In praise of small knitting projects

I travel light. Always have.

One carry-on, one personal item, and that’s it. No checked bags, no excess. But inside that personal item--every single time--there’s a knitting project.

Because let’s be honest: airplanes are not exactly known for their pleasures. The snacks are…fine. The drinks are minimal. Unless you’re flying first-class international, you’re not exactly being spoiled.

So I make my own luxury.

Usually that means popping in my AirPods and listening to a really good book, with a small knitting project in a luxurious yarn that feels delicious in my hands.

A small knitting project as a treat

This week I’m starting my first Sophie Scarf. I know...everyone on the planet has already knit a dozen or so, but I’m a little behind on this, ok. Don’t judge.

But I get it. I see why it’s become such a phenomenon.

It’s clean and modern, with that quietly elegant Scandinavian look that works with just about everything. The scale is just right, and it sits beautifully around the neck in a way that feels casual and practical rather than self-consciously decorative.

In a gorgeous yarn, it’s deeply satisfying to knit and ever so fabulous to wear. Soft, warm, and luxurious right where it counts--at your neck, close to your face. It’s small, so even in cashmere, it’s not going to break the bank, and it’s perfect for travel knitting. Simple enough to relax into, but still engaging.

Why the Sophie Scarf is a starting point, not an ending

If you love the Sophie Scarf, you don’t need to abandon it to explore something new.

But there are other small scarf projects with that same general shape that capture the same spirit--clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and a sense of quiet luxury--while offering a different knitting experience.

Sometimes that difference is texture.
Sometimes it’s construction.
Sometimes it’s just enough novelty to keep your brain happily engaged at 35,000 feet.

Because here’s the thing.

Sometimes, especially on longer flights, I want what I call black box knitting.

Black box knitting is the kind of knitting that requires your full and complete attention. The kind where, ideally, you’d be sitting in a literal black box with no distractions at all. No multitasking. Just you, the yarn, and the stitches.

I don’t get much time for that kind of knitting in everyday life. But airplanes? Just hours and hours stuck in a seat. I want a project that’s going to absorb me so thoroughly that time has no meaning.

And this is where projects diverge, in the best possible way.

As the old commercial says, sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.

Most of the time I like boring knitting. Sometimes I don’t.

There’s a place, and a project, for all of it, from simple and meditative to knitting that keeps you focused and happily distracted from takeoff to landing.

You choose. I’m just here to show you some options, which is exactly what I’ll be doing in the video coming out this Wednesday. I’ll be sharing a collection of Sophie Scarf alternatives that give you choices. Same spirit, different expressions. Perfect for cold weather, travel knitting, and those moments when you want something small that still feels special.

And if you are traveling, whether you’re listening to a book, staring out the window, or fully absorbed in your stitches, a delicious project makes all the difference.

And a piece of dark chocolate doesn’t hurt either.

Warmly,
Ellen