, the agencies may tell them new information that isn't published or known in advance.
- You will hear crocheters who say only to bring plastic hooks and not metal hooks.
- Yarn is taken from the passengers, but there may be more to the story.
Free Patterns To Think About
- 100 Caron Cakes Patterns
- Study of Planet Earth Crochet Along
- Crochet Shawl on a Plane Project
- Crochet Back Loop Texture Stitches
My Experience
- I've never had a crochet hook taken from me nor questioned why I have had it.
- I've never travelled with scissors, even though the 4" rule exists through a security checkpoint of an airport. Why bother to create drama?
- I have an established project with me that has partially started. In rare cases, I have started a project at the lounge after I went through customs. If I have a project already on my hook and need to prove that I am a crocheter, I start a project to validate why I have my yarn and hooks.
- One flight attendant stopped to talk with me while I was crocheting. She said she would rather see me crochet than be squirrely and drive her nuts on the plane. I'm keeping myself low-key and occupied, especially on flights with no screens on the back of the seat.
Cross Border Flights
Remove the ball bands or packaging from the yarn that is inside your yarn tote.
I used to travel with the ball bands around my yarn but have stopped doing that. The bands fall off as you start to use the balls, and when they fall off while in midflight to the floor, good luck bending over to retrieve them.
Travelling with yarn with ball bands when leaving your country to visit another can signal the customs and border agencies that you may be selling your yarn in the country you are visiting because the packaging is intact. Chances of you doing that may be slim to none; however, I have heard of people getting their yarn taken from them. I'm not into drama when I travel, so I remove the packaging of my yarn before leaving home.
Generally Speaking
I like to be left alone at the airport. I want to follow the rules and have zero drama. Sitting at the airports for hours, shuffling like herded sheep, isn't number one on my to-do list.
You will always hear of people who claim they know of someone or they are that person where their stuff was taken from them. There are always exceptions to the rules, and I have seen some security are pretty strict. Ultimately, their ruling is the final decision.
Susan says
I travel with yarn I have spun into small cakes, one crochet hook, one darning needle, a few stitch markers, and a pair of kindergarten (small, round tip) scissors. The only time I had to pause with security was when I had an entire set of crochet hooks with me in my carryon… and they let me through, just asked me about them. So now I get on the plane with one and check the rest.
LILIIA PULOVA says
Travelled with my crochet hook (made of steel) and yarn all over the world, never had any issues.
Leda Ansbro says
I never have had problems with my knitting needles. Scissors are for checked baggage