Pack your knitting for vacation and stay sane

when you knit & travel like Carmen San Diego

Packing up For a trip? Raise your hand if you can relate:

Guilty as charged. In between finding room for your toothbrush, sunscreen, & clothing, you need your yarn and wips. Everyone who's ever finished a knitting project on vacation knows how stressful it can be to *shivers* not have something to knit--especially when there are 4 more hours of driving or flying!

Here's my strategy for packing up knitting projects for a road trip:

• Pack some mindless knitting. If you're going to be in a car (or plane) for several hours, there will be plenty of distractions: Kids need your attention, your navigation system sends you off on a tangent, or you get a phone call...You need something to work on that doesn't require too much attention. Miles of stockinette st or an easy lace pattern can fit the bill.

• Bring a small project. If you're going to be hanging out at a ballgame, beach, or family picnic, you may appreciate having something small to work on in between home runs, swimming, and Aunt Julie's Awesome BBQ. Socks or a light shawl instead of a big sweater project are a little more portable--just keep them away from the bbq sauce!

• Bring more than one project only if there's space. Because what if you finish one and omg have NOTHING LEFT TO KNIT?? Of course, this situation totally means you get to stop at a yarn shop…

• Bring an extra skein of yarn for each project just. in. case. You may be able to stop by an LYS for yarn for a new project, but finding 1 more skein of dyelot #172 might not be possible if you've run out.

• Be realistic. I know...what's that?? Vacation time often means visiting family, going to new places, and rediscovering old haunts. It may take a few deep breaths, but you probably aren't going to need to take your entire stash with you.

More than anything, enjoy your trip! And if you don’t knit up everything you packed, so what? Think of any extra yarn you brought as your emotional support skeins.

Where in the World is Lyrical Knits??

If you’re looking for an adventure that combines travel with a lot of fun knitting, I do have some retreats and cruises coming up:

Melissa Leapman (of Knitopia retreats) always shows knitters a fantastic time! She’s sassy, fun, and one of the most thoughtful teachers I’ve ever worked with. Her swag bag is legendary (seriously, pack an extra bag just to bring home your goodies), and you will have a total blast!

If you’d like to join me, Melissa, and teacher/dyer Keith Leonard for a sunny, fiber-filled cruise this November, you can find more info here (or click the photo below):

For a shorter retreat, you can come and knit with me and a cast of wonderful teachers in my natural habitat: Webs (yes, really) is my LYS, and I’m teaching at their fall retreat in lovely Amherst, Mass. Practically in my backyard (and I may have to sneak out with you to get some Antonio’s Pizza). Info is right here or click the pic:

Susan of Wild Onion Productions always puts on an incredible retreat, and this 2 week cruise through Iceland, Scotland, and Norwegian fjords is going to be extra special. It filled up quickly once registration opened, but Susan was able to add several more cabins—if you’d like to join me and the fantastic Laura Nelkin for a thrilling trip next June (2026), you can get the signup info at this link:

I absolutely want to pull up a chair and knit right beside each and every one of you—so until Scotty can build me transporter or Doc Brown loans me the Delorean, I’ll keep hopping on planes and trains to get to as many places as possible.

I’m working to add more retreats throughout the year (large and smaller), so keep an eye out for when I might be in your area or in a place that you can get to easily.

Meanwhile, keep knitting, and enjoy whatever the season brings your way.

Big Love,

Mary (aka Lyrical Knits)