Of course, any crafter knows that when you take an extended trip, you have to pack some craft activities for any downtime you might have. I recently attended a conference for college English instructors, and it was about a three hour trip one way to get there. Luckily, I did not have to drive, which meant I could spend the three hours knitting or crocheting. Along with figuring out the right clothes to pack and other items I would need, I spent a good deal of thought thinking of the right yarn projects to pack. I had to keep things pretty light, though, because I needed to make sure I could lug all my luggage myself.

I hoomed and hawed about current projects I’m working on that I could bring with me. I needed a mix of easy no-brainer projects and maybe one more challenging project that would require a little brain power. Eventually, I decided to bring my sock project (for the brain required project), my Windsor shawl project that I have been working a little on and off since mid-July (a no-brain power project), and then as a last minute idea, I brought a skein of worsted wool yarn and a hook to make a hat for charity. I figured that would be more than enough. In fact, I almost did not bring the hat yarn, but I realized it would be a good car project for the way there.

I am so glad I brought all three projects! I can’t even believe I almost did not bring them all because I finished the hat about 20 minutes before we arrived in Ybor City, Florida (where the conference was held). I panicked a little too. One project was done, so that means I had only two to cover the next two days and the three hour trip home. Ybor City was kind of cute looking when we first rolled in – lots of brick roads and beautiful old buildings – so for a few minutes the idea that there might be a yarn shop nearby flitted through my head. Umm…no..Ybor City is so not a place for yarn shops! Tattoo parlors, biker bars, and funky consignment shops, yes, you’ll find lots of those there.

As it happens, the two other projects were enough to cover my downtime in the evenings (which wasn’t a ton of time) and the trip home; however, I learned a valuable lesson – You can never have too much yarn when you hit the road for a trip.