Hello fellow knitters! I was one of the Tulum, Mexico retreat attendees, and I wanted to share my experience with taking knitting needles on a plane for your info. On the flight from the U.S. to Mexico, I carried on all my needles, including a full set of 5" steel Chiaogoo interchangeables and 2 sets of Chiaogoo shorties. No problem at all! On the flight home from Mexico to the U.S., I removed the needles from my WIP and put stoppers on the ends of the cord, and then I put the one pair of 5" Chiaogoo needles that I needed for that project in a case with some pens and electronic cords in my carry-on bag. The rest of my needles I checked with my luggage. I had no issue getting through security this way! A number of other retreat attendees did the same with success. We had a text chain going as we all went through security :) Andrea, thank you again for a wonderful retreat experience. You were a joy! I especially appreciated that you made every BODY feel beautiful and accepted during the ease + sizing class. Also, if you haven’t read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I just finished the audiobook, and it is SOOOO GOOD! Definitely recommend!
Hi Andrea- I am a big audio book listener. I recently found a great book series by Louise Penny, the character is Chief Inspector Armand Garmashe. Not your normal murder mystery
I too listen to audio books most of the time when I knit. Can't seem to watch tv and knit. Lately have loved: Horse by Geraldine Brooks; The Sentence by Louise Erdrich; Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell; Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie German; and the Hurting Kind by Ada Límon (poetry). I could go on. Thanks so much for your inspiring work!
I have done a fair bit of international travel with my knitting and have had no issues (just got back from Malaysia and Singapore last night, Portugal, Israel, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Japan). I have always brought interchangeables with wood tips, and I make sure I have my end stoppers with me in case my tips are ever confiscated. For audiobooks...such great recs in this thread. I recommend Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin! Favorite book of 2022.
Just came back from the British Virgin Islands. I actually went to the security people and asked if my wooden Lykke interchangeables would pass. I had size 4 in my project, and size 5 in my bag. They said no problem because they weren’t sharp and they were wood. 4 years ago in Grenada, I had the security official pull my metal dpns right outta my sock and throw them in the trash. I don’t think she’d ever seen them before. Then I realized there isn’t a lot of knitting going on in the Caribbean. I do think familiarity matters. Mathew McConaughey’s “Greenlights” He narrates it, so you get the intended inflections, etc. It’s also just good stuff.
Great episode, as always! Thank you!! Traveling and needles...I just recently flew to Turkey and was able to bring mine on the flight with me from the US BUT I have had needles (wooden, metal, with and without silicon tip protectors) taken when flying anywhere within Turkey and from Turkey back to the US. You really are just beholden to whomever happens to be at security as TSA is not an org here. Podcasts I’m obsessed with lately…Radio Rental, High Strange, Badlands, You’re Wrong About, Dead and Gone.
Absolutely love the “The Thursday Murder Club” mysteries (there are 3 now) by Richard Osman. So so good on audio. The character Elizabeth, need I say more!
Some audiobooks I enjoyed: - The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O’Farrell, read by Genevieve Gaunt - The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett, read (so well!) by Tom Hanks - Lessons In Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, read by Miranda Raison
Librarian here: inquire at your local public library about online databases providing audiobooks. Overdrive is one, and their app is Libby. Favorite titles of mine: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson; Chancellor, a biography of Angela Merkel / KatiMarton; Work won't love you back / Sarah Jaffe; Everything sad is untrue / Daniel Nayeri; Invisible women, read by author Caroline Criado-Perez (amazing!); Taste / Stanley Tucci (read by him!); and all of Louise Penny's books.
I listen to a lot of audiobooks too. I love historical fiction and books that take place in the past and current at the same time. Some of my favorites are: The Midnight library The Great Alone or any Kristin Hannah book The Lost Apothecary The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue The home for unwanted girls If you like psychological thrillers: Riley Sager books Freida McFadden Books I could go on…
I just found "Ancestral Kitchen" podcast. I've only listened to a few episodes, but it's so fun about natural food. Also I watched your tutorials! I love your great ability to explain and demo clearly. So good! Thanks for sharing!
I recently flew within the US and didn't want to take any chances so I printed out the TSA rules for knitting needles and keep it in a ziplock with any extra interchangeable needles. This obviously won't work with international travel but keeping the cable ends on hand just in case you have to hand over your needles is a great idea.
