5 Crafts to Enjoy While Traveling

Crafters who travel frequently, whether for business or pleasure, know that the down time of waiting in airports and sitting on long flights can be wonderfully valuable for gleaning some quality crafting time. Not all crafts are created equal when it comes to travel though, and some are much better suited for the confines of a narrow airplane seat than others. Here is my top five list of skills that make good travel crafting.

1. Embroidery, Cross Stitch, and Needlepoint

Embroidery can be accomplished with supplies that take up very little space. In general, you need only fabric, hoop, needle and thread. My personal preference is for free hand embroidery, since the pattern is printed or drawn directly on the fabric, and I don't have to have a chart to keep track of and refer to while I'm traveling, making a good candidate for travel crafting.

2. Knitting

Knitting is another craft that doesn't require much extra paraphernalia, needing only yarn and needles. A circular needle is very easy to use on a flight, since it's not going to poke anyone next to you like standard needles can, or fall out and roll to the back of the plane, like double pointed needles might. Circular needles can be used for either flat knitting or knitting in the round.

3. Tatting

Tatting is a very compact craft. I have found that I can easily carry my shuttle and entire project in a pocket, ready to be taken out when I have the spare time to work. I do have to be careful not to make the thread coming off my shuttle so long that I have to reach very far to make the knots, making sure to avoid invading the space of anyone next to me. I enjoy tatting very much, and would recommend it to anyone who would like to learn a portable craft suitable to travel crafting.

4. Crochet

Crochet is a good travel craft, requiring only a hook and yard or thread and a pattern if one is needed. A lot of time, a pattern can be memorized, so even that is unnecessary. Granny squares are a good example. Not only is no pattern needed to make them once the method is learned, they are small and easy to store until they are joined to make a throw or blanket, making this a perfect craft for travel.

5. Felt Appliqué

Felt appliqué projects are whimsical, cute, and easy enough for children to learn to do as well. All the pieces should be cut ahead of time and stored in a baggie according to project to avoid bring scissors onto a flight. After the felt has been cut, though, the only tools needed for a felt appliqué project are a needle and thread. Some people may also desire a hoop, depending on the size of the project and the techniques used.

When choosing a craft for travel, it is best to avoid those that require special or dangerous equipment, can be messy or damaging, or need small parts or pieces that are easily lost or can roll away. I have done all five of these crafts while traveling, have truly enjoyed having them along, and have never worried that they're not appropriate for my surroundings when traveling.