Meet Jorge! It would be a cliche to call him curious, but he is watchful. On any given day, he sits on my TV stand, watching the hummingbirds dance outside my window. He was born on a cross-country flight from Santa Ana to Atlanta, and he dreams about one day returning to the clouds…

As the weather warms up and the summer holidays come, many of us will be packing our bags and heading on vacation. And of course, some of us (myself included!) travel regularly as part of their work. In either case, taking a good knitting/crochet project with you is a great way to reduce stress and feel productive, even during delays. Here are some tips for a successful, craftsy trip:

Know what to bring (and what to leave at home)

If you’re travelling by plane, security rules limit what you can bring with you. The good news – if you’re traveling from the United States, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) explicitly allows knitting needles and crochet hooks:

Of course, not all agents are familiar with the current rules, so don’t take heirloom needles or expensive interchangeable sets, on the off chance they get confiscated.

Next, you’ll probably need something to cut yarn with. You can try using your teeth (no, don’t actually do this!), or even better, get a pair of Fiskar Travel Scissors.

These babies fold up, look non-threatening, and measure under the TSA’s 4″ size limit for scissors. They also cut surprisingly well!

For weaving in ends, I like to use a large, blunt, plastic tapestry needle. That way, I don’t have to worry about losing it, or pricking myself reaching into my bag.

Try not to carry too much else. You’re already travelling with your clothes and other gear, so less is more!

Choose simple projects

Between getting to the airport/station on time, security lines, and uncertain schedules, your travel days are already pretty stressful. Don’t aggravate yourself further by choosing a complicated stitch pattern or project you’ve never tried before. Stick to simple things, such as amigurumi, accessories (hats, scarves, etc), or blankets.

There’s something therapeutic about knitting/crochet a simple project in public – your mind is locked in the present, half-observing your hands, half-observing the world around you. I feel more connected to my journey, than if I simply started watching a movie.

Keep your workspace simple

Travelling may involve long waits or delays, but there are times when you might have to move quickly. Your zone has been called to board the aircraft, for example, or your child suddenly decides she needs the bathroom. Be prepared to have to put your work away quickly.

In practice, for me that means keeping my working yarn and project gear in a Ziploc inside my backpack. I keep a stitch holder (for crochet) at the ready. When I need to go, I transfer my working loop (crochet) to a stitch holder, shove it in the Ziploc, and get going. When I’m settled again, my yarn isn’t tangled, my project is clean, and I’m ready to pick up where I left off:

My ultra-minimal knit/crochet travel setup.

And finally, one last mini-tip – don’t forget to enjoy the journey! Every place brings with it an entirely new vibe, and you never know who you’ll run into or meet.