Knitting on US Flights

Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions about knitting and travel. The topic that comes up the most is knitting on US flights. Are knitting needles allowed? If so, what kinds? Can I bring scissors, yarn cutters, and other notions?

It’s no wonder that so many knitters are curious. Knitting is an excellent way to pass the time during travel and it is especially useful at calming nerves when flying. We travel quite a bit and here’s what works for us.

Knitting on US Flights: The Policy

There have been some major changes to policies governing airline security in the past couple decades. (You’ve probably noticed this, too.) Thankfully the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) keeps up with the changes in real-time and you can find just about anything you’d consider packing in your carryon on their website.

Here’s what the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page says about knitting needles on domestic US flights:

Knitting Needles
Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes
Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

I read this and thought that was it! Knitting needles are allowed so there shouldn’t be any problem, right?

Knitting on US Flights: The Caveat

Unfortunately I have heard from several knitters that they have had to leave their needles behind despite this policy. Based on their feedback, it seems largely dependent upon the security agent checking your carry-on. I think it’s likely it also depends on the look of your knitting needles.

Here’s more from the official policy:

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/knitting-needles

This made me wonder what kinds of needles aren’t getting through. Is it all of them or just certain types?

I talked to several other knitters about their experiences and I think I’ve found a common thread. They said that long, aluminum sets (“straights”) seem to be the most problematic. They are essentially big, pointy, metal sticks, which can look a little intimidating. Don’t bring metal needles.

Believe it or not, I’ve had a set of long, aluminum needles confiscated at a courthouse, too!

I received some mixed feedback on plastic needles, too. At first, it seemed like plastic needles were safe. I did get some mixed feedback, though. After some research, I found that plastic needles sometimes contain other materials to increase strength and durability. So while you may think you’re going through a metal detector with plastic needles in your pocket, they’re actually plastic-coated brass!

I recommend bamboo needles, which won’t set off metal detectors.

Lastly, I recommend circular needles over traditional or double-pointed needles. They don’t look as “scary” because most people don’t even realize what they are.

Flying with Scissors

I haven’t had any issues with bringing notions through security. Other knitters were not so lucky, though.

I assumed that scissors wouldn’t be permitted on flights, but if they are under 4″ in length (from the pivot point), they can fly! If you’re still concerned, there are a couple other options that will work in a pinch:

dental floss
A plastic canister of dental floss is an inexpensive alternative that you likely already have at home. The floss cutter can be on yarn, too! You can even use the floss for a lifeline in a pinch.

nail clippers
A simple pair of nail clippers on a chain can snip most yarns easily and will attach to your keys or project bag.

A Note on Knitter’s Pendants/Yarn Cutters

Yarn cutters are convenient because they can be attached to keys, a project bag, or even a necklace. They also protect little fingers (or clumsy knitters) from accidental cuts.

It’s counterintuitive, but yarn cutters are NOT allowed on flights. You should pack them in your checked luggage or leave them at home.

The Backup Plan

I always recommend having a backup plan and flying with needles is no exception. There’s always a risk you won’t be able to come through with your needles in hand. If knitting during the flight is how you planned to pass the time, this can be a real problem.

More importantly, will your project survive if you remove the needles?

1. Bring a finishing needle.

Bring a plastic finishing needle with scrap yarn ready to go. If your needles cause an issue, you can save the project! Simply run the scrap yarn through the live stitches and tie off securely.

2. Bring a SASE.

Bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to hold your needles so that you can mail them back to yourself. The Airport Mailbox Project keeps updated information on which airports have mailboxes and how to find them.

Safe travels for you and your needles!

What has your experience been with airline travel and knitting?