Review: 2016 July Yarn Crush Unboxing

It's been awhile since I've unboxed fibery goodness for you (and for that, I am truly, madly, deeply sad). I've been working from home three days a week since my company moved our office closer to the city, so I'll be honest: you're lucky if I brush my hair most days.

I mean, it's not a rat's nest and I still shower and like... other important things. I just usually throw my hair back into a ponytail and don't risk the chore that is putting my contacts in.

It's a great look.

Anyway, I was so excited to get back in the groove of filming that I put on a bra and unboxed the latest offering from my favorite subscription box: Yarn Crush.

The Goodies

The Yarn is the new-to-me, sumptuous, hand-dyed Pyxis from Space Cadet Yarns. It's 100% Superwash Merino, meaning it's easy to care for (and a superb choice for the provided patterns). Subscribers received one of three colorways depending on their preferences (of which I have none because I love surprises) and I received the blue-green tonal Eugenia. "Warm" subscribers received Eta Carinae and "cool" subscribers received Medusa Nebula.

The Patterns: This month’s knitting pattern is the Heartfire Shawl by Katrina King, which is a lovely pattern for Pyxis due to the subtle color changes and drape. It's a lacey fabric that appears to work up quickly thanks to some stockinette up top, making it the perfect penultimate project for summer.

Of course, Yarn Crush is great because crocheters aren't forgotten (and believe me when I say as a long-time crocheter, it's easy to feel overlooked in this industry). That's why each box comes with both a knitting and crochet pattern - so those of us who enjoy both crafts get a yet another choice!

The July crochet pattern is Valladolid by Jennifer Hansen. You will know Jennifer as Stitch Diva, so I'm sure it comes as no surprise I was immediately drawn to this shawl. I haven't crocheted much in the past several years due to my knitting obsession, but this may be what I needed to dive back in with pure joy.

The Yummies: This month's bonus gift is an elegant feather or twig shawl pin (I received the twig). It's a really nice treat and I don't even want to wait to wear it on my finished shawl. I can see this on any light fall jacket or bag - it's that pretty.

We also got 20% off any pattern from Threaded Dream Studio, 50% off patterns at stitchdiva.com, and 10% off our purchases at spacecadetyarn.com. There's a good chance I may take advantage of those discounts, especially if I fall in love with this yarn (as it seems like I will).

The Price: I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of my favorite things about Yarn Crush is that you know the retail value of each item in your box (it's published along with the description of the box's contents). Why is that important? Because you know exactly what you're getting for what you've paid, and let me tell you: it's always a steal. The retail value of July 2016's box was $50.99, but the monthly subscription price is only $32.99 in comparison. That’s $18 in savings!

The Rating

How could I possibly give Yarn Crush any less than 5/5 stars? The answer is: I can't. The yarn is just too pretty and the projects too fun for me not to rave like a lunatic about the contents.

How to Get It

There are a couple subscription options and multiple ways to pay. For example, you can subscribe to a monthly box or bi-monthly box and then select how often you'd like to be charged. You, of course, save money with a 3- or 6-month payment plan; I love when subscriptions cater to both our needs and our budgets, especially for those of us trying to be more conscious of what we’re spending (look, I said "trying").

If you're ready to learn more, click the button below to either subscribe or select the subscription option that's right for you:

GIVEAWAY! The All-New Sock Crush Box by Yarn Crush

Hey, all! It's been quite some time since my last update, and for that I apologize. Not that I think I'm on your minds 24/7, but I like to think I provide good content from time to time, and I know I also owe people reviews and project updates. I promise those are coming soon!

But in the meantime, I have some exciting news:

My regular readers will know that I have rather large obsession with Yarn Crush, one of the many subscription services out there catered to knitters and crocheters alike. You'll also know that it's by far my favorite.

As a result, I've developed a rapport with Yarn Crush's creator, Joanna, which only means good things for you. Why? Because she's allowing me to host a giveaway for one of her all-new subscription boxes: Sock Crush.

What It Is

Developed specifically for sock knitters, Sock Crush is a new yarntastic subscription box by Yarn Crush. The first box ships in early August, just in time to start knitting up socks to wear in the fall or give away as Christmas gifts.

Each box will include enough quality sock yarn to knit a pair of socks and a download code for a sock knitting pattern. As with all Yarn Crush's boxes, the retail value of what you get will always be higher than the subscription price. 

