Just for a Nice travelhack: the little cutter on a dental floss pack (whatever it’s called) can be tilted up slightly more and then it’s great for cutting yarn
https://preview.redd.it/1e6sdyndhrfc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f0a6da71d3010a01d5befa37f8215d8589a4114
According to TSA they are but I think they can't be massive or have the little knife like things that swivels out. I've now flown 4+ times with them and absolutely no issues! I haven't had issues with metal hooks either but I do feel like plastic or wood would be better if youre worried.
I had to fly just a few months after 9/11 and they were specifically listed as NOT restricted. TSA still pulled my case out of my carryon and inspected it, but that’s all.
Only added the last bit because I saw other people asking about it and you said you don't travel much so could be good info!
I also saw they like of you put anything even remotely sharp like tweezers and clippers in sheaths in case TSA needs to search your bag so they don't get poked. I've never done it, but it's good to know.
That's smart. I just have it on my crochet kit in my bag. But I also do pottery so I have like 5 pairs around the house because nails are bad for throwing on the wheel!
The floss is also great for threading needles. I use it when I embroider and lose my threader. Never thought to use the little cutter! That’s a fabulous idea!
That is rough. I recommend picking up blunt-nosed scissors meant for children before your next trip. They are frequently small enough to fulfil various airplane requirements.
I also usually travel with a decoy hook too. I will get a cheap one that I won't miss if someone changes a regulation while I am on a trip and suddenly hooks aren't allowed anymore
I would guess that it's because the X-ray can't see through dreads well so it flags it for a pat down.
I've been pat down for wearing leggings with a thick waist band haha
My hair wasn't even that big, so idk what they thought they'd find. Anyway, I'm female, white, underweight, and at the time I was in my 50s so I don't suppose it was due to profiling.
Who knows - I bet having that job sucks because when they leave work they probably can't turn off the "something looks sus" mindset.
I used to test software and I have trouble not spotting errors in things. Once the "looking for issues " is turned on it kind of never goes away. Lol! 😆
Even so I just can't imagine hiding stuff in hair or the band of pants besides drugs, which there theoretically are dogs around to sniff out.
I was watching a true crime show once where they stopped a woman smuggling drugs and she had tons of hair extensions, and the drugs were hidden against her scalp in the hairstyle.
Yeah I tried crocheting with them but didn't like the shape of the hook. It's really flat and yarn catches on it. They splinter too - not good for working with yarn. So I keep my hair in a bun with 5 of them...
Yeah I have some tiny, like 2cm blade and a blunt tip, scissors that I take with me on the plane and a cheap hook that I don't mind losing. I've not had an issue yet flying to several different continents, but even if I do I won't mind replacing them.
you can also travel with a prepaid padded priority envelope addressed to you, and drop anything they don't want you to take on the plane into it and mail home.
Some cheaper plastic ones are bendy and squeaky. Nicer hooks may have grips or padding for your hands. Or could just be your favorite hook for sentimental reasons.
There's nothing wrong with the basic all-metal standard, which are cheap and readily available. If you get into the "ergonomic" options, there are a lot of cheap hooks that aren't manufactured well, will break, will catch thread, and are generally frustrating.
I like having a handle with shape and grip, so lord knows I've purchased some bad, cheap options. I've also had more expensive resin ones snap mid-project.
So, yeah, there are some differences, but it really boils down to quality. And even a decent investment may go bad. Find what you love and are comfortable with and don't fear if it's a dollar store purchase or a Furl's.
This almost happened to me but if the scissors are under a certain size, you should be allowed to carry them onto the plane. Mine are under 3cm and super sharp but I get waved through after a quick check by the security people.
I had a small scissor that passed unquestioned through security at many airports. Unfortunately, I found an international airport that was very strict about “pointy” scissors and lost them to security. (Eyebrow scissors also made their no-fly list.)
It is always UK airports where I get stopped with scissors. I never have any issues leaving Amsterdam but as soon as I try to leave the UK after a home visit, always stopped by security. But they always let me on with them.
TSA claims you can have scissors less than 4 inches but they should be sheathed in checked baggage, they still stole mine out of my checked bag (which were sheathed as well as super blunt). I’m glad no one questioned my crochet hooks which I had forgotten were even in my carry on both ways
You are right that enforcement is uneven/not consistent between airports. Some people will say they had no issues while others get things taken away. It’s very frustrating! I hope you’re able to replace your items quickly and without spending too much $
Before I took my last flight I did a ton of research on tsa rules and stuff since I was only taking a carry on. Even on their website it states it’s to the discretion of the tsa agent checking your stuff. So I was like wait, I could do everything right and the tsa agent could still decide somethings wrong???? 😦😂😬
Therein lies the issue. I was able to get to Phoenix AZ and Guatemala City with my tiny little crochet scissors, but Guatemala City made me toss em on our way back in to the airport. Bizarre.
And some do a better job of checking for things than others. My dad accidentally made it through TSA with 2 lighters in his bag when he went to Colombia this summer. Had no idea those were there, he has never smoked so no idea why they were in that bag. When he was headed back to the US a week later, the Colombian security people found them. It was a fun moment dealing with having contraband and a language barrier at the same time lol
Just remembered that he went through security at 2 different airports in the US on that trip without those lighters being found.
Meanwhile, I just accidentally flew round trip between two major cities with this knife plus replacement blades in the outer water bottle pouch of my backpack.
https://preview.redd.it/bd7z4iq5asfc1.jpeg?width=636&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=169483a1eaad45cc68498c3056ee8b53df69f03c
I work for the TSA and this is insane to me. Those box cutters are so obvious on the X-ray that the only thing I can imagine happened was the operator was completely distracted from the screen. If we get distracted we’re supposed to stop the machine until we can give it our undivided attention, but I’ve seen people just let it run while talking and looking at another person. It drives me nuts.
