Travel knitting turns idle road trips, beach afternoons, and campsites into project time. This post covers packing a compact knitting bag, then knitting a striped hat, open finger mitts, a reversible cowl, and boot cuffs. All four are ribbed, unisex, and beginner-friendly.
Sight-seeing at the end of a cold and windy wharf at St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick.
materials
yarn
- self-striping, medium-weight superwash wool and nylon blend, about 218 yd [199.3m] per skein
- 5 skeins in all, with 2 for the cowl
needles
- circular needles in US 7 [4.5mm] and US 4 [3.5mm]
- lengths of 10″, 16″ (two of each size), and 24″
notions
- folding scissors, a dropped stitch rescue tool, and a knitting accessory set
- stitch markers, point protectors, and a yarn needle
- no-rinse wool wash, in a 3 fl oz [90ml] travel size
- a small knitting bag
Pack the bag
The knitting bag matters more than your backpack. A small one holds three skeins, every needle, and all the notions. Scissors and needles pass domestic carry-on security without trouble.
Enjoying the International Festival Parade while knitting my cowl in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
Where to knit
In the car, the passenger seat is perfect for gauge swatches. Knit them all on a long drive, then block them on arrival. A cottage is another good spot, even if it’s a friend’s cottage. Keep the knitting simple, so conversation can flow.
Festival parades and kids’ sports games welcome knitting too. Rest the ball of yarn in a folding chair’s drink holder. Beaches, hilltops, and rainy campsites work well. Each piece becomes souvenir knitting, carrying the memory of where you made it.
Knit the hat
This one-size adult hat measures 21¼″ around. Cast on 96 stitches on a US 4 [3.5mm] circular needle, then join in the round. Work 40 rounds of 2×2 rib, about 5″. Switch to US 7 [4.5mm] needles and work 16 rounds of stockinette, about 2½″.
Place markers to divide the stitches into six sections. Decrease one stitch in each section on alternate rounds, from 96 stitches down to 72. Then decrease every round, down to 12 stitches. When the circle is too small, switch to the two circular needle technique. Knit two together all round to leave 6 stitches. Thread the yarn through them and draw up tight. Weave in the ends.
Knitting a simple hat is the perfect pastime for a rainy day while camping.
Knit the mitts
Make two of these mitts, 7¼″ around the hand. Cast on 40 stitches on a US 4 [3.5mm] needle, then divide them across two 16″ circulars. Work 24 rounds of 2×2 rib, about 3″. Follow with 4 rounds of stockinette, about ½″.
Shape the thumb gusset by increasing two stitches every other round with left- and right-leaning make one stitches. Slip 14 gusset stitches onto a spare 10″ needle. Cast on 2 stitches with a backward loop to bridge the gap, returning to 40 stitches.
Work 10 rounds of stockinette for the hand, about 1¼″. Then work 16 rounds of 2×2 rib, about 2″, and bind off in pattern. For the thumb, return the held stitches to the needles. Pick up 6 more across the opening, for 20″ all. Work 16 rounds of rib, about 2″, then bind off. Fold the ribbing down for dexterity, or extend it for warmth.
You now have the pattern for the hat and the mitts; the next pattern is for the cowl.
Knit the cowl
This cowl is part turtleneck, part dickie, and part capelet. It measures 29½″ around the cast-on edge and 12″ long, and it’s fully reversible. Cast on 192 stitches on a US 7 [4.5mm], 24″ circular needle, and join in the round.
Work 32 rounds of 2×2 rib, about 5″. Change to US 4 [3.5mm] and work 32 rounds, about 4″. Change back to US 7 [4.5mm] and work 18 rounds, about 3″. Bind off loosely in rib. The needle changes shape; it is wide at the edges and snug in the middle.
The knitted but not yet blocked cowl shows the shape achieved by changing needle sizes.
Knit the boot cuffs
Make two of these 11¾″ cuffs, each 8½″ long. Cast on 76 stitches on a US 7 [4.5mm], 10″ circular needle. Join in the round, work 50 rounds of 2×2 rib, and bind off loosely.
Wear them to lengthen short boots, or over your pant legs to keep out snow and ticks. Tuck them under for secret warmth. They also line tall boots, to prevent chafing.
Relaxing after a hike, wearing the boot cuffs knit in Deluxe Stripes
Block and wash
Weave in all ends, then wet block each piece in a cool basin with a quick bath of no-rinse wool wash. Spread it on a towel, turning it several times as it dries. On the second mitt or cuff, match the stripes or start on the next color in the ball.