Have some long distance travel coming up, or even something just a few hours from home? From hours spent waiting in airports to long train rides, keeping yourself entertained (and distracted in many cases) is an important part of traveling. While many people make do with a good book or an epic playlist, craft enthusiasts can take full advantage of these opportunities to indulge in more creative pursuits.
Getting crafty on the move with artistic projects is a great way to pass the time and add a touch of satisfaction, achievement, and relaxation to your journey and your vacation. From knitting to origami, there are plenty of portable options that will change the way you think about cruising around the world or chilling out on a beach. Here is a guide to some of the best craft projects that you can pop in your carry-on for your next beach trip or skiing vacation. Every great vacation is even better when you add creativity into the mix!
Knitting and Crochet: Portable Yarn Crafts
Knitting and crochet are some of the most popular crafts around and are perfect for travelers, thanks to how portable and simple they can be.
For knitting, all you need is a pair of needles and a ball of yarn. With these tools you can create anything from hats and scarves to socks and even sweaters! For traveling, circular needles are best as they fit easily into your bag, but do remember that you possibly won’t be able to bring them with you on a flight, as airline regulations sometimes prevent this.
If crafting in the cabin is important, you might want to consider your crochet kit instead. With just a hook and some yard you can put together smaller projects on the go, like granny squares, dishcloths, or amigurumi (small stuffed toys), which makes crochet a perfect choice for travel. Crochet hooks are generally more compact and less likely to be flagged by airport security than knitting needles. And do pick up a yarn cutting pendant since you will not be able to bring scissors, perfect for travel and you can hang it around your neck!
Embroidery: Detailed and Meditative
If you like to practice mindfulness when you are on the road and enjoy hobbies that distract you and force you to focus, embroidery is a great choice. It is detailed, almost meditative work, and is incredibly light and easy to carry.
All you need for an embroidery project is a small hoop, some embroidery floss, a piece of fabric, and a set of small sewing needles. There are plenty of great ready-made kits to get you started, or you can take on a more advanced, DIY project if you have the experience and are up for the challenge. If you want to embroider or needlepoint on the plane do pick up a yarn cutter pendant mentioned above, otherwise you'll have a mess of long ends!
Paper Crafts: Origami and Scrapbooking
Paper crafts are some of the most lightweight and versatile projects making them perfect for on-the-go creativity.
Origami is a delightful craft to practice while on vacation, perfect for moments of calm contemplation, and easy to carry around with you. All you need is a stack of square papers, which will fit in a handbag or even just your pockets!
Scrapbooking is another excellent travel hobby, largely as it doubles up as a great way to document your trip and create a travel memento.
Portable Crafting Tips
Invest in travel-sized versions of your favorite crafting tools, and use organizers to keep everything tidy in your bags. Always be mindful of security regulations, especially if you are bringing sharps like scissors or needles with you. It is also worth thinking about your comfort and bringing a travel pillow or a lap tray so you can craft away without awkward positions.
Crafting is a great travel activity, helping you pass the time on long journeys and giving you a way to relax after a long day of sightseeing. So as you plan your next trip, don't forget to plan the crafts as well!
