Regulations

• Knitting needles are allowed in carry-on baggage.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Ulrika
  
  According to the Transportation Security Administration, "knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage." There are no specifications regarding needle length, type (circular, straight or double-pointed) or how large a project you can carry onto the airplane.
  
  

Confiscation

• Whether or not your knitting needles will be allowed on the plane or confiscated at the security check point is up to a security officer. If he regards them as possible weapons, you will have to surrender them.
  
  You may try printing out the TSA page regarding needles and showing it to the security officer, but there is no guarantee he will be moved to change his mind.
  
  

Types

• As knitters all know, there are many types of needles. Some, like aluminum and nickel-plated, have very sharp points, but plastic and wooden needles have points that are blunter. There are straight needles, like sticks with one capped end; circular needles, which are two points connected by a nylon cord; and double-pointed needles, which, just as their name suggests, have points on both ends.
  
  Before TSA loosened its regulations, only wooden needles were allowed on airplanes, but now all needle types can be carried on.
  
  

Projects

• A large project, like an afghan, requires long needles, and these are apt to be considered possible weapons. Smaller projects, like socks, mittens and hats, that use smaller needles may be considered safer and probably will easily pass through security.
  
  TSA suggests carrying only circular needles not over 31 inches total. Bamboo or plastic needles are recommended.
  
  

Considerations

• It is best to be prepared in case your needles are confiscated at the security check point. Travel with cheap needles you wouldn't mind losing.
  
  Bring a crochet hook to slide your stitches off the needle so that you don't lose your work and can work on it once you reach your destination
  
  Some knitters travel with self-addressed stamped envelopes so that they can mail their needles home.