Happy Travels – If You Go, Take Your Fiber Project!
Keeley Richardson
Founder and Chief Fiber Officer
When it comes to preparing for a trip, no matter how big or small, planning my travel knitting is pretty close to the top of my “To-do List”. I was recently thrown into a tailspin when I realized a two-week trip to Europe was fast approaching, and I had not made any firm decisions about which project/projects to take. This was the first two-week vacation that I had taken in ages and included: a ten hour flight to England, a two hour flight to Spain, a four hour train ride across Spain, a two hour flight to Frankfurt, and a ten hour flight back to Seattle. That’s a lot of potential knitting time, not to mention lots of guilt free knitting opportunities throughout the two weeks–it was going to be a vacation after all.
This was my packing list:
- 2 skeins of fingering + 2 skeins of mohair for a Love Note Sweater
- 1 skein of sport weight to make a Nova Scarf (this month’s Yarn Test Kitchen project)
- 1 skein of DK for a cowl project
- 1 skein of sock yarn for summer ankle socks
Did my knitting plans come to fruition? No. I’m halfway through my Love Note having ripped it back when I realized it was too big. I only completed the Nova Scarf (a fabulous airplane project). Was it worth carrying all this yarn to Europe and back? Yes. Too much yarn, rather than too little is a maxim I live by.
This whole travel episode got me thinking about packing fiber projects for future journeys, and all the useful questions to ask yourself while making plans: How long is your journey time and how much time can you dedicate to knitting when you get there? Where will you be knitting? How much space do you have in your suitcase? How much space do you need to leave to bring back tourist skeins? (A very important question).
As so often happens when it comes to yarn related questions, I turned to some of my dear fiber friends to ask them what advice they would offer to a fiber lover packing for travel. Here is what they came up with–A Woolpack Guide to Travel Knitting if you will:
“One skein, circulars, not DPNs. Variegated yarn for interest in lieu of extensive pattern, cable etc. I think the beauty of travel knitting is keeping your hands busy while your eyes feast on new sights.” Liz C.
“For me always a sock on magic loop, and the bottom of a fingering weight top down tee, or sweater after the exciting parts of the yoke are done and it’s easy peasy stockinette.” Jacqui H.
“I highly recommend small snips, and to pack an extra set of needle tips in your suitcase. I started using a wrist ball holder for my yarn on the plane.” Imene K.
“Having been on trips to beautiful destinations but without a great LYS and a suddenly finished project, I now allow myself two small projects, just in case. One is always themed to the trip, a Disney cowl at Disney, an ocean wave stitch on a cruise, or a design evoking the activities or location. I once did the All Squared Up Shawl with each square in the colors of the flags of each country.” Kristen K.
“It’s often nice to make something you know you can complete and get to wear towards the end of your trip, particularly in the colder months. Maybe a hat or a cowl during a Fall or Winter vacation.” Jennifer P.
And if you are still undecided on what to pack, and you’re looking for rather lovely travel project inspiration, here are a few tried and tested suggestions from friends of The Woolpack:
The Outline Tee by Jessie Maed
“It’s going to take about 800yds of a summer weight yarn, stockinette, separating for front panels. I could see this being challenging enough to be entertaining without having to pack lots of yarn. I’m making mine in Lamb & Kid’s new Porch yarn.” Blair D.
Sea Whisper Cowl by Jennifer Shields Toland
“A one skein wonder. If you don’t mind crowding your needles, it’s just one needle as well. The Guernsey pattern keeps the mind engaged on a flight. It has both written instructions and charts. I have made three and thinking about it, I might make another.” Jennifer P.
“It’s my go-to for traveling and I usually use yarn I bought during a different trip.” Imene K.
Roll Neck Tank by Hannah Singleton
“This has no ribbing, so no need to bring multiple needles. Small enough to easily carry around, tons of mindless stockinette, plus it’s usually 2 skeins of DK which feels like a reasonable souvenir buy for me.” Caitlyn W.
“We just pulled in from Whistler last night. This was my travel knitting. Very pretty fabric, interesting, didn’t take up a lot of room, quickly memorized/didn’t need to cart the pattern around with me.”Janell M.
“Beanies are my favorite travel knitting. Portable, don’t have to think too much about the pattern, and usually only needs one skein of yarn. Classic Rib Beanie, Oslo and All Ways Hat are good pattern options.” Jenn
Half and Half Triangles Wrap by Purl Soho
“For my trip to Italy last summer I took the Purl Soho Half and Half Wrap. It was perfect! I knew it would be a long project, so I didn’t need to bring another. It was miles of garter stitch, so my hands could stay busy while my eyes and brain wandered. It also served as a lap blanket on the freezing cold plane and a pillow, folded up in a pinch.” Michelle F.
As a footnote to my earlier travel yarn confession, despite carrying so much yarn across the globe, I still left enough room for a couple of tourist skeins. I visited the most beautiful yarn store called All You Knit is Love, in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and came away with two beautiful skeins hand dyed by the owner–a fingering and a mohair. On my return home I cast on a lightweight, no nonsense, simple triangle shawl that will let the beauty of the yarn shine through. I’m going freestyle with this one. Perhaps this is a perfect travel project? I’ll let you know.
