knitting needles on planes

Not into the cabin.

It's fine to put them in your hold luggage.

The TSA does permit non-metal knitting needles in your carry-ons. There is some "fine print" in the rules. Check out this site: http://tinyurl.com/qv46m

Kim, I had absolutely no trouble taking bamboo needles on my last two flights but I was prepared with a self-address, stamped, padded mailing envelope just in case I was challenged. A tip - the lighting wasn't appropriate for my dark yarn - I wish I had taken something lighter. Have a good trip and don't drop those stitches.

Reminds me of a story a friend told me. She lives in DC and at one point almost all flights in and out of DCA had a air marshall onboard. Well, she took her knitting on board. During the flight, she dropped one of the needles and it rolled down the aisle. She said a well dressed man, the only one wearing a sport jacket, picked up her needle and handed it back to her. She swears it must have been the sky marshall.

Kim, we have seen larger wooden knitting needles on flights. My wife takes her needlepoint projects on board and actually has scissors that pass TSA. They are children's scissors with rounded points. We've had no problems.

Hi Kim:

I have gotten my bamboo knitting needles on the last 6 or 7 domestic flights I have taken. Scarily, I also got a two pairs of scissors on my last flight. One was a pair of full size sewing shears. It was not my intention, I forgot they were in my knitting bag in my pack. My pack was actaully scanned twice and the scissors were not caught.

I have also seen people with needle point and cross stitch on planes as well. If you are boarding in the US you probably won't have a problem. Though I do not know about in Europe.

I am definately going to see if I'll be allowed to take mine now too!! I used to love knitting on planes!!

Kim

We fly internationally 3 or 4 times a year. I always take my knitting in my carry-on. Never once have they even looked at it. Have even given knitting lessons to the flight attendents. I do take the bamboo needles (both straight and circular). My projects are usually with fine yarn so the needles are small (takes longer to finish a project with the fine yarn -- takes up less room). Happy knitting -- Have a great trip!!!.

Kay

Knitting needles may or may not be permitted past security in European airports. There's no TSA-like organization that covers Europe, so each airport/airline can set its own rules.

You might be able to bring the wooden ones on board, but only take them if you are willing to give them up if asked.

kate

My wife, who quilts, tats, knits, needlepoints, etc. is really enjoying this thread.

I haven't had any trouble with non-metal needles at all. And on top of that, I recently saw a woman crocheting in an airport with a ridiculously tiny metal hook--the kind that are almost needle-sharp on the end! Of course, what gets through varies by airport and minute-to-minute sometimes.

I use the Denise interchangeables. They're awesome and resin, so a little bit flexible and not metal. Highly recommended. Cut way down on wrist pain from the knitting too!

Hi,

This thread caught my interest, too. I did a search for TSA and knitting needles, found this page:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1252.shtm
(Do URLs show? Guess I'll find out when I hit "post.")

The tip to bring something to save your knitting if it should become necessary to lose the needles is a thoughtful one, I think.

This thread makes me want to go get some bamboo or plastic needles for myself :-) for my next flight. Are bamboo better than plastic?