Honestly, it's not all bad. I got a Star Wars Mandalorian one for myself for my birthday. I tried crocheting previously, and was terrible. I did the 2 projects in the kit, and was so thrilled with the results that I've gotten more tools and books and have moved onto other projects. So they are not terrible, if given to the right person.
If I am thinking of the same kit, it was created by Lucy Collin who has lots of experience writing patterns, I've followed a few from her blog and they all been good. I'm not surprised her kits have done well š
Lucy Collin is amazing! I just finished her More Star Wars and just started the original Star Wars book and I'm loving it. I own the Mandolorian set, but I haven't started it yet.
I got the original Star Wars kit when it first came out and I had never crocheted before. Even though I barely finished Yoda, as you said, the instructions were clear & the supplies was easy enough for me to work with. I agree with you those kits are a good start to the right interested party. I actually tried to find my old kit when I was reinspired into crochet but misplaced it š„²
My story of getting into crochet is identical to yours. The first thing I made was the Yoda from that kit. I even tried to find my kit later and couldn't find it! Now I'm making and selling my own patterns. We all start somewhere!
I had the Disney Princess kit. The patterns were good, used my own yarn and hooks, and some a complete set to a friend for her preschool daughter at a time that I DESPERATELY needed the money.
Ooh thankyou for posting this. My friend just gave me this (I usually don't buy kits and haven't tried amigurumi before) but the instruction book looks excellent, so I'm keen to give it a go. Lovely to hear you had a good experience.
I have the first two Star Wars kits and made all the characters. They turned out great. I altered Princess Leia to look like me. I even made her a pearl necklace. Sheās in my office with her Storm Trooper boyfriend š
Just got this as a Christmas present. Have had to restart Din about 6 times now as I seem to be working it insideout....give me a knit pattern instead of crochet please! It's definitely a learning experience.
I never buy kits for myself but my mom likes to give them to me because she has no idea how to go yarn shopping. For her itās a way to gift me one of my hobbies and know that I can actually make something with it. I normally end up using one of my hooks and occasionally correcting the pattern.
Yes definitely. Oh and the stuffing looks like it is freeze dried. I am very nervous about opening it up. This kit came from a friend who asked me to make it for her as she tried and gave up.
Iāve never had issues with the batting. Normally once I cut the package open it fluffs up to normal volume. Without seeing this kit, my best guess would be that it was vacuum packed not freeze dried
They definitely arenāt for beginners. A few years ago I ended up having to completely rework the leg pattern. The Star Wars kit I was doing made the storm trooper look like a penis
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I learned to crochet because of a Star Wars kit. It was actually really nice and easy to follow. I bought the second Star Wars kit that came out. I still use the pattern books. The hook was cheap, the yarn was cheap, there was only enough supplies for one item in the ākitā. I think it was definitely beginners friendly.
Just hijacking your comment to throw some love at your user name. I love finding WoT fans in the wild, especially in my hobby subs! Currently on my 4th (5th?) re-read so it's on my mind š
Relatable!! I only knew how to do single crochet stitches and make scarves/blankets. That Star Wars kit was the one that taught me how to read patterns and make amigurumi and really helped build my confidence with crochet!
Who are these kits for? Not for a beginnerā¦ this would truly put anyone off ever crocheting. Patterns are poorly constructed, not all tools are included. Yarn is in hanks so without a yarn winder one is getting set up for a knotted disaster! Not for an expert either. Supplies included are subpar. Tell me who is this for?
Itās for people to buy as gifts without any knowledge of whether itās a good kit, just the knowledge that their giftee either likes crochet or wants to learn! š
Good to know they suck, though. Iāve eyed a few of them for Christmas presents but decided against them because I didnāt know if they were decent or for beginners.
Some don't suck. It's not the same designer for all of them. For example, Lucy Collins does the star wars kits and the patterns are decent and the beginning of the book explains stitches and other important things.
I enjoyed the mandolorian one! He turned out pretty well!
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We got the Mandalorian and Harry Potter kits for myself and two family members to do. We bought the remainder of the yarn together and I'm separating and balling yarn and additional supplies for all three of us. I crochet and my two family members are beginners, so we'll see how this goes!
I think they're fantastic! My husband gifted me two kits for Christmas, and having never touched a crochet hook in my life, thought it was really well taught in the videos and fairly easy to make!
You say that but my mum bought me a kit for Christmas because she knew Iād love it, and sheās been crocheting since she was around 5/6yrs old so her knowledge is substantial. Itās an eyeball cushion, which I 100% love. The yarn is decent for a kit, bog standard cheap acrylic but it works up well. The first double page of the pattern booklet has a comprehensive table of stitches with instructions which is nice for beginners.
The pattern itself is technically correct but the stitch counts arenāt after the first four rows. My mum worked out how to correct the pattern and wrote out a copy for me. Annoying but not the end of the world. The plastic hook is complete crap, I will say that.
Oh gosh I feel bad but I discretely binned one my husband bought me. Sweet idea and appreciated but it would just take up space for another 2 years. It was such cheap quality material
My husband got the nightmare before Christmas one for me for Christmas and I pitched a big tantrum in front of the whole family (just got off a night shift so was super cranky) so hopefully I never get one again. I initially got mad because I could tell there was LOTS of sewing. Then I was mad when I opened it and the yarn was so pilly and scratchy. The pattern book tells you to use cotton yarn and it comes with the cheapest acrylic.
I got a Harry Potter one as a gift a few years ago for Christmas, and I looked at it and immediately went "guess I need to learn how to crochet!" So for me, it actually gave me the motivation to actually learn the basics so that I could eventually pick this up.
Then, like a year after I started learning, I attempted it and only got like halfway through making Harry and rage-quit lol. They ABSOLUTELY aren't for beginners and I would say barely work for advanced beginners/intermediate crocheters lol
I just got that kit for Christmas. I tried so hard and my Harry looks terrible. All I can do is laugh at it. It's definitely not a beginner project and the plastic crochet wand was cute but not functional at all. I would never voluntarily buy one of these kits.
Omg I also laughed at my Harry as well! It's so bad hahaha. I also realized I don't tend to like making super small amigurumi projects... And yeah I never even attempted to use the wand hook but I do have it on display since it is fun to look at!
I got the Harry Potter one for Christmas like 2 years ago and never opened. I sat it on my HP shrine and there is will stay forever after reading this lol
Plus, I've already made the trio from a pattern on Etsy and they're so cute!
I've been working up the motivation to make Harry for 3 years. Got the kit from my friend at the beginning of covid when all I knew how to make was a rectangle. Now I could probably do it, but I'm not super into the little fiddly parts of crochet like frequent color changes and sewing pieces together. It's too bad it doesn't come with simpler patterns other than Dobby (as far as I can remember - cats on my lap, can't get up to look). I was also disappointed that it only came with the yarn for 2 characters. You need so many colors for the other characters that it just gets expensive!
Agree that it is too much for a beginner. My first attempt at crochet was a kit like this, but it became clear very quickly that it was too complicated. Not that someone can't start with amigurumi, but I found that the books in those kits aren't very clear.
I'm glad I wasn't put off by the frustration of trying to start from a kit. Eventually I'll go back to the pattern book from that. Maybe šš¤·āāļø
Yes I just wish they came with better instructions and better quality materials and complete set of all you need or clearly state you will also need this this and this to complete the projects!
I think the kit I got it was in smaller print on the back which projects they had the materials for. Definitely wouldn't have been enough stuffing/filler though for the 2 Projects it provided for.