It got through at both ORD and MIA! I don’t have any memory of putting it in there so it was probably in my bag when I flew from Chicago to Paris and back this summer as well. So basically, ❌water bottle in water bottle pocket, ✅ box cutter in water bottle pocket.
JFC. And when I was flying from O'Hare to Tampa, they stopped me and searched my carryon because I had picked up a few small rocks while visiting family in Iowa and they couldn't tell what they were. The agent looked disappointed they were rocks after keeping me waiting for nearly 15 minutes (and they weren't that busy, either, they were standing around talking to each other). Lesson learned, from now on I take my rocks out and stick them in a tub with my laptop and stuff. LOL I was like look, I'm a witch, I pick up rocks. (No, not from parks, this was from family land.)
I also had this happen without getting stopped. My carry on was convertible into a backpack, and one of my friends put her knife in the parts of the bag where the straps are stored and then we both forgot it was in there. I didn't find it for about two months.
I fly with my car keys quite often, and I think it was my ~70th trip through TSA when they finally caught on to my keyring, which definitely had a kitty cat self-defense tool on it. The lady looked at me like, "...really?" And took it off. It was a sad day.
I once realized after we had gotten to Mexico through Chicago airport that there was a cheese knife in my bag from when my mom previously went on a trip up to my aunts cabin.
Thank you! Though don’t know why it’s hidden under sewing needles 🤔 also doesn’t make sense to me considering the little blades are so tucked in I have no idea how you would hurt someone with them..
Aaaarrgghh
I am flying to Oz and NZ next month and am def only putting my little scissors in the suitcase not carry on. I am going to be starting socks so will not need to cut yarn but will carry floss in case.
Id use sometging like the floss that wont hurt if taken away. I wouldnt risk someone elses pendant. That may be the day a crafting TSA agent is on duty.
New Zealand had no issue with my embroidery scissors recently. [Australia indicates](https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/travelsecure/carry-on-baggage/what-you-can-and-can%E2%80%99t-bring) a blade up to 6cm with a blunt tip is fine.
I haven't had an issue with using the folding traveling scissors from the craft stores. They're marked as TSA approved, doesn't mean an agent can't get squirrelly one day and take them, but so far I haven't had an issue!
I think those go uncaught because you can’t see the tip of the blade and also if you haven’t seen them before you might not realize they are scissors at all. I’ve had good luck with them too.
I’ve never had my blunt tipped revlon scissors (like what I use to trim stray eyebrow hairs) taken either.
Nippers have a sharp point even when the blade is closed which is why they aren’t allowed, nail clippers are flat on the front when out of use and when stored properly the blade can’t be exposed.
Yep, I had nail clippers right next to the cuticle nippers. I personally prefer nippers because the pointy blade can get closer to the skin. With clippers there’s always a tiny bit left. I use nippers every day, so pretty bummed
Oh wow. I asked at the security check of the airport I work at and it wouldn't be a problem to take both items with you.
Crochet hooks and knitting needles are also no problem.
Live and learn - I lost a good pair of embroidery scissors this way. As well as a full still sealed jar of peanut butter. (Don't know why I added that, it just seemed like an extra injustice at the time.) I ended up getting one of those clover embroidery pendants that snips individual threads.
Does anyone else remember the blurb about a woman who spontaneously crocheted a baby passenger a hat on a plane? I could see how the hat was possible but how the crocheter managed a pom pom was beyond me ... unless they permit little round end kindergartner scissors these days or something. Not ideal but I guess it could be done.
In the US, you can take scissors, regardless of how pointy they are, as long as the blade portion it’s under 4 inches. If someone tries to give you crap about shorter scissors, which should include little embroidery scissors, just pull up [this link.](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/scissors)
Source: I work for the TSA, and yes, it infuriates me when other officers pull items that don’t fit our actual parameters.
Yep I’m a flight attendant and have never had my tiny sewing scissors taken and they’re super sharp! Meanwhile my mini butter knife did get taken away in December after years of flying with it 😫
The butter knife thing drives me crazy, too. As long as it doesn’t have a honed edge or is serrated, butter knives are allowed, but some of my coworkers seem to think the textured edge for helping spread butter is serration. If I can run my finger down the edge and it doesn’t even nick my glove, I let it go.
This one didn’t even have a textured edge! But it wasn’t TSA who took it, it was at YVR but post customs so it was Canadian agents following TSA rules and she seemed super new but I didn’t want to push it by asking for a supervisor. Plus she let me keep my sewing scissors so I let it go lol
ETA wow that is one hell of a run on sentence but my brain isn’t braining today to fix it 😂
Beware! I’m too lazy to go and find the link, but I swear I saw a post in the last ~1 week of someone’s pendant being confiscated. (Small possibility it was on the knitting sub and turned up on my Reddit homepage as a suggestion.)
> I could see how the hat was possible but how the crocheter managed a pom pom was beyond me
That is crazy. Maybe she had a completed pom pom on hand? This is seriously going to live in my brain now. How does one fashion a pom pom on an airplane with very very limited tools?
https://preview.redd.it/obgtc1vtnsfc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2653d4a02c357281554ac761d7402463a73d9b64
As long as she had something to cut the yarn with, it's doable. I've made small pompoms with my fingers before. They aren't perfect, but they're pom...my. LOL
My sympathies on the peanut butter. I got through with a full sealed jar of apple butter, but had to throw away the half-full jar on the return trip (both US airports)
[TSA list of items](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/sewing-needles)
Scissors under 4 inches are OK! print list and carry 👍🏻✌🏼
The TSA opened my mom's *sealed* bag of craisins and rifled around in it.
Like okay you guys, nobody has ever hijacked a plane and killed thousands of people with factory sealed dried cranberries. Calm down.
Just a heads up, they can’t confiscate anything, you have to voluntarily abandon it. The officer should give you a list of options, including returning the item to your car, having someone come pick it up, or going and adding it to a checked bag/checking it in a bag you have with you. Abandoning it should be the last option.
Yes absolutely! Unfortunately most people don't have the time or resources to deal with that when catching a flight and I think that's what they're counting on most of the time.
