Things Learned Reviewing Yarn Subscription Boxes - Craft Chat #4

[@egoreknits]

Thank you for putting in the time and effort to share this information with us.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

My pleasure!

[@marianandrews9372]

Thank you for this video. It is so nice to hear a thorough review of the boxes. I love your videos.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you so much!!!

[@PamelasAdoringCrochet]

I like to try out different companies. I always like your reviews on them.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

There are so many out there and there seems to be more coming up. Thank you so much!!

[@gracesamblanet]

I loved that you give a full review. You actually used the yarn and showed us how it worked up and what you did and didn't like about it. You were never nasty even if it wasn't exactly what you wanted. I felt other reviewers were just using us as an excuse to buy and yes they kept giving it away. Thanks for a true review and detailed review.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

There is nothing wrong with that, but it really doesn't offer information to anyone seeing the videos...

[@emmamurphy1519]

I love that you offered us the preview of these boxes. It makes it easier to see if I want to get it or not. Thank you

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

That is my goal!

[@emmamurphy1519]

@@HappyCraftyHomemaker Thank you

[@autumneidson]

I absolutely love the idea of subscription boxes and will join at least one next year just to see. Annie's sent me a freebie and it was a very nice kit. And I love your reveals of the southern skeins box. Thank you for all the info.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Kits are fun! Eventually I want to review some of the general crafting kits out there. I know there is a wide range on quality out there...

[@kerrynwright]

Awesome job explaining a wide diverse of kits, needs, budgets, yarns, patterns, skills etc etc! Essentially, I think I'd be best not getting subscription boxes due to my allergy to wool & being in Australia for postage costs. Sending my hubby off to buy yarn for me is kinda like getting a subscription box anyway.... I'll never know what he'll come back with.... bless him!!! 🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you!! Postage is a massive deal when you are buying outside of the country... There are so many ways to fake a sub box. I was thinking it would be really cool to buy up on a large sale with projects in mind. You could make mystery project bags for every month. By the end of the year you really would have no idea what was coming up next...

[@kerrynwright]

@@HappyCraftyHomemaker Oh my goodness, why haven't I ever thought of that idea.... it's perfect for 2022! I'm definitely gonna do it!! That would make an excellent vid.... how to create your own mystery box/subscription box on a budget!!! There must be tons of ideas for that! I'll watch it for sure if you do that one!!! It would help lots of people who don't live in the USA! I've had a whole big delivery of yarn from Hobbii supposedly "delivered" but didn't arrive! GRRR! Gotta chase that up as there's yarn in that for my birthday! Sigh💕🐨

[@bettiefrisby9844]

So much great info & so many things to consider. I value your opinion and perspectives. I do have one monthly subscription, but now I'm wondering if my money would be better used buying yarn that I love versus the box of surprise yarn that I may or may not use. Hmmm... I ponder this as I sit here with my cup of coffee☕ wrapped up in one of my Half Circle Eyelet Shawls that you taught me to make. 🥰👍🧶🐑 Thank you, Carrie, for all you do & all you give to the yarn community. ❤

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

It is such a personal thing. If you love the surprise, trying new things and getting colors that make you flex. They are wonderful! If you are stashing and nothing excited to play with it ever... not so much. Sometimes you do need to just change what you are getting too. Changing up who you are getting is enough to make you feel that excitement again. I am so glad you are enjoying your shawl!!!

[@SigalAlon]

Very important information and so true.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you!!!

[@frunzid1]

Thanks Carrie! Great points. Patiently (not) waiting for December's Yarnable. Have a great weekend.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

RIGHT!!! OMG!!!! I need more!!!

[@DebraWomack]

Thank you for all the great info about subscription boxes. I have to say though, when you said "I'm cheap" I literally yelled out PREACH! 😂😂😂 I am so cheap...

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

LOL! I want more yarn, more toys and more things to play with. If I pay retail I will just get less...

[@valeriehowden471]

I'm not much of a gambler + trying to keep a small stash so I think I'll be passing on subscription boxes. Met an Indy dyer at a fibre festival and fell for her yarn styling. Bought a skein from her plus a discounted mystery box with 3 skeins which she let me peak into. I'll save up to buy more from her at next year's festival plus I will probably try another local dyer. Thanks for your overall review especially since you have a lot of different experiences with several companies. Your hard work is appreciated!