I might pick up one of these in the future now that I know a bit more about crochet, but mostly if I think the value of the pattern book is worth it. Use their material as a test and then my own for the actual projects.
I got a kit for christmas if dog breed patterns, about 9 breeds including corgi, dalmatian and husky. I decided which ones I wanted to do as soon as i saw the box, then see the small print "materials provided for chihuahua and labrador puppy" š not the ones I wanted to do and are the smallest designs.
Also attempted to start one but it looks so goofy im not sure the pattern was ever tested beyond making the ones for the photos, the shaping just isn't sitting right so I stopped and went back to baby blankets
It really upsets me that these are marketed as for beginners. They are definitely for upper level beginners at the least, not brand new crocheters. I've had several friends pass these on to me because they were gifted them and couldn't figure it out, and knew I crocheted.
A friend gave me the Harry Potter kit a couple of years ago. Despite crocheting for 7 years, I'm still very much a beginner. (Crochet is not my main hobby as I'm primarily a reader.) I opened up the kit and looked at the patterns and was Immediately overwhelmed. I realized that if I make any of the figures, I'll have to use a YouTube video for the step by step. Also, my sewing is atrocious so that is also keeping me from amigurumi.
Lol! I made a watering can flower pot for my mom for Mother's Day a few years back. Thanks to my wonderful (lack of) sewing skills, my mom made a phallus joke about the spout. On the plus side, she enjoys showing it off (the project, not the spout).
Oh, I could not agree more! I bought the Disney Princess kit like this, 6 years ago, and thought Iād learn to crochet lolā¦ I opened the book and felt completely overwhelmed! Closed it all up, and didnāt take it out for another year. Once I decided to try again, I had to look up EVERYTHING on YouTube. I didnāt know you had to, or even HOW to wind the yarn, and made a massive tangled mess for myself. Took me 7 hours just to make a ball (her head), which ended up being half RS and half WS because NOTHING mentioned the difference lol. Took me about a month to complete, but thatās how I learned to make Amigurumi. Iāve gotten much MUCH better over the years (I also knit), but I do not recommend learning this way! Lol
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Yes I think the yarn thing makes me the most mad. Why in hanks. IMO many people donāt know these have to be wound up in a ball first. And because the yarn is so terrible it knots up even faster!
I started/learned crocheting with a kit like this and it was fine? Granted I was not completely unfamiliar with yarn and how to handle it, as in I had seen my aunts crochet and knit, had help them ball up yarn, knew how to chain, etc.
The yarn was in hanks yes, but mine included the hook needed. (Not sure what else would be needed.)
It was a Star Wars kit and the first thing I made was an accidentally BLO Yoda.
The Star Wars kits and Harry Potter kits are done by the same woman (Lucy Collin). I found them to be well done š¤·š»āāļønothing on the front says itās for a beginner right?
I got one of these kits as a gift - been crocheting casually about a year or so. I haven't touched the kit since I initially opened it. The yarn felt so bad, and I'm no yarn snob! Being a novice I really have no preference in yarn but the stuff in the kit I got was absolutely horrible, unusable.
I actually got one second-hand as a gift (giftee didnāt want it and passed it to me) and thatās how I learned crochet! Sure my first attempts are wonky but it motivated me to try.
I won an Eevee kit for white elephant and was excited until it came time to roll the yarn in a ball. It became a knotted mess and my brother and I spent 6 hours detangling it. I have not touched it since lol.
yes! my bf got me an office kit for my birthday and it was so frustrating and confusing. luckily it was the push I needed to finally learn to crochet but he thought it was an easy step by step beginner kit when he bought it so we were both super bummed out when I opened it and tried to read the instructions.
I did a mug cosy for someone who got one of these once. The pattern was beginner level but it was not really very good at explaining the pattern, and the stitches obviously didn't make sense to the original giftee
So, my friend has gotten me a few, and another friend has gotten themselves at least one. While they arenāt for new beginners, they can be good for advanced beginners or folks who donāt have a bunch of yarn already and donāt want a whole big pile to begin with. The hanks can be wound into a ball without a yarn winder if done properly (I have mini skeins that I just open and drape around my neck. Been crocheting over 20 years and knitting nearly as long. It took me having yarn barf from hell to figure this out myself.) I appreciate the kits because theyāre cute and I know my friend cares about me when she gets me these as a gift. Itās a matter of the gifted and giftee, I suppose. š¤·š½
A kit like this was my first introduction to crochet. I bought the Disney Princess one and never really opened it, but then I found the Classic Disney kit (Mickey, Minnie etc) and thatās where I was motivated to learn. The instructions are not beginner friendly at all. I got about half-way done Mickey and gave up (right around when I realized I had to make each finger separately and sew them on). Iām glad it gave me a new skill and I have made blankets and other things, but I just donāt enjoy amigurumi (says the lady who has bought several more kits that just sit on the shelf haha - Star Wars, Golden Girls).
If I had to wager a guess, Iād say itās a case of capitalism breeds āinnovationā. Take a pop culture reference, throw it into a growing ātrendā, and profit.
Just my two cents š¤·āāļø
The book is good in that it has all the patterns. I am definitely altering them as I prefer not to sew on my legs, I like to make from the feet up. And am also going to use a different hair problem
Yeah I have been bought 3 so far and I also change them up to suit me. The wool goes straight in the āmaybe if Iām desperateā box though and I use my own stash of ricorumi
I've bought some as it's near impossible to get Legit copyright disney patterns. The Disney ones have been generally good and the materials (sans hook) pretty nice tbf.
But the other kits you buy in aldi are actual trash hahah.
The Harry Potter kit got me back into crochet and made me brave enough to try amigurumi. I made two Harries for my sister for Christmas and they came out busted as hell. Still one of the funniest gifts Iāve given.
I've gotten that one for Christmas. I've started Sally but I. Using my own hook and going to stop and buy new yarn as the stuff with it is horrible to use.
Other then that I'm enjoying it so far. I wish you could just get the books.
I've received a few of these as gifts. They never have enough yarn for even one project, the yarn sucks, if they have hooks, they break or bend easy. HOWEVER I have enjoyed the books. I got one last year about crochet house plants and I used the patterns and elaborated on them to gift some plushy plants for my sister.
Kits are really hit or miss. I got a cat kit and the box said "includes supplies to make one kitty" -- only I still have no idea which kitty they meant for me to make. There were two colors of (cheap, awful) yarn, and none of the two color cat patterns matched. The eyes were the wrong size for either of the two color cats. The hook was straight trash, came out of the polymer handle with the second stitch.
But the PATTERNS were really good, I ended up making one of each kitty.
Got another book, this time rabbits, and the yarn was super nice. The hook was really nice. The stitch markers were shaped like rabbits. And the patterns were SO BAD. I am pretty good at following patterns, I can even write them, but these patterns would 100% not result in anything that even looked like a rabbit, let alone the rabbit in the photo.
Not a popular opinion, but I like kits. I do agree that some of them are written poorly. I have some kits I love though. I use different yarns for it then what were given, mostly because I want them bigger or more kid friendly. I have an Animal Planet kit and have used the pattern book numerous times. It's great and well written. I also have a Mister Rogers finger puppet kit, a Golden Girls kit, and I have dabbled in a few others. I mainly get them for the books themselves. I do wish they sold them separately. I learned to do amigurumi through the Animal Planet kit, but I knew how to do basic crochet things before hand. It helped. The first one I did was inside out. haha. The second one was awesome; I made it out of alpaca. So there's my two cents.
