Knitting Needles and Security
 

Mrs. BearX220 and I will shortly do SEA-FRA-DUB-PHL-SEA (LH as far as DUB, thence US) and she would like to have her circular bamboo knitting needles in cabin. She has discovered conflicting wisdom regarding the likelihood of security or airline staff objecting, particularly in the European airports and/or with LH staff. Some reports indicate the needles are forcibly surrendered before boarding. Does anyone have experience or advice? Thanks in advance as always.

As this concerns security issues, please follow the discussion as the thread moves to the apt forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Knitting needles will be confiscated out of security concerns that you will be knitting an afghan... Hah. I crack myself up.

(Can't help with a serious answer to your question but I have seen people knitting on board recently)

My late mother traveled with her knitting and crochet equipment, both domestically and overseas. She never had a problem getting through security in any airport.

When i flew to Mexico about two years ago i was able to bring very small gauge circular knitting needles and two crochet hooks (metal) in hand carry from the US but had to check them from Puerto Vallarta. Online sources seem to indicate that DUB requires checking them. The crochet hooks i had with me had been my grandmother's so i went back to the counter to check them with my bag. I would recommend against bringing needles that she's fond of just in case. Bamboo needles seem to be less of an issue but still may be disallowed. The inconsistency is a pain in the rear.

Very much varies by country/checkpoint IME. Mrs. sbm12 knits as well and we've had issues in MNL, BKK & PTY that I can remember off-hand. Most places haven't cared. FRA was definitely fine more than once.

I also had a corkscrew denied in SIN but they were willing to check it through separately. That was fun.

http://gallery.millerworks.net/photo...-MXBtkQc-S.jpg

Yeah, it looks like a no-go. Mrs. BearX220 found this link:

http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/dubli...-security.html

It lists knitting needles under "items not to pack in hand luggage."

Funny. Lots of knitting going on there.

I've read that some knitters have successfully carried interchangeable bamboo needles in their carry-on. They just take the needles off the cable and store them in a pencil case.

I personally haven't tried it; I just take my knitting on needles that aren't super expensive and put a lifeline through the knitting. That way if they really want the needles, I can slip off the project and stick it back in my bag. The only place I had security look more than once was SIN. I took the needle back from him and poked myself in the finger with it (with obviously no injury). He laughed and waved me through.

Does your wife crochet? For some reason bamboo crochet hooks are seen to be less of a threat than needles.

And, getting on my soapbox for a moment, what could you do with a knitting needle that you couldn't do with a ball point pen? (Besides knit an afghan...) :)