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

That is a great way to do it too. I picked up a mystery bag from a dyer when I went to the fiber show that was super local a few months ago. I wasn't disappointed because I already knew I liked her style!

[@Sherbear60]

Thanks so much for all your helpful information!! I always appreciate your open and honest feedback! I am currently looking at different options...I'm with one crochet club now,,,but considering changing as I am not overly excited as I feel I should be...I could change it to pattern only...I think I would be happier. But, I want a monthly box that I look forward to! 🥰❤

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I think burn out of seeing the same box is also a real thing. You just get used to it and you aren't nearly as excited about it any more.

[@stephaniestone5133]

The video was up on Saturday :) I very much look forward to your videos each week. I enjoyed your review of the yarn subscriptions that you purchased. I have purchased one yarn subscription and I love the yarn, the patterns were not my cup of tea. Still waiting on those hanks to tell me what they should be :)

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

It was so funny, I didn't think I would be able to get it edited before I left out for the day. I managed to just squeak it in so uploaded yesterday. I am finding that I personally don't use the patterns very often. I have gone back and used them with other yarns that just seemed right though.

[@christineprice5463]

I am a subscriber of Darn Good Yarn. I have a stash of yarn. I have purchased mystery boxes, one not so good but several have been great.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I like Darn Good Yarn, they were the second one that I reviewed. They are different but I think that is wonderful if you are looking to play with something different. Mystery boxes are a whole other story.... Maybe I ought to do one for picking good mystery boxes...

[@barbaraexume]

Always great info. Have a great Thanksgiving.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thanks, you too!

[@JOSWEBCROCHET]

Lot’s of good info my sweet friend! 🤗💜

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thanks so much!

[@SoJustAsk]

Oh ya! One last thing, Barbara Benson's podcast shows an awesome way to be able to use your fingering weight yarn as an Aaron or Bulky with just one skein. It's a very cool technique.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I have seen a few of those over the years. I love the Navajo plying method for bulking up yarn to use for projects.

[@irenebrand3588]

I guess I am NOT a candidate for a yarn subscription. I have my favorite yarns and colors that I enjoy. A subscription box would just be me throwing money out the window. In a way you are confirming it in this video. Don't need all the gadget, got what I need and will buy what I don't have, when I need it. Still love watching you and hearing your opinions. Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🍂🍁

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

And there is nothing wrong with that. You can still find new things in the subscription box videos. You might find a new brand or dyer you like... I rarely find informational videos to be wholly uninformative.

[@joanmachado9063]

Great video thank you

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you!!!

[@SoJustAsk]

I have always enjoyed your reviews, especially because you use the yarn. I subscribed to KnitCrate for a year just to get a goodly sized DK stash in nicer yarns. They have nice yarns. But I am not at a point to do another until I weed down, use up the yarn I have that I've gotten over the years and continue to give in to that I either get on sale or clearance. Watching your channel has inspired me to make more and branch out. I both crochet and knit, as well as weave and sew. (Let's not even discuss my fabric stash, LOL) I want to thank you for your honesty and your inspiration. :)

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you so much!!! Reviewing things is always such a tough thing to put up. You never want to sound negative, but you need to be honest. I am dying to try weaving beyond my little square Zoom Loom, but I have so much going on now... LOL! Picking spinning back up has really taken up any free time I had before...

[@SoJustAsk]

@@HappyCraftyHomemaker LOL, I have so much fiber to spin (Bought an e-spinner just to get after that), and socks to crank out and, and, and. I need less work, more leisure if I'm ever going to get to all of it.

[@kathywinter7793]

Thank you. I am always on the fence about getting a subscription box.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Getting information before you make the choice is always important. When you are listening to reviews. Think about how their makes are compared to your choice. Like I make a lot of shawls. If you make a lot of softies... My opinion might not be the best to listen to 100%.

[@EvieO1950]

Great information!! Your reviews have been very helpful for me. I would be very interested in a box that doesn’t have wool. 🧶💕🧶

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you!!! I am trying to find one!!!

[@melaniecrochets]

Cool stuff. Questions I didn’t think of but good content just the same. 😘🧶

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Thank you! 🤗

[@tinamozingo7289]

After watching your reviews for months, I decided to try a subscription for only 1 month because I absolutely do not like the discount bags from Herrschners and Yarnspirations…. I fell in love with what I got. And did not cancel my subscription. My conclusion: a researched subscription box is WAY different than a discounted package of discontinued big box yarns. Lesson learned!!

