Any Problems with Knitting Needles
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2008
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Any Problems with Knitting Needles
I know this may sound like an odd question, but can anyone tell me if they have had problems traveling with knitting needles in China, specifically knitting needles being taken away? I am an avid knitter and am planning on bringing some knitting with me while my husband and I are in China. He will have meetings and I may want to pass time knitting or during some of our traveling from city to city. I have heard horror stories from friends traveling in South America and some parts of Europe. I personally had no trouble on our trips in or out of Paris, Brussels or London.
#2
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I also carried knitting needles to China. But only in my checked-in luggage, not in carry on.
But noticed that some passengers do carry them and knit in the plane. Also saw ladies doing cross-stitch and other embroidery.
Have a great trip.
But noticed that some passengers do carry them and knit in the plane. Also saw ladies doing cross-stitch and other embroidery.
Have a great trip.
#4
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Thank you. I knit to pass time, people watch and relax.
The needles I am taking are 4" wooden tips (and 6" clear acrylic) that screw onto cord. So even if they take the needles at security, I won't lose my actual project. Replacing the tips would be less than $10 a set.
I find knitting has bridged many language and cultural differences. I knit in Amiens, France just in a park while DH had business meetings and ended up having a brief conversation with several people. (My french was halting but it did not matter.) Knitters are very friendly people and children just like to touch soft yarn. That needs no translation. Knitting also gives me a chance to observe people which is one of the joys of traveling from my point of view. That and it makes delays easier to take.
I do appreciate the advice about checking needles when flying in China or departing from there. I want no trouble. Everything I am taking can be replaced eventually
The only time I had trouble with security and knitting needles was at Universal Studios in Florida. On the third day entering the park, a security guard wanted to take my needles from me. On the first day I had a long conversation with the female guard about what stitches I was using and the second day there had been no problem so I was puzzled. I was not going to ruin our vacation arguing. It was my husband who made the fuss. He pointed out the needles were smaller than pencils and that if TSA let me keep them on a plane an amusement park had little to fear from me and my little wash cloth I was making. Another security guard finally overruled the first and I brought my knitting into the park.
The needles I am taking are 4" wooden tips (and 6" clear acrylic) that screw onto cord. So even if they take the needles at security, I won't lose my actual project. Replacing the tips would be less than $10 a set.
I find knitting has bridged many language and cultural differences. I knit in Amiens, France just in a park while DH had business meetings and ended up having a brief conversation with several people. (My french was halting but it did not matter.) Knitters are very friendly people and children just like to touch soft yarn. That needs no translation. Knitting also gives me a chance to observe people which is one of the joys of traveling from my point of view. That and it makes delays easier to take.
I do appreciate the advice about checking needles when flying in China or departing from there. I want no trouble. Everything I am taking can be replaced eventually
The only time I had trouble with security and knitting needles was at Universal Studios in Florida. On the third day entering the park, a security guard wanted to take my needles from me. On the first day I had a long conversation with the female guard about what stitches I was using and the second day there had been no problem so I was puzzled. I was not going to ruin our vacation arguing. It was my husband who made the fuss. He pointed out the needles were smaller than pencils and that if TSA let me keep them on a plane an amusement park had little to fear from me and my little wash cloth I was making. Another security guard finally overruled the first and I brought my knitting into the park.
#5
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Just returned from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Babgkok and had no issue taking one set of knitting needles. I would not take multiple sets in carry on luggage. The only time I had a problem was coming home from Israel. No problem going o Isreal but on the way home on the stop in Amsterdam they took them away. I think it was a new agent that just was not sure so took them