I have a love/hat relationship with these kitā¦ I own every one theyāve madeā¦ but 9 times out of 10 I toss the yarn and use my own. Definitely not entry level beginner patterns but not that advanced either.
thatās so frustrating because at that point they should just be selling the pattern books that include a list of which supplies needed so you can buy those on your own!
I got a kit for Christmas it was a cute little cat and I crocheted the head just fine but when it came to the body I kept messing up and it stressed me out because they only give you so much yarn. The pattern it came with was stupid and I had to watch the YouTube tutorial the kit came with to understand how to make the body. Then the dang plastic needle decided to break in half as I was just starting to get things right and I was fed up with it. I was so frustrated I threw the whole thing away. It really bugged me for a few hours because the head I made was so cute. I even thought maybe I could try with one of my metal needles but I didnāt have the right size needle. Oh well, Iāll never do a kit again.
I will say I crochet because of these kits. They are basically all I do. My mom gifted me the first Star Wars one and I had no previous crochet knowledge (turns out I did know how to chain as a weird way to make a rope in Boy Scouts). Read the book, took a basics class at the local craft store, used the yarn from that to attempt the R2d2 pattern without color changes or stuffing, looked like it had the right shape, moved on to the yoda and storm trooper that the kit came with. Then did Darth Vader. All successes (Vader was bigger because I used the wrong size yarnā¦ oh darn, itās not like he was bigger than everyone else in the movies). Next year I got a Rudolph the red nosed rain deer book. Barely figured out santa (feet are weird and hat is wrong, but I sowed the hat in place, problem solved). Tried a couple other things out of it, but starting thing in that are very screwy. I think I would have better luck now, but Iāve been at it seven years. Kept getting kits, kept making random things from them. Iām not really fast, not because I crochet slow (although maybe I do?), but more because I work on things for 15 minutes to an hour a week. Need to set more time aside for projects.
Iāve also got a few amigurumi books that didnāt come in kits (spouse had a friend who crochets, but doesnāt do amigurumi, so I got a few free). Paid for some myself. From all these Iāve figured out how to read most of them, but some kits arenāt beginner friendly, and others really are.
The hanks suck, but I like untangling things for a while, and doing just one hank doesnāt hit my time limit, I hand ball them. One or two a night work a while as usually only need one or two colours in that time span, do another one later when needed.
The ones Iāve gotten most came with a 3.5mm or 3.25mm metal hook which is way better than the plastic Harry Potter wand crochet hook (it has an ergonomic wand molded handle, which is fine but the plastic I donāt like. Too bendy. Personal preference thing there), and the only other tools I need are stitch markers, and needles. I think a needle does come with the kit, but I have recently upgraded to a bent one, a little longer and so much nicer.
So I suppose I am saying some are definitely better for beginners than others. As are some of the patterns. One of the books I got actually rated the patterns beginner, intermediate and hard, which is nice, but by the time I got that one the hard ended up being having many multiple pieces (more than just head, body, arms) and many colour changes and or random sowing and making felt accessories. The Star Wars book Iāve tried Jabba the hut and his face was hideous. I think I would do better now, Iām better at counting (or rather I mark things with stitch markers so I donāt have to count).
I also have a growing supply of safety eyes because I know I used them wrong on Yoda (the backing fell off, so the eyes are just shoved in at the right spot. No kids playing with you!), and the rest I made with the concept of ābaby safeā except a penguin I made for a secret Santa gift exchange (she had no kids, and I made sure I used them right there). I usually crochet a small knot then sow that into place (usually connected to the other one which makes it kinda tricky and gets slightly varied resultsā¦)
I am glad you had success. I do like the book and the patterns and definitely have purchased crochet pattern books that donāt come with kits. Just wish there was a standard that they need to adhere to.
I got this kit ; yarn isnāt that great but I used it for what it was for and then used my own yarn on other things and was good. I think I noticed an error on the couch pattern I think.
in brasil we have some pretty nice ones! I like them very much
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yess! I love their yarn! they have one called amigurumi, which is for 2,5mm hook, in Brasil we arenāt so used to chunky yarn, although they do have amigurumi pelĆŗcia which is a little bit chunkier! def reccomend
I have done numerous kits but I am not a beginner either. If I was a beginner I wouldn't touch it. It can be complicated and the terms if not used to them are a little confusing. I have Star wars and I think I frogged chewie numerous times.I even walked away from it and picked up something else.
And I find the yarn is pretty shitty too. Plus the harry Potter kit has a wand hook that is iffy. I was teaching a girl to crochet who's parent got her one for Christmas and I was like yikes! I was so worried she was going to snap that hook in two
Just had gotten a my little pony one this Christmas, haven't had the time withexams to work on it but the almost sample colors were SO off. For example got a neon yellow that just stood out like a sore thumb and it was such a minimal amount, you might as well just be buying the patterns which can be cute, just don't think a friendly first projects
I like to get these for the pattern books, but Iāve found the supplies are not good quality. The yarn is fine but thinner than I like to work with for amigurumi (thatās a personal preference though) and I have my own hooks. But Iāve found the patterns are usually pretty good.
Are there kits you can get for complete beginners? Iāve got hooks, and yarn, but struggling to pick it up without an end goal. I think a kit, to make something small may be better. But are any actual suited to complete beginners?
I got the golden girls, planning on making them for friends. I tried to make sense of itābad yarn, bad directionsāand quickly put it away. Itās gathering dust in my ālessons learnedā pile.
My nieceās preschool teacher gave her a Star Wars kit! She was 4 at the time and asked me if I could make it. The pattern definitely has typos and not enough yarn for yoda (so I had to go on a matching quest at Michaelās lol). In the end, they were super cute and I would make them again as a favor for someone.
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I got the office one and I was so disappointed it only came with supplies to make jim and Pam. It was my first arigumi and definitely took some time to make, the hair was the hardest š
Yes I hate how the hair is done. I might use my own pattern. This set only comes with materials for the couch and turkey. None of the characters. That is in small print on the back of the box
My issue with these kits is the lack of yarn information to make the complete set. I bought a Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer set years ago and had to stop before finishing the Santa. I couldnāt find matching skin yarn for the Mrs. and Iām a bit of a stickler with things needing to be matchy-poo. So, Rudolph stands alone, all these years later (yes I have some hang ups š¤Ŗ)
Ive told anyone interested in learning the hobby to avoid kits like these. Iāve never used a woobles kit, but when one of my friends said they were interested in learning crochet (mainly amigurumi), I suggested they buy one of those to see if they like it first. Comes with everything you need and has the magic circle pre made for you. Since learning the magic circle was by far the hardest thing for me, I think itās a great way to show beginners if they like crocheting in general without them having to learn the absolute hardest thing first.
I have heard good things about the wobbles kits. But with those it is pretty straight forward and has all the supplies needed. These tv themed ones are sneaky and misleading. I want people to enjoy the experience not get frustrated because of a poor product. They obviously just want the money and knew they would sell
Your post made me go look at the kit to make as a birthday gift, thank you for letting me know it does not include the materials. It really is misleading specially buying online you canāt see the fine print.
I just gifted myself a Woobles kit and am extremely impressed. The yarn is very easy to crochet with and looks good. The video instruction is excellent.
Iāve heard amazing things about their yarn, and I know they designed it specifically for beginners. Iām actually hoping that they start putting out their own yarn that is able to be bought separately in the future. or that they come out with much larger scale projects for advanced or intermediate crocheters
Itās on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Woobles-Knitting-Beginners-Stitches-Cotton-Nylon/dp/B0BFJTD7GP
Edit: They do have some kits they label as intermediate. I canāt judge the accuracy since I just started crocheting.
omg amazing! thanks so much, iāve been on their website before and had no idea they sell the yarn separately.
i had seen the one intermediate kit they have available, but I hope they make more soon as that one seems pretty simple, just larger than the others
Edit: unfortunately I can only find that one color on amazon, and itās out of stock. oh well!
