Can You Bring Knitting Needles On A Plane? (through TSA)

Flying
credit: Yay

Do you want to do some knitting on your next flight? It can be extremely difficult to pass the time while on a long flight, and knitting and other crafts is one way to keep you occupied during the flight. However, can you bring knitting needles on a plane?

According to TSA guidelines, you can bring knitting needles in your hand luggage. However, most European flights prohibit brining knitting needles in your hand luggage. You may bring knitting needles in your checked baggage on any flight. You may also bring as much wool as you like.

Related:
Can You Bring Crochet Hooks through TSA?
Can You Bring Sewing Needles through TSA?
Can You Bring Scissors On A Plane? (through TSA)
Can You Bring Tweezers On A Plane? (through TSA)

May You Bring Knitting Needles In Your Hand Luggage?

You can bring knitting needles in your hand luggage on American flights. However, your knitting needles must be wrapped securely, so they don’t harm the security officers or inspectors. While the TSA doesn’t specify which knitting needles you can bring, you are recommended to bring wooden needles instead of metal ones.

Although the TSA allows passengers to bring knitting needles in their hand luggage, most European countries do not. Therefore, it’s recommended that you leave your knitting needles at home when flying to Europe unless the airport states otherwise. Bring wooden ones if you can fly with knitting needles in a European country.

Can You Bring Knitting Needles In Your Checked Baggage?

You are welcome to bring knitting needles in your checked baggage, regardless of which country you are flying to. While there isn’t any limit on how many needles you can bring in your checked baggage, passengers should take care to pack them carefully so they don’t damage any other items in their luggage.

It also isn’t specified what type of needles you can bring in your checked baggage. Therefore, you may bring wood, bamboo, or steel needles.

Can You Bring Crochet Needles On A Plane?

Crochet needles are subject to the same rules as knitting needles. Therefore, when flying in the USA, you can bring them in your hand luggage and checked baggage. However, when flying in Europe, you may not be allowed to bring crochet needles in your hand luggage and must store it in your checked baggage instead.

When flying with crochet needles, you must pack the sharp ends of the needles securely, so they don’t injure other passengers, airport security agents, or inspectors.

How Must You Package Knitting Needles?

When traveling in America, you must ensure that your knitting needles aren’t exposed where they can harm inspectors or airport security. Therefore, you must sheathe or cover the needle points to protect others from getting injured.

Suppose the airport security officers get injured when handling your knitting needles. In that case, they may deem them dangerous and refuse to let you bring them on board.

You can roll your knitting needles up in some fabric or wool. Alternatively, you can tie the needles together with some elastics and place them in the bottom of your bag. However, you will likely have to take them out through airport security. Therefore, ensure they cannot stab anyone when you take them out.

Can You Fly With Knitting Needles In Europe?

Because Europe doesn’t have a standardized airport security guideline like the TSA in America, there isn’t a set rule about whether you can bring knitting needles on a flight in Europe or not. So instead, the decision is up to each country and airport.

Therefore, it’s best to contact the airport you’re flying from directly to see if they’ll allow you to bring your knitting needles in your hand luggage. However, even if you contact the airport, the decision is ultimately up to the security officers.

If they consider your knitting needles potentially dangerous, they won’t allow you to fly with them. Therefore, your safest option is to keep your knitting needles in your checked baggage, where you shouldn’t have any problems bringing them on the plane.

How Do You Bring Knitting Needles Through Airport Security?

You shouldn’t have any problems bringing your knitting needles into your checked baggage. In addition, you should also be able to bring your knitting needles in your hand luggage when flying in the USA. However, remember to pack them securely and be prepared to take them out for additional checks at the airport.

However, you may take your chances bringing knitting needles in your hand luggage in Europe. But chances that your needles will be confiscated at airport security are high. To avoid this, you can bring your knitting needles in your checked baggage or leave them at home.

How Do You Bring Knitting Needles Through TSA?

You shouldn’t have problems bringing your knitting needles through TSA, as their guidelines state that knitting needles are allowed as hand luggage. However, you may be subject to additional security checks. Therefore, passengers are advised to bring wood or plastic knitting needles in their hand luggage to make these checks go by quicker.

These won’t set off any alarms. On the contrary, steel knitting needles will set off alarms during airport security checks. Therefore, to avoid long waits and additional security checks, passengers are recommended to bring wood or plastic knitting needles instead if possible.

Furthermore, passengers should remember to wrap their knitting needles securely to avoid injuring airport security when they remove the needles from their bags for inspection.

Although TSA guidelines state that knitting needles are allowed onboard, the decision is ultimately up to the airport security officer. They may confiscate the needles if they feel they are a potential safety risk.

Can You Knit On A Plane?

Passengers are allowed to knit on the plane when flying in the USA. However, you are recommended to consider your fellow passengers and not make them uncomfortable by bumping them while knitting. Don’t hold your knitting needles in a way that may seem threatening to anyone onboard.

Furthermore, suppose a flight attendant asks you to put the knitting needles away because they deem them dangerous to other passengers on the plane. In that case, you must comply with their request.

Finally, suppose the “fasten seatbelt” light turns on during the flight. In that case, you must secure the knitting needles or pack them away to avoid accidents in case of turbulence.

How Much Wool Can You Bring On A Plane?

Another critical component you need for knitting is wool. Fortunately, there aren’t any restrictions on how much wool you can bring on a flight, either in your checked baggage or hand luggage. Therefore, the only restriction is the weight limit of your checked baggage and hand luggage.

You can also bring as much wool as you like in your hand luggage or checked baggage when traveling in Europe. However, while you can freely travel with as much wool as you like, it doesn’t mean that you can bring knitting needles on the plane as well.