Knit-Wise Subscription Box Review – June 2016

Knit-Wise is a monthly box that arrives with everything you need to create a hand knit project, so you can spend more on the fun part.  According to the site, you will build new skills, save time and money, and learn at your leisure.  You can choose your skill level – either brand new beginner or already a knitter.  I’m a fairly proficient knitter, so I picked the “already a knitter” level.  Subscriptions start at $29/month.

Here’s a look at everything in the box.  Knit-Wise promises knitting projects from accessories to home items.  This month’s project was a koozy for a flower pot.  Fun!  Knit-Wise provides nearly all the supplies you need for the project, making it super easy to pickup and finish a project without having to go to the craft store for this and that.  I appreciate that!  Also, in my first Knit-Wise box that I reviewed (see here) this winter, I got a nice muslin bag for carrying my project while I was working on it.  I’m still using that bag for my projects now.

Let’s take a closer look at what was in the box and what I made!

Instructions:  The front of the instruction booklet introduces the project with a cute description.

Inside the instruction booklet, there is a list of items provided, as well as a list of the few things you may need from your own supplies — for this project, everything was provided except scissors and potting soil.  The instruction booklet also highlights the skill being practiced, here knitting with double pointed needles (DPN), as well as ways you can personalize the project, such as by adding stripes with scrap yarn you have on hand.

The actual step-by-step instructions were very clear.  Some terms are highlighted in pink ink, indicating that video instructions were available from the website.  For this particular project, I knew how to do all of the stitches, so I didn’t use the videos, but it is a nice touch.  One thing – I wish there would have been a video on DPN.  (I at least couldn’t find one on the website and it wasn’t a highlighted term.)  Although I’m fairly proficient, I usually use the Magic Loop technique for small in-the-round projects…and I found myself very clumsy working in DPN.  Since it was the featured technique, it would have been helpful to see a video.  That said, the project was very simple and I picked up DPN rather quickly once I got started.

Yarn:  This project included one type of yarn.  It is a nice quality, natural yarn.  One thing I’d like to see in future Knit-Wise project is maybe more color – both of the boxes I’ve reviewed have been centered around neutrals, like this tan yarn.  I’m a bit more of a colorful person myself, although I can appreciate the trend to neutrals and also the fact that neutrals, especially with home items, are more universal.

Needles:  The box also included a nice set of bamboo DPN.  Until I started getting knitting box subscriptions, I hadn’t used bamboo knitting needles, but now they are my favorite.  Lightweight, easy to use, and I can travel with them.  Bonus!

Terra Cotta Pot:  Obviously if you’re going to make a flower pot koozy, you need a flower pot.

 Cilantro Seeds:  As a nice added touch, Knit-Wise included a package of herb seeds.  All I need to do is add potting soil and water.  Of course, as the instruction booklet noted – I also have to “try not to let my plants die.”  That’s a bit trickier of a proposition, given that I’m a much better knitter than gardener!  However, my love of fresh herbs is enough to compel me to at least try to grow some fresh cilantro in my koozy-covered flower pot!

So…let’s take a look at the finished project:

Here’s a picture of the koozy without the pot.  It was super simple – I completed it in one night, although, as I’ll show you below, I got a little ahead of myself and finished a few rows early.  Totally my mistake, the instructions were clear, but I was so excited to get a picture of the finished project to you, I rushed it.  But even if I had done the rows I skipped, it is a project that could easily be done in an evening or weekend.  Projects like this are fun, because you get instant gratification – perfect, especially for new knitters!

And here’s my flower pot, wearing its new koozy.  Cute, and even more fun, it fits perfectly!  I love it when my knit projects come out well.  Of course, if I hadn’t been so anxious to show it to you, it would have turned out even cuter.  Here’s a picture from the Knit-Wise website that shows the completed project:

As you can see in this picture, the finished project is supposed to have a little ribbed cuff around the rim of the flower pot.  I may actually go back and add the ribbed cuff to my project, since I like the way it looks.

Bottom line:  This was a fun project from Knit-Wise.  The directions were easy to follow and the project turned out (or would have!) just as advertised, which is awesome.  Other than the DPN knitting, there was nothing challenging, which makes it a great project for newer knitters, but even more experienced knitters may enjoy working with a new technique, just as I did with this different technique for knitting in the round.

What do you think about this month’s Knit-Wise project?

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