Happy to say I have knit on airplanes between Canada and Mexico three times in the last 3 years and have run into no issues. Twice I was working on socks using metal dpn's! Having said that, they weren't my "favourite" needles (which were tucked away in my checked bag) and I was prepared to give them up if requested. Also, other than resort-only destinations, there may be craft or LYS stores nearby where you are staying that carry needles, as knitting is getting more popular in Mexico as well. Happy travelling and knitting : )
Favorite podcasts: Ologies (interviews scientists about their specialties). Woolful for some pre-pandemic sheep talk. My Favorite Murder if you like true crime, but with comics. Audiobooks: the women in STEM romance novels of Ali Hazelwood--start with thr Love Hypothesis. Mexican Gothic, or anything else by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Thanks for another fun week of questions answered! ❤
I have been loving the Feel Good, Live More podcast which is hosted by a UK doctor and is a long form podcast with interviews of 1-2 hours on all sorts of health and happiness topics. A friend told me about it because there was an episode on benefits of winter swimming but i have really been enjoying all sorts of topics on there. I loved meeting you this weekend dear Andrea! I wonder if the beautiful Pender Island might one day inspire a design!?
I have traveled with knitting for many years, domestically and globally. NEVER an issue until last week in Athens, where they confiscated my sock-knitting needles (#1, 36”). I was devastated: so excruciating to endure a 9 hour flight with no knitting!
Thanks Andrea. I always learn something from your answers. I find that adding mohair to heels of socks, or wherever you need additional wear protection, instead of using a nylon addition is useful for hand spun yarn for socks. Haptic and Hue is a podcast I like to listen to.
I have recently listened to West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge and Run Rosa Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton did one of the characters in that book. My current listen is The Delight of Being Ordinary: A Road Trip with the Pope and the Dalai Lama by Roland Merullo. These are all books from my neighborhood book club.
I've travel to Mexico for years with my knitting and didn't have any troubles until 2020. I encountered with some young bucks who wanted to confiscate my sweater that was on carbon circulars. I challenged them and they would not let me through. With my tiny scissors I cut the tips off and gave them the tips. Now I usually just take sock knitting with double points. I put the knitting on a life line and put the DPs into a small pouch with with pens and pencils and so fare no issues. Love the idea of interchangeable needles removing the tips which I would put into my pen/pencil pouch. Mexico is getting more more aggressive with confiscating items of all sorts. Once a year or more I do metalsmithing workshops in Mexico and take my silver wire/sheet and gems in my carryon because of the value. Tools are in the checked bag. This past March they wanted to confiscate my silver (about $700 worth) and a few moroccan carved bone pieces that were 3" or smaller and had no sharp points. I was shocked as I have travel throughout the US, Spain and Morcocco with the same items and had no problems. It took a lot of talking but I convinced them to let me return to the ticketing counter and check my carry on. I understand why some items are not allowed but it feels like some items are taken to profit from. Be aware when leaving Mexico that you never know what items they will seize.
I travel frequently internationally and have only had issues at Istanbul airport. Wooden needles are no problem but I’ve had metal tips confiscated twice.
I really like "The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook" by Lynne Vogel. It focuses on spinning with a drop spindle but the information can definitely be used in wheel spinning as well. As for audiobooks, I recently enjoyed "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" and its sequel.
Listening and reading - best way to spend a day! I recommend Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein (What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World's Ugliest Sweater) and Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb.
It’s old but beach music is still one of my favorites. Usually I always go for unabridged but the narration of the abridged is so good. Unabridged is good too though.
I was in India in the fall. Flying there from Canada was NOT an issue, but domestic flights in India and returning to Canada required checking my gear.
I, too, am passionate about my audiobooks and listen while I knit--unless it is a really complicated pattern that needs all of my attention. I listen to a book each week and here are some of my favorites: Spraks Like Stars ; A man Called Ove by Fred Bechman; Hester by Albaness; The world Played Chess by Rob Dugoni; The color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi. Hope you get to enjoy one of these as much as I enjoy knitting your beautifully written patterns and your informative you tube podcasts.
My sister and I were traveling together recently. She asked me for advice on flying with our knitting. I said I've never had any issues with my needles. Both ways I went for security with no issues. My sister's bag got checked both times. Once they realised it was knitting needles they let it through. The second time she asked the security person. The security person asked me if I had wood needles. She said wood is unlikely to show up on the x-ray but my sisters metal ones do. She said that for nz knitting needles are fine.
I just finished a great audio book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. You have probably already heard Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein. Loved it.
