Can you take knitting needles on a plane?

Knitting and sewing needles on flights in and from Japan

The rule for knitting and sewing needles comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items and is the same on domestic and international flights.

Knitting needles, crochet hooks and the rest of the sewing kit

Japan's list puts knitting needles among sharp-pointed objects and still allows them in both bags. The limits that exist concern the tip, the metal and the cutters packed with them.

In the sharp-point group, but allowed

Japan's list places knitting needles in its group for objects with an extremely sharp point, the same group as ice picks and darts. Unlike those, the knitting needle row is marked ○ in both columns, the list's mark for allowed. Sewing needles sit a few rows above with the same marks and no note at all.

The caveat names the tip, not the material

The note in Japan's row refuses a knitting needle that is judged able to serve as a weapon, and gives a sharp tip as its example. It does not mention metal, wood, bamboo or plastic. Taiwan's CAA is the list that separates by material: it names metal knitting needles among the sharp objects that must travel in checked baggage.

Crochet hooks, embroidery needles and safety pins

The TSA has separate entries for Crochet Hooks and Safety pin, both allowed in carry-on and checked bags. CASA covers knitting, embroidery and crochet needles in a single entry that can be carried on. Australia's Home Affairs does stop one needlework tool at the checkpoint: bodkins are on its list of sharp items that can cause harm by penetration.

Thread cutters and sewing scissors

A sewing kit holds more than needles. The TSA sends circular thread cutters, and any needlepoint tool that contains blades, to checked baggage and allows scissors smaller than 4 inches in carry-on. Japan's scissors row lets the scissors of a portable sewing kit into the cabin by name.

Knitting and sewing needles: the rule country by country

Extra conditions apply in Taiwan.

Each row comes from that authority's own page. Airlines can be stricter, and the screening officer has the final say.

Buying knitting and sewing needles in Japan

Where to buy

Yuzawaya, Hands, hundred-yen shops.

Related items

• Razors (safety and disposable)
• Electric shavers
• Scissors
• Nail clippers
• Knives (kitchen and pocket)
• Box cutters and utility knives