Featured patterns will be designed by some of the best sock designers out there, like Cookie A, Kate Atherley, Wei S. Leong, Anne Hanson, Sivia Harding, and more!

How to Win It

Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below for multiple entries to win your own Sock Crush box.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sock knitting not your thing? Or just want to immediately get yummy yarn and patterns delivered right to your mailbox every month?

BTW: Current Yarn Crush subscribers get 15% off their Sock Crush pre-orders (remember: there are only 50 up for grabs!), and all pre-orders get FREE SHIPPING their first month, so make sure to check it out immediately :)

Review: 2016 February Yarn Crush Unboxing

Another month, another Yarn Crush package to unbox and review. Life is hard.

In all seriousness, this is my favorite Yarn Crush yet. It packs the biggest punch of any I’ve previously reviewed and is the most valuable, to boot. I literally squeed when I opened it and I’m so impressed with what Joanna has put together for us. Here’s why:

The Goodies

The Yarn is a thrumming kit dyed exclusively for Yarn Crush by Celestial Strings. The coordinating sets (you received either pink or blue - I got pink!) include four ounces of 100% Peruvian wool yarn and one ounce of wool fiber for thrumming. The info packet says “the vibrant fiber will add gorgeous pops of color to any thrummed item you’d like to knit or crochet."

The Patterns: This month’s knitting pattern is Winkelmittz, a traditional thrummed mitten set with a slight twist: chevrons! According to the pattern notes, your hands will stay nice and toasty as the thrums felt together into a warm and solid inner lining. Although it’s gotten a little late in the season to wear these, they’re a great spring or summer project when you’re looking for something small and portable to play with while traveling in the heat.

Of course, one of the things I like about Yarn Crush is that crocheters aren’t excluded from the fun (and there’s no reason a hooker shouldn’t enjoy high quality yarns and patterns just because they don’t knit). The February crochet pattern is Tribulus, a well-insulated yet surprisingly light toque that looks like it’ll be a lot of fun to make.

I’ll most likely be knitting the thrummed mittens, since just this morning I watched the latest Grocery Girls podcast and they discussed thrumming. My immediate thought was, “Hmmm, I’ve always wanted to try that.” Lo and behold, I unboxed February’s Yarn Crush and there was a thrumming kit. It’s a sign!

The Yummies: This month's bonus gift is a really, really ridiculously good-looking set of stitch markers in one of three themes - A Trip to Paris, Tea Time, or Sewing. I received the Tea Time set, which is perfect for me being that I love tea (just like most of you knitters out there). The lobster clasp makes them perfect for both knit and crochet projects, or you can use them as progress keepers; we all know I love anything multi-purpose.

The Price: I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of my favorite things about Yarn Crush is that you know the retail value of each item in your box (it's published along with the description of the box's contents). Why is that important? Because you know exactly what you're getting for what you've paid, and let me tell you: it's always a steal. The retail value of February 2016's box was $57.97, but the monthly subscription price is only $32.99 in comparison. That’s over $25 in savings!

The Rating

How could I possibly give Yarn Crush any less than 5/5 stars? The answer is: I can't. The yarn is just too pretty and the projects too fun for me not to rave like a lunatic about the contents.

How to Get It

There are a couple subscription options and multiple ways to pay. For example, you can subscribe to a monthly box or bi-monthly box and then select how often you'd like to be charged. You, of course, save money with a 3- or 6-month payment plan; I love when subscriptions cater to both our needs and our budgets, especially for those of us trying to be more conscious of what we’re spending.

If you're ready to learn more, click the button below to either subscribe or select the subscription option that's right for you:

Review: Yarn Crush 2015 December Unboxing

As mentioned in earlier posts, Joanna from Yarn Crush contacted me in late January to ask if I'd be interested in reviewing their latest subscription boxes. But trust me when I say that although this video may be slightly belated, it's well worth the read (and clicking to subscribe!)

The Goodies

The Yarn is a delectable hank of Yarn Indulgences Zed Luxe Sock, of which I received the Steel Teal colorway (the other surprise option was the Paisley colorway, which is more of a neutral purple and just as lovely). I can't even begin to describe how soft this yarn feels, although I can already tell that the twist will make for an extremely sturdy project (sock or otherwise). Made and dyed in Canada, Zed Luxe Sock is 400yds of fingering weight 70% SW Merino Wool, 20% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon.

