There’s something pleasingly tidy about a kit. It’s the yarn, the pattern and a secret magic ingredient which comes by virtue of it being all boxed up, that makes the whole thing unpackable, make-able and realisable. There’s nothing vague or gently nudging about where to go with it. Neither is it in danger of being too open ended to find the right spot to tickle – for a kit is a box full of of Here-you-are-and-You can-get-on-and-do-it-now, that works as well for nervous newbies as over comitted old-timers. Still not sure what we’re talking about? Here are our pick of the best..
Silver Lining Mittens Kit, £30
Mittens don’t get much cosier than this! These mittens use the niche, but surprisingly simple and practical art of thrumming to add a sheepily soft inner layer of unspun woollen warmth, whilst creating fairy light twinkles on the outside. The special Yarnsub kit comes complete with yarn, thrums and all the unsurpassed pattern and technique instructions you’d expect from anything designed by Wendy Peterson.
This one comes from the Fibreworkshop kit series and uses wool from Jen Monohan’s beloved rarebreed Norfolk Horn wool, collected from the farms that surround her natural dyeing studio in north Norfolk. The socks have a deceptively simple textured pattern that works for cable novices and lazy-cablers alike, plus the cosy DK gauge means they’ll be easy to finish before the holidays are over.
Learn to Knit: The Mitts Kit, £36
This one is the kit that gets you started, then powers you off along a knitting trip that will take you way over the next hill too. It includes a copy of Knit How, quite the best learn to knit book we know of, 100g of Mota wool, 2 sizes of knitting needles and a sewing up needle, which means you’ve got everything you need to make the first project in the book, plus the motivation and tools to get going with the rest.
Christmas has a special meaning for Dodo and Mimosa ducklings on account of their particular love of brussel sprouts. Meanwhile we love the ducklings simply because they are so adorable. And lucky for them and us, this Christmas The Wool Kitchen has dyed a fresh batch of mini skeins so we have duckling kits complete with mohair and merino for their bodies and merino silk for their delightful wardrobe of outfits, plus all the hardware you need for their eyes and embroidered smiles. Now available in their very own ducky tin.
Yarn Dyeing Kit, £30-£35
Create your own colourway concoctions with this ingeniously complete yarn-dyeing kit created by East London hand dyer, It’s a Stitch Up. Perfect for novice dyers, Susie has written a brilliant guide on how to get started with hand painting or speckling the yarn. Each kit has a range of colour powders, plus fixing agents, tools and rubber gloves. Crucially, the box also has 100g (either a single skein or 6 minis – you decide!) of delicous superwash merino yarn that you can knit into a pair of socks, guaranteed to be totally unique!
The Nibbles Bundle, £5-£49.85
There is a special place in Wild and Woolly’s heart (and window!) for Cinthia Vallet’s toys – diminutive seamlessly-knit animals full of character and stories. If the prospect of getting started feels a little daunting, this bundle of supplies can help you take the first step. It lets you choose what to include so you don’t overstock with the things you have already. Choose from from yarn, hardware and stuffing, and it all comes packed up in a tin that works as bunny bedroom later on.
Learn to Knit: The Scarf Kit, £55
Take the boring out of beginner scarf knitting with this inter-stellar Learn to Knit kit. There’s instructions, needles and yarn custom dyed by The Wool Kitchen so that even the beginneriest of beginners can enjoy making every stitch, and finish up with a totally unique and cosmic wrap!
Embroidery on Knits Bundle, £52
Just add your yarn left-overs! This bundle includes an extra deep beechwood embroidery hoop, some fusible embroidery stabiliser and Judith Gummlich’s celebrated book on Embroidery on Knits – a perfect kit for starting a whole new adventure when the knitting is over.
Festive Shape Decorating Kit, £3
The mini-est stocking-filleriest, secret-santa-iest kit we’ve ever made: Choose from piggies, sweaters, stockings and sheep, each one cut from brightly coloured thick wool felt and pre-punched with holes so you can have fun decorating them in anyway you please. Comes in its own mini package along with a tapestry needle and wool for decorating.