Knitting on a plane: 5 tips to make it work

Text by: Anika x @annidestages

Am I allowed to use knitting needles on the plane?

The question most people will naturally ask is whether knitting needles are allowed on airplanes. Generally speaking, knitting needles or crochet hooks are not prohibited in hand luggage within the EU. However, you can find lists of dangerous items prohibited in hand luggage for individual airlines online, and some airlines explicitly mention knitting needles (e.g., Eurowings or TUIfly). Lufthansa has no official statement regarding knitting needles. Incidentally, we couldn't find anything about a ban on crochet hooks on airplanes, so they are at least safe.

If you want to be on the safe side, we recommend bamboo needles .
The decision as to whether your craft project is classified as dangerous goods ultimately rests with the security personnel at the respective airport. We've summarized the best way to handle this below.

Tips and tricks for knitting on an airplane

1. Use wooden/plastic needle tips that can be twisted off the cable (and pack spares in your checked baggage if necessary!). Metal needles tend to cause more problems at security. Double-pointed needles may also have to be surrendered if they exceed a certain length.

So feel free to browse through our selection of knitting needles .

To pack everything well and safely, we recommend an extra needle case .

2. Remember not to pack accessories like scissors in your hand luggage. If you're only traveling with hand luggage, an empty dental floss container or nail clippers can serve as a cutting aid.

3. To be on the safe side, you can take a stamped, self-addressed, and padded envelope with you to send the knitting needles home in case of emergency. A friendly employee will surely drop the expensive package into the nearest mailbox for you. This is, of course, easiest before your flight. It will be more difficult at an airport abroad, as your envelope will likely not have sufficient postage (unless you have enough stamps in the appropriate currency).

4. Don't ask on site! If you show your knitting needles to the security staff and explicitly ask if they are allowed on the plane, you will probably get an unwelcome answer, rather than if you put your knitting supplies in a bag in your hand luggage and silently go through the security check.

5. Stay relaxed! Even if security or airline staff deem your knitting needles too dangerous, remain friendly and calm. You don't want to get unnecessarily upset about something you can't change on your way to vacation.

With our tips, you can embark on your next flight well-prepared and relaxed. We wish you a pleasant flight and plenty of time for knitting and crocheting.

Don't have a suitable knitting project for your next trip yet? Then take a look here .