Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Desperate Measures.

8/27/2012

13 Comments

 
Prior to departing on our U.K. holiday, I began to worry. I've been flying with fiber since I started knitting. In fact, I look incredibly forward to plane time, because I know I'll have tons of time to knit. I usually pack too many projects and carry multiple sets of needles with me; a porcupine of stiletto point Sigs, as seen through the security scanner. Flying out of O'hare, it's not an issue. Ever. I've had my bags examined in San Diego and Seattle, but they let me pass. In and out of the Dominican, es no problema. Aruba; good. But, apparently, not everybody trusts a knitter on an airplane. 
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There you have it. Plain as day. Nestled between corkscrews and billiards, sits knitting needles on the restricted items list at Heathrow. My heart broke a little. Did the lovely people of London really expect me to survive an eight hour flight without a WIP? I mean, really. 

I sought counsel from a friend and fellow knitter who makes trips to England on a semi-regular basis. She affirmed my fears, but offered solace in the form of a loop hole. While knitting needles are restricted, turns out, crochet hooks are not. She offered-up her copy of the Happy Hooker and a crochet hook to hold me over.  I was optimistic. 
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About a week before take-off, I sat down and tried to teach myself the basics. It took me about four hours of frustration before I decided crochet wouldn't do. I needed figure out a way to take my needles with me. Based on the acceptability of the wooden crochet hook, I concluded wooden double points would be my best bet. I typically knit my socks on circs, but DPNs seemed a fair trade for being able to knit during the flight. 

In my heightened state of  panic, I hatched my scheme. First, I disguised the needles by mixing them in with my pens and pencils. Second, I divided them between the four pieces of carry-on luggage Mike and I were permitted to bring on the plane. Between Chicago and Dublin-no questions asked. We made it between Dublin and London with ease. 

With safe passage on two out of three flights I should have been confident I was in the clear. Instead, I was shifty-eyed and sweaty as we passed through security at Heathrow. I completely convinced myself I was in for a cavity search and full-on interrogation for attempting to smuggle restricted items onto the aircraft. I could see the scene playing out in my mind. Good cop, bad cop-"WHAT ELSE ARE YOU HIDING?! WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?"

Contrary to the depths of my imagination. Security was a breeze. In hindsight, I'm sure unconcealed DPNs would have easily passed muster. I still felt I'd gotten away with something; it's the closest to a George Jung moment I'll ever experience. And, for my efforts, I ended my trip with a completed pair of socks.
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Yarn: Berroco Sox- John Moores 1425
Pattern: None, just a 2x1 rib with a 2x2 cable at each side; heel flap. 
Needles: US 0 wooden DPNs

13 Comments
Renee Anne link
8/27/2012 03:46:33 am

I'm always worried about bringing knitting of any kind on a plane. I wind up bringing a book about knitting to help tide me over. Granted, I haven't been on a flight longer than 4 hours since I began knitting four years ago...but I could, perhaps, handle having a hook. I do know some crochet (enough to make a very basic scarf).

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Saff link
8/29/2012 01:19:58 am

I fly reasonably often and this always bothers me. At Manchester, my most common departure point, I'm pretty sure they're OK, but I have seen them on the restricted list for many other airports as I've travelled.

That said, I have never yet had a problem. So far, so good...

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Carla link
8/29/2012 03:36:17 am

Your socks came out gorgeous!! And I too have that fear that if I ever find myself going to travel by plane, that I wont be able to bring my knitting. I think I might use your tip >w>

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HazelsCrochet link
8/29/2012 07:57:21 am

I am thankful I am a 'hooker' and I wouldn't need to worry about knitting needles, but I would be exactly the same...thinking I would get caught out even if I am in the clear :)

The socks look wonderful

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Renee link
8/29/2012 10:19:29 am

Gorgeous! Well done for getting through security with your needles intact, I've heard so many horror stories, it really is a bit silly sometimes.

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Ashley link
8/29/2012 04:07:59 pm

Those socks are so BEAUTIFUL!!

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Tanya link
8/29/2012 09:24:27 pm

Totally funky, if not completely law abiding, socks!!

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Heather link
8/30/2012 12:55:51 am

Love the socks! Its a bummer that the crochet didn't work out for you though. I really like the happy hooker book.

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Amy link
8/30/2012 06:29:51 am

Wow I love the socks! And thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog. The issue of covertly taking knitting needles on board has amused me somewhat - you do make it sound like you were doing something VERY VERY wrong! So funny!

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Corrie B link
8/30/2012 09:22:36 pm

I love this, I had the same issue when I went into the Olympics. I eventually decided not to risk it and left the knitting at home. When I got into the venue, I took my pencil case out to start sketching some horses and I realised I'd left my craft knife in my pencil case. They didn't say a word. WHAT!? The security is AS TIGHT as Heathrow. Argh!

I've done a Follow Friday style blog-post today, and I've featured your blog on it. I'd love it if you could recommend three blogs to me that you love to read, but if you don't have time that's no problem at all. (The blog is www.plutoniummuffins.com if you want to check it out.)

Thank you for being a source of inspiration to me!

Corrie xx

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Willow4 :0) link
8/30/2012 10:46:32 pm

Well done agent willknit, I have an elephant for you to get throught the airport on your next trip ;0)
PS. Love the socks!

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MegtheGrand link
9/5/2012 06:44:55 am

OMG. Your socks are stunning! I haven't progressed very far in my crocheting skills, but holy cannoli, I am planning on flying out of O'Hare in the next six months and I am going to need something to do on the 10+ hour trip - I think you've inspired me to get this book and increase my skills! Are you working on any other projects from the book?

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lsaspacey link
12/9/2015 11:17:15 am

Funny, I would have been more scared that after getting through security they would be confiscated by the attendants on the plane when I first whipped them out to knit. Congrats to you.

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