The Perfect Travel Companion: A Shawl Knitting Project
Planning a long trip and wondering what knitting project to take along? A simple shawl is the perfect choice!
Why a shawl project? Because it’s stress-free, portable, and endlessly adaptable. No need to memorize a complicated pattern or keep track of stitch counts—just cast on and knit. You can use your favorite yarn and continue until you run out or until your shawl reaches the perfect size. It’s an easy, meditative project that keeps your hands busy while you relax and enjoy the journey.
Best of all, your finished shawl might come in handy on the flight home, keeping you cozy in a chilly airplane cabin. Another bonus? If you stop by a local yarn shop and find some “souvenir yarn,” you can start a new project right away! Just remember to pack a pair of knitting needles or pick up a pair that suits your new yarn.
A travel shawl project is all about simplicity, creativity, and making memories—one stitch at a time. Happy knitting and safe travels!
(And to answer the question, “are knitting needles allowed on airplanes?” Absolutely, Yes! I’ve never had a problem. You may be asked to put them up for take-off and landing, but that’s only reasonable and no big deal.)
Here’s my simple go-to shawl pattern:
Simple Travel Shawl Knitting Pattern
This easy-to-knit shawl is perfect for travel—no complicated pattern to memorize, just relaxing, meditative knitting. Use any yarn you love and knit until you reach your desired size or run out of yarn.
Materials:
- Any weight yarn (choose your favorite!)
- A pair of knitting needles suitable for your yarn (circular needles recommended for larger shawls)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Instructions:
Cast on: 7 stitches.
Set-up: Knit 2 rows.
Increase pattern:
- Right Side (RS): Knit 1, increase 1(KFB or your preferred increase). Knit to the next to the last stitch, decrease 1, knit the last stitch.
- Wrong Side (WS): Knit to the next to the last stitch, increase 1, knit the last stitch
Repeat these two rows until your shawl is the desired size or you run out of yarn.
Customize Your Shawl
You can work the entire shawl in garter stitch (knit every row) for a squishy, textured fabric, or in stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) for a smooth look. Want something unique? Feel free to mix and match any of your favorite memorized stitch patterns to create a one-of-a-kind piece!
Bind off loosely and weave in ends.
Optional: Block your shawl for a more polished finish.
Now you have a cozy, handmade piece—perfect to wear on the journey home!
Happy Travels! Cindy
Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls.
Be sure to check out my newly published A Prayer Shawl Handbook: Inspiration and Resources for Your Prayer Shawl Ministry, now available in paperback and e-book editions and included in Kindle Unlimited.
Sycamore Cove Knitting 