I live by audiobooks and have read tons while knitting (didn't want to give up reading when I started knitting years ago) and even sleeping to help me fall back to sleep in the middle of the night. One that stands out for me is "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks. I hope you read it and enjoy it as I did. Thank you for your podcast, patterns, knitting advice, and sweet self! I look forward to knitting with you every Saturday morning!
I also love audiobooks while knitting. I’m listening to The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley right now and it is so good. I watch Needles at the Ready and The Knitting Place podcasts and love them both, as well as the Grocery Girls.
Watching this two weeks late, but for Mr. Big Shoulders, look for sweaters that aren’t raglan or yoked, instead drop shoulder or other sweater styles that naturally have less sloped shoulders and therefore more room
Watching your podcast with a cup of coffee is part of my Friday morning routine. 😊 I too listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I knit and here are a few I recommend: Significant Others podcast, Lessons in Chemistry audiobook, Tomorrow and Tomorrow audiobook, Articles of Interest podcast
An audiobook series I recommend is The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren. A podcast I recommend is The Real Housewives of Dnd. Another podcast if you like true crime is Morbid.
I love audiobooks and podcasts as well! What ate your favorites? Audiobooks: Jurassic Park, The Professor and the Madman, The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, The Rise and Reign of Mammals, The Relic. Podcasts (including RUclips): Very Pink Knits, Fiber Hustle, Long Thread Media, The Craft Industry Alliance.
I'm currently listening to the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry. Very good books! My favorite podcasts are Crimes of the Centuries, Southern Fried True Crime, Canadian True Crime (see a theme here?) and Pastry Arts.
Oh! I'm a school librarian and have been devouring audiobooks. Some that I love: "The Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo (beautifully read/performed by the author herself) - realistic fiction and novel in verse "Lore" by Alexandra Bracken - it's Greek mythology based, but set in modern day NY. It can be pretty dark, so if that's not your jam, that's okay! It feels like a Circe/Achilles meets Hunger Games meets Legendborn sort of story "The Bear and The Nightingale" by Katherine Arden. This one took a little bit of time to get into, but I'm a little over halfway through and really can't stop listening. There's also a book award for audiobook productions called the Odyssey Award, if you're looking for a good list of recommendations!
I flew to Oaxaca through Mexico City in January and returned in March (four flights total). I carried circular needles (40” circulars with metal tips), small scissors and other notions without any problem. However, it never hurts to take precautions…
Books- the Weight of Ink By Rachel Kadish. The Goldfinch by Donna Tart. The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig my cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier and The End of The Affair. Just a few I also listen to audio books a lot!
When I went to New Zealand and Australia recently I had my wooden knitting needles with me. I knew that both places are very strict about bringing in wood. Knitting needles are even mentioned. I deliberately had them in my carry on so that when I declared that I did have some wood I could show them. Once I said that the wood was knitting needles and that they were a commercial product they just let me through without even looking. BTW in New Zealand they had a sniffer dog that checked everyone as you left customs. The dog did not detect the small amount of wood but I knew if it did I could say that I had declared it.
Some favorite audiobooks I've listened to lately: The Woman of a Thousand Names by Alexandra Lapierre, Violetta by Isabel Allende, The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks, and Weyward by Emilia Hart.
I'm also an audio over visual when knitting (maybe because I'm looking down so much when working), and my favorite podcast for years has been Astonishing Legends. It's a podcast about the spooky and weird stuff out there. My favorite series by them is probably Strange Intruders if you're looking for a starting point. My recent likes in the book world have been Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, and The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (a long time fav). If there's an audiobook version of Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown I highly, highly recommend that book, as well.
I also listen to a lot of books. I love The name of the Wind, and that whole series. I love the Witcher audio series, and also Harry Potter read by Steven Fry.
I have rediscovered the Craftlit podcast recently - so many classics audiobooks with all the background info and interpretation that would otherwise pass me by. Plus some crafty chat. I’m working my way through all 70 episodes of Count of Monte Cristo. More recent audiobook recommendations would be Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson, The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich and A Heart that Works by Rob Delaney (check content warnings first).
I’ve been listening to the audiobook “The Home Place” by J. Drew Lanham, who narrates it. It’s subtitled “Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Live Affair With Nature.” Beautifully written, and a wonderful read to knit to!
Re: Audiobook, I have just finished ‘The Seven Moons of Mali Almeida’ by Shehan Karunatilaka. I found it funny, thought provoking and enjoyed the way it was read - I’m glad I listened rather than read it. I might try ‘Savage Her Reply’ by Aoife McMahon next, if something else doesn’t distract me. Happy knitting!
