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Whether you’re new to knitting or an experienced knitter, a kit is a great way to get started without having to worry about finding specific needles, colors, and yarn sizes. It’s actually pretty simple—you pick your kit, and everything you need is delivered right to your door.
While pre-made kits may seem a little pricey at first, they are definitely worth the money as they include all the tools and instructions you need for your knitting project. And the quality of the yarn is usually very high.
There’s something magical about being able to make a piece of clothing or accessory exactly the way you want it. Trust me, you’ll never want to buy that old acrylic sweater off the street again.
To write this review, we tested a range of different products, from tried-and-true scarves to more advanced pieces like vests and cardigans. We also experimented with different yarn and fibre sizes, from 3mm double knit (very fine) to 15mm (very thick).
Whether you’re looking to make a kit for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, keep scrolling to find the best knitting kits on the market.
To find the perfect knitting tools, we assembled a team of knitters of varying skill levels, from advanced to beginners who’ve never touched a pair of knitting needles. We spent countless hours knitting, purling, and yarn-winding, striving to find knitting tools that were easy to use, good value for money, and most importantly, fun.
In short, we absolutely love this kit. This Purl-fect vest comes in beautiful packaging and has plenty of yarn. Unlike most kits that provide a limited amount of yarn, this kit includes three 200g skeins of super soft merino wool – enough to adjust the length of the vest or even knit two if you prefer a shorter hem.
There are 25 colours to choose from (you can choose one colour for the body and another for the armhole and neck trim). We chose a lovely hot pink paired with a contrasting natural white. The yarn is very smooth to use, but it should be noted that the yarn tangles easily if untied several times, so be careful when untiing. Tiny fibres also fall out when removing the stitches, so it is best not to wear anything white when using this kit.
Both sets of needles are made from birch, which is sturdy and soft to the touch, and the yarn slides easily between the needles (there’s nothing worse than yarn that’s too tight). This set is designed to be knit in loop stitch (using circular needles and joining the seams in the middle to create a seamless piece), then working the neck and shoulders separately. The instructions are easy to follow, too – each row is carefully planned out, so you’ll have a beautiful vest in no time.
You can never have too many hair ties, and if you don’t want to take on a big project, this set from Wool Couture is perfect for you.
The yarn provided is not wool fiber, but 100% cotton. It is very comfortable to use. Although the cotton is not as soft as some other products in the review, its texture is fine and smooth. The second hair tie also comes with a small ball of merino wool, which can be used to decorate the hair accessory with a polka dot pattern.
Our reviewer had never used needles smaller than 5mm before, but quickly got the hang of the different sizes. There are no complicated stitches here – just cast on stitches and knit the entire piece in stockinette stitch (one row knits in front, one row knits in back).
This pattern is easy to follow – the only minor complaint is that the instructions don’t specify a specific number of rows. The instructions only said “knit to 50cm”, so we had to keep measuring to make sure the length was correct. We also found the needles to be quite flimsy compared to other kits in the review, and they can easily break if bent incorrectly. The tip of the needle is also quite sharp and can make your fingers sore if used for long periods.
The lavender kit is available from John Lewis, or from the Wool Couture website, where it comes in 14 different colours. Just be aware that for some reason, if you buy it direct from the brand, you’ll need to add an extra needle.
If you don’t want to knit a whole scarf, this knitting kit from Wool and the Gang, a London-based company loved by knitters around the world, is the perfect option.
This hat is completely knitted, so you don’t have to worry about complicated knitting techniques. You just need to learn the forward and reverse stitches and alternate them in each row. If you have any questions, the brand offers a variety of videos and other resources to help you solve any problems. The instructions for the work also include very detailed notes to help you get the job done.
The 15mm bamboo needles are very comfortable to hold and since the needles are thick, you won’t have to worry about any difficulties when sewing. As for the yarn, the kit includes a ball of the brand’s extra-thick “Sexy Yarn”, which is a favorite among many knitting enthusiasts. With a wide range of colors to choose from, from lavender to jet black, there’s always something for you. We chose Primary Grey, a beautiful cool-toned fiber with iridescent flecks.