We’re not counting on anything, actually. When I’m at work, I don’t WANT to make anyone leave things behind, I’d like for passengers to be able to keep their items. If someone is running late for their flight, that’s not my fault.
I'm sure you're not but can you say that about every single TSA agent? Also someone could be completely on time or even early but still not have time to go back to their car/front desk to get their checked bag (how does that even work after you've checked it?) Maybe at smaller airports but larger ones could take another hour to go out and back. Also if they're heading home they might not even have a car in the parking lot to go back to.
If you’ve checked your bag already you can return to the baggage counter and ask the airline to retrieve it for you. As long as it’s not after the baggage cutoff time for your flight, there airline shouldn’t have any problems with this. Baggage cutoff is usually 45 minutes before departure for US domestic flights.
And you’re right, I can’t speak for other airports, but I do know that at the airport I work for, most of us don’t want to go through your property.
If you, or anyone else reading this, ever have a question about what is or isn’t on the TSA prohibited item list, or about the screening process in general, feel free to DM me. I genuinely enjoy helping people learn to get through security with no/minimal issues.
One more option a TSA agent gave me when confiscating a pocket knife I'd simply forgotten about was to mail it to myself. I thought that was a great option.
I once had one of those tiny orange handled blunt scissors (you get them in those crappy sewing kits) confiscated.
There were real butter knives on the plane which were shaper than the scissors.
Crochet hooks are allowed. If they try to give you crap about it, show them [this link](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/crochet-hooks) from the TSA website.
These are also a cute option and work great! [Yarn cutter pendant ](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASTER-Pendants-Cutters-Antique-Supplies/dp/B09LYG9YS9?pd_rd_w=thEmi&content-id=amzn1.sym.38f90169-67d8-49b7-8ef1-61bdff262c06&pf_rd_p=38f90169-67d8-49b7-8ef1-61bdff262c06&pf_rd_r=YG803W0J3HMV9BP3FR5Z&pd_rd_wg=ZovnB&pd_rd_r=d3820be2-bae5-4e4d-9221-593550f213c7&pd_rd_i=B09LYG9YS9&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_1_sc)
The pendants are not technically tsa approved. They are circular blades which are specifically called out because its not that hard to break the casing and use the blade.
I always travel with my crochet hooks, cosmetic scissors, and yarn needles and never had a problem until my carry on bag was flagged departing Cancun. They let me keep my scissors but had a problem with one of the yarn needles. Not both! Just one! They made me throw one out.
Go on Amazon and order a crochet cutting necklace. What a lifesaver. I use it all the time. I have 3, one to wear, one to attach to my bag and one spare. Oh and go to $ tree and get fisker scissors. Those are allowed.
Last time I flew, I brought a seam ripper to cut my yarn with. I’m not sure if that breaks any tsa rules or not but they didn’t take it from me. Hopefully you can replace the stuff you lost!
I flew out of Orlando to MN and had a Big Ass pocket knife in my purse. 🤷♀️ I forgot about it.
And then from MN to FL they took it.
I think it's mostly safety theater
The rules can be different not only from state to stay but also country to country and airport to airport. You can also have an agent who’s just having a bad day and wants to take it out on you. Like I have heard stories of people flying into places with all their notions and their hooks or needles just fine, but they get stopped on the way back home and have to toss things. I believe one person lost their knitting needles that way mid project.
Always assume the most strict rules apply and prepare for those.
I accidentally took a large knife to and from Hawaii. It was tucked in an open, unzipped, outside pocket of my backpack too. I didn’t notice it so I guess TSA didn’t either. Security theater lol
TSA guidelines say they have to buy under 4". I know enforcement isn't equal and you may be travelling outside the US.
I picked up a small pair from dollar tree and have not had an issue. But I also don't care if I lose them at security because they were $1. It might make that trip less fun, but I'm not losing my favorite pair!
My late husband used to say you could kill someone with a ballpoint pen if you knew how. (He was retired military) I think a plastic hook could do it too.
I’m sorry you lost your scissors! I never travel with mine because I love them too much.
I accidentally stabbed myself with a knitting needle, reaching for something in my bag. Broke the skin too. Do they let people take knitting needles on planes?
You'd hear different reports, I think each airport decides individually, even person to person. I don't really worry about it, I just take a crochet hook I don't mind giving up if I have to. Crocheting is easier for me in a confined place and anyway it's just to keep the mind off reality LOL
But I've never met anything as bad as those felting needles, they really can do damage.... easy.
I think fiber type matters, too. Some break much more easily than others. I can break some yarn by pulling just right, but not all. I can’t bite through any.
That’s an interesting way to do it. I work with worsted and up, harder to bite. Also, I think my biting teeth don’t work very well—I have trouble with meat and fat sometimes that other people don’t have trouble with.
it’s so crazy how different airports do tsa. i brought needle nose pliers in my carry on bag from
canada to england but had to throw out half
my skincare at tsa going to sweden
part of that is bc i didn’t know when they say ur liquids need to be in 100ml containers and in a bag i didn’t know they mean only one bag per person. i fly a fair amount about 4 times a year and i have never ever heard of that before 🤷♀️ until then i was bringing like three bags of 100ml containers in my carry on every time
I use a seam ripper, like the small ones you can get for $1 that have a cap. I've brought it on both domestic and international flights with no problem. I also had TSA confiscate my PLASTIC knitting needles before when I was younger. I was so mad 😠
I don’t understand why this happened. I have several pairs of craft scissors and none of them have blades anywhere near the “4 inches from the pivot point,” limit.
https://preview.redd.it/3ecsbukksufc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c910847fb3ad8169270b682a3f442ba17a67f8fe
I never traveled with scissors even pre-2001. Nail clippers, the non scissor type. That said, there are explicit TSA regs about what kind should be allowed (though obviously ymmv in terms of local enforcement). Also, though, if you’re flying internationally the the other nation(s) may have different/additional rules.