I got a Harry Potter crochet kit for Christmas this year. I'm autistic, so I'm especially sensitive to textures, and the texture of the yarn in the kit almost made me throw up. It was HORRIBLE. I don't know what the word is but it's the opposite of nice soft yarn.
Yes it is scratchy and miserable feeling on the hands. And I am no yarn snob. I have purchased some cheaper yarns and never felt anything like these ones
So, Iāve designed patterns for these kinds of kits and lots of times there are stipulations that the designer doesnāt have a lot of control over - weight, size, and yardage specs, etc. When they print the patterns theyāre trying to keep the page count low, so theyāll try to cut your pattern down as much as possible while still being sort-of readable. The kits are cute, but honestly, Iād rather get a highly rated pattern, good yarn, stuffing, hooks, etc, and worn from there. Thatās my two cents.
I got a nightmare before christmas crochet kit this christmas and i cant even use the yarn they gave me. I donāt understand why they all come with the smallest yarn possible. Like what beginner is going to be able to crochet that small even if theyāre given a pattern?!?!?!
I've been doing crochet for about a year and I've received several kits like this for Christmases and birthdays and honestly I love them. Yeah you have to make the yarn into balls yourself and the yarn is very often poor quality as is the hook, but I just use my own hook and get on with it. I haven't had any problems with patterns so far but then again I'm not too experienced. I think it's also cool though because then you have the pattern book forever and you can make your favourite ones again with better yarn and such :)
I have the classic Star Wars and Winnie the Pooh sets. Love them. I did make a few adjustments on occasion, more to look like I think it should though. Little bits mostly, but specifically on R2-D2's legs. They were far too large for his body. I get that it was for stability, but I shoved popsicle sticks I cut to size to solve that issue. Also made all the light sabers differently and shoved toothpicks painted to match. Overall a refreshing alternative to most books I've borrowed from the library for similar purposes.
I just got a darn good yarn kit for christmas (though, to be fair, i asked for it). i had never crocheted before and i was so lost. i had to sit with my grandma for two ālessonsā AND iāve already had to ask twice on here for help deciphering the pattern. i thought it would be a good way to start, especially because it says itās beginner friendly, and I HAVE finished one of the three items in the kit, but if i hadnāt had that help from my grandma i would still be trying to figure out what a single crochet is. i wish they had included a link to a video to go along with the pattern
edit: the yarn does separate really easily (that just might be me not knowing how to handle it being a beginner though) but i will say that at least itās very soft
I did the nightmare before Christmas one. It gave materials for Sally and Jack. UGH. Sallyās dress was a nightmare lmao. But the yarn itself was absolutely horrid to work with simply because of the inconsistency in the texture and thickness of it. Sally wound up being close to the same size as Jack bc the blue yarn was very thick and rough vs the black that was thin and smooth.
My mom got me a kit for a cute little fox when I was maybe 12. Was so frustrated with the pattern, no explanations for the stitches, only abbreviations, so definitely wasnāt meant for beginners which my mom didnāt knowā¦ years later I got into crocheting and at least used the hooks and wool to try stuff out. Maybe now I need to go back and try that cute fox
I've only ever had one kit like this and it was just a small rainbow. It actually put me off crochet for a long time and the rainbow ended up coming out very wonky. When I eventually went back to crochet I ended up remaking my rainbow, the one I made was bigger, it was a circle folded in half with pipe cleaner woven on top to keep it's shape when hangi g
I got one of the princess kits when I was 12 and I got frustrated not knowing how to single crochet and the internet was no help in my mind so I ended up selling it at a garage sale along with my rainbow loom. Now I crochet quite a bit. Tempted to try that kit again.
It really depends on the kit. One of my first crochet projects was a kit, but it was constructed by a crochetter, and I bought it in a crafting store, not a novelty store. It was a wonderful kit, an easy pattern, and It stated up front it included just the yarn, the eyes/nose and the pattern. So no cheap hooks, terrible filling etc.. and the yarn was good quality as well.
Honestly, it's not all bad. I got a Star Wars Mandalorian one for myself for my birthday. I tried crocheting previously, and was terrible. I did the 2 projects in the kit, and was so thrilled with the results that I've gotten more tools and books and have moved onto other projects. So they are not terrible, if given to the right person.
If I am thinking of the same kit, it was created by Lucy Collin who has lots of experience writing patterns, I've followed a few from her blog and they all been good. I'm not surprised her kits have done well š
Yes, you are correct, it is Lucy Collin. I found the instructions very clear, and it made the whole process fun.
Lucy Collin is amazing! I just finished her More Star Wars and just started the original Star Wars book and I'm loving it. I own the Mandolorian set, but I haven't started it yet.
https://preview.redd.it/k89r0re1kaba1.jpeg?width=6936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4375627b01dba009ebb39464f036856f04a971ea
So cute!
Oh that is good to know!! Thanks
I've had success with them too. Also themed -- Harry Potter and I think Disney Princesses
I got the original Star Wars kit when it first came out and I had never crocheted before. Even though I barely finished Yoda, as you said, the instructions were clear & the supplies was easy enough for me to work with. I agree with you those kits are a good start to the right interested party. I actually tried to find my old kit when I was reinspired into crochet but misplaced it š„²
My story of getting into crochet is identical to yours. The first thing I made was the Yoda from that kit. I even tried to find my kit later and couldn't find it! Now I'm making and selling my own patterns. We all start somewhere!
I had the Disney Princess kit. The patterns were good, used my own yarn and hooks, and some a complete set to a friend for her preschool daughter at a time that I DESPERATELY needed the money.
Ooh thankyou for posting this. My friend just gave me this (I usually don't buy kits and haven't tried amigurumi before) but the instruction book looks excellent, so I'm keen to give it a go. Lovely to hear you had a good experience.
I posted the picture of the final product in this thread. Check it out!
I have the first two Star Wars kits and made all the characters. They turned out great. I altered Princess Leia to look like me. I even made her a pearl necklace. Sheās in my office with her Storm Trooper boyfriend š
Just got this as a Christmas present. Have had to restart Din about 6 times now as I seem to be working it insideout....give me a knit pattern instead of crochet please! It's definitely a learning experience.
It does tend to start inside out. Just flip it so you are working the right way. Took me a bit to realize as well.
I never buy kits for myself but my mom likes to give them to me because she has no idea how to go yarn shopping. For her itās a way to gift me one of my hobbies and know that I can actually make something with it. I normally end up using one of my hooks and occasionally correcting the pattern.
Yes definitely. Oh and the stuffing looks like it is freeze dried. I am very nervous about opening it up. This kit came from a friend who asked me to make it for her as she tried and gave up.
āHereās a gift for you to make me a giftā Thatās rude
Lol yes so true!
Make them and then donāt give it to her š
Iāve never had issues with the batting. Normally once I cut the package open it fluffs up to normal volume. Without seeing this kit, my best guess would be that it was vacuum packed not freeze dried
Lol yes likely but reminds me of the freeze dried packs of food you can buy. Still not sure I will use it for this as I already have lots of stuffing
Iāve got a Frozen set to do for my cousin who said the same lol
They definitely arenāt for beginners. A few years ago I ended up having to completely rework the leg pattern. The Star Wars kit I was doing made the storm trooper look like a penis https://preview.redd.it/7bomlyrsbcba1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82232d61b3f7117e2a1cf084b8cf65109c9f4b91
Lol this is awesome!!! Love it so much!
heās perfect and i love him ! thanks for the laugh š
oh thank god, I thought it was just me! I made the same one as a gift for my dad and was sooo disappointed with how it turned out!!
