Hi everybody,
I’ve recently flown within the US with my knitting with absolutely no problem. However, I’m flying to Europe next month, and I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with international flights. Has anyone tried to take their knitting needles with them recently?
Thanks in advance for any input! 
I just got back from Denmark and knitted all the way there and back. I “checked” my options and used bamboo circs to knit while on the planes. I love airplane knitting … it makes the time go so quickly!
I’m not allowed … :pout: they won’t let them through security :verysad: that’s London Heathrow.
[COLOR=olive]This post’s Swedish word/phrase: “det är inte tillåtet att sticka på svenska flyg” = “Knitting is not allowed on Swedish flights”
_____[/COLOR]
I tried bringing my knitting on a plane flying domestic in Sweden in November last year but was denied. I had to change planes in Arlanda (Stockholm) and saw two women knitting while waiting for the same plane as I did… :shrug: :grrr:
I’ve heard that the standard is to not let knitting on board. Maybe these women were better looking than I am? Or had understanding women checking them through security? :shrug: :teehee:
What about plastic needles? I don’t see how those could be seen as any more dangerous than a ball point pen…
I recently flew to Spain (through France). I was allowed to take the needles on the way there (both legs of the flight), but not allowed to have them on the return flight. Not sure why, but knitting needles were specifically disallowed in a list on a sticker when we checked in for our return flight in Madrid. Just keep your baggage that you’re planning to check with you until you find out – that way you can stash them quickly if you need to!!
I am travelling to the UK next week and i would die if i have to sit on a plane for 8 hours and not be able to knit maybe i should call the airline and ask ? yeah i think i’ll call May be you can try doing that as well or checking they website…
I wouldn’t risk it if you are travelling to the UK. I travelled through there in April and they are very tough on security regulations. Just in case no one has told you, they will only allow ONE carry one bag. ONE. Not a bag and a purse. Just ONE bag. If you are carrying a bag and a purse they will make you put your purse in your carry on bag or they will have you check one bag. It’s a pain in the behind but that’s what they want and you can’t talk your way past that.
AmandaC says they don’t allow knitting needles and after my experience trying to get through with more than one carry-on (most other places allow you two carry on bags) I would take her word for it.
Best,
Susan
I just got back from Europe last week and they let me take my needles out of the US in to Amsterdam, from Paris to Spain, and out of Spain back to the US. I had wooden needles and a small pair of children’s scissors that had a rounded tips. I didn’t have any problems at all. I would recommend looking over the regulations of the airlines you will be using. I was able to find all of that information on the websites of our airlines. I would also take a stitch holder along just in case your needles are confiscated.
I knit going from Japan to the US, then from Japan to Guam (yes, still part of the US) and next week will be taking my knitting from Japan to Australia. I take it and worry about it then. If you don’t make a big deal about it, usually neither will they, but it all depends on the individuals at the security areas.
I’ve had no problem bringing plastic Denise Interchangables onto flights between US and New Zealand. The problem I’ve had is that traveling with 2 kids under 3 made knitting impossible!
That’s what I was thinking - the Denises. I can sort of see how pointy metal needles might worry security lol.
I’m glad I came across this thread. We are flying to London and then to Paris next week. I was going to bring my Denise needles and a small project. But now I am reconsidering because I would hate for my Denise needles to be confiscated. I wasn’t planning on checking my bag. I’m purposely packing extremely light so I don’t have to check anything. I would hate to have to get out of the secuity line and go back to the ticket desk.
Has anyone ever brought along an envelope with prepaid postage so you could just mail them home to yourself? Is there a mail box somewhere in the airport?
I guess I could just knit some socks. That way if they confiscate my bamboo needles, it wouldn’t be as painful. But I was hoping to knit a tea cozy instead.
I know, I know, my life is so hard.
I have not done this but my mother did. They confiscated a pair of scissors when she went through. I believe the mail drop off for such things is near the security check.
I contacted the airline I will be travelling to london on British Airways and they don’t allow any type of needle onboard so i guess knitting is out of the question… what will I do for 8 hours 
That’s no fun, but I suppose there are all those knitting books.
Hi! I recently flew to and from Spain with two pairs of needles and a big project, and had no problems whatsoever. TSA does say that needles could be seen as a threat, and that bamboo/plastic are preferred over metal.
Happy travels!
i fly with Denise always!! no hassles check with the airline website!!
Regardless of what the individual airlines state, regardless of what others’ experiences have been, always remember that (1) things can change in one day, (2) getting through with ANYTHING depends entirely upon the security person you draw, and (3) you’ll get through more quickly if you act as though you fly everyday and don’t draw attention to yourself.
Once, I was behind two women in the security line, one of whom loudly and pointedly asked a member of security, “my friend crochets. Can she take her needle on board?” I did the Napoleon Dynamite “idiot!” under my breath. :rofling:
hi all,
I travel a lot domestically in Australia and always take my Denise’s with me. I have called the airline who said I can’t take them, but I have never had a problem with them…no one in security has even questioned them.
I do take an envelope with me in case I need to mail them to myself, but this has never happened. I usually take the needles off the cord and put them with my pens.
Also, I have taken them from Australia to New Zealand without any trouble.
Cheers,
Abby