Monday, September 10, 2018

KnitPicks Skill Builder Subscription Box Review


Last month, KnitPicks released three different subscription boxes! For $48.00/month, pick between "Skill Builder" "Sock Yarn" or "Fan Favorites". If you decide to prepay for 3-months, you can save $15!  Shipping is free within the US but there are some international shipping options available.  I reached out to KnitPicks and asked if they would send me a sample to review.  I was so excited when the box showed up on my doorstep, it was so big and heavy!  Let's take a look at what is inside the first Skill Builder Subscription Box. 



August 2018 - Socks!

August's Skill Builder Box is all about Socks.  I was amazed when I opened up this box and realized that I didn't own any of the items in it already!  This box also happened to be perfect for me because I've been talking about trying to knit socks in livestreams over the past few months.  Now I really don't have an excuse! 

KnitPicks Skill Builder Subscription Review

This Box Includes:
  • 2 - 50 g Balls of Stroll Sock Yarn (Navy)
  • 2 - 50 g Balls of Stroll Tweed Sock Yarn (North Pole Heather)
  • Sunstruck 32" Circular Needles Size 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Majestic Double Pointed Needles Size 2 (2.75 mm) - 5"
  • Locking Stitch Markers
  • Retractable Tape Measure
  • Project Bag (100% Organic Cotton) 
  • Enamel Pin (Sock Themed!) 
  • Socks for Everybody! - softcover book
  • Go Your Own Way Socks - printed instructions

The box contains everything you could possibly need to start knitting your own socks.  Yarn, circular AND DPN needles, measuring tape, stitch markers, and PLUS sock knitting patterns.  Fine, almost everything.  You will need to bring your own scissors and reading glasses.  But everything else you could possibly need is in the box!

Stroll is one of my favorite yarns to dye, and the KnitPicks wooden needles are my favorites to knit with.  I'm thrilled that these are included in this box!  The included book looks at multiple different ways to construct a heel, toe, and body of socks to give you plenty of choices for your first pair.  I think this box was curated to appeal to as many knitters as possible, and they sure didn't disappoint! 

Skill Builder Subscription Box Value

KnitPicks said on their site that these subscription boxes have a $60 value.  I decided to take a closer look at the value of the contents in my box. I went through the KnitPicks website and added everything into my shopping cart. 


When I added the kit contents to my cart, the total value of the items was $64.20.  This is INCLUDING 40% off of the Socks for Everybody book and 50% off the Department of Toasty Toes pin.  If those items weren't on sale right now, the total value would be even higher.

What is not included in this total?  Shipping ($5.99 on orders $64.99 and under) and the Go Your Own Way Socks instructions.  The pattern is available for free, but a color print out does have some value.  I love that this kit included everything you need to start knitting socks, PLUS it provides you with plenty of options for that first pair.

My Dream KnitPicks Subscription

I would love to see a subscription option that would work for KnitPicks Superfans.  I own a LOT of KnitPicks yarn, books, tools, and swag already, so I would worry that I would receive duplicates of something I already own if I were to sign up.  (I'm actually really impressed that I didn't own anything in the skill builder box!)  I would love to see a subscription box that featured the latest and newest items.  Tools, colorways, new yarn lines, etc.   It is possible that the Fan Favorites Subscription might include new things, but I think the new vs favorite balance would be super important. Sock Lab Yarns? New Felici Colorways?  Getting the first look at items before they're released to the public would be super tempting.

I would also love a dyers subscription box.  KnitPicks has DOZENS of bare yarn bases, and I think it could be really fun to send out a 3-pack of a yarn base each month with a tutorial.  KnitPicks, if you would ever like to collaborate on something like this, I'd love to help out!

I think it is important to think of these subscription boxes as KNITPICKS boxes, versus yarn subscription boxes.  Whatever subscription you choose, you will get a surprise carefully curated box of yarn, needles, tools, and patterns that has a FANTASTIC value.  I think that this box would make an excellent gift for a beginning knitter who is ready to expand their skills.

Watch the Unboxing 


Want to see my LIVE reactions to the KntiPicks Skill Builder Subscription Box?  Watch the replay from my live unboxing: 

 

Learn to Knit with KnitPicks

If you think you're not quite ready for the Skill Builder Subscription, check out the Learn to Knit boxes from KnitPicks.  You can start with a Dishcloth, Scarf, or Hat kit and get everything you need in your box.  

Learn to Knit Kits from knitpicks.com

Conclusions

I think that the Skill Builder Subscription is perfect for someone who is comfortable with basic knit stitches and wants to expand their confidence level, and tool collection, for other techniques.  I have no idea what will be in future boxes, but there are so many possibilities;  lace, cables, brioche, colorwork, toys... I could keep going.  I have a feeling that many people are going to include one (or multiple) of these subscription boxes on their wishlists this holiday season! 

Which KnitPicks Subscription Box would you most like to try out? What would they put in your dream box?  Let me know in the comments what you would love to see in your dream knitting (or crochet!) subscription.  

Disclaimer: This post contains KnitPicks affiliate links.  I have been a KnitPicks affiliate since October 2017, but I have been using their products in my designs and videos for almost a decade.  I reached out to KnitPicks to ask them to send me one of their new subscription boxes so I could share it with all of you.