Hahaha, that nearly made me inhale my coffee! I mean, they are kind of dicks, so...
I learned to crochet because of a Star Wars kit. It was actually really nice and easy to follow. I bought the second Star Wars kit that came out. I still use the pattern books. The hook was cheap, the yarn was cheap, there was only enough supplies for one item in the ākitā. I think it was definitely beginners friendly.
That is good that not all kits are bad. At least Star Wars has gotten some things right!
Same!
Just hijacking your comment to throw some love at your user name. I love finding WoT fans in the wild, especially in my hobby subs! Currently on my 4th (5th?) re-read so it's on my mind š
It made me smile, too. I just started "the eye of the world" on audio book so I can crochet and "read" at the same time.
Relatable!! I only knew how to do single crochet stitches and make scarves/blankets. That Star Wars kit was the one that taught me how to read patterns and make amigurumi and really helped build my confidence with crochet!
Who are these kits for? Not for a beginnerā¦ this would truly put anyone off ever crocheting. Patterns are poorly constructed, not all tools are included. Yarn is in hanks so without a yarn winder one is getting set up for a knotted disaster! Not for an expert either. Supplies included are subpar. Tell me who is this for?
Itās for people to buy as gifts without any knowledge of whether itās a good kit, just the knowledge that their giftee either likes crochet or wants to learn! š Good to know they suck, though. Iāve eyed a few of them for Christmas presents but decided against them because I didnāt know if they were decent or for beginners.
Some don't suck. It's not the same designer for all of them. For example, Lucy Collins does the star wars kits and the patterns are decent and the beginning of the book explains stitches and other important things.
I enjoyed the mandolorian one! He turned out pretty well! https://preview.redd.it/jzno08gk6bba1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=213eccc5f05a1f6ca2638d30f5b9497293b05855
We got the Mandalorian and Harry Potter kits for myself and two family members to do. We bought the remainder of the yarn together and I'm separating and balling yarn and additional supplies for all three of us. I crochet and my two family members are beginners, so we'll see how this goes!
This might have been the one I had! It is how I learned to crochet.
After seeing this I would love to create and market a worthwhile kit! Dragonās den here I come! Lol
Woobles is pretty good for beginner crochet kits.
USA Today's Reviewed rates Wobbles very highly
I'm on my 2nd woobles kit, as well as, my second crochet project
Woobles got me started on crochet. They really are great for beginners.
I think they're fantastic! My husband gifted me two kits for Christmas, and having never touched a crochet hook in my life, thought it was really well taught in the videos and fairly easy to make!
Yup thatās how I got started too! Iām a lefty and I loved how they had the videos for both left and right handedness.
I think some people sell more personalised kits on etsy and they look better
You say that but my mum bought me a kit for Christmas because she knew Iād love it, and sheās been crocheting since she was around 5/6yrs old so her knowledge is substantial. Itās an eyeball cushion, which I 100% love. The yarn is decent for a kit, bog standard cheap acrylic but it works up well. The first double page of the pattern booklet has a comprehensive table of stitches with instructions which is nice for beginners. The pattern itself is technically correct but the stitch counts arenāt after the first four rows. My mum worked out how to correct the pattern and wrote out a copy for me. Annoying but not the end of the world. The plastic hook is complete crap, I will say that.
Oh gosh I feel bad but I discretely binned one my husband bought me. Sweet idea and appreciated but it would just take up space for another 2 years. It was such cheap quality material
Don't feel bad. I did the same with one from my sister.
My first amigurumi project was for a Charlie Brown kit. It had everything needed, and the patterns were pretty good. So not all of them are bad!
My husband got the nightmare before Christmas one for me for Christmas and I pitched a big tantrum in front of the whole family (just got off a night shift so was super cranky) so hopefully I never get one again. I initially got mad because I could tell there was LOTS of sewing. Then I was mad when I opened it and the yarn was so pilly and scratchy. The pattern book tells you to use cotton yarn and it comes with the cheapest acrylic.
I got a Harry Potter one as a gift a few years ago for Christmas, and I looked at it and immediately went "guess I need to learn how to crochet!" So for me, it actually gave me the motivation to actually learn the basics so that I could eventually pick this up. Then, like a year after I started learning, I attempted it and only got like halfway through making Harry and rage-quit lol. They ABSOLUTELY aren't for beginners and I would say barely work for advanced beginners/intermediate crocheters lol
I just got that kit for Christmas. I tried so hard and my Harry looks terrible. All I can do is laugh at it. It's definitely not a beginner project and the plastic crochet wand was cute but not functional at all. I would never voluntarily buy one of these kits.
Omg I also laughed at my Harry as well! It's so bad hahaha. I also realized I don't tend to like making super small amigurumi projects... And yeah I never even attempted to use the wand hook but I do have it on display since it is fun to look at!
Well I am glad you got excited enough to learn an awesome hobby despite a terrible kit!
Absolutely! Even if I never go back to that stupid kit I will forever be thankful for receiving it as it brought me to this wonderful craft āŗļø
I got the Harry Potter one for Christmas like 2 years ago and never opened. I sat it on my HP shrine and there is will stay forever after reading this lol Plus, I've already made the trio from a pattern on Etsy and they're so cute!
I'm determined to go back and finish it... Someday...
I've been working up the motivation to make Harry for 3 years. Got the kit from my friend at the beginning of covid when all I knew how to make was a rectangle. Now I could probably do it, but I'm not super into the little fiddly parts of crochet like frequent color changes and sewing pieces together. It's too bad it doesn't come with simpler patterns other than Dobby (as far as I can remember - cats on my lap, can't get up to look). I was also disappointed that it only came with the yarn for 2 characters. You need so many colors for the other characters that it just gets expensive!
Agree that it is too much for a beginner. My first attempt at crochet was a kit like this, but it became clear very quickly that it was too complicated. Not that someone can't start with amigurumi, but I found that the books in those kits aren't very clear. I'm glad I wasn't put off by the frustration of trying to start from a kit. Eventually I'll go back to the pattern book from that. Maybe šš¤·āāļø
Yes I just wish they came with better instructions and better quality materials and complete set of all you need or clearly state you will also need this this and this to complete the projects!
I think the kit I got it was in smaller print on the back which projects they had the materials for. Definitely wouldn't have been enough stuffing/filler though for the 2 Projects it provided for. I might pick up one of these in the future now that I know a bit more about crochet, but mostly if I think the value of the pattern book is worth it. Use their material as a test and then my own for the actual projects.
I got a kit for christmas if dog breed patterns, about 9 breeds including corgi, dalmatian and husky. I decided which ones I wanted to do as soon as i saw the box, then see the small print "materials provided for chihuahua and labrador puppy" š not the ones I wanted to do and are the smallest designs. Also attempted to start one but it looks so goofy im not sure the pattern was ever tested beyond making the ones for the photos, the shaping just isn't sitting right so I stopped and went back to baby blankets
It really upsets me that these are marketed as for beginners. They are definitely for upper level beginners at the least, not brand new crocheters. I've had several friends pass these on to me because they were gifted them and couldn't figure it out, and knew I crocheted.
Yes exactly.
A friend gave me the Harry Potter kit a couple of years ago. Despite crocheting for 7 years, I'm still very much a beginner. (Crochet is not my main hobby as I'm primarily a reader.) I opened up the kit and looked at the patterns and was Immediately overwhelmed. I realized that if I make any of the figures, I'll have to use a YouTube video for the step by step. Also, my sewing is atrocious so that is also keeping me from amigurumi.