I highly recommend "The Family Chao" by Lan Samantha Chang. I don't know that I would have enjoyed it as much if I had read it, but listening to it was great! The reader did a really good job.
I love listening to audiobooks too. It just got difficult for me to hold an actual book in my hands because of the arthritis there. I prefer science fiction, fantasy, and urban fantasy. Right now, I just finished the "Junkyard Druid" series (9 books) by M.D. Massey. I am listening to the spin off series now, starting with "Shadow Changling" (3 books) and the "Zombie Apocalypse" series (5 books).
I have been to Mexico several times with my fixed circular ChiaoGoo needles. I've never had a problem taking them onto the plane in my carry-on. I hope the rest of you have success. I wonder if it varies from airport to airport?
I love your Stone Crop sweater that you have on on this video. Could you tell me where I can find the pattern. Love you pod casts and have learned a bunch from the videos. Thanks, Jean Stagner
A few of my favorite audio books are: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Wizard's Butler, And Then She Vanished, and All Good People Here. Not sure what kinds of podcasts you're into, but some of my favorites are: Anatomy of Murder, Were you Raised by wolves?, and Shadowland.
I loved Little Wing by Freya North on audio. It's a multi-generational story set in England and the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Song Birds by Christy Lefteri is also worth checking out too. I couldn't stop listening to that one. I had to know what happened to the main character!
I just finished the ACOTAR series, which was a knitting companion and now I’m almost finished with 10 Steps to Nannette by Hannah Gadsby (which is EXCELLENT)
I’ll be moving to Oregon from Italy and I was wondering a) if delta allows knitting supplies on board and b) if there are any good yarn shops/needles shops/ crafting stores around Klamath falls, which will be my hometown
Hi ,just to add a few ideas....I saw a podcast knitter who takes her needles off the cords and then ties the needles together with a bunch of pens in her purse when she travels. And as far a ergonomics the Woolly Thistle podcast has Yoga lessons for knitters....sitting, hands, meditation.....which has actually helped me especially when I get stiff from sitting or my hands get sore. check them out!
Have you listened to The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend? It's a fabulous book and Lorelai King, one of my favourite voice actors, is one of the narrators.
I just finished listening to “How High We Go in the Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu. It is really interesting and uses stories that link characters over several thousands of years. It looks at how humans deal with climate change and a plague associated with it. I find myself sometimes thinking, wait was that part of the story or was that something that has or is actually happening now.
I wonder what happens to the items that the airport takes away from you. Can you get your needles back if they don’t let them on the plane? They be should have an option to mail it your home or something right when they take it. Of course the person would pay for the mailing charges
Hi Andrea, I hope you get to see some killer whales while on Pender Island. I talked last summer with a women and her sister who is organizing part of this week end, and she mentioned you were coming to a retreat on Pender. The sun is shining, it should be a beautiful week end, have fun Melissa. Wish I could be there! It is several islands south of the one I live on, never been.
Hello fellow knitters! I was one of the Tulum, Mexico retreat attendees, and I wanted to share my experience with taking knitting needles on a plane for your info. On the flight from the U.S. to Mexico, I carried on all my needles, including a full set of 5" steel Chiaogoo interchangeables and 2 sets of Chiaogoo shorties. No problem at all! On the flight home from Mexico to the U.S., I removed the needles from my WIP and put stoppers on the ends of the cord, and then I put the one pair of 5" Chiaogoo needles that I needed for that project in a case with some pens and electronic cords in my carry-on bag. The rest of my needles I checked with my luggage. I had no issue getting through security this way! A number of other retreat attendees did the same with success. We had a text chain going as we all went through security :)
Andrea, thank you again for a wonderful retreat experience. You were a joy! I especially appreciated that you made every BODY feel beautiful and accepted during the ease + sizing class. Also, if you haven’t read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I just finished the audiobook, and it is SOOOO GOOD! Definitely recommend!
Hi Andrea- I am a big audio book listener. I recently found a great book series by Louise Penny, the character is Chief Inspector Armand Garmashe. Not your normal murder mystery
I too listen to audio books most of the time when I knit. Can't seem to watch tv and knit. Lately have loved: Horse by Geraldine Brooks; The Sentence by Louise Erdrich; Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell; Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie German; and the Hurting Kind by Ada Límon (poetry). I could go on. Thanks so much for your inspiring work!
I loved Circe as an audio book. Loved the reader and was into a 7 mile walk before I realized what had happened🤣
I love David Sedaris’ audiobooks as they are read by him. Calypso was great.
