the perfect travel project....

I'm looking for a travel project.  We travel fairly often, so you would think I'd have this down pat.  Small.  Portable.  Mindless.  Not asking much.  

The process:

1. Look at all the UFOs kicking around.  At the moment, there are too many to list, but here are a few I was able to eliminate pretty easily. The dress was too big. Flaum was too.  The mitered blanket and the leftover cowl had too many balls of yarn to tote.  The unfinished socks are unfinished for a reason...I'm not in the mood.  The mitts don't have enough knitting left to last a week (so why aren't they finished???) Intertidal is at a point where I have to think. Whisper wrap. ??? OK.  You might make the cut, but the fact that you haven't been touched in over two years must mean something.  I'll have to go check.  The rest (and there are many) don't even get considered.
2. Next, spend an inordinate amount of time browsing Ravelry, then Pinterest, then Instagram....then back to Ravelry.
3. Take a nice long dive into the stash, hoping something will scream that it wants to go to Cape Cod.
4. Complain to everyone who will listen that the perfect travel knit just doesn't exist, hoping someone will come through with an answer.
5. When someone DOES come through with a serious contender (thanks Katrine!!!)...I think the Annisa Wrap  would be awesome!!!.... go on another stash dive.  (Note to self:  start the process at least a day earlier, so that when #5 fails to produce the right yarn, there is still a yarn shop open.)
6. Randomly start something. Hello Rill. Then immediately reject it because it's too fiddly.
7. Write up a blog post, hoping someone comes through...fast.

 

We leave in less than 12 hours, and I can't start packing until the knitting is all lined up.  

Comments

[Ann Denton]

I can't help with the knitting, but I can wish you a wonderful, safe, cool trip!

[Caffeine Girl]

I can't disagree -- knitting is the first consideration of travel!
I usually go for a simple sock pattern with a fun colorway. But a simple shawl is good, too.

[Zeta]

You are in my mind! I'm leaving in about a month and I'm trying to decide what knitting I should bring with me. (I have already made my suitcase mentally.) I'll probably choose socks because they are so portable, I can stop at any time and I can have a conversation while knitting. Plus in a week I think I can finish 2 pairs. It will be a productive week! Have a great time at Cape Cod. I'll wait to hear all about it ;-)

[Pip]

Now this might fall into the category of too easy for you...but how about West's Boneyard Shawl or have you already been there done that? Have a marvelous and safe trip. Love the Cape!!!!!'xo

[andi]

You know I am going to say socks. ;)
Can't wait to hear what you choose. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

[Tahnee]

Haha, oh my what a conundrum! I'm afraid I don't have a solution for you, as I usually use the term 'travel project' interchangeably with 'perfect excuse for a new cast on'.

[Caroline]

I really battle finding the right travel project! Like you I need something mindless and easy to put down and pick up without stressing about leaving things mid row.
Last December I started a south bay shawl as my Cape Town travel partner but it was far too hot to do much! Now each time I travel I throw that in my hand bag and it's perfect for a few rows. Not sure what i'll do when it's finished....start another?
How about the under the same sky shawl? It's a very simple knit yet it's interesting enough to keep you motivated.

[AsKatKnits]

Travel knitting is absolutely a necessity! Have you figured it out? Or am I too late to make a suggestion? (If I am not too late, Kay Gardner always says that a Honey Cowl is perfect for all things!)

[Kat]

Picking the perfect travel knitting can be so tough! I wish I had some wisdom for you-hope you figure something out quickly so you can enjoy your trip!

[Susan M]

I have made 3 of these.....LOVE THIS SHAWL....."Close to You"....free on Ravelry....after a while you just have to check off the rows because you memorize the pattern.....works well with all kinds of fingering....busy, plain, gradients.....and half of my knitting group is know knitting it for vacations and easy knitting at events......Hope you like it......

[Katrine]

I think you need to either 1) visit your yarn shop today, or 2) make the yarn shop the very first place you go when you get to Cape Cod. Otherwise, you are going to be restless. And you don't want to be restless on your vacation to Cape Cod. Safe travels, my friend.

[Deb]

The Volga Cowl. I traveled with it, and it was perfect. Mindless knitting with a interesting construction that doesn't make it boring!

[Ann]

I feel your pain--I thought I was the only one who flailed through the decision about travel knitting. Such high stakes and the possibility of disappointment is high!

I have four suggestions:

Simple Shawl by Jane Hunter--pretty edging
On Off Shawl--simple but a nice shape and fun to wear
Relaxation Shawl by Rebecca Shepler--I used a dk weight hand paint yarn with short repeats for main color with a contrasting solid colored lace edge. Hands down, I get more compliments on this shawl than anything else I've ever knitted.
Eliz Zimmermann's Pi Shawl--miles and miles of knitting that you can make as simple or complicated as you want. You can use all one yarn or many. Great, great, great travel knitting and people will ask you what you are knitting.

Have a wonderful trip!

[Ann]

I just thought of another one: Endless Saturday Socks http://cozymadethings.blogspot.com/2012/01/endless-saturday-socks.html

The color changes will keep it interesting. Do afterthought heels when you get home.

[jo]

Hi, I agree finding a travel project is challenging. I usually tote around Churchmouse Easy folded poncho on long trips as its endless mind numbing knitting that eats away the stress of air travel for me. Many great yarn options and the last one I did I used Rowan felted tweed and it made a wonderful gift-shibui pebble/silk cloud is another great combo. Another churchmouse gem is the twice reversible wrap. Honey Cowl is another small project that makes a great gift. I spent last year knitting house slippers from arne and carlos in airports around the world and the slippers made wonderful gifts for the entire family. Outline wrap is a great way to use up leftover sock yarn and create a beautiful FO! Good luck and enjoy your travels!

[steph@woolythyme]

A great one!!! Many thanks. I'm making a list!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[steph@woolythyme]

Another great suggestion!!!!  I'm making a list!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

OH how stressful! Been there. Cast on more socks? Send me a postcard from the cape!

[Tien]

Oh, I hope that the perfect travel project presented itself! My suggestion would have been to find a nice suitcase & pack All The Projects. Plus a couple of balls of sock yarn just in case ;) Have a great time!

[steph@woolythyme]

this is the BEST suggestion yet!!!!

[karen]

you have summed up my daily life :) I do this for every trip and for when I am at home!!