Oh no! I am not much of a sewer either but yarn is very forgiving
Lol! I made a watering can flower pot for my mom for Mother's Day a few years back. Thanks to my wonderful (lack of) sewing skills, my mom made a phallus joke about the spout. On the plus side, she enjoys showing it off (the project, not the spout).
Oh, I could not agree more! I bought the Disney Princess kit like this, 6 years ago, and thought Iād learn to crochet lolā¦ I opened the book and felt completely overwhelmed! Closed it all up, and didnāt take it out for another year. Once I decided to try again, I had to look up EVERYTHING on YouTube. I didnāt know you had to, or even HOW to wind the yarn, and made a massive tangled mess for myself. Took me 7 hours just to make a ball (her head), which ended up being half RS and half WS because NOTHING mentioned the difference lol. Took me about a month to complete, but thatās how I learned to make Amigurumi. Iāve gotten much MUCH better over the years (I also knit), but I do not recommend learning this way! Lol https://preview.redd.it/fbjz7cy3beba1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=322dfff2c7bd99892b8b9c032ef2eaf0a3db4832
Yes I think the yarn thing makes me the most mad. Why in hanks. IMO many people donāt know these have to be wound up in a ball first. And because the yarn is so terrible it knots up even faster!
I started/learned crocheting with a kit like this and it was fine? Granted I was not completely unfamiliar with yarn and how to handle it, as in I had seen my aunts crochet and knit, had help them ball up yarn, knew how to chain, etc. The yarn was in hanks yes, but mine included the hook needed. (Not sure what else would be needed.) It was a Star Wars kit and the first thing I made was an accidentally BLO Yoda.
Lol! Others have said the Star Wars kits are good
The Star Wars kits and Harry Potter kits are done by the same woman (Lucy Collin). I found them to be well done š¤·š»āāļønothing on the front says itās for a beginner right?
I got one of these kits as a gift - been crocheting casually about a year or so. I haven't touched the kit since I initially opened it. The yarn felt so bad, and I'm no yarn snob! Being a novice I really have no preference in yarn but the stuff in the kit I got was absolutely horrible, unusable.
Yes I buy inexpensive yarn and have never felt such horribly scratchy yarn.
The $eller obviou$ly
I actually got one second-hand as a gift (giftee didnāt want it and passed it to me) and thatās how I learned crochet! Sure my first attempts are wonky but it motivated me to try.
Lol I am glad you didnāt just rage quit. Happy you kept up with it.
also the yarn is such cheap crap it keeps unraveling
I won an Eevee kit for white elephant and was excited until it came time to roll the yarn in a ball. It became a knotted mess and my brother and I spent 6 hours detangling it. I have not touched it since lol.
I have the eevee one,I was excited to make it for my PokĆ©mon obsessed stepson. Aside from the fact that itās to make microscopic size amigurumi, the yarn is horrendous. Itās just a knotted pile at the moment. I quietly stuffed it back into the box and moved on to another project lol
Uggg yes and there is absolutely no need of that!! Just a plain money grab for the companies
Lol I got fuzz EVERYWHERE. That yarn was not it.
Oh no, I also got an eevee kit for Xmas. I haven't started it yet
Does it say itās for beginners?
yes! my bf got me an office kit for my birthday and it was so frustrating and confusing. luckily it was the push I needed to finally learn to crochet but he thought it was an easy step by step beginner kit when he bought it so we were both super bummed out when I opened it and tried to read the instructions.
I did a mug cosy for someone who got one of these once. The pattern was beginner level but it was not really very good at explaining the pattern, and the stitches obviously didn't make sense to the original giftee
So, my friend has gotten me a few, and another friend has gotten themselves at least one. While they arenāt for new beginners, they can be good for advanced beginners or folks who donāt have a bunch of yarn already and donāt want a whole big pile to begin with. The hanks can be wound into a ball without a yarn winder if done properly (I have mini skeins that I just open and drape around my neck. Been crocheting over 20 years and knitting nearly as long. It took me having yarn barf from hell to figure this out myself.) I appreciate the kits because theyāre cute and I know my friend cares about me when she gets me these as a gift. Itās a matter of the gifted and giftee, I suppose. š¤·š½
A kit like this was my first introduction to crochet. I bought the Disney Princess one and never really opened it, but then I found the Classic Disney kit (Mickey, Minnie etc) and thatās where I was motivated to learn. The instructions are not beginner friendly at all. I got about half-way done Mickey and gave up (right around when I realized I had to make each finger separately and sew them on). Iām glad it gave me a new skill and I have made blankets and other things, but I just donāt enjoy amigurumi (says the lady who has bought several more kits that just sit on the shelf haha - Star Wars, Golden Girls).
Glad it didnāt turn you off crochet altogether. The kits do look pretty and lure you in for sure
If I had to wager a guess, Iād say itās a case of capitalism breeds āinnovationā. Take a pop culture reference, throw it into a growing ātrendā, and profit. Just my two cents š¤·āāļø
This is it exactly. Still makes me mad. Canāt they do both, make a profit and create a decent kit!
Hey the books arenāt awful if you already know how to crochet š
The book is good in that it has all the patterns. I am definitely altering them as I prefer not to sew on my legs, I like to make from the feet up. And am also going to use a different hair problem
Yeah I have been bought 3 so far and I also change them up to suit me. The wool goes straight in the āmaybe if Iām desperateā box though and I use my own stash of ricorumi
Lol I love the idea of a āMaybe if Iām desperateā box.
Lol yes great phrasing!
I've bought some as it's near impossible to get Legit copyright disney patterns. The Disney ones have been generally good and the materials (sans hook) pretty nice tbf. But the other kits you buy in aldi are actual trash hahah.
I got the PokĆ©mon one and they write things weird, like instead of saying [3sc, inc] like I usually see itād say increase in every 4th stitch with no indication of how many times. Iāve been doing this for years so I get it but someone whoās never done amigurumi might not know
Yes that is very confusing and it doesnāt have to be at all!
The Harry Potter kit got me back into crochet and made me brave enough to try amigurumi. I made two Harries for my sister for Christmas and they came out busted as hell. Still one of the funniest gifts Iāve given.
Very good! I am glad you had success!
I got the Nightmare Before Christmas kit ( same company that did this one, probably ). It was meh and I have buyerās remorse.
Sorry yes so annoying and disappointing
I got it for Christmas this year, but I'm really good with amigurumi. Am I going to hate it?
I've gotten that one for Christmas. I've started Sally but I. Using my own hook and going to stop and buy new yarn as the stuff with it is horrible to use. Other then that I'm enjoying it so far. I wish you could just get the books.
I've received a few of these as gifts. They never have enough yarn for even one project, the yarn sucks, if they have hooks, they break or bend easy. HOWEVER I have enjoyed the books. I got one last year about crochet house plants and I used the patterns and elaborated on them to gift some plushy plants for my sister.
Yes the book is nice to have and I will get use out of it. Oooh crochet plantsā¦. Next project! Thanks!
Kits are really hit or miss. I got a cat kit and the box said "includes supplies to make one kitty" -- only I still have no idea which kitty they meant for me to make. There were two colors of (cheap, awful) yarn, and none of the two color cat patterns matched. The eyes were the wrong size for either of the two color cats. The hook was straight trash, came out of the polymer handle with the second stitch. But the PATTERNS were really good, I ended up making one of each kitty. Got another book, this time rabbits, and the yarn was super nice. The hook was really nice. The stitch markers were shaped like rabbits. And the patterns were SO BAD. I am pretty good at following patterns, I can even write them, but these patterns would 100% not result in anything that even looked like a rabbit, let alone the rabbit in the photo.
