Top 10 Road Trip Crochet Projects

Holiday Crochet, is there such a thing?!

Crochet is wonderfully portable and is great for shoving in your bag and taking anywhere. I’ve crocheted in all sorts of places; on the train, at the park, at kids’ parties, on the beach and even in the bath!

When there’s talk of a holiday away or days out I get super excited and start planning what project I’m going to take. Its priority over everything wouldn’t you agree? Unless you’re working on a huge family blanket or large scale piece most crochet projects can be picked up and put down anywhere.
​
This bank holiday weekend we’re heading to the seaside for a camping trip with friends. Since having children we have only holidayed in the UK, the thought of taking two small children on an aeroplane just freaks me out. I think they’re almost at an age where we could manage a flight and sun filled holiday but for now I cherish the road trip experience and ground I’m familiar with. You can’t beat a great British holiday with young children in my opinion. What kind of holiday do you prefer? Does travelling with young children cause you anxiety overload too?! Please let me know in the comments.

I love an excuse not to drive as well, I’d much prefer to crochet instead. If I had the choice of driving for 2+ hours or sitting on a train, which would probably take longer, and crocheting instead I know what I would choose. How about you? I’m so lucky that my husband takes the lead with our driving. Whenever we go on a day trip or holiday anywhere, he drives, standard. It’s not something we’ve talked about it just happens that way. This suits me fine, some of my most productive crochet sessions have been whilst as a passenger in the car. Fingers crossed I’ve not just jinxed things and he makes me drive next time!

Crochet at home or away

Do you prefer to crochet at home in your favourite chair or do you enjoy to crochet on the go?! Perhaps you’re new to crochet and have only crocheted from your comfort zone but would like to take your hook out into the world and crochet in public. I have put together a list of portable crochet projects that I think are ideal for a road trip or whilst on the move.​

Before you get started here’s my top three tips for crocheting on the go

• Keep it small.
  ​Choose manageable sized projects that can be picked up and put down easily. There’s nothing worse than trying to manoeuvre a bulky project in a small space or transport a huge project bag on top of your holiday luggage. You’re going to be excited about your trip as well so choose a pattern with a simple repeat and not too complicated because you’ll be distracted by lots of different things.
  
  
• Don’t forget all your equipment.
  Yep, I’ve done it before. I packed a selection of yarns to make the perfect project but couldn’t work on it as I’d forgotten the pattern. I now always make sure I download a version on my phone or take pictures of the pattern so I always have a copy to hand. The main things to remember are yarn, hooks, needles, scissors, pattern printed or downloaded (remember, you may not always be able to access the internet whilst out and about).
  ​
• Store in a good bag with pockets.
  The amount of times I’ve lost my hook under the car seat miles away from a service stop or dropped my needle, never to be found again. Having the right bag for the job whilst traveling is essential. Whether you’re travelling by car or train or are out and about, I’d advise you use a bag with pockets or separate compartments for all your bits and bobs to avoid fumbling around searching for things.

My Top Ten Crochet Travel Projects

Small projects or projects that are made of small parts are most definitely the best types of projects to work on whilst travelling, here are my top ten road trip projects. ​[Click on the image to be taken to the pattern]
​

> Crochet Scrubbies / Crochet Soap Bags

Crochet scrubbies and soap bags are environmentally friendly and a great stash buster. Make flat pads for removing make up and applying cleansers, go crazy textured and create shower scrubbies or crochet a cute little soap saver to house your favourite soap.

> Crochet Pot Holder

I love a good pot holder, the're super useful and are a great way to add a splash of texture and colour to your kitchen. I have a simple treble crochet, double layered, dishcloth cotton one I made years ago in my kitchen and it still looks and performs as well as it did the day I made it. Here's a few fancier ones I've got my eye on making.

> Crochet Jewellery / Crochet Accessories

If you have ever met me before you will know I almost always have a crocheted necklace around my neck. I'm not one for delicate either, the bigger and bolder the better. Most of my necklaces were made by the wonderful Rhea Clements who runs Handmade Nottingham and are made from t-shirt yarn. I've made a couple for myself too but I'm excited by the mustard beaut below so may just have to make myself a new new.

> Crochet Granny Square Blanket

We all know how versatile the granny square is, from the humble granny original to a fancy pants cactus one, creating squares make fabulous travel crochet. My last big travel project was my Porthminster Cardigan, made up of traditional granny squares, its a statement piece that took over a year to make and spent a lot of time in the car and at the beach.

> Small Amgurumi

Amigurumi is my all time favourite. I tend to make all the body parts whilst travelling and then stuff and join together when I'm home. Its such a satisfying feeling when it all comes together. Most amigurumi is made up of small parts so they're ideal projects for transporting and working on whilst out and about. 

> Crochet Garland / Crochet Bunting

Crochet bunting and garlands make great gifts and are another wonderful stash buster. I crocheted bunting for my wedding table and have made lots for new babies in my time. The possibilities are endless as well. Bunting doesn't just have to be made from triangles now does it?! Look at these beauts.

> Crochet Doilies

Doilies can often be overlooked and catagorised as being old fashioned. Not in my house. I love to make brightly coloured ones and use all sorts of yarn types. Doilies don't just have to be used to sit under a plant pot either, why not supersize and make a giant rug, or attach to the front of cushion or as part of a garland.

> Crochet Phone Case

There are soooo many different ways to crochet a phone cover, it was hard to choose just three. Most of these patterns can be adapted and applied to tablet covers or laptop covers too. I love a good rainbow but just look at that unicorn!

> Crochet Flowers / Crochet Applique

Oh my word, look at those feathers! Flowers and appliques make lovely additions to clothing, attached to a key ring or like these adorable feathers used as bookmarks. How would you use crocheted appliques?

> Crochet Hat / Crochet Ear Warmer

Everyone needs a hat and there are so many different types to choose from. The summer holidays are a great time to prepare for the colder months. You don't want cold ears when the cool weather creeps in.  I'm never that organised mind you but perhaps, after creating this blog I'll be inspired to get ahead and make our winter hats rather than panic make when they're needed.

​Here’s just a few of the possible projects you could have a go at whilst out and about on your travels. I hope you enjoy the examples I have found as much as I did searching the web for them. Let me know what your go to favourite travel project is. Im always looking for inspiration. Where’s the most interesting place you’ve crocheted? As you can imagine, crocheting in the bath wasn't that successful but at least I can say I tried it! One more question, because I'm a nosy parker. If you could travel anywhere right now where would it be? 

That's it from me guys, I'm off to catch up on Game of Thrones and make a to do list ready for the morning, where I'll be frantically packing for a camping trip by the sea. Thanks for reading my lovelies. Happy Bank Holiday. ​April x