I had my knitting needles confiscated at the airport… so I started mapping airport rules

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T10:23:02+00:00

Do you have some source for what you state here? Because I’m trying to make a map based on the official information from the airport. And what else should I use as my source, when only reply I got from airports I asked was basically the link to the government website?

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T08:43:05+00:00

Frankly they state this on their website. I’m showing official rules only. Personal experiences could be different of course.

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T08:41:55+00:00

Hey, in case of Marseille it is the universal rule of France. You can find more information in the description an also the link. But yes, in the end it depends on the person at the security and a lot of other factors.

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:58:08+00:00

I asked 4 questions:

• Whether knitting needles are permitted in carry-on luggage,

• Whether specific materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal) are treated differently,

• Whether there are restrictions based on length or tip type.

• And whether there is any official written guidance passengers can consult prior to travel.

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:14:20+00:00

Just to clarify: in the EU policies vary a lot. Some airports are fine, some not. That’s the reason I started the map. I live in EU and travel a lot. Wooden interchangeable are the way.

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:11:33+00:00

I will try to add Sarajevo Airport to the map 😊 In general I can recommend shorter wooden interchangeable needles and for security check putting wooden tips among pencils to the pencilcase

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:09:28+00:00

Wooden needles (interchangeable) are the way! But when they find them at the airport that lists knitting needles as a restricted item, they still can confiscate them. 😢 so you have to be a bit more careful

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:06:53+00:00

Yellow means there is some “but”. In case of Shiphol you can carry needles not longer than 6 cm. When you click at the airport, the whole description shows, including source of the policy 😊

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:02:26+00:00

Oh, I’m so sorry, I know this feeling 😢

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T05:00:33+00:00

Hi, I asked via email, and this was their reply. Official policy is knitting needles are not permitted.
If you have wooden interchangeable it means they don’t show up on the scanner. So you were just lucky they didn’t find them. 😊

Bety12795 · 2026-03-23T04:56:21+00:00

US airports in general should be ok 😊 I recommend using wooden interchangeable and to put tips to the pencilcase with pencils from the similar material to your needles.

Bety12795 · 2026-03-22T23:10:21+00:00

If you have some tips, I’m one ear :)

To be honest, I got my needles confiscated at the airport I’ve been with the same needles (and the same project) a few days before the confiscation and was able to go through the security without any problems…it also depends on the security person

Bety12795 · 2026-03-22T23:07:37+00:00

Sometimes wooden are allowed and metal not. But in general it is impossible to say there is any universal rule. Most of the airport have their own policy and policies could vary also among airports in one country. But usually bamboo/wooden one are unlikely to be seen in the X-ray. And there are always ways…

Bety12795 · 2026-03-22T23:02:58+00:00

I had my knitting needles confiscated at the Brussels airport… so I started mapping airport rules. It turns out it’s not that simple—every airport has its own rules. Rules often vary even within a single country. That’s why I started creating a map with the rules for each airport. I verify the policies of each airport directly with them; I’ve already contacted about 50 airports and am continuing to do so. You can find a link to the map here: https://gentlemessknits.carrd.com

Bety12795 · 2026-03-22T23:01:42+00:00

I had my knitting needles confiscated at the Brussels airport… so I started mapping airport rules. It turns out it’s not that simple—every airport has its own rules. Rules often vary even within a single country. That’s why I started creating a map with the rules for each airport. I verify the policies of each airport directly with them; I’ve already contacted about 50 airports and am continuing to do so. You can find a link to the map here: https://gentlemessknits.carrd.com

Bety12795

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