Crochet on the Go: 10 Patterns That Fit in Your Carry-On

If you're flying out for a long weekend, the biggest mistake you could be making is packing a project that's too big or bulky to actually finish on the trip. Hi, if you're new here, my name is Sterling and I'm the artist here behind Cactus Lady Creation. Every week I share my journey as an artist and my insights of running my small handmade business, which I've run for the past nine years.

Recently I headed to my hometown of Dallas, TX for a long weekend, so I wanted to show you what I like to actually pack and what has gotten me through security with zero stress. And I have traveled overseas with this set up as well and have had no issues with security. So I wanted to share some projects to work on while you have idle time while traveling, flying and on the go, as well as share some tips from my experience traveling all of the world as a crochet. 

 

Hooks:

The TSA lists crochet hooks as yes in carry-on and checked bags, but of course it does say “the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.” (TSA) And I have heard a couple cases of people getting their hooks taken away so in order to prevent that, this is what I suggest.  It’s good to stick to traveling with 1-2 hooks at most. Plastic, bamboo or wood are the easiest, as they are non-threatening on x-ray and are the least likely to have TSA, security in your home country or the country you’re traveling to. And If you love metal, like I know I do, it’s good to bring an ergonomic one, not a sharp steel lace hook. 

 

Scissors: 

Now let’s talk about scissors. The TSA lists scissors as totally fine in checked bags, but there are special instructions for carry-on bags. If packed in a carry-on they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point.

So you don’t want to pack fabric shears because those are likely to be taken away in your carry-on. I have even had sewing scissors taken away in my carry-on when I was traveling around in Australia so you don’t want to pack those either. You want to stick to packing tiny blunt-tip snips, a thread cutter pendant or just even nail clippers are good to have. These are the cutters I bring I will link them below, and I have never had a problem with them even when traveling internationally. 

 

Bags & Trinkets: 

Alright now bags and little trinkets. So it’s good to keep and everything in a small zip pouch for hooks, snips, tapestry needles and darning needles that are in a clear tube so they can see it. I have never had trouble with the metal ones but if you want to bring plastic to be safe then that totally makes sense. Now if you’re traveling with stitch markers as well it’s great to have those all organized in a tin, along with soft measuring tape that all fit in that zip pouch. 

Yarn: 

For yarn, you want to stick to either center-pull mini balls or wound cakes in a gallon bag. Nothing that will be rolling down the aisle like I’ve seen so many times on social media, otherwise it will be really unfortunate when grabbing your yarn becomes a bonding experience for the whole plane and will probably end up inevitably on social media this day in age sadly. 

Carry-On Bag: 

And for a carry-on bag to carry everything in, this is the pouch I keep mine in, and I just carry everything in a little carry-on bag like this, I got this one from calpak and love mine, it fits perfectly under the seat and I still have leg room which is important especially when you’re on the plane for a really long time, and also sits on top of my suitcase very easily while I’m walking. 

 

Lighting: 

Alright now for lighting, of course there are overhead lights when you are on the plane, but if you like to have other options and like having a little light on you this is the light I like to have. You can also control the temperature if you want a more cool or warm toned like, and you can control the brightness too, what I really love about it also is that the charge lasts a long time, and you can easily plug it in to your laptop or to the wall to charge it before you travel. 

Alright so I’ll also share some really fun patterns that I think are great to make while you’re on the plane. All of these are really simple, beginner friendly, so no complex stitching and you can make them really quickly, and they are small and fit in your bag easily. And all of these patterns are free as well which is great, and you can find exact links to each one on my blog which will also be linked below. 

 

 

Basic Granny Square by Crochet 365 Knit Too, see the pattern here. 

First is this basic granny square by crochet 365 knit too. These don’t take much yarn to make. You can make a bunch with one skein of yarn even, and connect them all together to make a throw blanket or pillow to even travel along with. This pattern is really straight-forward too, and easy to memorize, once you make it once or twice you’ll remember how to make it, which we love. 

Next is the crochet twisted ear warmer by Viv Crochets. This one is perfect for cold weather and is the perfect project as a beginner because it’s quite small and easy to make. It only uses a single stitch too, and it only takes 30 grams of yarn to make which is about a 1/3 of the loops and threads impeccable yarn skein that they used here. This one also has a video tutorial which is helpful if you’re more visual. It measures 8.5 cm wide by 48 cm long before sewing and the special stitch they used to make it is the herringbone half double crochet. If you’re like me, I always get hot when the plane before take off and need to have like no layers on and then as soon as the plane takes off I am freezing, so this pattern would also be great to actually use after you finish it on the plane to stay warm. 

Another ear warmer is this Madeline Headband Ear Warmer by Furls Crochet. This one uses simple stitches and also less than one skein of yarn, it’s a quick and easy pattern to whip up, and is perfect for gift giving even, it’s free on their website. It measures 9 long inches by 3.25 inches wide. Special stitches it uses are the single crochet 3 together and there are different sizes from infant to adult so you can even whip one up for everyone in the family or give as gifts. 

I also like this beginner coaster by Bella Coco Crochet. Once complete is is 13 cm in diameter, and the special stitches are the treble crochet. This one would work up quite quickly and also has a video tutorial, and they make great gifts as well and are easy to make while on the go. 

Another great pattern is the easy bookmark with tassel by Jo to the World. This one is beginner friendly and can be made in under 30 minutes. The main stitch it uses is the moss stitch or also called the linen stitch. It creates a bookmark that is 2 inches wide by 7 inches high, and makes a great gift for any book lover as well. 

Reusable Face Scrubbies by Sarah Maker, see the pattern here. 

These reuseable cotton crochet face scrubbies by Sarah Maker are also a great make. They are easy and quick to make as well as washable, reusable and perfect to add to an eco-friendly skincare routine. They are absorbent and gently exfoliating, and perfect to travel with because once you know the pattern you can create a bunch of them quickly and then use them while you travel or pair them with some fun soap that you’ve found while traveling and it would make a great gift. 

This cup cozy by A Crafty Concept is also a fun pattern. The only special stitch is the puff stitch decrease and working Into the back loop only. It’s quite tall and wide at 4.5 inches, and these are really nice to have and use for water bottles or coffee cups even while you’re traveling, and this one is a written pattern on their blog. 

Another lovely pattern is the scrunchie by Jo to the World. This one is easy level and requires a hair elastic to create it and it has a diameter of 2 inches. It’s really simple to make and beginner friendly and it’s easy to whip up a bunch of these and package a few of them together as a gift or even use them yourself as you’re traveling. 

Boho Sunglasses Pounch by Eye Love Knots, see the pattern here. 
If you’re going to the mountains to ski or even a beach resort this next one is handy and it is the boho sunglasses pouch by Eyelove Knots, the special stitches are the bobble stitch. To really finish it off you can also add fabric lining, which there are detailed instructions on how to do. This would be a great one to use scrap fabric for too. 

Glasses Case by Kaper Crochet, see the pattern here. 

And the next great pattern to make are the glasses case for purse or backpack by Kaper Crochet. This one is great if you don’t want to add lining and is quick to work up and made in the round and drawstrings are added to finish it off. And these are perfect to whip up in one session while on the go. 

Well what did you think of these patterns and traveling with crochet tips? Let me know if you have any other ones to add as well in the comments. Well thank you for watching and I hope you’ll join me in the next one.