Crochet guide
Can you take a crochet hook on a plane?
In most cases, yes. The airport security lists of the United States and Canada both name crochet hooks as allowed in carry-on and checked bags. The officer at the checkpoint has the final say, so no list is a promise.
On this page 6 parts
What the security lists say
These are the lists published by the bodies that run airport security, as they read on 6 October 2026. Lists change. Read the one for your own trip before you pack.
| Flying from | Crochet hooks in a carry-on | Crochet hooks in a checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
| Canada | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Not named on the list | Not named on the list |
United States. The Transportation Security Administration lists crochet hooks as allowed in carry-on bags and in checked bags. Knitting needles are listed the same way.
Canada. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority lists knitting needles and crochet hooks as permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.
United Kingdom. The government's list of hand luggage restrictions does not name crochet hooks, and neither does the aviation regulator's list of items allowed in baggage. Crocheters who fly often say hooks in hand luggage are rarely a problem. That is experience, not a rule.
Who has the last word
The officer at the checkpoint. The United States and Canadian lists both end with the same note: the final decision rests with the screening officer. In the United Kingdom, security staff can stop anything they consider dangerous, even if it is normally allowed. A hook that is on the list can still be refused.
The airline. Rules can differ from one airline to the next. Check your airline's own page as well as the security list.
The country you fly home from. Rules differ from country to country. Look up the list for the return trip too.
Scissors and yarn cutters
- Scissors. Small scissors may go in a carry-on within a size limit. The United States list allows scissors of less than 4 inches (10 cm), which it measures from the pivot point. The United Kingdom list allows blades no longer than 6 cm. Scissors are more likely than a hook to get a second look.
- Cutters with a blade inside. The United States list sends any thread cutter that contains a blade, such as a round pendant cutter, to checked baggage.
- Nail clippers. Some crocheters carry nail clippers to cut yarn in place of scissors, and report no trouble with them.
How to pack
- Start the project before you travel, so the hook is already in a piece of work.
- Some crocheters carry on plastic hooks only, not metal ones. That is crocheters' advice, not a rule on the lists above.
- Leave a cutter with a hidden blade in the checked bag.
Questions people ask
Can I crochet during the flight? Yes. Many crocheters do.
Are metal hooks allowed? The United States and Canadian lists allow crochet hooks, with no rule against metal ones. Carrying on plastic hooks only is crocheters' advice, not a rule.
Can a hook on the list still be taken away? Yes. Every list leaves the decision to the officer in front of you.
Where to go next
Packing a small kit? What you need to start crocheting lists the few tools a project takes. For something small to work on in a seat, look through the dishcloth patterns or all crochet patterns.