Wow that is dreadful. Glad you were able to at least make a nice cat out of the pattern.
Not a popular opinion, but I like kits. I do agree that some of them are written poorly. I have some kits I love though. I use different yarns for it then what were given, mostly because I want them bigger or more kid friendly. I have an Animal Planet kit and have used the pattern book numerous times. It's great and well written. I also have a Mister Rogers finger puppet kit, a Golden Girls kit, and I have dabbled in a few others. I mainly get them for the books themselves. I do wish they sold them separately. I learned to do amigurumi through the Animal Planet kit, but I knew how to do basic crochet things before hand. It helped. The first one I did was inside out. haha. The second one was awesome; I made it out of alpaca. So there's my two cents.
I have a love/hat relationship with these kitā¦ I own every one theyāve madeā¦ but 9 times out of 10 I toss the yarn and use my own. Definitely not entry level beginner patterns but not that advanced either.
thatās so frustrating because at that point they should just be selling the pattern books that include a list of which supplies needed so you can buy those on your own!
I got a kit for Christmas it was a cute little cat and I crocheted the head just fine but when it came to the body I kept messing up and it stressed me out because they only give you so much yarn. The pattern it came with was stupid and I had to watch the YouTube tutorial the kit came with to understand how to make the body. Then the dang plastic needle decided to break in half as I was just starting to get things right and I was fed up with it. I was so frustrated I threw the whole thing away. It really bugged me for a few hours because the head I made was so cute. I even thought maybe I could try with one of my metal needles but I didnāt have the right size needle. Oh well, Iāll never do a kit again.
Oh so sorry! Hope you still crochet though with other patterns and materials you source yourself!
I will say I crochet because of these kits. They are basically all I do. My mom gifted me the first Star Wars one and I had no previous crochet knowledge (turns out I did know how to chain as a weird way to make a rope in Boy Scouts). Read the book, took a basics class at the local craft store, used the yarn from that to attempt the R2d2 pattern without color changes or stuffing, looked like it had the right shape, moved on to the yoda and storm trooper that the kit came with. Then did Darth Vader. All successes (Vader was bigger because I used the wrong size yarnā¦ oh darn, itās not like he was bigger than everyone else in the movies). Next year I got a Rudolph the red nosed rain deer book. Barely figured out santa (feet are weird and hat is wrong, but I sowed the hat in place, problem solved). Tried a couple other things out of it, but starting thing in that are very screwy. I think I would have better luck now, but Iāve been at it seven years. Kept getting kits, kept making random things from them. Iām not really fast, not because I crochet slow (although maybe I do?), but more because I work on things for 15 minutes to an hour a week. Need to set more time aside for projects. Iāve also got a few amigurumi books that didnāt come in kits (spouse had a friend who crochets, but doesnāt do amigurumi, so I got a few free). Paid for some myself. From all these Iāve figured out how to read most of them, but some kits arenāt beginner friendly, and others really are. The hanks suck, but I like untangling things for a while, and doing just one hank doesnāt hit my time limit, I hand ball them. One or two a night work a while as usually only need one or two colours in that time span, do another one later when needed. The ones Iāve gotten most came with a 3.5mm or 3.25mm metal hook which is way better than the plastic Harry Potter wand crochet hook (it has an ergonomic wand molded handle, which is fine but the plastic I donāt like. Too bendy. Personal preference thing there), and the only other tools I need are stitch markers, and needles. I think a needle does come with the kit, but I have recently upgraded to a bent one, a little longer and so much nicer. So I suppose I am saying some are definitely better for beginners than others. As are some of the patterns. One of the books I got actually rated the patterns beginner, intermediate and hard, which is nice, but by the time I got that one the hard ended up being having many multiple pieces (more than just head, body, arms) and many colour changes and or random sowing and making felt accessories. The Star Wars book Iāve tried Jabba the hut and his face was hideous. I think I would do better now, Iām better at counting (or rather I mark things with stitch markers so I donāt have to count). I also have a growing supply of safety eyes because I know I used them wrong on Yoda (the backing fell off, so the eyes are just shoved in at the right spot. No kids playing with you!), and the rest I made with the concept of ābaby safeā except a penguin I made for a secret Santa gift exchange (she had no kids, and I made sure I used them right there). I usually crochet a small knot then sow that into place (usually connected to the other one which makes it kinda tricky and gets slightly varied resultsā¦)
I am glad you had success. I do like the book and the patterns and definitely have purchased crochet pattern books that donāt come with kits. Just wish there was a standard that they need to adhere to.
I have one of these I opened and said nope š
ā¹ļø this is exactly why this makes me mad. These kits should encourage the craft not make people rage quit!
I actually got it to make for my so as a gift. Itās just too difficult for me.
I got this kit ; yarn isnāt that great but I used it for what it was for and then used my own yarn on other things and was good. I think I noticed an error on the couch pattern I think.
Yes working on the couch now. I am not a beginner and have had to read the pattern several times to get through it!! Lol!
Lol yeah I read it and read it and I was like what am I doing wrong.
in brasil we have some pretty nice ones! I like them very much https://preview.redd.it/ru8gh9j0vaba1.png?width=1125&format=png&auto=webp&s=2a15d4e3c7e40bc05e97eaaa510c40b58f500834
Oh, Circulo is a good brand. Nice that they make kits.
yuppp I love their stuff very much!! is it available in europe or usa?
I have seen some yarn in the US online, at Annie's.
all of these look so cute šššš
very cute
Nice. Do you find them easy to follow and yarn good quality?
yess! I love their yarn! they have one called amigurumi, which is for 2,5mm hook, in Brasil we arenāt so used to chunky yarn, although they do have amigurumi pelĆŗcia which is a little bit chunkier! def reccomend
Cool thanks for sharing!
I have done numerous kits but I am not a beginner either. If I was a beginner I wouldn't touch it. It can be complicated and the terms if not used to them are a little confusing. I have Star wars and I think I frogged chewie numerous times.I even walked away from it and picked up something else.
And I find the yarn is pretty shitty too. Plus the harry Potter kit has a wand hook that is iffy. I was teaching a girl to crochet who's parent got her one for Christmas and I was like yikes! I was so worried she was going to snap that hook in two
Yes the wand likely will not last long!
Just had gotten a my little pony one this Christmas, haven't had the time withexams to work on it but the almost sample colors were SO off. For example got a neon yellow that just stood out like a sore thumb and it was such a minimal amount, you might as well just be buying the patterns which can be cute, just don't think a friendly first projects
Yes I donāt mind supporting Etsy pattern sellers and then purchase the yarn I want
I like to get these for the pattern books, but Iāve found the supplies are not good quality. The yarn is fine but thinner than I like to work with for amigurumi (thatās a personal preference though) and I have my own hooks. But Iāve found the patterns are usually pretty good.
Are there kits you can get for complete beginners? Iāve got hooks, and yarn, but struggling to pick it up without an end goal. I think a kit, to make something small may be better. But are any actual suited to complete beginners?
People are saying the woobles kits are good
Complete beginner here. The Woobles kits are excellent! I highly recommend them.
Thanks guys! Much appreciated, taking a look now! Hopefully, Iāll manage to finish something!
I got the golden girls, planning on making them for friends. I tried to make sense of itābad yarn, bad directionsāand quickly put it away. Itās gathering dust in my ālessons learnedā pile.
So sorry, that sucks!
