Knit Picks is an online yarn and knitting supply company that specializes in providing high-quality materials at a reasonable price. Knit Picks overhauled their subscription models for 2020, and they now have a completely new line up of boxes to choose from.
The new options for boxes are as follows:
- Cotton Club: $39.99 per month for one accessory or home decor knitting pattern, recommended knitting needles, and all the cotton yarn needed to complete the project
- Sock Yarn Celebration: $39.99 per month for one or two patterns and sock yarn to complete the project(s), which will range from shawls to socks
- A Year of Hats: $39.99 per month for patterns and yarns to complete hat projects that focus on teaching new skills and techniques, plus a fun tool or accessory
This review is of the A Year of Hats option for 39.99 per month.
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My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Knit Picks
The Subscription Box: Knit Picks A Year of Hats Box
The Cost: $39.99 per month + free US shipping
The Products: A surprise assortment of yarn, patterns, knitting needles and tools, and fun extras
Ships to: The US and Canada for free, and to Australia and the UK for $10.00
Knit Picks A Year of Hats March 2020 Review
Knit Picks is a fantastic online store for knitters and crocheters, and it’s always been one of my favorite places to shop for yarn and tools! This was my first box since the box overhaul, and I was excited to see what stayed the same and what changed with these new boxes (see our previous Knit Picks Box Reviews here).
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First up we have an information card about the Knit Picks boxes in general, welcoming me to the new subscription model. While this is nice information to have, one thing I'm missing in this box is the info card detailing all of the items that were sent this month - I always like to see what the theme of the box is, or where the inspiration for the items came from.
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Capretta Superwash Yarn in Loganberry Heather - Retail Value $17.98 ($8.99 per skein)
The first yarn we received is one of my favorite yarns from Knit Picks! This fingering weight yarn is 80% fine superwash Merino wool, 10% cashmere, and 10% nylon. It's so soft that it feels like it could be pure cashmere, and I love the heathered appearance of the colors. Each ball contains 230 yards in 50 grams.
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Resa Hat: Fingering Pattern - Estimated Value $4.99
The pattern to go along with the Capretta yarn is a textured beanie. The pattern is not yet available on the Knit Picks website, but the majority of their in-house designed patterns retail at $4.99 for a digital download, so I'm assuming that's what the price will be once this pattern is released.
The pattern has "A Year of Hats" in the corner of the front page, so I'm wondering if the hat patterns included in these boxes will be exclusive to the subscription for a period of time.
The pattern is very well laid-out and includes a lot of full-color photographs, which is always nice to see in a pattern! It also includes an extensive glossary of knitting terms and stitches.
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Preciosa Tonal Worsted Yarn in color "Summer Sky" - Retail Value $12.99
Our second yarn is a worsted-weight skein of Preciosa Tonal, which is a single-ply 100% Merino wool. I've been loving working with single-ply yarn lately, as it gives the finished item a really fluffy, soft look. This yarn isn't as butter-soft as the cashmere fingering weight, but it is still very soft and squishy! I love this icy blue, too - it reminds me of a frozen lake.
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Resa Hat: Worsted Pattern - Estimated Retail Value $4.99
I love that we received essentially the same pattern for both weights of yarn - it makes the box feel like a study on yarn weights and how to achieve similar textures with different types of yarn. This pattern also features a waffle-like texture throughout, and is just as well-laid out as the first pattern. The stapling job was a little bit off on my copy of the pattern, but that is something I can easily fix on my own.
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Wool Enemy Number One Project Bag - Retail Value $7.99
The final item in the box is this simple cotton drawstring project bag, which has the same motif and phrase as the tote bag I received in my December Knit Picks box. The tag on this bag says "interchangeable needle case," which made me laugh because it's such an obvious mix-up. However, the back of the tag seems to have the proper information about the bag, so I'm not sure how that mistake was made! The bag is 100% cotton and measures 10" x 12" - it's the perfect size for a 1-2 skein project such as a hat or socks.
Now, let's get knitting!
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I was immediately drawn to the beautiful blue of the Preciosa yarn, so I cast on for the worsted weight Resa hat. This hat was super fast to make, as the texture is very easy and intuitive to do. I cruised through making this in a few evenings, and it was very satisfying to get a project done so quickly!
The waffle texture gives the hat a very fluffy appearance and makes the finished object very squishy, which I love. This is the perfect hat to tuck into your pocket or your bag to take with you on your winter adventures!
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Here I am wearing my finished hat! I made the size medium, and it fits perfectly. I am usually all about putting a pom pom on top of my knitted hats, but I actually like this one just as it is - the texture and ribbing are enough focal points to make this a very eye-catching hat.
Verdict: I thought this was a really fun Year of Hats box! I liked that we got enough yarn to make two projects, and I thought it was a neat idea to take the same type of patterning and apply it to two different weights of yarn. For $39.99 we received three skeins of yarn, two patterns, and a project bag for a retail value of $48.94. This is a lower valuation than past boxes have been, but the price of the box is also less than it used to be, so I'm happy with that. If you know you are a fan of Knit Picks products, or you want to try new yarn and knitting/crochet items at a discounted price, I think this box has a great value!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, if you subscribe now you will receive the April box, which starts shipping on the 1st of the month.
Value Breakdown: At $39.99, here’s approximately what you are paying for each item:
- Capretta Yarn - $14.69 ($7.35 per skein)
- Preciosa Yarn - $10.61
- Resa Hat Patterns - $8.15 ($4.07 per pattern)
- Project Bag - $6.53
Check out all of our Knit Picks reviews and the best arts & crafts subscription boxes of 2020!
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What did you think of the March 2020 A Year of Hats Box?
Want to see what Knit Picks' other options are all about? We are letting YOU choose which one we review next! Leave a comment below on which box you would like to see reviewed next month: the Cotton Club box, the Sock Yarn Celebration box, or the A Year of Hats box! Thank you!
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