Yarn Crush is a monthly yarn subscription for knitters and crocheters! Each box features a different indie-dyed yarn, a pattern booklet, and a bonus extra item.
They offer two different subscription options:
- Yarn Crush: $44.99 per month (save with longer subscriptions), for a full-size skein or a set of mini-skeins from an indie dyer, a pattern booklet containing knit and crochet patterns, and a fun extra item
- Sock Crush: $34.99 per month (save with longer subscriptions), for a full-size skein or a set of mini-skeins in sock weight yarn from an indie dyer, two sock patterns (one beginner, one intermediate/advanced), and a fun extra item
This review is of the Yarn Crush box, $44.99 per month.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Yarn Crush
The Subscription Box: Yarn Crush
The Cost: $44.99 per month
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off any subscription!
CODE: HELLO
The Products: One skein of hand-dyed yarn, a pattern booklet (contains 6 patterns!), and a bonus extra item
Ships to: the US and worldwide
Yarn Crush December 2018 Review
This is my first month receiving Yarn Crush, and so far I am loving this box!
Yarniverse December 2018, Issue 9 - Retail Value $9.99
The mini-magazine included in the December box isn’t for sale yet, but you can look at past issues for sale here. Inside the front cover of the booklet is a download code so that you can add these patterns to your Ravelry library - I love this, as it’s a great way to keep track of which patterns you own!
My favorite feature of the Yarn Crush subscription box is that you get to choose your color family! You have the ability to choose between cool, warm, and neutral, and you can switch your color preference month-to-month. This page in the booklet shows the three choices for each of the color families for this month.
The yarn sent this month in Yarn Crush was a set of mini-skeins from dyer Yarn Indulgences in the Zed Merino base, which is a DK weight. Each 100% superwash merino skein contains 140 yards, so we are getting a total of 420 yards with the three skeins.
The mini-mag contains a total of six patterns - four patterns that go along with the Yarn Crush box (two knitting, two crochet), and two patterns that go along with the Sock Crush box. I love the variety in the projects that they included - each one is unique from the others. I also like that no matter what your experience level, you are able to find a pattern that suits you!
The Yarn Crush box advertises itself as having on-trend designs, and I think they have really tried to do that. This month they are featuring color blocking and slipped stitch patterns, both of which are trends in both fashion and in the knitting world right now. I do notice that the designs tend to skew towards the younger side, especially with the bright colors featured in the pattern photos. Not to say that people of all ages can’t enjoy patterns like this (everyone has their own preferences!), but I would think that a younger knitter might really be excited to make and wear these designs.
The back cover of the booklet shows where you can find Yarn Crush on the internet and follow along in their groups!
Yarn Indulgences Zed Merino DK yarn, mini skeins - Retail Value $33.91 (on sale in different colors for $31.65)
I received the color family “cool,” which contained a skein each of pink, turquoise, and purple. Yarn Crush reports that the purple color is a brand-new colorway from the dyer, and was created just for this box!
This yarn is SO SOFT. I could not believe that it’s really 100% superwash merino, because I have never felt a superwash merino yarn that is quite this silky soft! It truly feels like a luxury yarn, and I am definitely going to take a look at the Yarn Indulgences website when I am picking out yarn for future projects.
Here’s a close up of the yarn label with each of the skeins. I think the three colors complement each other really well, and they look great as a set. My issue with this label is that it lists each skein as having 120 yards, while the booklet information lists each skein as having 140 yards. On the dyer’s website, these mini-skein sets are listed as each having 130 yards. This inconsistency feels like an oversight, and it’s a frustrating one when you are trying to plan out a project. If I chose a project that requires 420 yards (after reading the product info in the booklet), start making that project, and then run out of yarn because I truly only have 360 yards, I would be pretty disappointed.
Alpaca Tote Bag - Retail Value $12.99 (the tote bag was available on the Yarn Crush website for sale, but has since sold out. The matching notions pouch is available for $6.99 here)
I have a slight (okay, maybe major) obsession with alpacas, so I was so excited to see this tote bag when I opened up my box! There were three different color options available - the purple I received, teal, or red. The tote bag is of standard quality and has long straps that work great for carrying over your shoulder. As a knitter or crocheter, you can never have too many project bags, so I think this was a great addition to the box!
I thought that the slipped stitches and mosaic patterning of the scarf pattern were very intriguing, and I love how it played into the gradient of the three colors we received in the box. This pattern is marked as intermediate, but I would call it more of an advanced beginner pattern. It’s knit mainly in garter stitch, and the only techniques you need to learn are how to slip stitches (which is very straightforward), and having to keep track of your colors. The yarn feels like butter when you’re working with it - it glides through your hands and the resulting fabric feels like silk.
Verdict: I really enjoyed my first month of Yarn Crush! I like that it gives me the ability to try new indie dyers, and I love the yarn base that I was introduced to with this box. The patterns included are fun and different, and I thought the box had an all over thoughtful curation. I think this box is mostly geared towards newer knitters and crocheters, and think it would be an excellent box if you are looking to expand your skillset and try new projects!
A few other things that are good to know: you can follow Yarn Crush on Ravelry to see spoilers of the upcoming colors for each month. This is especially helpful since the subscription lets you chose which color family you want to receive! The details of the dyer, yarn base, or patterns aren’t revealed, but as someone who tends to be a little bit picker with my color choices, I appreciate that I can choose my color each month!
For $44.99, we received a set of mini-skeins, six knitting and crochet patterns, and a tote bag, with a total retail value estimated at $56.89. I think the price of the box is on the high end, but I’m used to subscription boxes providing a value that truly exceeds the cost of what you pay for the subscription. That said, I’m still happy with the value of this box!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, if you sign up in January, you will receive the January 2019 box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off any subscription!
CODE: HELLO
Value Breakdown: At $44.99, here’s approximately what you are paying for each item:
- Yarn Indulgences Mini Skein Set - $26.86
- Yarniverse Pattern Booklet - $7.88
- Alpaca Tote Bag - $10.25
Check out all of our Yarn Crush reviews and the DIY and Crafting Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What did you think of the December 2018 Yarn Crush? Which color family would you choose? Let us know in the comments!
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