Want to start knitting? Try the We Are Knitters kit
These kits are game changers for anyone who wants to start this hobby.
Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser & Naidin Concul-Ticas
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FYI, knitting is cool now. A hobby once reserved for “knitting circles” of retirees and Girl Scouts attempting to earn a badge has been popularized by celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, and Krysten Ritter, and I am here for it.
Not only is knitting one of the most relaxing activities out there, you end up with something you can cozy up with that is just your size (well, hopefully). With practice, you can fashion headbands that don’t slip, sweaters that fit freakishly long arms (if that's your deal), and scarves long enough to wrap around your neck several times over. It’s the hobby that keeps on giving.
But if you want to get into the knitting game, how can you learn? Sure, you could hunt for a community center knitting class or struggle through long, boring YouTube tutorials. Or you could try We Are Knitters, a knitting kit company that’s making it easy to pick up a pair of needles and stitch—and it’s popping all over Instagram (at least, on my feed), so I decided to check it out to see what all the fuss is about.
What is We Are Knitters?
We Are Knitters is a Spain-based company that aims to make learning to knit both hip and accessible to the general public. The premise is simple: You pick your kit, then it’s delivered to your home and you can get straight to knitting. You’re also encouraged to share you experience on social media with the hashtag #weareknitters.
On the site, there are plenty of chunky, Instagrammable patterns to choose from, including sweaters, blankets, beanies, snoods (shorter infinity scarves, if you don’t know), and more, with skill levels ranging from beginner to advance.
But where We Are Knitters differs from other knitting kits is its commitment to sustainability, which is something that appealed to me. The kits use wool that’s ethically sourced from Peru for their yarn (known as The Wool), the needles are made of fast-growing beechwood (no plastic here!), and each bag containing the goods is reusable and recyclable.
Knitting isn’t your stitchery of choice? We Are Knitters also offers crochet kits, petit point needlepoint kits, and arm knitting kits (yes, it’s a thing).
What comes in each We Are Knitters kit?
Inside a We Are Knitters kit, you get yarn, needles, sewing needs, and pattern instruction.
Each kit includes the pattern instructions, the number of skeins (or balls) of wool to complete the project, the correct needle size, sewing needles (to finish the project), and a “We Are Knitters” label. I love that it saves me from wandering around Michael’s to pick the perfect yarn and needles. Although with a ton of gorgeous projects and colors to choose from on the site, I will admit it’s hard to choose.
What does We Are Knitters cost?
A closeup of the stockinette stitches on scarf I made using the We Are Knitters kit.
The kits vary in price depending on the project you choose, starting at $55 for a hat and up to $185 for an adult-size blanket. They’re not cheap, but the cost mostly goes into the high quality of the wool. Alternatively, you can knock $12 off if you already have the proper-sized needles. You can also purchase wool for $24 a skein if you want to remake a pattern. The site also sells yarn bundles for up to 20 percent off, which can save you a chunk of change on larger projects.
Comparatively, you could get a pair of needles for just $6, thick wool yarn for $10, and sewing needles for $1 at Michaels and find a free pattern online—much cheaper, though I can’t attest to the quality or sustainability of these products. Plus, the convenience and fact that these kits can introduce you to the hobby or ease you into next-level projects may be well worth the cost.
What's it like to use a We Are Knitters kit?
After casting on 32 stitches, I got to knitting my fold-over beanie.
Full disclosure: I first learned to knit in one of those community classes when I was about eight years old. But my skills never progressed beyond scarves with simple knit or purl stitches, and I dropped the hobby before I hit puberty.
The two kits I tried—a fold-up beanie and a scarf—were part of a We Are Knitters X Anthropologie collaboration that is no longer for sale. But you can find a similar scarf and beanie on the We Are Knitters site.
When I opened the bag for my easy-level beanie kit, I was delighted by how soft the yarn was and how sturdy and smooth the wooden needles were. The directions were straightforward and broke down the specific knitting lingo like rib stitch (knit 1, purl 1) and stockinette stitch (knit even rows, purl odd rows).
What I loved most about We Are Knitters is its super-helpful free video tutorials. While I knew the basic knit and purl stitches and how to cast on stitches, I couldn’t remember how to cast off or join a new skein of yarn, which is where these videos came in as my personal instructor. Each video is short, simple, and only shows closeups of hands performing the stitches in slow motion—it cuts out the nonsense, so you can get back to your project quickly, rather than hearing someone drone on and on. This came in, er, handy when I needed to visualize what a SKPO (slip, knit, pass over) looked like, and it was much clearer in the video than the description provided in the pattern instructions.
Once I finished the pattern, all I needed to do was pull the yarn through the loops, sewed the sides together, and I had a beanie. I was even able to make a pom pom to throw on top of it, thanks to the directions—but IMHO, I need to polish this skill to make them a little fluffier. It took me about a week or so to finish the hat, and I was rewarded with a new skill and winter garb.
By the end of the project, I felt like a knitting wizard. I quickly moved onto the scarf kit I purchased. I found myself crushing stitches while binging episodes of “Succession” and “You” (serial killers and kitting just go together, don’t judge) and wound up with a new scarf, hat, and headband (from leftover yarn and another pattern I had) after a season of each.
Is We Are Knitters worth it?
Naturally, I took my handmade garb for a twirl.
If you want to learn a new hobby or embrace the knitting lifestyle, yes, it’s absolutely worth it. I found the “beginner” and “easy” kits very manageable as a newfound knitter and a great learning tool. While some patterns require thinner wool and needles, most are chunky and thick, which makes the projects fast to complete.
While these kits tend to be on the more expensive side as opposed to just buying the yarn, needles, and pattern at the craft store, I loved the convenience of a one-stop-shop to knit a pattern, and I appreciate the company’s efforts at sustainability. Plus, I found that I had enough leftover yarn after completing each pattern to knit a headband, so you can stretch your dollar a little further with an extra creation.
The We Are Knitters patterns are stylish and easy to follow, and I found myself feeling more relaxed and less anxious about my never-ending to-do list while knitting. Plus, I get to enjoy the fruit of my labor—or give my completed projects to friends and family. It’s truly been a delightful winter.