I have done a fair bit of international travel with my knitting and have had no issues (just got back from Malaysia and Singapore last night, Portugal, Israel, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Japan). I have always brought interchangeables with wood tips, and I make sure I have my end stoppers with me in case my tips are ever confiscated.
For audiobooks...such great recs in this thread. I recommend Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin! Favorite book of 2022.
Just came back from the British Virgin Islands. I actually went to the security people and asked if my wooden Lykke interchangeables would pass. I had size 4 in my project, and size 5 in my bag. They said no problem because they weren’t sharp and they were wood.
4 years ago in Grenada, I had the security official pull my metal dpns right outta my sock and throw them in the trash. I don’t think she’d ever seen them before. Then I realized there isn’t a lot of knitting going on in the Caribbean. I do think familiarity matters.
Mathew McConaughey’s “Greenlights”
He narrates it, so you get the intended inflections, etc. It’s also just good stuff.
Great episode, as always! Thank you!!
Traveling and needles...I just recently flew to Turkey and was able to bring mine on the flight with me from the US BUT I have had needles (wooden, metal, with and without silicon tip protectors) taken when flying anywhere within Turkey and from Turkey back to the US. You really are just beholden to whomever happens to be at security as TSA is not an org here.
Podcasts I’m obsessed with lately…Radio Rental, High Strange, Badlands, You’re Wrong About, Dead and Gone.
Absolutely love the “The Thursday Murder Club” mysteries (there are 3 now) by Richard Osman. So so good on audio. The character Elizabeth, need I say more!
Some audiobooks I enjoyed:
- The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O’Farrell, read by Genevieve Gaunt
- The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett, read (so well!) by Tom Hanks
- Lessons In Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, read by Miranda Raison
Tom Hanks is magical! He really should read more audiobooks.
I read Lessons in Chemistry and loved it. I would certainly recommend it to read or to listen to.
Librarian here: inquire at your local public library about online databases providing audiobooks. Overdrive is one, and their app is Libby. Favorite titles of mine: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson; Chancellor, a biography of Angela Merkel / KatiMarton; Work won't love you back / Sarah Jaffe; Everything sad is untrue / Daniel Nayeri; Invisible women, read by author Caroline Criado-Perez (amazing!); Taste / Stanley Tucci (read by him!); and all of Louise Penny's books.
I just finished listening to the audiobook The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - it is the best book I've read/listened to this year!
‘ Firekeeper’s Daughter’ by Angeline Boulley . Takes place in the UP! Excellent story and narrator.
Thank you so much for all of your helpful information!
I listen to a lot of audiobooks too. I love historical fiction and books that take place in the past and current at the same time.
Some of my favorites are:
The Midnight library
The Great Alone or any Kristin Hannah book
The Lost Apothecary
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The home for unwanted girls
If you like psychological thrillers:
Riley Sager books
Freida McFadden Books
I could go on…
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is in my top 5 listens. Loved it!
I just found "Ancestral Kitchen" podcast. I've only listened to a few episodes, but it's so fun about natural food.
Also I watched your tutorials! I love your great ability to explain and demo clearly. So good! Thanks for sharing!
I recently flew within the US and didn't want to take any chances so I printed out the TSA rules for knitting needles and keep it in a ziplock with any extra interchangeable needles. This obviously won't work with international travel but keeping the cable ends on hand just in case you have to hand over your needles is a great idea.
Thank you, Andrea, for all of your guidance. I learn something new every week. Love ALL of your designs. 💖💕
Happy to say I have knit on airplanes between Canada and Mexico three times in the last 3 years and have run into no issues. Twice I was working on socks using metal dpn's! Having said that, they weren't my "favourite" needles (which were tucked away in my checked bag) and I was prepared to give them up if requested. Also, other than resort-only destinations, there may be craft or LYS stores nearby where you are staying that carry needles, as knitting is getting more popular in Mexico as well. Happy travelling and knitting : )
Podcast - Were You Raised By Wolves! It’s the best! Audiobook - Demon Copperhead! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Junction Fiber Millcast is fantastic!
Thank you Andrea. Hope that you have a GREAT weekend.
Favorite podcasts: Ologies (interviews scientists about their specialties). Woolful for some pre-pandemic sheep talk. My Favorite Murder if you like true crime, but with comics. Audiobooks: the women in STEM romance novels of Ali Hazelwood--start with thr Love Hypothesis. Mexican Gothic, or anything else by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Thanks for another fun week of questions answered! ❤
Thumbs up for Ologies!
I took a class by Carson at a WEBS retreat one year and he was awesome!
