When there’s a little space left in your carryon, what do you bring? More snacks or more crafts? It’s a tricky question!
I’ve tried a wide variety of crafts on airplanes and long car trips. These are, I think, the 5 best crafts for traveling.
They’re portable, unlikely to get you in trouble with TSA, and generally do-able while sleep deprived!
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Top 5 Best Crafts for Traveling
Kumihimo
Kumihimo is my absolute favorite travel craft!
It’s so easy to pack up a basic foam disk and shove it in your bag, plus simple patterns are very easy to follow when you’re tired for a mind-numbingly long trip. I usually stand in place in the foot space of my seat on airplanes (when there’s enough space overhead and the fasten seatbelt sign is off!) and kumi braid the night away when we fly to the Mainland.
It’s also a great conversation starter – other passengers and flight attendants frequently ask what I’m making. For a quick look at my favorite kumi braid and tips on how to braid more quickly, stop by this post.
Crochet
Simple, small crochet projects can work well in cars and planes.
If possible, bring bamboo or plastic crochet hooks to minimize the chance of having anything confiscated at security.
Unless you have awesome eyesight, you may want to stick to projects that use larger hooks and yarn while traveling – amigurumi is cute, but it can be hard to see! I’ve successfully crocheted one of the beanies from this Craftsy class on basic crocheting in the round on a plane.
Knitting
Knitting can be a good travel craft, especially if you use circular needles.
Again, simpler projects are best. Knitting needles are typically allowed on US flights, but I recommend sticking with plastic or wood needles if at all possible. Of course, if you’re in a car you won’t have to worry about this restriction! My husband and I always use our Knitpicks interchangeable circular needles on flights (and for basically every project, really) because they’re awesome!
- INTERCHANGEABLE NEEDLES: The ultimate in knitting versatility, this Knit Picks Interchangeable Needle set allows you to easily create dozens of...
- INCLUDED: Set includes 9 pairs of 4.75" long interchangeable wood needle tips in US sizes 4-11 (3.5mm - 8mm), 4 green cables (2 each in 24" and 32"...
- CONVENIENT CARRYING CASE: A flexible 9" x 5.5" vinyl case with a snap shut closure neatly stores all of the included needles and accessories
Smaller projects, or projects that can be broken into pieces, work better than, for example, knitting an entire blanket. That would take up pretty much your whole carryon! Though planes are usually cold, so maybe it’s not such a bad project, after all. Hmmm… 😉
If you’re not sure how to knit, you can check out free classes on Craftsy! They’re one of my main go-to sites for learning new skills.
Small Weaving Projects
Small weaving looms and weaving tablets can fit on your tray table (or lap) and are also certain to start up a conversation with your seat mates!
Looms like this 16″x12″ lap loom are probably about the maximum for planes, though you might be able to fit something larger in your family car. I haven’t personally tried it (yet!), but this beanie weaving loom and kit would probably be a good travel choice.
Finger weaving projects are also a great choice, and can be a great substitute for knitting if you’re nervous about knitting needles on a plane or in a car. The book Knitting Without Needles has an amazing variety of projects. The book’s author also has a variety of finger knitting projects, and a tutorial video, on her blog Flax & Twine.
- Roll up your sleeves and get ready to knit using your fingers and forearms! So much fun, so fast, and so trendy, the 30 patterns in this book bring...
- Weil, Anne (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Friendship Bracelets
Remember making colorful friendship bracelets in middle school?
A friendship bracelet is very portable and it’s easy to cut all your floss at home! Grab an inexpensive package of embroidery floss bobbins, measure out the floss you’ll need at home, then wind it on to the bobbins to keep everything tidy and contained on your trip. Don’t forget to add a little extra length just in case! You can always trim off excess later, but it’s a real bummer to find out your bracelet is an inch short at the end of your floss.
Has it been a while since 6th grade? This tutorial from PearlSoho will refresh your memory on how to make friendship bracelets. Other smaller macrame projects are great choices, too!
Cross Stitch + Other Counted Thread Embroidery
Okay, okay, this is number 6! But I couldn’t resist. In general, I find sewing difficult in planes and cars, but cross stitch and other counted stitch embroidery can work while traveling, especially if you’re using a large weave cloth.
It’s easy to find cute and relatively easy cross stitch kits online and in craft stores. There are also lots of free, cute cross stitch patterns online, like these pineapples from Imagine Ggnats.
What about other crafts?
I’ve also attempted watercolor painting, drawing, zen doodling, and coloring on planes. They…aren’t the best choices.
All can work wonderfully on the ground, whether you’re on a layover or on vacation, but they don’t lend themselves well to the constant vibrating and jostling you usually experience with a car or plane. I’m also not a big fan of sewing while in transit – I find it very difficult to look at.
Can you bring scissors on a plane?
The TSA generally allows scissors with blunt tips and blades less than 4″ in your carry on (source), but please remember that individual agents may not actually know their own rules and have discretion, anyway.
If you’re particularly attached to your scissors and couldn’t stand to see them in the trash bin, consider bringing a self addressed + stamped mailer to the airport with you. There are bins near security where you can mail prohibited items instead of throwing them away.
If you only anticipate needing to cut thread or narrow yarn, consider bringing a small, but powerful, pair of nail clippers with you. You’d be surprised how well they can work as a substitute!
Concerned about fitting your crafts in your carry on?
Make sure to download my carry on size cheat sheet! This handy quick reference gives the carry on luggage size and weight allowed by 21 popular airlines (plus a couple quick reference tips on the TSA liquids rule).
These choices are my top, tried and true, picks for best crafts for traveling. However, I really like some other projects to actually do while I’m away from home, so stay tuned for more fun, travel-sized crafts to do once you reach your destination!
Make sure to Pin this post so you don’t lose track of it!
More travel packing tips
How to fit “more” in your liquids carry-on
Snacks that can make it past TSA
More Related Posts
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BeadedTail
Beading doesn’t work on planes so I usually read. I get car sick so no crafts in the car for me! These certainly are great ideas though!
Natashalh
Trying to bead on a plane sounds like a great recipe for frustration and a headache! I get pretty carsick, too, so I can only really do crafts or read on the interstate.
Splendid Little Stars
great list!
Once I knitted a scarf on a plane, and that got a lot of attention which was rather fun.
Kumi braiding looks interesting. I’ll have to look into that.
These days finds me more often just reading on a plane. But I like to have a transportable, smallish craft with me for when I reach my destination.
Natashalh
A nice conversation with someone on the plane can really help pass the time! I do also read on planes, but sometimes when I’m too tired to concentrate a repetitive craft like kumi braiding can be exactly what I need. (I can never sleep on planes, even the one time I magically got one of those lie flat first class beds!)