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:
- 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.
COVID-19 Update: Because of implemented safety measures, Knit Picks orders may incur shipping delays. You can get all the details here.
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 April 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 second 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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Puget Hat: Worsted Pattern - Estimated Value $4.99
Puget Hat: Fingering Pattern - Estimated Value $4.99
The patterns for the box this month follow the same theme as last month - we received the same hat design for two different weights of yarn. This time, the hats feature a panel of small cables. The patterns are 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 these patterns are 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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Hawthorne Tonal Hand Painted Yarn in Hood River - Retail Value $13.99
The first skein of yarn is a hand-painted fingering weight skein. It is 80% fine superwash highland wool and 20% nylon, which makes for a very strong and sturdy yarn base. The skein contains 357 yards in 100 grams, so this is definitely a heavier fingering weight yarn - I would even say that it verges on being classified as a sport weight. The color I received is a deep burgundy red, with shades of berry red mixed in. It's gorgeous!
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Twill Yarn in Gold Rush - Retail Value $12.99
The second skein of yarn is a bright golden yellow in the Twill base, which is one of my perennial favorite yarns to work with. The strand of yarn has a really nice round structure to it, which makes it perfect for working textured stitches and cables. The yarn is 100% superwash merino wool, and it contains 149 yards in 100 grams.
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Zippered Pouch in Gold and Chestnut - Retail Value $8.99
The final item in the box is a small zip notions pouch. It measures 8.25" by 6.75", and it is the perfect size for storing your scissors, stitch markers, and other accessories. The outer part of the bag is made in a coated vinyl that gives a leather-like appearance, and I love the warm gold tones of this pouch. The inside has the classic Knit Picks knit stitch black-and-white print fabric.
Now, let's get knitting!
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Here's the beginning of my hat! I love this golden wheat color, so I was excited to cast on this project. The yarn is very smooth and easy to work with, and I am very happy with the definition the stitches have - my ribbing looks so even with this yarn.
Verdict: I thought this was a great 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 - however, this is the same way the box was structured last month, so I'm interested to see if this continues or if we will get variation in future boxes. For $39.99 we received two skeins of yarn, two patterns, and a notions bag for a retail value of $45.95. 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 May 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:
- Hawthorne Yarn - $12.17
- Twill Yarn - $11.30
- Patterns - $8.68 ($4.34 each)
- Zippered Pouch - $7.82
Check out all of our Knit Picks reviews and the best arts & crafts subscription boxes of 2020!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What did you think of the April 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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