Can I Crochet at the Airport and Plane?
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the Transportation Security Administration, Crochet Hooks can be brought in your carry on and checked baggage. You can check the TSA Website Here.
For those who are Canadian, 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 final discretion is the agent at the security check-point. 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 of being only 4″ from the end of the handle to the tip of the scissors.
If any one item may have security second glance, it will be the scissors.
Travel with a dedicated pair of nail clippers for cutting your yarn. I’ve never had a problem with nail clippers.
There is talk that items like the Yarn Pendant Cutter can be taken from you as it’s considered a concealed sharp blade. So 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 or the agencies may tell them new information that isn’t published or known in advance.
- You will hear from crocheters who state to only bring plastic hooks and not the 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 check-point of an airport. Why bother to create drama.
- I try to have an established project with me that is 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 really a crocheter, a project is started to validate why I have my yarn and hooks. Again, I’ve not had an issue in this department.
- One flight attendant stopped to talk with me while I was crocheting and she said she would rather see me crochet than be squirrely and driving 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
The expert advice I once received is to 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 it.
Travelling with yarn with ball bands, especially, 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 off the packaging of my yarn prior to leaving home.
Generally Speaking
I like to be left alone at the airport. I like to follow the rules and have zero drama. Sitting at the airports for hours on end, shuffling like herded sheep from here to there 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 agents that are pretty strict. Ultimately, their ruling is the final decision.
Travelled with my crochet hook (made of steel) and yarn all over the world, never had any issues.
I never have had problems with my knitting needles. Scissors are for checked baggage
Hi, Mikey! Thank you for the advice 🙂 I came across your videos many years ago and been a fan since then. I was looking at howto videos on youtube about how to do the chevron stitch. And found the Granny Square one that just continues. you reignited my love for crochet. I was getting bored with the basic stitches and began to lose interest.
Thanks for the info!
Just a note, knitting needles are not allowed on board airplanes flying from Mexico. Crochet needles are.
Thanks. They are not allowed from Cuba outbound either.
Your tutorials are great, however, I can’t always get them.
I have tried several time to get your information and I don’t get it. What might I be doing wrong.
I don’t understand. Can you provide more information?
Love this article. How did the same thing as you. Took little 4 inch kiddy scissors. I think mine have a cover. I did have my husband sharpen them before the trip because they couldn’t cut poop. I switched over to wooden knitting needles. I did have a copy of the pattern in my bag for those times when my brain just stopped working. Love the tip on the yarn bands. I have never had a problem with it but then again I haven’t traveled outside the country either.
Thank you for this information. I’m going to the Netherlands in 6 weeks and had planned on taking a crochet project to help pass time on the plane.
I’ve traveled with my small scissors every time. They are blunt ended small craft scissors. Yes, almost every time my bag gets pulled and searched. Mostly when they get to my bag I just say “is it the scissors?” They say yes, so I always have them on the top or outside pocket so I can quickly show it to them. Some just look and put it back, others take out a ruler and give it back. I’ve never had anything taken, scissors nor hooks.
It can be a hassle,but it seems even when I ditch the scissors I always get additional screening, I can’t remember the last time I made it through unscathed haha.
I always make sure to travel with hooks, as my knitting needles are expensive wooden ones and I don’t want them taken. All my hooks are metal with silicone handles and I’ve never had anyone even give them a glance.
This has been through multiple Canadian, US, and UK airports, as well as a handful in France, Germany and other places in the EU. I never travel without a project!
I bring snub nosed 2″ scissors with me and have never had a problem. (Think safety scissors)
Like the idea of bringing on crochet and knitting needles, I have been bored looking at magazines or bringing books do to motion. It is hard to understand about any kind of scissors because of the TSA rules and can’t bring on a pocket knife (which I have lost many) or a bottle of water( even empty bottle that someone can add to after the go threw TSA). Yes I understand but it is getting to be to many rules for air travel. Again glad to know about the DIY hooks. Thanks and keep trying. Still don’t feel any safer.
Some airlines will tell you not to take knitting needles on board so it’s best to check in advance. It’s usually okay to carry crochet hooks because they don’t have sharp tips. I never had a problem with the yarn cutter in this article either.
If you are concerned your hooks will be confiscated by TSA, take a stamped, self addressed padded envelope large enough to hold them, and with enough postage to get them back to you. In the event TSA says no, put the hooks in the envelope and mail them back home.
clever idea saves the heartache all round and will be waiting for you when you get home