[YouMeAndThree]

I have a 2 full set of bamboo knitting needles (straights and circulars) and (unused :uhoh) crotchet hooks. Am I allowed to bring them over to NZ as I've seen threads about bamboo being a no-no?

Also, would I be allowed to take some knitting onboard the plane to pass the time?.................although travelling on my own with 3 small children I VERY much doubt I will find the time :wah. Would they be classed as a security threat (the knitting, not the children!)

Thanks

[lindreth]

I just travelled between US and NZ with 9 inch bamboo knitting needles in my carry-on luggage and had no problems at all with MAF. (I think I claimed them on the customs form... I'm pretty sure I did...I was a little groggy at that point!)

[NZ Hopeful]

I would have thought knitting needles were a definate no-no, have a look at this site...


http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

It says no but it may be worth checking with your airline. :)

[JandM]

I would have thought knitting needles were a definate no-no, have a look at this site...


http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

It says no but it may be worth checking with your airline. :)

I asked last year, travelling between Heathrow and AKL, and was refused.

[pinkpiggy]

Hi, you wouldn't have a problem bringing them into NZ but defo not allowed to use knitting needles on the planes. It might be different with the crochet hook so it might be worth checking.

[YouMeAndThree]

Much as I thought then, no knitting needles on the plane. But you think they may be okay to ship over. I was just worried about the fact they are bamboo, although they are very thin and I would very much doubt that they have any hollow sections (like live bamboo shoots).

Lindreth - was actually quite surprised that you had your needles in your hand luggage going through a US airport. Thought they would have been far more rigorous/strict on checking.

Pinkpiggy - the crotchet hooks will probably remain in my shipping consignment as I don't know how to crotchet for toffee, LOL! One of the crafts on my 'to learn' list..............just can't get the hang of it at all. In all honesty there is no reason to take them at all, but I'm a sucker for clutter :uhoh

[lindreth]

Yes, I was surprised they allow them too (thought I'd be pegged as a Knitting Terrorist!) but I checked online ahead of time and the US's Transportation Security Administration's website advised that knitting needles are generally allowed aboard if they are not metal and if they are less than a foot long, but also advised that it would be up to the TSA officer's discretion to let any particular person bring the needles aboard.

[Bunstar]

Hi,
We shipped a bamboo steamer in our container and had no problems with MAF. Just make sure you make a note of the box the items are in and declare on your Customs forms and you'll be fine.
:D

[wiki]

I had no probs with a big bag of knitting needles in my checked-luggage. Didn't declare them. They're varnished and not hollow so no chance of a bug lurking inside...

[BkyMonster]

Might try circular knitting needles as they are less long and pointy.
Less to upset the security maybe?

:roll

[Derv]

You can't take circular needles either. Tried that and got told "no" by Air NZ at LHR.

[Genie]

I'm sorry, I can't help it, but this is conjuring up images of terrorists armed with size 10 knitting needles. Perhaps we should have a little sectioned off area onboard for knittting in, with a secret knock to get in.

I know, I'm sorry, too much imagination at this time of night. The stress has finally got to me. I miss my knitting!!!:wah

PS and my cross stitch. Would that be allowed on board, or would a needle be a threat to national security do you think??:D

[JandM]

I did think, when knitting on aeroplanes was banned, anything nasty you could do with a knitting needle you could also do with a pen or pencil. :-(

[marcia]

I was told no to cross stitch as well!! (nov 2006 - singapore airlines)

I never even gave my bamboo knitting needles a thought - they were packed along with other 'crafty' stuff, the packers never said a word, and I never thought to declare them............:exit Its not till you have brought the subject up that I even thought about them!

[Derv]

It's definitely "no" to cross stitch on planes too. I agree with Genie about a knitting area on planes - how brilliant that would be.:yes And, as JandM says, shouldn't pens and pencils be banned too; the world's gone mad or am I just getting old?:confused:

I don't know anything about bringing in bamboo needles - I don't like them; I prefer old-fashioned metal needles.

