We spent last week in New York City, and had a fabulous time. While packing for the trip, I knew I wanted to take a little knitting project to keep my mind and hands busy during the in-betweens of airports and cafes–it had to be something I could carry easily, that would tuck into a corner of my bag without much weight or space. At first I thought I might finally learn to knit delicate cotton lace–the sort of thing that would edge a petticoat. But not really requiring petticoat lace at this moment (alas), I decided instead on this cute “shawlette” I found on Ravelry. It uses one tiny skein of super-soft lace weight yarn that rolls up smaller than a tennis ball, and circular needles that also roll up, so there are no straight needles sticking out of your purse. I whipped up a little drawstring bag (directions here) just the right size to carry the materials, and the pattern–printed small, and cut down. I got a bit of the project started before I left so I wouldn’t have to do the inevitable mathematics of casting-on and first rows on the airplane. Perfect!
It doesn’t have to be knitting. Tuck a tiny portion of any project into a little bag –drawing, watercolor, a bit of sewing, writing, even drop-spindle spinning–and take it with you. We can be ready to create with ease wherever we are, without lugging a ton of stuff.
How do you make your creativity portable?
And yes, knitting needles are allowed on the plane…
I always bring knitting on the plane with me, even bigger projects. It is such a great stress reliever, not to mention a very productive use of time. I love your idea of making a special bag for small knits. I’ll have to make one before my next flight.
This is great timing! I’m packing for a trip right now and Citron has been in my queue for quite a while. I just finished Chinook (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chinook-scarf) and loved knitting it for many of the same reasons you mentioned.
You’ll love Citron–easy and pretty. I’m using the suggested Malabrigo lace–SO soft. Chinook looks pretty–did you use cotton viscose, as she suggests? Curious–I would rather use wool/alpaca.
I haven’t done any knitting for so long – too busy writing in the evenings instead, plus currently hand rearing a lamb. However, you’ve spurred me into action. I must start something small and simple that I can pick up and put down easily. Love the bag fabric!
A lamb! I’m jealous. But yes–I think simplicity and mobility are keys to creativity…enjoy.
Love it! I want to go to the fabric store right now and find some cute fabrics! And ribbons! I’ll just tell Sten that I’m going to the bank and running some errands….
Ha! Can I come? I’ll contrive some mysterious problem with my violin and leave it with Sten to keep him extra-busy. He’ll never know…
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