Anyone who follows me on Instagram will be aware that my favourite hashtag is #commutercrochet. As a London commuter, I spend a lot of my time crocheting on trains.

I can’t say enough positive stuff about commuter crochet – I genuinely love it. Commuting had a lot to do with my decision to learn to crochet in the first place.
My journey to becoming a yarn lover started with knitting. A friend taught me in a coffee shop just off Carnaby Street one day about five years ago, and I loved it. I was rubbish, but I loved it.
I loved knitting so much, I tried to commute with my projects – I am a seriously slow knitter, so I had to fit in as much knitting time as possible. But I struggled. Two needles, a ball of yarn, a project bag, a handbag and a pattern is a lot to juggle in a small space. Back then I didn’t knit continental style (I say this as if I’ve mastered it now – I *almost* have!), so it was even more difficult – I knit with my elbows! So I gave up.
But I missed yarn, so I decided to try crochet, on the strength of there being one less implement to juggle on the train… and the rest is history!
While crochet is a lot more portable than knitting, there are a few things I always consider when I’m preparing for a commuter crochet session:
Project Bags

I won’t go out to the office and count my project bags, because it would expose the full extent of my addiction – but suffice to say, I have a LOT!
I’ve tried all the project bags out there and there are a few things I consider when choosing a crochet bag.
- Material: it’s tempting to pick up any cheap canvas bags you find, but bear in mind that thin material can be annoying in a project bag. I’ve had loose crochet hooks stab holes in bags before! I look for either thick canvas or jute bags. Don’t choose a material with holes – you don’t want to lose hooks or stitch markers!
- Handles: consider how you want to carry your bag. Are you an over-the-shoulder bag holder, or a crook-of-the-elbow type of person? Get handles which suit you. Jute bags usually have smaller handles, but I have found a few elusive versions which allow a shoulder hold.
- Capacity: I’ve got bags in a lot of different sizes because I commute with all kinds of projects. If you’re carting a blanket around, you’ll need a larger bag; if you are working on a smaller project like an amigurumi toy, take a smaller bag.

- Design: I try to carry crochet project bags that I like! There are some lovely designs out there – reusable bags are so easy to find now the 5p charge has come in for plastic bags – so find one you like!

Seating
When I crochet on the train, I consider my seating carefully. There are some things that can make train crochet difficult, and I’ve become pretty fussy. I look for a seat which meets my needs:
- Look for an extra leg room seat: I carry a LOT of stuff with me – and I don’t like putting my handbag on the floor on the train. So I need a seat with enough room to put my handbag (and coat, depending on the season) on my knee, whilst still being able to fold down the tray table to put my project bag on.
- Sit by the window: It’s annoying when people barge into your elbows on the train, right? Or when people are standing in the aisle and you have to lean away from them to avoid touching their crotches? It’s more annoying when you are halfway through a popcorn stitch! The window seat also gives you some lovely natural light to work with.
- Make sure you have a tray or a table: I’ve tried to crochet in a seat with no table or tray in front of me – it doesn’t work. Stuff slides off your knees, yarn flies all over the train, and anyone sitting opposite you spends the whole journey staring at you – which is really distracting!

Tools
Make sure you have a crochet kit with you. I try to carry:
- A case with my crochet hooks. I use this crochet hook case
by Clover as I love their soft touch hooks, but I do find that most of my hooks from other brands fit in there too.
- Nail scissors or a yarn cutter
. There’s nothing more frustrating than being on the road and unable to fasten off a project!
- Stitch markers – being without these is almost as annoying as being without scissors! I’ve used hair clips to mark stitches before – it doesn’t work very well.
- A yarn needle – useful for sewing in ends, making Russian joins where needed, and – as I’ve discovered – a really useful thing to carry with you anyway! I’ve found myself repairing a lot of stuff with my trusty yarn needle!
Yarn preparation
I always try to use yarn which I can pull from the centre of the ball. This is extra important when you’re in a confined space – if you work from the outside of the ball, your yarn will dance around!
If your yarn doesn’t make it easy to get into the centre, consider re-winding into a yarn cake.

Project portability
This feels like an obvious point, but this is the one I fall down on the most often. Make sure your project is portable!

Blankets are tough once they get over a certain size. Taking Sophie’s Universe on the train was a battle.

I’ve been doing this a while and I would recommend smaller projects – like amigurumi, motif-based projects or scarves and shawls.
A quick note on Tunisian crochet: if you use a long hook, you will be more likely to elbow your neighbour. I try to use extended Tunisian crochet hooks, with a wire and a stopper.

And there you have it! I hope these tips help you take your crochet on the move. With these considerations, I’ve managed to crochet on hundreds of trains… and planes, and automobiles!

Do you ever craft on the move?
Until next time
Elsie Pop xx
such great tips!! I wish I knew how to crochet for the very reason you mentioned- One less (and smaller) needle makes it easier to be portable. I almost always knit on my work commute, too!
Crafting on the move is so rewarding! I love that I’m filling “dead time” with something productive! Thanks for stopping by xx
I have a project in every handbag! Couldn’t and wouldn’t be without my crochet.
Haha I know the feeling – I have 2 WIPs on me as I write! Xx
I agre with you crochet is so portable and on my ‘To Learn Something New in 2016’ is crochet. Although do not commute apart from the kitchen to the sewing room can see the benefits of crochet
Kitchen to the sewing room – that’s the dream! Xx
What a lovely way to spend those dull commutes, great tips for anyone else wanting to have a go too.
Thanks! Xx
What amazing tips, I to did try knitting at one stage with my mum but i was very slow at it and not very good so I gave up, but you seem to be great at crocheting, Clio lending a helping hand for Coombe Mill
Thanks so much! xx
I can’t imagine getting through ANY “wait” more than 20-minutes without SOMETHING to crochet! Let alone, plane travel and/or airport waits!! – Speaking of which, in lieu of scissors [some places are rather picky about having them], carry a dental-floss “container”. They usually come with a little “tab”-blade. The cut might not be all that clean, but it does do in a pinch!
😀
Thanks Shan, what a great tip – I’ll have to carry floss with me at all times! I think you can usually take nail scissors on a plane – there’s usually a limit to the length of scissor blade in the cabin, and they fall under it. xx
love the piccys and great tips thanks! I used to knit on the bus before jess was born lol but now either at lunchtime at work or on the sofa/bed 😛
Oh I do love a bit of desk crochet too – maybe that’s another post! xx
Great tips. I will look out for you. I very much used to be a gym and poolside knitter, but these days do knit in the car (only when I’m a passenger!) or nothing better than to sit and knit on a beach. We also had a canal holiday once, where I really did not pull my weight with the locks etc. but sat and knitted.
Haha I think this is why I don’t drive – what a waste of crochet time! xx
I love to crochet on the train to and from work, but you’re right, not everything goes! Larger projects or ones with complicated patterns are usually a no go. Thank you for the tips, though, and I love that sheep bag!
Also, thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week! Pinned!
Isn’t the sheep bag fantastic?! I got it from the Interknit cafe in Farnham – great yarn shop! Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comment. xx
I’ve come across your blog from the new #sharingthebloglove linky! I’ve got to say, I’m the least crafty person going but wish I was! I grew up with a very crafty mum, and being her only daughter I think I was a bit of a disappointment! Great idea to crochet whilst commuting too. When I used to commute everyone just read the Sun! How dull! Charlie @ realgirlramblings.com
Thanks Charlie – reading the rubbish in the metro every morning is what pushed me towards a crafty commute! It always felt like wasted time. Thanks for popping in! xx
If I was still commuting I think I’d be bugging you to teach me crochet – certainly a better way to pass the time than slumping in my seat scrolling through Facebook! So impressed by all the preparation that goes into commuting on the train – I’d never have thought of all the different sized bags (that’s why you bought the latest Cath Kidston one, right?) Thanks so much for linking up with #SharingtheBlogLove!
I used to commute on the train before having Alice and I used to take my kindle to read, which is my first love. I think its a great way to use the time to do something that you love. I think yours takes a lot more planning than mine did 🙂 Thank you for joining us for #SharingtheBlogLove Laura x