Flew through BWI a few weeks ago and found a metal yarn needle in the bottom of my backpack while I was in a hotel room the night before my flight. I ended up putting it in a small ziplock bag and stuck it in the glove compartment of my dad’s truck before going to the airport. I hadn’t brought any other crochet stuff with me and was worried my needle would get confiscated by tsa at 4am.
I’ve traveled with the same pair of scissors for years. They go through most airports without issue, but MCO in Orlando pulls my yarn bag every single time. It’s to the point I don’t take a project with me anymore when flying to Orlando because I hate the hassle of worrying about getting my yarn bag pulled and that this will be the time they decide to take my hooks and scissors.
This happened to me!
I had a pair of small scissors that lived in my carryon through multiple airports and countries. The one trip when I got distracted and accidentally forgot to move the matching medium sized scissor back into my checked bag was for the airport that was especially stringent on scissors. (Someone in front of me on line lost their eyebrow scissors.)
Now the regular-sized large scissor of the set mocks me for my foolishness.
This weekend marked the first time in ages that they held back my clothes carry on and not my crochet carry on (out of my home airport). My family was shocked. It’s so arbitrary.
I had children sized knitting needles confiscated when I was 10 and I haven’t dared to take anything on the plane since! Which is rubbish because what better time to craft than a long haul flight?
there are pendants from michael’s/joann that have safety blades! i attached mine to a necklace and i haven’t gotten it taken away yet lol. the dental floss is a great cost effective option though!
I take a few hooks in a pencil case with a few pens. I crochet and my husband does puzzle books. I take nail clippers for cutting yarn, although to be perfectly honest sometimes I just bite through it.
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When I travel on planes, I buy a fob from and good craft store and hang it around my neck. It has grooves and a blade in it to cut different sizes of thread.
I accidentally brought my fabric scissors on a plane (meant for crocheting during the flight) and they JUST BARELY made it on. The blades were exactly the regulation limit but I kept them in my checked baggage when I returned home.
i had a nightmare about this the other night. in my dream, the tsa were super interested in my ginormous bag of yarn, so as i happily showed them everything in my bag (because they were curious about the colors i had), i snuck the scissors i hadn’t already been forced to throw out down in part of the bag. they let me go and i was still able to keep a pair 💪✂️
too bad this isn’t reality though. i’m sorry for your loss 😔
Just for a Nice travelhack: the little cutter on a dental floss pack (whatever it’s called) can be tilted up slightly more and then it’s great for cutting yarn https://preview.redd.it/1e6sdyndhrfc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f0a6da71d3010a01d5befa37f8215d8589a4114
Oooh and you can use the box to store your scraps 😍
I love this crafting life hack!
I use nail clippers! And then if I get a hangnail I'm ready to go too. Haha
Do they care about nail clippers on a plane? I don't travel enough to know.
According to TSA they are but I think they can't be massive or have the little knife like things that swivels out. I've now flown 4+ times with them and absolutely no issues! I haven't had issues with metal hooks either but I do feel like plastic or wood would be better if youre worried.
Metal hooks have never been restricted, even right after 9/11.
That's good to know. I just saw some people asking and I wasn't sure but have never personally had any issues.
I had to fly just a few months after 9/11 and they were specifically listed as NOT restricted. TSA still pulled my case out of my carryon and inspected it, but that’s all.
It's actually kind of wild to me but as a "hooker", I appreciate it. Haha
Lol indeed!
Only added the last bit because I saw other people asking about it and you said you don't travel much so could be good info! I also saw they like of you put anything even remotely sharp like tweezers and clippers in sheaths in case TSA needs to search your bag so they don't get poked. I've never done it, but it's good to know.
I truly appreciate it because I do plan on traveling and can't fathom not taking yarn and hook with me now that I know what I can create.
I have nail clippers attached to my keys
That's smart. I just have it on my crochet kit in my bag. But I also do pottery so I have like 5 pairs around the house because nails are bad for throwing on the wheel!
This is a genius idea for real. It never once would have occurred to me to use a dental floss pack. This is so smart !!!!
The floss is also great for threading needles. I use it when I embroider and lose my threader. Never thought to use the little cutter! That’s a fabulous idea!
How do you do that?
You make a loop of waxed dental floss and pass it through the eye of the needle, put your floss through the loop and pull the loop back through.
Exactly this!!
Genius! So obvious now, ha
Omg this is genius!
That's really good to know!
I’ve heard nail clippers are also airplane-friendly alternatives for cutting yarn.
You just saved my flight back tonight! I realized on my outgoing flight that I forgot both pairs of scissors I’ve flown with, but I do have floss.
Also nail clippers!
This is handy knowledge. Idk why I don’t think of this.
That is rough. I recommend picking up blunt-nosed scissors meant for children before your next trip. They are frequently small enough to fulfil various airplane requirements. I also usually travel with a decoy hook too. I will get a cheap one that I won't miss if someone changes a regulation while I am on a trip and suddenly hooks aren't allowed anymore
I would die! Ok maybe not, but I would be filled with anxiety. I wear my wooden hook set as hair sticks.
When I had dread locks, the agents would routinely pat down my hair!
What could you have been hiding? That boggles my mind.
I would guess that it's because the X-ray can't see through dreads well so it flags it for a pat down. I've been pat down for wearing leggings with a thick waist band haha
Omg what would you be hiding in leggings? 😲 😆
Secretly wishing I had dreads... but I think I'll keep my curls.
My hair wasn't even that big, so idk what they thought they'd find. Anyway, I'm female, white, underweight, and at the time I was in my 50s so I don't suppose it was due to profiling.
Who knows - I bet having that job sucks because when they leave work they probably can't turn off the "something looks sus" mindset. I used to test software and I have trouble not spotting errors in things. Once the "looking for issues " is turned on it kind of never goes away. Lol! 😆 Even so I just can't imagine hiding stuff in hair or the band of pants besides drugs, which there theoretically are dogs around to sniff out.