I have been loving the Feel Good, Live More podcast which is hosted by a UK doctor and is a long form podcast with interviews of 1-2 hours on all sorts of health and happiness topics. A friend told me about it because there was an episode on benefits of winter swimming but i have really been enjoying all sorts of topics on there. I loved meeting you this weekend dear Andrea! I wonder if the beautiful Pender Island might one day inspire a design!?
I have traveled with knitting for many years, domestically and globally. NEVER an issue until last week in Athens, where they confiscated my sock-knitting needles (#1, 36”). I was devastated: so excruciating to endure a 9 hour flight with no knitting!
Thanks Andrea. I always learn something from your answers. I find that adding mohair to heels of socks, or wherever you need additional wear protection, instead of using a nylon addition is useful for hand spun yarn for socks. Haptic and Hue is a podcast I like to listen to.
I have recently listened to West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge and Run Rosa Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton did one of the characters in that book. My current listen is The Delight of Being Ordinary: A Road Trip with the Pope and the Dalai Lama by Roland Merullo. These are all books from my neighborhood book club.
Fixing of a sweater that has stretched: a sewing machine works great, put the stitches on a slight zig zag, so it stretches still.
I've travel to Mexico for years with my knitting and didn't have any troubles until 2020. I encountered with some young bucks who wanted to confiscate my sweater that was on carbon circulars. I challenged them and they would not let me through. With my tiny scissors I cut the tips off and gave them the tips. Now I usually just take sock knitting with double points. I put the knitting on a life line and put the DPs into a small pouch with with pens and pencils and so fare no issues. Love the idea of interchangeable needles removing the tips which I would put into my pen/pencil pouch. Mexico is getting more more aggressive with confiscating items of all sorts. Once a year or more I do metalsmithing workshops in Mexico and take my silver wire/sheet and gems in my carryon because of the value. Tools are in the checked bag. This past March they wanted to confiscate my silver (about $700 worth) and a few moroccan carved bone pieces that were 3" or smaller and had no sharp points. I was shocked as I have travel throughout the US, Spain and Morcocco with the same items and had no problems. It took a lot of talking but I convinced them to let me return to the ticketing counter and check my carry on. I understand why some items are not allowed but it feels like some items are taken to profit from. Be aware when leaving Mexico that you never know what items they will seize.
I travel frequently internationally and have only had issues at Istanbul airport. Wooden needles are no problem but I’ve had metal tips confiscated twice.
I had a good tip that you can remove wooden needle tips and put them in with other pens in your purse and then they blend in. Has worked for me!
I really like "The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook" by Lynne Vogel. It focuses on spinning with a drop spindle but the information can definitely be used in wheel spinning as well.
As for audiobooks, I recently enjoyed "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" and its sequel.
Once again - great visit - much appreciated
Great sweater sizing tips! Love waking up on Fridays to watch your video 🧶
Listening and reading - best way to spend a day! I recommend Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein (What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World's Ugliest Sweater) and Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb.
It’s old but beach music is still one of my favorites. Usually I always go for unabridged but the narration of the abridged is so good. Unabridged is good too though.
I was in India in the fall. Flying there from Canada was NOT an issue, but domestic flights in India and returning to Canada required checking my gear.
I, too, am passionate about my audiobooks and listen while I knit--unless it is a really complicated pattern that needs all of my attention. I listen to a book each week and here are some of my favorites: Spraks Like Stars ; A man Called Ove by Fred Bechman; Hester by Albaness; The world Played Chess by Rob Dugoni; The color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi. Hope you get to enjoy one of these as much as I enjoy knitting your beautifully written patterns and your informative you tube podcasts.
My sister and I were traveling together recently. She asked me for advice on flying with our knitting. I said I've never had any issues with my needles. Both ways I went for security with no issues. My sister's bag got checked both times. Once they realised it was knitting needles they let it through. The second time she asked the security person. The security person asked me if I had wood needles. She said wood is unlikely to show up on the x-ray but my sisters metal ones do. She said that for nz knitting needles are fine.
I just finished a great audio book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. You have probably already heard Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein. Loved it.
I live by audiobooks and have read tons while knitting (didn't want to give up reading when I started knitting years ago) and even sleeping to help me fall back to sleep in the middle of the night. One that stands out for me is "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks. I hope you read it and enjoy it as I did. Thank you for your podcast, patterns, knitting advice, and sweet self! I look forward to knitting with you every Saturday morning!
