Whenever I catch a flight anywhere, I take my WIP.
I always look around at the unenlightened passengers in the seats across the aisle attempting to read the boring in-flight magazine tucked into the seat pocket in front of them, boredom etched on their faces. If only they had brought crochet with them!
But not me. I’m not bored. I have my WIP very carefully added to my carry on luggage.
I happily while away the time getting in a few hours on whatever project I decided to bring along. With crochet in my hands, I can almost forget that the smiling toddler in the seat behind me is clearly attempting to set a new world record for how many times they can kick the back of my seat. Meanwhile, the toddler’s mother and grandmother are doing a stellar job of trying to keep not only this toddler, but also their tiny baby amused… (and maybe I should underline trying). It certainly seems to have healthy lungs.
One particular day I was making simple headbands. I had a very nice ball of brilliant red Shepherd DK. I don’t work with red very often and I’m not really a red fan at all, but a friend of mine loves it beyond anything and I was making the headband for her.
It’s an odd day if you catch her wearing an outfit that doesn’t have red in it somewhere. So, naturally, I was whipping up this headband in her honour.
I was seated in an aisle seat and the second my behind hit the chair, out came the crochet. I popped the ball of yarn onto my lap, carefully pulling out only what I needed as I worked. As we took off, I continued crocheting away, happy in my own little crochet bubble.
The plane was still climbing, with everyone nicely strapped in, when I realised I needed more yarn from the ball. I gave it a gentle tug, hoping it would unwind a little more.
There was slight resistance.
So I looked down at my lap.
The yarn was not there.
This is right about the moment that horrible “Oh no…” feeling hit, along with a sense of dread.
I looked down at my feet, hoping it had simply rolled off and was sitting there waiting for me like a well-behaved ball of yarn should.
But no.
The yarn had other plans.
It had fallen off my lap and travelled under the seat… and when I turned and followed its escape path, I realised it had made its way out from under my seat, down the aisle, and right towards the back of the plane.
I was seated just past the mid-section of the aircraft. With the plane angled upward during take-off, my wayward ball of yarn had started to roll… and then just kept on rolling.
Honestly, I could almost hear it yelling, “I’m free! I’m free!” as it escaped down the aisle like it had been planning this moment for its entire life.
There at the back centre of the plane sat a male flight attendant, strapped in for take-off.
And in his lap…
…was my fully unravelled ball of red yarn.
I looked at him with pure horror on my face, embarrassed beyond belief, and mouthed the words:
“Sorry!”
He just smiled.
Several of the aisle-seat passengers behind me were also grinning widely. Clearly they had witnessed the yarn’s dramatic escape and enjoyed every second of it.
Once the plane had levelled out, I snuck another look at the flight attendant.
He was busily winding my yarn back into a ball.
Then, as casually as if this sort of thing happened every day, he slowly walked back up the aisle, rewinding it as he went.
Thankfully, he had a sense of humour… and thankfully, he didn’t hand it back to me with a lecture about keeping my yarn under control.
Even after that rather embarrassing moment I still never travel without a crochet project in my carry-on.
It keeps my hands busy, my mind quiet, and occasionally provides unexpected entertainment for the entire cabin (yarn escapes included).
So if you’re ever heading off somewhere, or just want something portable that doesn’t take over the lounge room, small projects like headbands, scarves, or little purses are perfect travel companions.
I have a number of portable designs, travel approved. So if you feel like having a browse, head to my home page. No pressure… just ideas for your next “take anywhere” project.
And if you are travelling with your yarn, be sure it does not try to hatch an escape plan as the embarrassment is rather epic!