[dharder]

although travelling on my own with 3 small children I VERY much doubt I will find the time :wah.

I didn't even take a book last time, I thought it would be too frustrating to have it there but not get a chance to read it because of the kids...

My mother normally travels within Europe, and is never allowed to take knitting needles with her. So you don't even have to blame it on the kids if you can't knit on the plane :)

Daniela

[JandM]

The next step in the argument would be, 'Anything nasty I can do with a pen or pencil, I could do with my finger.' What do they do then - cut our fingers off? Yes, the world's gone mad!

[YouMeAndThree]

PS and my cross stitch. Would that be allowed on board, or would a needle be a threat to national security do you think??:D

See now I've got this worry about something dangerous happening should a 'cross stitch' meet up with a 'vicious circle', LOL!!

Maybe if I found some nice length pencils, I could knit with those eh?:p

Or even just finger knit - until they chop them off!

The unforeseen dangers of a sedentary pastime eh????

Lx

[jen]

Knitting needles should be OK on NZ domestic flights. Someone on a knitting forum I belong to posted a link to the New Zealand Aviation Security brochure which specifically says you can bring knitting needles on Air New Zealand:

http://www.avsec.govt.nz/News/SharpsHBSbrochure.pdf

It may just depend on who is doing security that day; the knitting forumite was going to print out the brochure & take it along to try to convince security her needles were "legal" in case there was an issue.

Also, Australia & the UK prohibit knitting needles and one person was told by Air NZ that they sometimes tell people that needles on their international flights are prohibited so you don't get them confiscated by screeners overseas on your return. The US seems to be okay with knitting needles & I'm going to try to take my small, harmless-looking circulars on our flight in a couple weeks to work on a quick scarf; at worst I guess I'm out $8.99 if they take them!

Jen

[StevieD]

I'm sorry but I am so exasperated by this thread!!

So much for the US "security" letting knitting needles on a plane, yet I get my aftershave confiscated as a "possible terrorist threat". (won't mention my fishing knife that went in to the hand luggage by mistake!)

They won't let you take a sewing needle on board in case you what? Prick someone to death????
I can see it now "don't make a move or the stewardess gets it!"

Then there is the issue of the cutlery on the plane for us coming down. We got plastic knives and forks, but a METAL spoon!??

It is so pathetic, I just can't help wonder at what the hell is going on in this world, it is madness.

You gotta laugh though haven't you? :laugh

[pinkpiggy]

Then there is the issue of the cutlery on the plane for us coming down. We got plastic knives and forks, but a METAL spoon!??

We were the same but I remember someone else telling me they got metal cutlery and actually kept them so they could use them when they first arrived in NZ.

[peebles16]

We were the same but I remember someone else telling me they got metal cutlery and actually kept them so they could use them when they first arrived in NZ.


Great idea :nice1 Better than the cheap stuff from the Warehouse am sure :laugh

Karenx

[StevieD]

Ah yes, Warehouse cutlery, also known as Uri Geller cutlery :laugh

[Genie]

I've just checked online what we can and cannot take onboard with us. Knitting needles.....NO, round ended scissors......YES, large metal spoon.....No, small metal spoon.....YES.

I'm assuming the reason you cannot take a large spoon is so you can play the 'head hitting spoon' game fairly :yes :laugh

[StevieD]

No, they tend to be used for musical interludes and wake passengers who are trying to sleep :laugh

But seriously, it is ridiculous, if there is all this talk about security, how can they allow anything on planes that could be used as a weapon? Although if you think about it, that includes an awful lot of stuff. Scarves - (strangulation), fingers? hands? people?

I not making a joke about it, far from it, and I know it is extremely difficult to categorise items. But it seems to me that you have to be consistent across the board, and if you can't take them on in UK, you can't take them on in any country....