Our only complaint is that although we followed the stitch length measurement exactly, we ran out of yarn before we could stitch the edges. We had to finish the work with extra yarn, so when you get to the last few rows, be sure to check how much yarn you have left. You’ll need about one row’s worth of yarn, plus a little extra just in case.
Scarves are a must-have for many beginner knitters, and this kit from Woolly Mahoosive doesn’t disappoint. While you’ll need to buy the 12mm knitting needles separately (£5, woollymahoosive.com), everything else you need is included, including 300g of super coarse (and super soft) merino wool and a knitting guide. Our reviewer, a complete beginner, commented: “The 12mm needles are large and comfortable to hold, and I love how soft the wool feels.” They also appreciated the combination of chunky yarn and wooden needles, calling it “perfect for beginners.”
Our reviewer noted that while the kit came with written instructions, he learned more from the YouTube video and felt the instructions did not explain how to attach a new ball of yarn.
The first thing to say is that this kit is being discontinued, which is a shame because the stretchy beanie hat is a lovely knitting project in its own right. This one from We Are Knitters — you’ve probably seen their yarns on social media — is both cute and cozy. In addition to the 6mm needles (which are comfortable to hold), the kit includes a skein of the brand’s “soft yarn,” a soft blend of merino and alpaca. Our reviewer really enjoyed knitting with this yarn, and found it to be very stretchy.
They found the instructions a bit less clear than other articles, but eventually got the hang of it and found the brand’s online videos helpful. The instructions are emailed rather than on paper, which may be a drawback for some.
Unfortunately, there are only two colors left: Bubble Gum and Gray. Although We Are Knitters has discontinued this set, the brand has many other models to try. If you’re nearby, the brand also has a great store in Madrid…
Cardigans have been a favourite with grandmas and style icons for years, and this loose, baggy cardigan is the perfect finishing touch to any wardrobe. This Piece of me cardigan is made from Take Care mohair, a fluffy fibre made from 78 per cent goat hair. Mohair is a great knit for both summer and winter wear, thanks to its excellent temperature-regulating properties.
Our reviewer enjoyed using this kit and found the yarn to be silky. They chose three lovely pastel colors: Lazy Latte, Chocolate Brown, and Space Black. This yarn comes in a smaller selection of colors than the Crazy Sexy Wool brand, but the abundance of combination options means you’re sure to find one that suits your taste.
It is important to note that mohair can easily tangle and break if stretched too much, so be careful if you need to remove threads or unravel the project. For this reason, this kit is recommended for more advanced knitters, but the instructions are very clear and do not require you to know all the knitting techniques. If you are up for a challenge, this kit is a great choice for introducing mohair into your life.
This sweater is knitted using the brand’s signature “feeling good stripe” yarn, which is 70% baby alpaca wool, resulting in an incredibly soft texture and a finished garment that drapes beautifully. The construction is simple and requires no complicated manipulation, as it consists of four flat pieces of fabric sewn together at the ends.
This was one of our reviewers’ first knitting project, and they really enjoyed the process. They found the instructions very easy to follow (the brand’s video tutorials were also very helpful), and the needle was comfortable to hold. Our testers did have some difficulty slipping stitches off, as the yarn would tangle and they had to trim some of the yarn off on the last row.
Please note that because this yarn is self-striping (meaning it is specially dyed to create stripes as you weave), the end result may vary depending on the weave density and size of the project. This yarn only comes in five colorways, and most of them lean toward neutral tones, but if you like rustic sweaters, you’ll love these options.
We’ve enjoyed knitting all of the kits featured here, but overall this perfectly woven vest from Lauren Aston Designs is a cut above not only because of the amount of effort that went into making it, but also because of the sheer amount of super-soft yarn it’s made from. For a less labor-intensive project, we’d recommend the Wool and the Gang Small Snood or the Wool Couture Hair Tie Set, as both are affordable and will teach you the basics if you’re a beginner. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to take your knitting skills a step further, the Wool and the Gang Mohair Cardigan is also a great option.
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