Lion Brand Notebook ®
This time of year, traveling with crafts is something we hear about (and see around us) all the time. What better way to pass the time while waiting in line, taking long flights or car trips, or enjoying the weather at the beach or by the pool?
Your project bag will hold everything you need for crafting, so take your time choosing the right one for you. Your bag will carry the patterns, tools, writing implements, yarn cutter/scissors and, of course, your yarn. Keeping everything secure and organized won’t be daunting with these tips:
Choose bags with drawstring, snap or magnetic closures. Bags like these will close and open easily for quick access, and won’t damage your yarn. Steer clear of zippers and Velcro, closures like these are notorious for snagging yarn or damaging it beyond repair.
Smaller bags will be easier to carry and manage while you travel. When you’re choosing your project, keep in mind that something smaller will fit better into a small bag and be more manageable to work on. You can always pack more yarn and projects in with your suitcase, so you can grab a new project when you arrive at your destination!
A lined or woven bag will help keep your supplies secure. Woven bags or bags with woven linings have a tight enough weave that small tools or finding won’t slip out and be lost during your travels. Open, meshy bags should be avoided unless you put a lining inside them or carry an addition tool-and-findings pouch inside.
Extra pockets will help keep all your supplies in order. Internal or secure external pockets with closures are perfect for tools, findings and stowing your patterns. Bags with multiple pockets of different sizes are a special bonus!
Slip your pattern into a plastic sleeve or pattern protector that folds into your bag before you head off on your journey. You never know what kind of spills or storms may sneak up on you, and this will protect it from most hazards!
Most of all, remember to choose a bag that you really enjoy carrying. Let yourself fall in love with a specific fabric print, or experiment with different handles and closures until you find just the right match. You’ll get years of use out of a great project bag, so take your time choosing one that’s just right for you!
Bonus tip: Make a photocopy of your pattern and pack it in your luggage in case your original copy goes on its own little vacation. That way you’ll have a back-up copy just in case. If your pattern comes from a book, make a photocopy to carry around with you (it’s lighter and much easier to manage).
Click here to see great examples of project bags as well as hook and needle totes here, on LionBrand.com.
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Lori
“When *you’re* choosing your project…”
jk
You suggest making a photocopy of the working pattern to use if the original gets lost, but I wonder why bring the original at all? I always make two copies of my working pattern so I can scribble notes, cross off rows, etc, on one. I almost always spill something on my working pattern, but I always have my back-up copy for when the first becomes too damaged. And, my original is still clean and fresh.
Aquarianurse
I’d like to know how I can get by with bringing my tools, ie; crochet hook on an airplane? Do they really still allow this?
Scomos
go to http://www.tsa.gov and print out the page entitled “Transporting Knitting Needles and Needlepoint” so that just in case you get an over zealous security agent you can show them the regulations. I’ve carried my knitting several times and never even been asked about it. I carry wooden needles and they’re always with my project. Hope this helps!
Aquarianurse
Thanks, I printed out that page, I always use a small scissors if I need to cut yarn and yarn tapestry needles for joining or threading yarn ends, along with crochet hooks…I’m thinking crochet hooks could do a lot less damage than knitting needles in the wrong hands but they didn’t mention those specifically, so I guess I’ll see how it goes. Thanks again, I’ve really missed my crocheting on those flights!!!
Jessica
The only time I’ve ever had an issue with knitting needles is when flying internationally. Leaving the US gave me no problems, but I was told to get rid of them when I was returning from abroad.
Aquarianurse
I’d like to know how I can get by with bringing my tools, ie; crochet hook, etc. on an airplance. Do they really still allow this?
charmom15
Yes, it’s allowed. Even a small pair of scissors is ok.