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I learned how to crochet in one day with this simple kit

From zero to stuffed penguin in an afternoon

A side by side images of a penguin from the Woobles and one made by the author. Credit: The Woobles / Reviewed / Meghan Kavanaugh

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While I’ve always enjoyed a good craft, the past few years of a limited social calendar really gave me the chance to lean into the hobby. I created two baby blankets, one scarf, a needlepoint lobster pillow, a macrame wall hanging, and one adorable crocheted penguin.

Unlike slowly teaching myself needlepoint and macrame through a flurry of YouTube tutorials and trial and error, a beginner-friendly kit from the Woobles made learning to crochet an actual breeze. I couldn’t believe how easily (and quickly!) a stuffed animal penguin came to life in front of my eyes.

Here’s what it was like to work with the Woobles crochet kits—and why any amateur fiber artist needs their own kit, stat.

Shop kits at the Woobles

About the Woobles

Founded by Justine Tiu and Adrian Zhang, the Woobles is a crafting kit business that offers patterns, step-by-step video tutorials, and materials needed to participate in amigurumi crochet, the Japanese fiber art form, even for complete beginners.

Once your kit arrives by mail with all the materials you need, a special login code lets you receive step-by-step written and video instructions to create your specific project, and helpful tips for when you inevitably hit a snag.

Beginner kits—including a penguin, cat, chick, fox, bunny, lion, and peas in a pod—start at $20, plus $5 if you opt to add a crochet hook to your order. Starting at $40 (plus $5 for the optional hook), larger intermediate projects include a hippo, fox, bear, crocodile, and rabbit.

There are also accessories, limited edition projects, and an Easy Peasy bundle for beginners.

What we like

A screenshot of a Woobles crochet tutorial video
Credit: The Woobles

The Woobles tutorial videos made learning to crochet so easy.

Materials are high-quality

I used a kit to teach myself macrame, and the materials included a flimsy loom and a wooden “needle” that was prone to splintering. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Woobles kit included a standard crochet hook I could use well beyond this singular project.

The Easy Peasy yarn is vibrantly colored and soft, and there was more than enough of it to go around. A seasoned crocheter may have even been able to make two penguins out of the supplies.

Instructional videos are very helpful

I love to teach myself new crafting techniques, so I’m no stranger to searching for tutorials online. The trouble is often in finding ones that are exactly relevant to my project, or that are specific enough for me to avoid sifting through 30 minutes of chatter.

With the special login code for my Pierre the Penguin project, I was able to easily follow step-by-step written and video instructions. Videos are specific—they’ll only show you what you need to know for that particular step—and they’re so succinct, you can replay them over and over until you have it figured out.

Videos, which have both right- and left-handed versions, cover everything from how to hold the yarn and crochet hook, to stitch technique, to how to carefully undo stitches if you need to start over.

Designs are adorable

Left: A crocheted fox with a backpack and a campfire; right: a crocheted cat wearing a fish bib
Credit: The Woobles

Francois the Fox and Nico the Cat are just two of the cute projects offered by the Woobles.

I dare you to not fall in love with these amigurumi designs. Nico the Cat wearing a fish bib? Francois the Fox wearing a backpack on a camping trip? Every design is cuter than the next.

While it could have potentially been easier to learn to crochet on something more basic, like a one-dimensional scarf, the cuteness factor of the Woobles helped make the entire process even more fun.

Great designs also mean that the Woobles make fun gifts. The finished products look store-bought (if I do say so myself), without a whiff of amateur DIY.

What we don’t like

A crocheted penguin sits mid assembly, with his wings off to each side
Credit: Reviewed / Meghan Kavanaugh

Attaching the wings, beak, and tummy were tricky since everything is so tiny.

It requires a lot of focus

It should have come as no surprise that a 3-inch-tall stuffed penguin with wings, a beak, eyes, and a tummy would require more concentration than a rectangular blanket. But, alas, the shape of the penguin and the different stitches kept me on my toes.

I kept hoping for a lull in the pattern, a spot where I could more mindlessly go through the motions. My favorite part about knitting, or any crafting really, is how working with my hands can calm anxiety and help me destress. There was no watching TV in the background on this project—it was challenging and entertaining, but definitely required my full attention.

The pattern isn’t available in full

While the step-by-step instructions and tutorials were helpful, there was no way for me to view the pattern in full, which was a bit frustrating. It was a beginner kit, but even though I just started crocheting, I would’ve liked the option to read through all the steps in advance without having to click through numerous screens.

Providing the pattern for reference could have also allowed it to be more relaxing overall, had I been able to look ahead and spot a familiar stitch type. But that being said, I understand that a true beginner may not have as much need for this.

Should you buy a kit from the Woobles?

A blue crocheted penguin toy sits on a desk next to a typewriter paperweight and a sign that says "What would Oprah do?"
Credit: Reviewed / Meghan Kavanaugh

Oprah would probably be into the Woobles, if we had to guess.

Absolutely

If you want to learn how to crochet, or even just how to create your own adorable animal friends, the Wobbles kits are an excellent buy. The step-by-step videos are invaluable, materials are high-quality, and the finished product speaks for itself. I still can’t believe I made an amigurumi penguin on my first attempt. (Pierre now sits proudly on my desk.)

A blanket or scarf would serve you better if you’re looking for a more relaxing project, but the Woobles will still help you learn a few key stitches and get you comfortable using the tools. If anything, it’s given me the bug to crochet something else since I feel so comfortable with the basics.

A Woobles beginners crochet kit also makes a great gift for the crafter in your life—or for you, any day you want to treat yourself.

Shop kits at the Woobles

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