KnitCrate is a monthly yarn subscription box for knitters and crocheters! Each box includes a new exclusive yarn and corresponding patterns for knit and crochet projects.
They offer four different subscription options:
- KnitCrate Membership: $24.99 per month, for two skeins of their in-house premium yarn plus exclusive knit & crochet patterns
- Artisan Crate: $39.99 per month, for two skeins of indie dyed yarn in limited edition colorways, two exclusive knitting patterns (1 beginner, 1 intermediate/advanced), and a bonus item
- Sock Crate: $19.99 per month, for one skein of their in-house premium fingering weight yarn and an exclusive pattern
- Sock Artisan Crate: $27.99 per month, for one skein of indie dyed fingering weight yarn, an exclusive pattern, and a bonus item
This review is of the standard KnitCrate membership, $24.99 a month.
This subscription is being reviewed thanks to an MSA reader request!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About This Subscription Box for Knitters
The Subscription Box: KnitCrate
The Cost: $24.99 per month. (Other plans available from $19.99 per month to $39.99 per month.)
The Products: Two skeins of premium yarn plus 1 knitting pattern and 1 crochet pattern
Ships to: US and worldwide for free!
Good to Know: All members receive 25% off shop purchases, and earn points for every dollar you spend on your subscription and any orders from their shop. Points can be redeemed for cash off of shop purchases or your regular subscription.
My Review (& Finished Knitting Project!)
I've reviewed a few different yarn and knitting subscription boxes previously but had been holding out on trying KnitCrate for some reason. After a few reader requests (and catching a really great deal on my first box), I finally signed up and received the July box as our first shipment!
The July theme was "Modern Primary" and focused on bold intense color.
The back of the theme card includes info about the yarn and a link to download for the patterns, too. I always download knitting patterns to my phone and save them into the Kindle app, so this works perfectly for my knitting style. (You'd have to download the PDF and print it if you prefer a paper pattern.)
They also included a bonus coupon if you'd like to buy additional patterns from the knit designer's shop.
Knitologie Bouncy Worsted 100% Superwash Wool in Equation, 2 skeins (360 yards) – Retail Value $48 ($24 per skein)
This yarn is soooooo squishy and bright! Knitologie is one of KnitCrate's house brands, so you can't get this yarn anywhere else. Subscribers received one of four different bright and cheery colorways.
Even though this says it's worsted weight, I thought it felt more like a bulky.
Those colors! I couldn't wait to wind this up and get started.
Each KnitCrate box includes one knitting pattern and one crochet pattern:
Yoga Socks Pattern by Laura Bain - Retail Value $5
I'm not a crocheter at all; I can do some basic stitches but I've just never managed to get into it. I'm not sure how I feel about bulky crocheted socks, although I do love me some leg warmers.
Beachball Cowl Pattern by Virginia Sattler-Reimer – Retail Value $5
This is definitely more my speed! When I received this box, I had just finished a fingering weight huge shawl on size US 3 needles that took about a month and a half to complete– so I was thrilled to see this pattern called for US 10 needles! Can you say instant gratification?
I'd say this pattern is suitable for those in the beginner-to-intermediate range, as you just need to know a few stitches to make it work: knit, purl, k2tog, and yarn overs. You will also need to be able to knit in the round. It's a pretty simple stitch pattern that I was able to memorize, so I didn't need to refer back to the pattern very often at all.
Here's the finished object (or "FO", as they say):
Despite the really generous size of the cowl, the project itself only took me 4 days to complete, working a few rows in the mornings and evenings each day! The yarn was really beautiful to work with, and the dye remained colorfast when washed. It's super bouncy and not scratchy at all since it's a merino superwash fiber.
I should note that I didn't need anything particularly special to complete the project, but I did need a circular needle and a stitch marker to mark the beginnings of the rounds. (I use this interchangeable set– it's definitely an investment, but I love the feel of these needles and it's served me well for years now!)
The pattern itself used up all but a couple of yards of yarn, which I thought was fabulous. I really hate having leftover bits of yarn that I don't know what to do with!
I didn't bother swatching this since it was a cowl and the finished dimensions aren't critical, but the fabric really opened up and became a lot more lace-like (and draped much more nicely) after hand washing and air drying. It's a great simple pattern and I am already thinking of knitting a few more for holiday gifts.
Verdict: I was so impressed with my first month of KnitCrate! Of all of the yarn subscriptions I have reviewed, I think this one is the best blend of quality and value that I've seen so far. The yarn and pattern both appealed to my personal style, so that was a huge win. Plus, I'd be hard pressed to get a similar quality yarn and a new pattern for less than $40-$45 at my local yarn store. KnitCrate also has a great loyalty program where you can earn points towards your monthly box or shop purchases.
I debated signing up for this subscription for a long time because I love the planning part of knitting: I like picking out patterns (or writing my own) and finding the perfect color and fiber to go with it, so I wasn't sure if I'd actually like a surprise project every month. KnitCrate does not reveal the themes, yarns, or patterns before they start shipping to subscribers, so it's definitely a bit of a gamble if you're picky about which projects you cast on. But I've already received my August box too (review coming soon, I promise!), and while it's a much more time-intensive project, it looks like the quality and curation is consistent month to month. Excited to see more from this box!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. If you sign up anytime during the month of August, your first box will be the August box (while supplies last).
Value Breakdown: For $24.99, we received two skeins of yarn, one knitting pattern, and one crochet pattern, with a total retail value of $58.
Check out all the Craft Subscription Box Directory for more great knitting, craft supply, and DIY project boxes!
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What did you think of the July 2018 KnitCrate? If you've tried this subscription, I'd love to know what you think!
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