Carolin 
Shuttle tatting is my favorite craft, partly because you can take it anywhere. Not only are the materials (the input) tiny, but the finished lace (the output) is too. A project in progress, along with all the necessary tools, can fit inside a phone case. Tatting is quite simply the perfect travel craft.
Places for Tatting
Since tatting doesn’t require sharp needles, it’s safe to use on all kinds of transportation. It helps pass the time on buses or trains, on the commute to work, in the car (as a passenger, of course), or even on a ferry. I haven’t tried it on a plane yet, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
My dream is tatting on vacation—at the beach, by the pool, or in the evening on a hotel balcony. You can take it to a café or a picnic. I’ve even tatted at the playground while the kids were playing.
In short: we can tat anywhere we would usually pull out our phones to kill time.
5 Tips for a Compact Tatting Kit
In theory, you need the same tools for "tatting-to-go" as you do at home.
In practice, these five tips will help you save space and weight.
- Planning is everything
This might seem obvious, but I’m including it for the sake of completeness. If you want to minimize bulk, choose one specific project and pack only what you need for it. Select your pattern, the right thread, your shuttle, and a crochet hook if needed.
- Wind your shuttles
Ich bewickele mir die Schiffchen/bobbins at home. That way, I can start knotting immediately without carrying a whole ball of thread. If I’m going to be away for a while but don’t want a bulky ball of yarn, I prepare small "mini-balls" (about 5–10 meters). I can use these to refill my shuttles as needed.
Personally, I don't work as fast while traveling as I do at home. On a train, I like to look out the window or chat with curious fellow passengers. For me, that’s part of the charm of tatting-to-go—so I don't need to bring massive amounts of thread.
Of course, if you’re someone who hits your "flow" and becomes extra productive while traveling, you should pack more! - Häkelnadel
If your shuttle doesn't have a built-in hook, I recommend a crochet hook with a cap. This protects both the hook and your precious lace while you're on the move. I use one where the handle doubles as the cap; when closed, it’s even more compact than a standard hook.
- The Pattern
Patterns can live in thick, heavy books, or they can travel invisibly in our brains.
I usually keep complex patterns as PDFs on my phone. If they’re from a book, I take a photo of the page before I leave. As long as you own the book and don't share the photo, this is perfectly fine for personal use.
For simple, repetitive patterns, I work through at least one full repeat before I leave to commit it to memory. If I get stuck, I just count the stitches on the piece itself. This means I don't have to pack a pattern, I don't need a table, and I can keep working even if my phone battery dies.
I also love using travel time to brainstorm new designs, jotting down ideas in a small notebook I always carry. - The Dental Floss Cutter
I removed the tiny thread cutter from an empty dental floss container to use as a travel-friendly alternative to scissors. I glued it inside a small piece of folded cardboard so it stays safe and won't accidentally cut anything it shouldn't.
Bonus Tip:
I don’t like working with sharp sewing needles while traveling. I save the task of weaving in the ends for when I’m back home.
What are your experiences with crafting on the go? Let me know in the comments!
