Loading the latest stories…
Your ultimate guide to on-the-go projects and last-minute gifts to take along this holiday season
Debbie Blair6 min read
As the holiday season approaches, we tend to have a lot on our mind. Like me, you may be traveling to visit loved ones over the holidays and find yourself in need of a project that you can work on en route. We’ve got you covered with a list of some of our favorite on-the-go projects and the yarns you’ll need to pack, plus advice for how to fit it all into your bag without forgetting the necessities.
Knitting is such a great way to pass the time while you’re sitting at the airport, logging mile after mile in the car, or keeping your hands and mind occupied while you’re on a plane, train, or bus. The first thing to consider is selecting a portable project that doesn’t call for too many materials. Next, you’ll want to keep everything tidy in a project bag, but if you’ll be flying, be sure to check airport security regulations regarding knitting needles, small scissors, or other sharp notions you want to pack.
Finally, it will be time to relax and enjoy your knitting! We have some great resources to help you get packed and out the door.
What are your go-bag essentials? Photo by Matt Graves
Before you select a project to take along, check out the great tips for taking your projects on the go in the article “What’s in your travel knitting bag?”
Photo by Gale Zucker
These mittens make a perfect project for knitting on the go since they use a single color of yarn and are knitted in the round with a simple cable portion.
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Knit Picks High Desert Worsted (100% American wool; 217 yd/100 g; worsted weight): wildfire, 1 skein.
Needles US size 8 (5 mm) (but can be worked using a set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles, 2 circular needles, 1 long circular needle for the Magic Loop method, or 1 short circular needle). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Stitch markers, cable needle, waste yarn to be used as a stitch holder, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Columbia Mittens pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by Gale Zucker
Worked in the round from the bottom up, the allover chevron cable pattern of this hat may look daunting, but the view from the top is spectacular.
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Brooklyn Tweed Arbor (100% American Targhee wool; 145 yd (132 m)/50 g; sportweight): Butte, 2 skeins.
Needles Size 3 (3.25 mm) 16" (40 cm) circular (cir) for tubular CO; size 4 (3.5 mm) 16" (40 cm) cir; size 6 (4.0 mm) 16" (40 cm) cir and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles (dpn), or size needed to match gauge.
Notions Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Traverse Toque pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by Christa Tippmann
Inspired by the hero of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, these classic socks feature a naturally dyed organic Merino yarn.
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Swans Island Natural Colors Merino Fingering (100% organic Merino; 525 yd [480 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): logwood, 1 skein.
Needles US Size 1½ (2.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Stitch markers, cable needle, stitch holder, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Woodcutter Socks pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by George Boe
A cold winter calls for the right handknitted mittens: warm, durable, and snug-fitting. Fun fact: The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is in the shape of a mitten, and that’s why Michigan is referred to as “the Mitten State.”
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn 200 (250) yd DK-weight (or Craft Yarn Council weight #3 Light).
Needles US size 4 (3.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Stitch markers, stitch holder, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Mittens from the Mitten State pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by Gale Zucker
In the countryside, on campus, or on the slopes, this unisex beanie is a quick knit in worsted-weight yarn with clever crown shaping and a band of graphic colorwork.
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine Highland wool; 123 yd (112 m)/1¾ oz [50 g]); Storm Cloud (MC) and Golden Meadow (CC), 1 skein each.
Needles Sizes 6 (4 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm): 16" circular (cir); size 7 (4.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Rustic Colorwork Cap pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photos by Gale Zucker
With two varieties to choose from—a straight-sided version that needs no shaping (shown in a cream color) and a deeper cowl with a flare at the lower edge (shown in blue)—this cowl uses twisted-stitch motifs that are sure to impress any recipient.
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Filature Lemieux Québécoise (100% wool; 210 yd [192 m]/3½ oz [100 g]; fingering); #92 Cream or #42 Medium Blue, 1 skein. Distributed by Schoolhouse Press.
Needles Size 4 (3.5 mm): two 24" (60 cm) circular (cir) or set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Twisted-Stitch Cowls pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by Gale Zucker
Who wouldn’t love to receive this beautiful pair of handknit socks with an alternating cable pattern to keep their toes warm this winter?
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Fingering-weight wool yarn, about 320 (350, 420) yd (293 [320, 384] m). Shown here: Quince & Co. Finch (100% American wool; 221 yd [202 m]/50 g; fingering weight): aleutian, 2 skeins.
Needles Size 1 (2.25 mm): Set of 5 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Cable needle, stitch marker, tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Pilaster Socks pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by Matt Graves
A fun gift for any age, each sheep is started at the back, just before the pattern begins, with a provisional cast-on. The sheep’s “clothing” is based on traditional Estonian patterns.
FOR YOUR GO-BAG:
Yarn Brown Sheep Nature Spun, 100% wool yarn, sportweight, 185 yd (169 m)/50 g (1.8 oz) skein, 1 skein each of #N91 Aran, #880 Charcoal, and #N46 Red Fox.
Needles Set of five double-pointed, size 2 (2.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions Cotton yarn (sportweight) for crocheted provisional cast-on; size G or H (4.25 or 5.0 mm) crochet hook; black wool fingering-weight yarn for feet (optional); clean wool fleece or bits of wool yarn for stuffing; tapestry needle.
Subscribers can access the Flock of Sheep pattern in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo at left courtesy of Elizabeth Nihoniho; at right by Makalu on Pixabay
And, finally, sneak in a half hour of “me time” to listen to our conversation with knitwear designer Elizabeth Nihoniho, who regales us with stories of the knitting life in the Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand, famous among wool enthusiasts for its millions of sheep.
Whether your holiday travels take you a few hours down the road, out of state, to another country, or to your own couch, time spent with needles in hand is always time well spent.
More from Farm & Fiber Knits
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts.
Sign in to join the conversation — commenting is for signed-in members.