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams, Stuff you should Know podcast, the Mary Russell books by Laurie R King
I also love audiobooks while knitting. I’m listening to The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley right now and it is so good. I watch Needles at the Ready and The Knitting Place podcasts and love them both, as well as the Grocery Girls.
Watching this two weeks late, but for Mr. Big Shoulders, look for sweaters that aren’t raglan or yoked, instead drop shoulder or other sweater styles that naturally have less sloped shoulders and therefore more room
I have Ben knitting for over 60+ years - the ONLY time I have had pain was after watching and following some suggestions from Carson Dean!!!
This series is incredible as audiobook: the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley---you do need to listen in order!! Love the vlog!!
Book rec: highly recommend Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld! Fun romance with a good-looking musician! Delightful ❤
Watching your podcast with a cup of coffee is part of my Friday morning routine. 😊 I too listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I knit and here are a few I recommend: Significant Others podcast, Lessons in Chemistry audiobook, Tomorrow and Tomorrow audiobook, Articles of Interest podcast
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot is a fabulous and delightful audio book!
An audiobook series I recommend is The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren. A podcast I recommend is The Real Housewives of Dnd. Another podcast if you like true crime is Morbid.
I love audiobooks and podcasts as well! What ate your favorites? Audiobooks: Jurassic Park, The Professor and the Madman, The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, The Rise and Reign of Mammals, The Relic. Podcasts (including RUclips): Very Pink Knits, Fiber Hustle, Long Thread Media, The Craft Industry Alliance.
I love the book of Paolo Cognetti - the eight mountains
I'm currently listening to the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry. Very good books! My favorite podcasts are Crimes of the Centuries, Southern Fried True Crime, Canadian True Crime (see a theme here?) and Pastry Arts.
Oh! I'm a school librarian and have been devouring audiobooks. Some that I love:
"The Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo (beautifully read/performed by the author herself) - realistic fiction and novel in verse
"Lore" by Alexandra Bracken - it's Greek mythology based, but set in modern day NY. It can be pretty dark, so if that's not your jam, that's okay! It feels like a Circe/Achilles meets Hunger Games meets Legendborn sort of story
"The Bear and The Nightingale" by Katherine Arden. This one took a little bit of time to get into, but I'm a little over halfway through and really can't stop listening.
There's also a book award for audiobook productions called the Odyssey Award, if you're looking for a good list of recommendations!
I flew to Oaxaca through Mexico City in January and returned in March (four flights total). I carried circular needles (40” circulars with metal tips), small scissors and other notions without any problem. However, it never hurts to take precautions…
“When we were yours” is an excellent book
Yes! I read this one too
I recently travelled from Scotland to Sweden and had no issues with knitting needles in my carry on luggage. ❤
Thanks Andrea. I really like "A Slight Change of Plans" podcast by Dr. Maya Shankar.
Books- the Weight of Ink By Rachel Kadish. The Goldfinch by Donna Tart. The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig my cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier and The End of The Affair. Just a few I also listen to audio books a lot!
When I went to New Zealand and Australia recently I had my wooden knitting needles with me. I knew that both places are very strict about bringing in wood. Knitting needles are even mentioned. I deliberately had them in my carry on so that when I declared that I did have some wood I could show them. Once I said that the wood was knitting needles and that they were a commercial product they just let me through without even looking. BTW in New Zealand they had a sniffer dog that checked everyone as you left customs. The dog did not detect the small amount of wood but I knew if it did I could say that I had declared it.
Yes I just had my chiagoo needle
tips taken from me coming back from Puerto Vallarta! I think wooden would have been fine, yep!
Some favorite audiobooks I've listened to lately: The Woman of a Thousand Names by Alexandra Lapierre, Violetta by Isabel Allende, The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks, and Weyward by Emilia Hart.
If you like paranormal romance, then I recommend anything Kresley Cole or Jeanine Frost.
I'm also an audio over visual when knitting (maybe because I'm looking down so much when working), and my favorite podcast for years has been Astonishing Legends. It's a podcast about the spooky and weird stuff out there. My favorite series by them is probably Strange Intruders if you're looking for a starting point. My recent likes in the book world have been Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, and The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (a long time fav). If there's an audiobook version of Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown I highly, highly recommend that book, as well.
I also listen to a lot of books. I love The name of the Wind, and that whole series. I love the Witcher audio series, and also Harry Potter read by Steven Fry.
I have rediscovered the Craftlit podcast recently - so many classics audiobooks with all the background info and interpretation that would otherwise pass me by. Plus some crafty chat. I’m working my way through all 70 episodes of Count of Monte Cristo. More recent audiobook recommendations would be Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson, The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich and A Heart that Works by Rob Delaney (check content warnings first).
