Maker Crate is a subscription box for kids ages 14+ from the parent company KiwiCo. Each box includes high-quality materials and instructions to explore new art techniques and complete hands-on arts and crafts projects.
This review is of KiwiCo's Maker Crate (for ages 14+), which costs $29.95 per month.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
This felt like an odd project for July considering it was 90 degrees at my house today, but I'm all for it! Maybe I can get ahead of some Christmas gifts for my family this year!
What's Inside This Box
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Inside your box, you will receive a Maker’s Guide which provides the QR code for accessing your instructions. The pages had some information about the history of plaster and some inspiring ideas to check out.
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Since these projects are a bit more complicated than the boxes for their younger ages, they provide online video tutorials for you to watch. While I definitely appreciate this, I'm also a big fan of having the instructions laid out in front of me on paper so I do miss that aspect. However, the videos themselves are very helpful and include some great tips.
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The website also includes this guide to what is in your crate, so you can locate everything and ensure you have all the pieces you need. Now let's check out the materials we received:
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There were 4 different colors of 20% wool/80% acrylic blend yarn and two different-sized looms.
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They also provided a tool kit with a pom-pom winder, thread, needles, and a knitting hook. There were three different faux fur pom poms provided for us as well.
Now, let's get to our project!
Part 1: Learn Knit and Purl Stitches
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My mom taught me to crochet when I was younger, a skill I have since lost...at least for the time being, but knitting is something that I learned later in college, so I was hoping I had retained a bit of that knowledge since it wasn't that long ago! Luckily, they made it super easy with the loom and I was able to learn both the knit and purl stitches in no time!
Part 2: Knit a Hat
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Once I was comfortable with the stitches, it was time to begin! They provided these little loom marking bands that I was able to add to make sure that I kept track of where I wanted my knit stitches and where I wanted my purls. I also added two to my starting point to really help keep me on track. I love how this simplified the process for me! I was able to get to work on knitting the bottom band of my hat and with the loom, it was so easy that I was able to get my knitting done while I held the baby for his nap!
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The last step was to add the next color for the main part of my hat. The video made it a very simple process using a "magic knot" to hook the two colors together seamlessly. Knitting the rest of my hat was certainly time-consuming, but I felt like there wasn't a lot of room for error with the loom and loom marker method!
Part 3: Add a Pom-Pom
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I could have used my faux fur poms, but I knew that making one was super easy, especially with the tool they provided! I wrapped layers and layers of yarn around the pom pom tool and then I tied a knot in the center. I cut the ends and my pom pom was finished; nice and fluffy! Then it was just time to sew it onto my hat!
The finished project:
Here is my finished hat. I was actually really impressed with how it turned out. Yes, I made some mistakes and it's a little smaller than I anticipated, but I made a hat!
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Here you can see it on my younger son. My boys are excited that they have a new hat to share this winter!
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $29.95
I received two looms, enough yarn to make two full hats, several faux fur pom poms, and lot of tools and supplies to help make even more knit projects! That coupled with the excellent video guides definitely makes this box worth it!
Key Takeaways
I am a busy mom of 4, so I would not normally be in a position to take up knitting on a whim, no matter how relaxing it might be, but with Maker Crate, I was able to complete this hat in record time! The loom and markers ensured that I didn't forget where I left off and any time I was distracted, it was easy to put my loom down and just pick up where I left off when I was able to return to it. I love that they took something that wouldn't normally be accessible to me in this season of life and they made it a very real possibility!
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To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? It is possible you might get this crate, but it is not a guarantee. From KiwiCo:
Crates are assigned each month based on availability and your crate history - not all subscribers receive the same theme each month.
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