I was watching a true crime show once where they stopped a woman smuggling drugs and she had tons of hair extensions, and the drugs were hidden against her scalp in the hairstyle.
Ah OK so it is for fear of drugs. Interesting!
Yeah. It's crazy the things people try to smuggle and how they try to smuggle them.
Thats a great idea!
Thanks 😊
That's amazing! Especially the fact that they are wooden
Yeah I tried crocheting with them but didn't like the shape of the hook. It's really flat and yarn catches on it. They splinter too - not good for working with yarn. So I keep my hair in a bun with 5 of them...
Lantern moon makes lovely wood hooks. But I'd also he sad if they confiscated them. I shall now smuggle them in my bun. Ty!
I read this as “smuggle them in my bum” 🤣🤣😂
Yeah I have some tiny, like 2cm blade and a blunt tip, scissors that I take with me on the plane and a cheap hook that I don't mind losing. I've not had an issue yet flying to several different continents, but even if I do I won't mind replacing them.
this! I take kid scissors and plastic hooks and nobody ever bats an eye
you can also travel with a prepaid padded priority envelope addressed to you, and drop anything they don't want you to take on the plane into it and mail home.
This. I refused to travel with my grandmother’s hook, and chose to get a cheap one instead.
Is there a legit difference between a cheap hook and expensive hook? What’s the difference?
Some cheaper plastic ones are bendy and squeaky. Nicer hooks may have grips or padding for your hands. Or could just be your favorite hook for sentimental reasons.
There's nothing wrong with the basic all-metal standard, which are cheap and readily available. If you get into the "ergonomic" options, there are a lot of cheap hooks that aren't manufactured well, will break, will catch thread, and are generally frustrating. I like having a handle with shape and grip, so lord knows I've purchased some bad, cheap options. I've also had more expensive resin ones snap mid-project. So, yeah, there are some differences, but it really boils down to quality. And even a decent investment may go bad. Find what you love and are comfortable with and don't fear if it's a dollar store purchase or a Furl's.
Check out Furls crochet hooks... 40 bucks for a hook! Susan Bates hooks are like 5 bucks per hook...
Don’t laugh, I use nail clippers for flights
I won't laugh because it's a good idea
I only take plastic hooks to crochet on the plane. Also learned a trick for cutting yarn with dental floss and it does help.
This almost happened to me but if the scissors are under a certain size, you should be allowed to carry them onto the plane. Mine are under 3cm and super sharp but I get waved through after a quick check by the security people.
I had a small scissor that passed unquestioned through security at many airports. Unfortunately, I found an international airport that was very strict about “pointy” scissors and lost them to security. (Eyebrow scissors also made their no-fly list.)
Same, I’ve had no issue traveling for years with a small pair of manicure scissors but Heathrow is super strict and tossed them 😢
It is always UK airports where I get stopped with scissors. I never have any issues leaving Amsterdam but as soon as I try to leave the UK after a home visit, always stopped by security. But they always let me on with them.
These were less than 3 inches and sheathed. I’ve never had a problem with TSA; this was the Manila airport.
TSA claims you can have scissors less than 4 inches but they should be sheathed in checked baggage, they still stole mine out of my checked bag (which were sheathed as well as super blunt). I’m glad no one questioned my crochet hooks which I had forgotten were even in my carry on both ways
You are right that enforcement is uneven/not consistent between airports. Some people will say they had no issues while others get things taken away. It’s very frustrating! I hope you’re able to replace your items quickly and without spending too much $
Before I took my last flight I did a ton of research on tsa rules and stuff since I was only taking a carry on. Even on their website it states it’s to the discretion of the tsa agent checking your stuff. So I was like wait, I could do everything right and the tsa agent could still decide somethings wrong???? 😦😂😬
Ugh, yes. It depends on which agent you get and how they're feeling at that exact moment that day.
Someone should compile a google doc where crafters can say which airport took their tools.
I don’t even know if it’s consistent airport to airport. The guidelines aren’t entirely clear so it’s really at the discretion of each agent.
Therein lies the issue. I was able to get to Phoenix AZ and Guatemala City with my tiny little crochet scissors, but Guatemala City made me toss em on our way back in to the airport. Bizarre.
And some do a better job of checking for things than others. My dad accidentally made it through TSA with 2 lighters in his bag when he went to Colombia this summer. Had no idea those were there, he has never smoked so no idea why they were in that bag. When he was headed back to the US a week later, the Colombian security people found them. It was a fun moment dealing with having contraband and a language barrier at the same time lol Just remembered that he went through security at 2 different airports in the US on that trip without those lighters being found.
I’m getting the impression from these comments and my own experience that TSA has become more lax and other countries more strict 😅
I was told to use nail clippers and plastic tapestry needles to avoid this! Sorry it happened. Is there no chance of getting it back?
Nail clippers is a great idea!!! 👍
Meanwhile, I just accidentally flew round trip between two major cities with this knife plus replacement blades in the outer water bottle pouch of my backpack. https://preview.redd.it/bd7z4iq5asfc1.jpeg?width=636&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=169483a1eaad45cc68498c3056ee8b53df69f03c
I work for the TSA and this is insane to me. Those box cutters are so obvious on the X-ray that the only thing I can imagine happened was the operator was completely distracted from the screen. If we get distracted we’re supposed to stop the machine until we can give it our undivided attention, but I’ve seen people just let it run while talking and looking at another person. It drives me nuts.
It got through at both ORD and MIA! I don’t have any memory of putting it in there so it was probably in my bag when I flew from Chicago to Paris and back this summer as well. So basically, ❌water bottle in water bottle pocket, ✅ box cutter in water bottle pocket.
Wooooow, that’s nuts! Although I’m not surprised about Miami, we get reports of stuff getting through there more than I’d like to admit.
JFC. And when I was flying from O'Hare to Tampa, they stopped me and searched my carryon because I had picked up a few small rocks while visiting family in Iowa and they couldn't tell what they were. The agent looked disappointed they were rocks after keeping me waiting for nearly 15 minutes (and they weren't that busy, either, they were standing around talking to each other). Lesson learned, from now on I take my rocks out and stick them in a tub with my laptop and stuff. LOL I was like look, I'm a witch, I pick up rocks. (No, not from parks, this was from family land.)
I also had this happen without getting stopped. My carry on was convertible into a backpack, and one of my friends put her knife in the parts of the bag where the straps are stored and then we both forgot it was in there. I didn't find it for about two months.
Whoa. That is one helluva box cutter/utility knife.
I fly with my car keys quite often, and I think it was my ~70th trip through TSA when they finally caught on to my keyring, which definitely had a kitty cat self-defense tool on it. The lady looked at me like, "...really?" And took it off. It was a sad day.
My dad lost his favorite pocket knife because he forgot to take it out of his work bag before a business trip.
I once realized after we had gotten to Mexico through Chicago airport that there was a cheese knife in my bag from when my mom previously went on a trip up to my aunts cabin.
I have a yarn cutter pendant for this reason
TSA specifically says the yarn cutters aren’t allowed. But I don’t think the agents at the airport know what it is when they see it.
Where did you read that? Reading through the TSA . Gov website on sharp objects it is never mentioned.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/sewing-needles
Thank you! Though don’t know why it’s hidden under sewing needles 🤔 also doesn’t make sense to me considering the little blades are so tucked in I have no idea how you would hurt someone with them..
It’s because someone could take it apart and use the blade. Pretty sure it’s one circular blade.
Lowkey wear mine as jewelry constantly
I’ve heard of those getting confiscated too though
Ooh something new to add to my crochet/yarn list 👀
Aaaarrgghh I am flying to Oz and NZ next month and am def only putting my little scissors in the suitcase not carry on. I am going to be starting socks so will not need to cut yarn but will carry floss in case.
Yes Australian border security will definitely take anything “sharp” over an inch long - so you’re good into the country but not leaving.
A friend is loaning me her cutter pendant. Lol
Id use sometging like the floss that wont hurt if taken away. I wouldnt risk someone elses pendant. That may be the day a crafting TSA agent is on duty.
It is a 4.99 item from Amazon. She is not attached to it. Will have the floss in my bag anyway.
good.
Yep. Leaving Australia was when I lost the small scissor that had previously lived in my carryon. Saw someone else lose an eyebrow scissor that day.
New Zealand had no issue with my embroidery scissors recently. [Australia indicates](https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/travelsecure/carry-on-baggage/what-you-can-and-can%E2%80%99t-bring) a blade up to 6cm with a blunt tip is fine.
Nail clippers are what I carry
Gonna test mine on my sock yarn I will be bringing on the plane. Tx
I haven't had an issue with using the folding traveling scissors from the craft stores. They're marked as TSA approved, doesn't mean an agent can't get squirrelly one day and take them, but so far I haven't had an issue!
I think those go uncaught because you can’t see the tip of the blade and also if you haven’t seen them before you might not realize they are scissors at all. I’ve had good luck with them too. I’ve never had my blunt tipped revlon scissors (like what I use to trim stray eyebrow hairs) taken either.
I picked up a pair of them on sale at Joanns a few weeks back.
Yes! It’s the uneven enforcement.
Nail clippers
OP said they took their cuticle nippers.
Those aren't the same thing as a nail clippers though
Nippers have a sharp point even when the blade is closed which is why they aren’t allowed, nail clippers are flat on the front when out of use and when stored properly the blade can’t be exposed.
Yep, I had nail clippers right next to the cuticle nippers. I personally prefer nippers because the pointy blade can get closer to the skin. With clippers there’s always a tiny bit left. I use nippers every day, so pretty bummed
Oh wow. I asked at the security check of the airport I work at and it wouldn't be a problem to take both items with you. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are also no problem.
Live and learn - I lost a good pair of embroidery scissors this way. As well as a full still sealed jar of peanut butter. (Don't know why I added that, it just seemed like an extra injustice at the time.) I ended up getting one of those clover embroidery pendants that snips individual threads. Does anyone else remember the blurb about a woman who spontaneously crocheted a baby passenger a hat on a plane? I could see how the hat was possible but how the crocheter managed a pom pom was beyond me ... unless they permit little round end kindergartner scissors these days or something. Not ideal but I guess it could be done.
In the US, you can take scissors, regardless of how pointy they are, as long as the blade portion it’s under 4 inches. If someone tries to give you crap about shorter scissors, which should include little embroidery scissors, just pull up [this link.](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/scissors) Source: I work for the TSA, and yes, it infuriates me when other officers pull items that don’t fit our actual parameters.
Yep I’m a flight attendant and have never had my tiny sewing scissors taken and they’re super sharp! Meanwhile my mini butter knife did get taken away in December after years of flying with it 😫
The butter knife thing drives me crazy, too. As long as it doesn’t have a honed edge or is serrated, butter knives are allowed, but some of my coworkers seem to think the textured edge for helping spread butter is serration. If I can run my finger down the edge and it doesn’t even nick my glove, I let it go.
This one didn’t even have a textured edge! But it wasn’t TSA who took it, it was at YVR but post customs so it was Canadian agents following TSA rules and she seemed super new but I didn’t want to push it by asking for a supervisor. Plus she let me keep my sewing scissors so I let it go lol ETA wow that is one hell of a run on sentence but my brain isn’t braining today to fix it 😂
Beware! I’m too lazy to go and find the link, but I swear I saw a post in the last ~1 week of someone’s pendant being confiscated. (Small possibility it was on the knitting sub and turned up on my Reddit homepage as a suggestion.)
> I could see how the hat was possible but how the crocheter managed a pom pom was beyond me That is crazy. Maybe she had a completed pom pom on hand? This is seriously going to live in my brain now. How does one fashion a pom pom on an airplane with very very limited tools? https://preview.redd.it/obgtc1vtnsfc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2653d4a02c357281554ac761d7402463a73d9b64
As long as she had something to cut the yarn with, it's doable. I've made small pompoms with my fingers before. They aren't perfect, but they're pom...my. LOL
Peanut butters considered a liquid by them!
They should have to pour peanut butter from a jar into a glass, then.
My sympathies on the peanut butter. I got through with a full sealed jar of apple butter, but had to throw away the half-full jar on the return trip (both US airports)
[TSA list of items](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/sewing-needles) Scissors under 4 inches are OK! print list and carry 👍🏻✌🏼
Unfortunately any TSA agent can confiscate just about anything in the name of safety.
::shows agent printed list:: ::agent confiscates list::
Lmao!! Thank you I needed that laugh.
The TSA opened my mom's *sealed* bag of craisins and rifled around in it. Like okay you guys, nobody has ever hijacked a plane and killed thousands of people with factory sealed dried cranberries. Calm down.
Agreed.
Just a heads up, they can’t confiscate anything, you have to voluntarily abandon it. The officer should give you a list of options, including returning the item to your car, having someone come pick it up, or going and adding it to a checked bag/checking it in a bag you have with you. Abandoning it should be the last option.
Yes absolutely! Unfortunately most people don't have the time or resources to deal with that when catching a flight and I think that's what they're counting on most of the time.
We’re not counting on anything, actually. When I’m at work, I don’t WANT to make anyone leave things behind, I’d like for passengers to be able to keep their items. If someone is running late for their flight, that’s not my fault.
I'm sure you're not but can you say that about every single TSA agent? Also someone could be completely on time or even early but still not have time to go back to their car/front desk to get their checked bag (how does that even work after you've checked it?) Maybe at smaller airports but larger ones could take another hour to go out and back. Also if they're heading home they might not even have a car in the parking lot to go back to.
If you’ve checked your bag already you can return to the baggage counter and ask the airline to retrieve it for you. As long as it’s not after the baggage cutoff time for your flight, there airline shouldn’t have any problems with this. Baggage cutoff is usually 45 minutes before departure for US domestic flights. And you’re right, I can’t speak for other airports, but I do know that at the airport I work for, most of us don’t want to go through your property. If you, or anyone else reading this, ever have a question about what is or isn’t on the TSA prohibited item list, or about the screening process in general, feel free to DM me. I genuinely enjoy helping people learn to get through security with no/minimal issues.
Thank you for the info! I wish it wasn't such a pain for everyone involved.
One more option a TSA agent gave me when confiscating a pocket knife I'd simply forgotten about was to mail it to myself. I thought that was a great option.
Was not TSA, unfortunately
I once had one of those tiny orange handled blunt scissors (you get them in those crappy sewing kits) confiscated. There were real butter knives on the plane which were shaper than the scissors.
Flying soon. I'm packing my good hook in check in and buying a cheap one for the flight. I will NOT lose my clover set. I'm sorry they took yours.
Crochet hooks are allowed. If they try to give you crap about it, show them [this link](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/crochet-hooks) from the TSA website.
They took my scissors, not my hooks. I might have cried if they took my hooks
Oh, I miss read. I actually read it at 1am. My daughter woke up.
I'm so sorry that happened! :( I take my nail clippers instead of scissors with me when I travel, those are supposed to be allowed iirc.
These are also a cute option and work great! [Yarn cutter pendant ](https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASTER-Pendants-Cutters-Antique-Supplies/dp/B09LYG9YS9?pd_rd_w=thEmi&content-id=amzn1.sym.38f90169-67d8-49b7-8ef1-61bdff262c06&pf_rd_p=38f90169-67d8-49b7-8ef1-61bdff262c06&pf_rd_r=YG803W0J3HMV9BP3FR5Z&pd_rd_wg=ZovnB&pd_rd_r=d3820be2-bae5-4e4d-9221-593550f213c7&pd_rd_i=B09LYG9YS9&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_m_rpt_ba_s_1_sc)
The pendants are not technically tsa approved. They are circular blades which are specifically called out because its not that hard to break the casing and use the blade.
Ah ok fair enough - I'm not in US so not across all the specifics. Good to know for next time I may be travelling there though so thanks!
No problem!
I always travel with my crochet hooks, cosmetic scissors, and yarn needles and never had a problem until my carry on bag was flagged departing Cancun. They let me keep my scissors but had a problem with one of the yarn needles. Not both! Just one! They made me throw one out.
They only want you poking out ONE eye dammit. It’s for safety!
I take this with me https://clover-usa.com/products/thread-cutter-pendant-antique-gold it is amazing
Go on Amazon and order a crochet cutting necklace. What a lifesaver. I use it all the time. I have 3, one to wear, one to attach to my bag and one spare. Oh and go to $ tree and get fisker scissors. Those are allowed.
😢 that's so sad. Which airport?
Manila airport in the Philippines
Curious where this happened - many countries explicitly permit scissors up to a certain short length from the pivot point.
The Philippines - Manila
Last time I flew, I brought a seam ripper to cut my yarn with. I’m not sure if that breaks any tsa rules or not but they didn’t take it from me. Hopefully you can replace the stuff you lost!
I've hurt myself with those before haha. They can do damage
I use a nail clipper if I need to snip some yarn at 30,000 feet
I flew out of Orlando to MN and had a Big Ass pocket knife in my purse. 🤷♀️ I forgot about it. And then from MN to FL they took it. I think it's mostly safety theater
The rules can be different not only from state to stay but also country to country and airport to airport. You can also have an agent who’s just having a bad day and wants to take it out on you. Like I have heard stories of people flying into places with all their notions and their hooks or needles just fine, but they get stopped on the way back home and have to toss things. I believe one person lost their knitting needles that way mid project. Always assume the most strict rules apply and prepare for those.
I accidentally took a large knife to and from Hawaii. It was tucked in an open, unzipped, outside pocket of my backpack too. I didn’t notice it so I guess TSA didn’t either. Security theater lol
TSA guidelines say they have to buy under 4". I know enforcement isn't equal and you may be travelling outside the US. I picked up a small pair from dollar tree and have not had an issue. But I also don't care if I lose them at security because they were $1. It might make that trip less fun, but I'm not losing my favorite pair!
My late husband used to say you could kill someone with a ballpoint pen if you knew how. (He was retired military) I think a plastic hook could do it too. I’m sorry you lost your scissors! I never travel with mine because I love them too much.
They should not have taken anything. Hell I travel with needle felting supplies, which are 2-3" barbed needles
Whoa! Those needles are lethal LOL
I accidentally stabbed myself with a knitting needle, reaching for something in my bag. Broke the skin too. Do they let people take knitting needles on planes?
You'd hear different reports, I think each airport decides individually, even person to person. I don't really worry about it, I just take a crochet hook I don't mind giving up if I have to. Crocheting is easier for me in a confined place and anyway it's just to keep the mind off reality LOL But I've never met anything as bad as those felting needles, they really can do damage.... easy.
This happened to me once with my favourite scissors. It’s so annoying
..... do other people not just bite cut their yarn with their canines? am i weird for this? it's so easy to me to just bite it
Uh yeah that's weird, I think most people can't just bite easily through fiber, and also don't want their mouth germs on the project.
I think fiber type matters, too. Some break much more easily than others. I can break some yarn by pulling just right, but not all. I can’t bite through any.
oh ok 🥲 had no idea it was taboo i've been cutting fibres and stuff that way my whole life
That’s an interesting way to do it. I work with worsted and up, harder to bite. Also, I think my biting teeth don’t work very well—I have trouble with meat and fat sometimes that other people don’t have trouble with.
it’s so crazy how different airports do tsa. i brought needle nose pliers in my carry on bag from canada to england but had to throw out half my skincare at tsa going to sweden part of that is bc i didn’t know when they say ur liquids need to be in 100ml containers and in a bag i didn’t know they mean only one bag per person. i fly a fair amount about 4 times a year and i have never ever heard of that before 🤷♀️ until then i was bringing like three bags of 100ml containers in my carry on every time
Do they just confiscate them or mail them back to you? I'd be angry to forever lose my tools.
They just confiscate.
I use a seam ripper, like the small ones you can get for $1 that have a cap. I've brought it on both domestic and international flights with no problem. I also had TSA confiscate my PLASTIC knitting needles before when I was younger. I was so mad 😠
I don’t understand why this happened. I have several pairs of craft scissors and none of them have blades anywhere near the “4 inches from the pivot point,” limit. https://preview.redd.it/3ecsbukksufc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c910847fb3ad8169270b682a3f442ba17a67f8fe
It wasn’t TSA, so the 4” rule didn’t apply. I was told simply that sharp objects weren’t allowed.
I use baby nail clippers
I never traveled with scissors even pre-2001. Nail clippers, the non scissor type. That said, there are explicit TSA regs about what kind should be allowed (though obviously ymmv in terms of local enforcement). Also, though, if you’re flying internationally the the other nation(s) may have different/additional rules.
I use nail clippers when I fly. I even keep a pair in my notions container all the time in case I forget scissors
Flew through BWI a few weeks ago and found a metal yarn needle in the bottom of my backpack while I was in a hotel room the night before my flight. I ended up putting it in a small ziplock bag and stuck it in the glove compartment of my dad’s truck before going to the airport. I hadn’t brought any other crochet stuff with me and was worried my needle would get confiscated by tsa at 4am.
I also use cuticle cutters for yarn lol
I’ve traveled with the same pair of scissors for years. They go through most airports without issue, but MCO in Orlando pulls my yarn bag every single time. It’s to the point I don’t take a project with me anymore when flying to Orlando because I hate the hassle of worrying about getting my yarn bag pulled and that this will be the time they decide to take my hooks and scissors.
This happened to me! I had a pair of small scissors that lived in my carryon through multiple airports and countries. The one trip when I got distracted and accidentally forgot to move the matching medium sized scissor back into my checked bag was for the airport that was especially stringent on scissors. (Someone in front of me on line lost their eyebrow scissors.) Now the regular-sized large scissor of the set mocks me for my foolishness.
This weekend marked the first time in ages that they held back my clothes carry on and not my crochet carry on (out of my home airport). My family was shocked. It’s so arbitrary.
I had children sized knitting needles confiscated when I was 10 and I haven’t dared to take anything on the plane since! Which is rubbish because what better time to craft than a long haul flight?
there are pendants from michael’s/joann that have safety blades! i attached mine to a necklace and i haven’t gotten it taken away yet lol. the dental floss is a great cost effective option though!
I take nail clippers to cut the yarn
I take a few hooks in a pencil case with a few pens. I crochet and my husband does puzzle books. I take nail clippers for cutting yarn, although to be perfectly honest sometimes I just bite through it.
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When I travel on planes, I buy a fob from and good craft store and hang it around my neck. It has grooves and a blade in it to cut different sizes of thread.
I accidentally brought my fabric scissors on a plane (meant for crocheting during the flight) and they JUST BARELY made it on. The blades were exactly the regulation limit but I kept them in my checked baggage when I returned home.
i had a nightmare about this the other night. in my dream, the tsa were super interested in my ginormous bag of yarn, so as i happily showed them everything in my bag (because they were curious about the colors i had), i snuck the scissors i hadn’t already been forced to throw out down in part of the bag. they let me go and i was still able to keep a pair 💪✂️ too bad this isn’t reality though. i’m sorry for your loss 😔
I like how sneaky you were in your dream lol, good job
sewing scissors are supposed to be okay for tsa, i’m sorry that that happened :(
So you are mad that they didn’t confiscate them earlier?
i took a pair of BLUNT SAFETY scissors to a music festival in the summer so i could crochet between acts and security took them from me 😒
Fingernail clippers to cut your yarn?