KnitCrate Stitch Starter Crochet Review

I reviewed the KnitCrate* knitting stitch starter and since I’m a bit of an excessive person it didn’t stop there. When I saw crochet I knew I had to try it.

Crochet and I have a bit of history- I’ve attempted to pick it up many times, but it’s never quite stuck. I’m constantly harping on about how crafts are mostly about muscle memory and for some odd, unknown reason I could never form it for crochet.

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I’m going to do my best not to reference the knitting kit too much as these are definitely separate things, but it’s going to be hard because a lot of the issues I have, I have with both. For example, much like after the knitting one I’m thoroughly confused about how I feel about it. It’s very strange.

Also, I feel I’m coming at this one from a bit of a different viewpoint. I’ve been knitting for years but crochet is still relatively brand new.

The Videos

The videos are free on YouTube, I'm not mad about it- they’re a well-made resource so it’s good that they’re available to everyone.

I’m not going to linger on them too much because I feel like the videos aren’t what we’re paying for here.

The Kits

So, when it comes to KnitCrate you usually get you two skeins of yarn, an extra, and two patterns for $24.99USD, or $19.95USD for one skein of sock yarn, an extra, and two patterns. These kits are $34.95USD.

The notions are good. I really appreciate that they include everything from the ruler to the scissors. If you had literally nothing else you can crochet right out of the box. The second and third boxes included really nice yarn as well.

Unfortunately, there’s the issue of the yarn in the first box.

One thing I will never in my life understand in both the crochet and knit box was the decision to not include a KnitCrate yarn. They sent an Ella Rae Superwash and, despite how the next bit of this is going to go, I don’t think it’s a bad yarn. The issue is there just wasn’t enough and it wasn’t right for the project. Unfortunately, KnitCrate customer service didn’t agree, but more on that later.

The Instructions

Video instructions are great, but sometimes you just need a quick glance to jog your memory and this is where the books came in handy. They were clear, concise, and the pictures helped a lot.

One thing I think that they should have mentioned is the difference between American and British terminology. It can make a huge difference and if you’re on your own crochet hunting after you’ve done the kit it could cause a lot of confusion.

The Patterns

I’m going to start with the second month because the first month is….

I haven’t figured out a polite quick phrase for the first month’s project.

The second month’s project is a hat. The yarn that came was the same as I had in a previous KnitCrate and Adam had claimed it for a hat and mitts. The hat is tight to the head- his ideal hat fit, so this project went to him. It’s a fun hat to make. I particularly enjoyed using a mix of stitches side by side in the brim because it really drove home how different the stitches are.

I did run into a bit of a problem about halfway through. There was literally no information about which side was the right side of the work. I know this isn’t a big deal- Adam likes it the way it’s pictured so that’s how he wears it, but I might be a tad bit of a perfectionist and I want to know what’s right. I found it very symbolic of the lack of attention to reading your work in these kits.

The most important thing is that this yarn is gorgeous and Adam really loves his hat so I’m willing to give everything else a pass.

The last and final month was a striped cowl. It came with a cotton yarn that, once again, I’d had in a previous crate. I liked the colours and was excited to start on it.

All up, I like this pattern. It’s not the most stylish thing in the world, but it was fun to make and it’s easy to throw on to walk the dog or head to the grocer. It’s one of those things you just always pick up to wear.

The only issue I had was that you have to cut every strand when you change colours. I can’t imagine colourwork in crochet caught on because, well, weaving in all those ends was just the worst. I’m thinking there must be a way to ladder the yarn you’re not working with up the back seam.

The First Month

I didn’t want to talk about the first month first because I really did like the second and third month and didn’t want this to ruin the two good months… but it kind of did.

I like this pattern. I think it’s really cute and I would have got a lot of wear out of it. The main issue was that they simply didn’t send enough yarn to finish it.

I’m talking twelve rows left in the pattern not enough.

I wanted to see if there was a mistake and maybe they meant to send two skeins, so I emailed customer service and was told that my gauge was off and that I should try blocking. I was not told this in a matter that came across as friendly.

First off, let’s talk gauge. Of course, they tell you to make a gauge swatch and some basic practice swatches before you go on the main project. That’s just what you do. I checked my gauge, it was spot on. I was sceptical about a crochet cowl from one skein, so I unwound my gauge and practice swatches so I’d have more yarn for the project- honestly, I was hoping maybe I could make it a tad bit longer. Nowhere in the instructions did it say to take apart your swatches. If you were completely new to the craft you’d probably bind them off and keep them because, again, it doesn’t say to unwind them.

Using the full skein without unravelling my swatches I was twelve rows short.

As for blocking, I’ve blocked a LOT of stuff in my day so I think I can safely say that blocking wouldn’t have done much.

I think the thing that disappointed me the most was there was a really rude tone to the response. I’ve never had a bad experience with KnitCrate customer service so it caught me off guard. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. I get that whoever replied was under a lot of stress, probably adjusting to working from home, and could have just been having a very bad day; however, I couldn’t help but think of a poor first-timer and how that kind of response would be so discouraging.

Would I Recommend This?

All things considered, I think I would. I set out to learn crochet and I did. I also got the first round of boxes so it’s only natural they had a few kinks to work out- I’m mainly hoping they stick to their gorgeous in house yarn.

I think that the delivery system and the fact that you get literally everything you need is good- especially given the world’s situation- and it was a fun way to pass some time. I mean, I set out to learn to crochet, and I think I actually, kind of, finally did.

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ooooh, look! an accompanying video!