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Mystery bags are a whole different ball game... A few people have mentioned it and I think I might need to do a video on picking good mystery bags or at least how to know when it will be a good risk to take.

[@sekwa75]

As you were talking about price increases in big box yarns, I was going through the new Herrshners catalog. Lion Brand Pound of Love was in the catalog for $12.99; I saw it for $9.99 a few months ago in store.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I knew it was coming, but I hadn't seen it in practice quite yet. Thanks for the heads up!

[@marion4351]

Have you ever seen Ophelia Talks subscription? You can decide month by month if you want it. Only thing is every month it is the same Special DK yarn. I guess the purpose of that is stash building. But unless you love DK weight yarn not the best fit. You get 15 skeins a month. Sometimes there is a pattern sometimes not. There are no extras. No chance to try high end yarns. It seems to be really different from other companies.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I haven't. That does sound like a stash builder box. That is a little different and sounds a lot like a mystery box vs sub box though.

[@marion4351]

@@HappyCraftyHomemaker You know exactly what You are getting so decently not a mystery box. I just do not like it being only one type of yarn. I understand it is really nice yarn but I prefer variety.

[@tonisjustknotright]

I het confused enough when I go to Joanne's, Michaels, Walmart, Herrschners. I decided, if I cannot make a decision when I am actually looking at and touching the yarn , i am not a good bet for subscriptions. Some people, i think, feel like they have to follow/ join the crowd, they want the same experience. I tried that once, I bought a mystery yarn and hated the color, the texture, the whole experience. Lesson learned. I appreciate that you have done this for us. I have found that if I enjoy working with a yarn, if finances allow. I am willing to spend a bit more. I am a cheap skate, I admit that I usually spend less than 5.00 a skein. It is all in the context. People need to think before they jump one way or another. I hope you and your family have a most amazing, healthy, joyful week, Happy Thanksgiving. Take some you time, it does a body good.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Eventually I think I am going to have to do a mystery box video too. How to navigate the world of mystery boxes. There are ways to make sure you are getting things that you will use and like using. Color is one that isn't a big deal for me. Texture is a massive deal. I do believe in being contentious of what I am buying. There are a lot of things I just adore and am willing to pay for it. But when I am trying a new yarn I always buy small, test it out and then make my choice to continue buying or not. I talked a lot about that in my video about how to build a yarn stash.

[@kathywelch8722]

I don’t think that I would use the yarn in most subscription boxes. I mostly use acrylic and cotton. I don’t use wool because I live in a hot climate. This was good information though. Thank you for sharing. 💜

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I am trying to find the cotton/linen/flax box that used to be out there. There have been a few that were mostly big box yarns with great projects. Most of what I said also works with buying your own yarn from a new to you company. I talked about some of this in my "How to Build Your Stash" video too.

[@laurahummel2677]

Leither co used to have a cotton box but does not anymore

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

Maybe the Leither one is the one I was remembering. By the time I reviewed that one I think it was already discontinued.

[@jeanniehaines3685]

You may have already gotten this info but I thought I'd share anyway. Leither Co. Had a cotton box for a while but discontinued it about this time last year. I have a wool sensitivity and have also been looking for a natural alternative subscription box. Would love to know what you find.

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

I will be reviewing one as soon as I can find a wool free box. I know there were a few a while back...

[@dorothychadwick3674]

Loved your video! I have watched a few unboxings and chose not to subscribe. Have a wonderful day and stay safe!

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

There is so much variety. There may be one that just speaks to you. It is such a personal thing.

[@CRIMSONarteries]

Has anyone ever told you you look like Kristen bell? You’ve got such beautiful skin!

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

That is funny, I use her blunt bob as the hair cut I am trying to get! No, I haven't heard that I look like her before though!

[@eabird4358]

Wish there was a company that had more useful items to make and not toys and decoratiive stuff. Also, patterns for men. Great video

[@HappyCraftyHomemaker]

The pattern for men is a really fair point. I think a lot of companies are moving away from patterns now because it is really hard to keep it from getting stagnant and being inclusive for the needs of the recipient.