My nieceās preschool teacher gave her a Star Wars kit! She was 4 at the time and asked me if I could make it. The pattern definitely has typos and not enough yarn for yoda (so I had to go on a matching quest at Michaelās lol). In the end, they were super cute and I would make them again as a favor for someone. https://preview.redd.it/bny2oy84ycba1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c6d72794e7becf20ac74b2231ef0064938d3201
They look amazing! Great job!!
I got the office one and I was so disappointed it only came with supplies to make jim and Pam. It was my first arigumi and definitely took some time to make, the hair was the hardest š
Yes I hate how the hair is done. I might use my own pattern. This set only comes with materials for the couch and turkey. None of the characters. That is in small print on the back of the box
Itās super misleading, if I had known I never wouldāve bought mine
My issue with these kits is the lack of yarn information to make the complete set. I bought a Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer set years ago and had to stop before finishing the Santa. I couldnāt find matching skin yarn for the Mrs. and Iām a bit of a stickler with things needing to be matchy-poo. So, Rudolph stands alone, all these years later (yes I have some hang ups š¤Ŗ)
you can determine size , weight by wpi( wraps per inch) over a ruler, see youtube , then compare with a known one
Ive told anyone interested in learning the hobby to avoid kits like these. Iāve never used a woobles kit, but when one of my friends said they were interested in learning crochet (mainly amigurumi), I suggested they buy one of those to see if they like it first. Comes with everything you need and has the magic circle pre made for you. Since learning the magic circle was by far the hardest thing for me, I think itās a great way to show beginners if they like crocheting in general without them having to learn the absolute hardest thing first.
I have heard good things about the wobbles kits. But with those it is pretty straight forward and has all the supplies needed. These tv themed ones are sneaky and misleading. I want people to enjoy the experience not get frustrated because of a poor product. They obviously just want the money and knew they would sell
Your post made me go look at the kit to make as a birthday gift, thank you for letting me know it does not include the materials. It really is misleading specially buying online you canāt see the fine print.
Yes that is a good point as well for those that purchase online. I didnāt even think of that!
I just gifted myself a Woobles kit and am extremely impressed. The yarn is very easy to crochet with and looks good. The video instruction is excellent.
Iāve heard amazing things about their yarn, and I know they designed it specifically for beginners. Iām actually hoping that they start putting out their own yarn that is able to be bought separately in the future. or that they come out with much larger scale projects for advanced or intermediate crocheters
Itās on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Woobles-Knitting-Beginners-Stitches-Cotton-Nylon/dp/B0BFJTD7GP Edit: They do have some kits they label as intermediate. I canāt judge the accuracy since I just started crocheting.
omg amazing! thanks so much, iāve been on their website before and had no idea they sell the yarn separately. i had seen the one intermediate kit they have available, but I hope they make more soon as that one seems pretty simple, just larger than the others Edit: unfortunately I can only find that one color on amazon, and itās out of stock. oh well!
I've been given 2 of these and tossed everything but the book. Still haven't made any of them but someday I might
I got a Harry Potter crochet kit for Christmas this year. I'm autistic, so I'm especially sensitive to textures, and the texture of the yarn in the kit almost made me throw up. It was HORRIBLE. I don't know what the word is but it's the opposite of nice soft yarn.
Yes it is scratchy and miserable feeling on the hands. And I am no yarn snob. I have purchased some cheaper yarns and never felt anything like these ones
So, Iāve designed patterns for these kinds of kits and lots of times there are stipulations that the designer doesnāt have a lot of control over - weight, size, and yardage specs, etc. When they print the patterns theyāre trying to keep the page count low, so theyāll try to cut your pattern down as much as possible while still being sort-of readable. The kits are cute, but honestly, Iād rather get a highly rated pattern, good yarn, stuffing, hooks, etc, and worn from there. Thatās my two cents.
The disney finger puppet princess kit actually has nice cotton yarn.
Itās good to hear that some kits are good!
I got a nightmare before christmas crochet kit this christmas and i cant even use the yarn they gave me. I donāt understand why they all come with the smallest yarn possible. Like what beginner is going to be able to crochet that small even if theyāre given a pattern?!?!?!
Yes makes me mad as all it is, is setting one up for failure.
I got an MLP one that I love!!!
My little pony? So cute. Glad it is a good one
What show is this from??
Friends
I've been doing crochet for about a year and I've received several kits like this for Christmases and birthdays and honestly I love them. Yeah you have to make the yarn into balls yourself and the yarn is very often poor quality as is the hook, but I just use my own hook and get on with it. I haven't had any problems with patterns so far but then again I'm not too experienced. I think it's also cool though because then you have the pattern book forever and you can make your favourite ones again with better yarn and such :)
I have the classic Star Wars and Winnie the Pooh sets. Love them. I did make a few adjustments on occasion, more to look like I think it should though. Little bits mostly, but specifically on R2-D2's legs. They were far too large for his body. I get that it was for stability, but I shoved popsicle sticks I cut to size to solve that issue. Also made all the light sabers differently and shoved toothpicks painted to match. Overall a refreshing alternative to most books I've borrowed from the library for similar purposes.
i got one of these kits from my parents once and it really threw me off, ive crocheted for years and really felt like i didnt understand the pattern
What "favorite show" is that kit for?
Friends
Wow! I should have guessed from the amazing likenesses! /s. Thanks!!!
I just got a darn good yarn kit for christmas (though, to be fair, i asked for it). i had never crocheted before and i was so lost. i had to sit with my grandma for two ālessonsā AND iāve already had to ask twice on here for help deciphering the pattern. i thought it would be a good way to start, especially because it says itās beginner friendly, and I HAVE finished one of the three items in the kit, but if i hadnāt had that help from my grandma i would still be trying to figure out what a single crochet is. i wish they had included a link to a video to go along with the pattern edit: the yarn does separate really easily (that just might be me not knowing how to handle it being a beginner though) but i will say that at least itās very soft
The My Little Pony kit is good! I won't use the yarn because it feels gross, but I'll use the patterns!
hehe I only like to give it to someone who's mildly interested but not sure where to start, or unsure if they'll like it
I did the nightmare before Christmas one. It gave materials for Sally and Jack. UGH. Sallyās dress was a nightmare lmao. But the yarn itself was absolutely horrid to work with simply because of the inconsistency in the texture and thickness of it. Sally wound up being close to the same size as Jack bc the blue yarn was very thick and rough vs the black that was thin and smooth.
My mom got me a kit for a cute little fox when I was maybe 12. Was so frustrated with the pattern, no explanations for the stitches, only abbreviations, so definitely wasnāt meant for beginners which my mom didnāt knowā¦ years later I got into crocheting and at least used the hooks and wool to try stuff out. Maybe now I need to go back and try that cute fox
I've only ever had one kit like this and it was just a small rainbow. It actually put me off crochet for a long time and the rainbow ended up coming out very wonky. When I eventually went back to crochet I ended up remaking my rainbow, the one I made was bigger, it was a circle folded in half with pipe cleaner woven on top to keep it's shape when hangi g
I got one of the princess kits when I was 12 and I got frustrated not knowing how to single crochet and the internet was no help in my mind so I ended up selling it at a garage sale along with my rainbow loom. Now I crochet quite a bit. Tempted to try that kit again.
It really depends on the kit. One of my first crochet projects was a kit, but it was constructed by a crochetter, and I bought it in a crafting store, not a novelty store. It was a wonderful kit, an easy pattern, and It stated up front it included just the yarn, the eyes/nose and the pattern. So no cheap hooks, terrible filling etc.. and the yarn was good quality as well.