I’ve been listening to the audiobook “The Home Place” by J. Drew Lanham, who narrates it. It’s subtitled “Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Live Affair With Nature.” Beautifully written, and a wonderful read to knit to!
Re: Audiobook, I have just finished ‘The Seven Moons of Mali Almeida’ by Shehan Karunatilaka. I found it funny, thought provoking and enjoyed the way it was read - I’m glad I listened rather than read it. I might try ‘Savage Her Reply’ by Aoife McMahon next, if something else doesn’t distract me. Happy knitting!
I also recently finished this audiobook and totally agree that it’s a great recommendation!
I really enjoyed listening to: In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri
I highly recommend "The Family Chao" by Lan Samantha Chang. I don't know that I would have enjoyed it as much if I had read it, but listening to it was great! The reader did a really good job.
A great audiobook: The World and All That It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon
I love listening to audiobooks too. It just got difficult for me to hold an actual book in my hands because of the arthritis there. I prefer science fiction, fantasy, and urban fantasy. Right now, I just finished the "Junkyard Druid" series (9 books) by M.D. Massey. I am listening to the spin off series now, starting with "Shadow Changling" (3 books) and the "Zombie Apocalypse" series (5 books).
I have been to Mexico several times with my fixed circular ChiaoGoo needles. I've never had a problem taking them onto the plane in my carry-on. I hope the rest of you have success. I wonder if it varies from airport to airport?
I love your Stone Crop sweater that you have on on this video. Could you tell me where I can find the pattern. Love you pod casts and have learned a bunch from the videos. Thanks, Jean Stagner
A few of my favorite audio books are: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Wizard's Butler, And Then She Vanished, and All Good People Here. Not sure what kinds of podcasts you're into, but some of my favorites are: Anatomy of Murder, Were you Raised by wolves?, and Shadowland.
Loved the Addie LaRue book. I’ll look up the others you recommended!
I loved Little Wing by Freya North on audio. It's a multi-generational story set in England and the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Song Birds by Christy Lefteri is also worth checking out too. I couldn't stop listening to that one. I had to know what happened to the main character!
I just finished the ACOTAR series, which was a knitting companion and now I’m almost finished with 10 Steps to Nannette by Hannah Gadsby (which is EXCELLENT)
Also-are you wearing Salt New York products??
I’ll be moving to Oregon from Italy and I was wondering a) if delta allows knitting supplies on board and b) if there are any good yarn shops/needles shops/ crafting stores around Klamath falls, which will be my hometown
Hi ,just to add a few ideas....I saw a podcast knitter who takes her needles off the cords and then ties the needles together with a bunch of pens in her purse when she travels. And as far a ergonomics the Woolly Thistle podcast has Yoga lessons for knitters....sitting, hands, meditation.....which has actually helped me especially when I get stiff from sitting or my hands get sore. check them out!
Ender's game is a great audiobook to listen to
KnittingPT is also a good resource
Audio Book - Recursion by Blake Crouch is great!!
Have you listened to The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend? It's a fabulous book and Lorelai King, one of my favourite voice actors, is one of the narrators.
I just finished listening to “How High We Go in the Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu. It is really interesting and uses stories that link characters over several thousands of years. It looks at how humans deal with climate change and a plague associated with it. I find myself sometimes thinking, wait was that part of the story or was that something that has or is actually happening now.
Hey Andrea! Do you have a favourite app for listening to audio books?
“The last thing he told me” by Laura Dave
Audiobooks... Just finished House of Wolves by James Patterson... MOST excellent book. Podcast --- Emily Compagno The Fox True Crime. ....
I wonder what happens to the items that the airport takes away from you. Can you get your needles back if they don’t let them on the plane? They be should have an option to mail it your home or something right when they take it. Of course the person would pay for the mailing charges
Audio book called “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed
Hi Andrea, I hope you get to see some killer whales while on Pender Island. I talked last summer with a women and her sister who is organizing part of this week end, and she mentioned you were coming to a retreat on Pender. The sun is shining, it should be a beautiful week end, have fun Melissa. Wish I could be there! It is several islands south of the one I live on, never been.
❤
I have had my needles confiscated coming back from Mexico every year. Now I take bamboo coming home from Mexico
i had my mini scissors taken away from my carry on traveling to panama
Who will knit sitting on a chair with their feet on the ground? That's not comfortable. Lol!!
BFL