The Patterns: If you haven't yet heard, Yarn Crush subscribers now get both a knitting and a crochet pattern. I love this. Although knitting is my craft of choice, crochet was my love for many years and, like a middle child craving attention, I always felt left out of a fiber world catered to knitting. But not with this subscription! December's knitting pattern is the Hellebore Clutch, an elegant evening bag adorned with a rosette and studded with Swarovski crystal beads (don't worry - all the supplies you need are included!) The crochet pattern is the Origami Clutch that boasts a roomy interior with sparkly, beaded flowers.

The Yummies: This month's extra goodies complete your project. A rhinestone clutch frame is the perfect finishing touch for both patterns and a bag of 48 Swarovski beads pair beautifully with either color yarn provided. PLUS we got coupon codes for 20% off any yarn purchased through the Yarn Indulgences website and 25% of our entire crochet pattern purchase from ACCROchet on Ravelry.

The Price: I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of my favorite things about Yarn Crush is that you know the retail value of each item in your box (it's published along with the description of the box's contents). Why is that important? Because you know exactly what you're getting for what you've paid, and let me tell you: it's always a steal. The retail value of December 2015's box was $50.97, but the monthly subscription price is only $32.99 in comparison.

The Rating

How could I possibly give Yarn Crush any less than 5/5 stars? The answer is: I can't. The yarn is just too pretty and the projects too fun for me not to rave like a lunatic about the contents.

How to Get It

There are a couple subscription options and multiple ways to pay. For example, you can subscribe to a monthly box or bi-monthly box and then select how often you'd like to be charged. You, of course, save money with a 3- or 6-month payment plan; I love when subscriptions cater to both our needs and our budgets, especially for those of us trying to be more conscious of what we spend in the new year.

If you're ready to learn more, click the button below to either subscribe or select the subscription option that's right for you:

Review: Yarn Crush 2015 November Unboxing

In keeping with this year's apparent theme of "it never gets less exciting", Joanna from Yarn Crush emailed me a couple weeks ago asking if I'd review two previous boxes of literal "yarny goodness" (for real - it's what the sticker says on the box's wrapping).

I know, I know: it's a tough job being a yarn-hoarding blogger, but someone's gotta do it. Not one to shirk such "obligations", I was more than happy to volunteer my unboxing skills and give a full-blown, honest review.

The first box I opened was from November 2015 and it didn't disappoint.

The Goodies

The Yarn is simply to die for. Hand-dyed exclusively for Yarn Crush subscribers, this Cat Mountain Fiber Arts yarn contains five coordinated colorways in a variety of bases. There are sparkles, loops, and fuzz, which will all work together to create a fabulous project (and it's perfect for this months' patterns).

The Patterns: We now get a knitting and crochet pattern in each box, so your crafty needs are sure to be met with this subscription. The knitting pattern is the Midnight Lane Cowl (seriously such a perfect choice for the included yarn) and the crochet pattern is Constellation. My biggest problem? Deciding which I want to make with this yarn, since they're both stunning.

The Yummies: November's box also included everything you need to complete Constellation, like more than enough jump rings to join each star and a jump ring finger tool. The latter has be super excited, not necessarily because I dabble in jewelry-making from time to time, but because I have a tendency to break any and all jewelry I already own. This will make repair a breeze!

The Price: I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of my favorite things about Yarn Crush is that you know the retail value of each item in your box (it's published along with the description of the box's contents). Why is that important? Because you know exactly what you're getting for what you've paid, and let me tell you: it's always a steal. The retail value of November 2015's box was $50.96, but the monthly subscription price is only $32.99 in comparison.

The Rating

How could I possibly give Yarn Crush any less than 5/5 stars? The answer is: I can't. The yarn is just too pretty and the projects too fun for me not to rave like a lunatic about the contents.

How to Get It

There are a couple subscription options and multiple ways to pay. For example, you can subscribe to a monthly box or bi-monthly box and then select how often you'd like to be charged. You, of course, save money with a 3- or 6-month payment plan; I love when subscriptions cater to both our needs and our budgets, especially for those of us trying to be more conscious of what we spend in the new year.

If you're ready to learn more, click the button below to either subscribe or select the subscription option that's right for you: