Hooks & Needles Subscription Box Unboxing & Review

Subscription boxes promise a fun surprise every month and can be a great way to try new yarns, but do they really deliver on value? I tested the Hooks & Needles subscription boxes to see if they live up to the hype. Are the patterns beginner-friendly? Is the yarn worth the price? And most importantly—should you subscribe? Read on for my honest review!

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Thanks to Hooks & Needles for providing me with this product free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I do not guarantee a positive review of any product reviewed on my site.  All opinions shared here are my own. 

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​How Does a Yarn Subscription Service Like Hooks & Needles Work?

Hooks & Needles is a monthly subscription box. From my understanding, the first box is the same for everyone and the first box ships within 2-6 days of ordering.  After the first order / box, the next box will automatically ship to you on the 7th of each month.  They offer some flexible subscription options in terms of how often you receive them by offering monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly and other interval options.  Their website shows that they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not falling in love with your purchase.

What is included in each subscription box?

I tested both the Knitting Box and Crochet Box—here’s exactly what you get inside each one:

The crochet box would have benefitted from the inclusion of some stitch markers since at least one crochet pattern is worked in the round. The boxes have beautiful packaging that seems strong and durable to protect its contents.

What Patterns Are Included In the First Hooks & Needles Box?

In the crochet box, you get a pattern for the Sailor’s Knot Headband, a Rabbit Lovey, and a Woven Storage Basket. In the Knitting Box, you get a pattern for a Sunset Swirl Tote, Mug Cozy and a Gradient Scarf.

At the beginning of these patterns you’ll find a QR code that will take you video tutorials for the pattern in your box to help with new techniques.

Each box has one beginner pattern, one intermediate pattern and one advanced pattern with the intent of keeping advanced knitters and crocheters engaged as well as beginners.  The first project is beginner, second is intermediate and the last is advanced.  The skill levels are indicated at the top of the main project image at the start of each pattern.

The boxes are more like full project kits than your standard subscription box.  I have received a few different subscription boxes in the past and this is the only monthly subscription box that I’ve received that feels like more of a kit.

Are the patterns well-written?

The patterns themselves are very basic for both the crochet and knitting boxes and include lots of photos to guide you along the way. However, the way the patterns are written can be extremely confusing or incorrect. It doesn’t appear to be uncommon for the pattern formatting to change part way through a pattern which lends to even more confusion.

For instance, in one row the pattern in the crochet kit will say “sc inc, 3 sc in the next 3 sts” (which actually means they want you to work 1 SC in each of the next 3 stitches), but then later the formatting changes to “2 sc, sc dec”.

I asked if these patterns had been edited by a tech editor and was told that they were. However, based on my experience with the patterns and the number of inconsistencies and errors, it seems like additional refinement would improve clarity and usability.

Who Writes These Patterns?

There are no designer names given for the designs in the pattern booklet and when I inquired about who designed the patterns I was told “designers that we hire” – which could very well be the case. While the patterns include photos, I did notice inconsistencies in formatting and errors in instructions that could be confusing. This could be improved with clearer formatting and additional tech editing.

What is the quality of the yarn and tools provided?

The yarn and tools provided in the boxes do appear to be of good quality. The little tapestry needle case is super solid and the needles inside are great. The toy stuffing seems decent though I can tell from personal experience, that I would need more than what is in the box in order to properly stuff the toy made from the pattern in the book.

The yarn seems nice though it didn’t wow me or strike me as anything particularly premium. While the yarn is soft and easy to work with, it didn’t have the luxurious feel of some premium brands I’ve used, like Malabrigo, Manos Del Uruguay or Kelbourne Woolens (to name a few). It’s a good everyday yarn, but not something I’d go out of my way to repurchase.

Can You Purchase Yarn Separately from the Subscription Box?

Yes. If you go to the “Stitching Essentials” section of the Hooks and Needles website, you will find lots of yarn, tools and various accessories available for sale outside of the boxes. So if you received a box and wanted to use the yarn for a different project but wanted additional yarn, that is an option for you.

Does Every Hooks & Needles Box Include Tools?

Each box will include some sort of tool or accessory and I was told by the folks at Hooks & Needles that the crochet hooks / needles in the boxes can be skipped in some future boxes if the hook needed for the patterns was included in a previous box. I was told that the scissors were apparently a “surprise gift”/ free gift included in these boxes and tapestry needles will be included in boxes where they are essential for the patterns. Since you’re weaving in ends for almost every project, I guess you’ll get them in almost every box.

Can I choose between knitting and crochet projects?

Hooks & Needles currently has a few different subscription boxes so you can choose what type of tools and projects you will get. They have a knitting box, amigurumi box and a crochet subscription box.

Is the Hooks & Needles subscription cost-effective?

At the time I’m writing this, the boxes are advertised at $33.97 USD per box, with a claim that the box contents have a value of $77.92 USD. There is an additional shipping cost on top, which depends on your location (for me it shows $9.97 USD in shipping to Canada when I attempt to check out).

The value of this box depends on your perspective. If you love curated kits and the excitement of a mystery box, you may find it worth the cost. However, if you prefer picking out your own yarn and tools, the price might feel a bit steep—especially with international shipping costs.

For me personally, since I already have all the tools I need, I’d rather spend $64 at my local yarn store on premium yarns in colors I love and simply find a pattern to use with them. (At the time I’m writing this, $44 USD converts to $64 CAD)

Overall

The Hooks & Needles subscription box has some great elements—it’s a fun surprise for those who love trying new yarns and tools, and the materials provided seem to be of good quality. The wooden tapestry needle case is a particularly nice touch, and the included tools could be helpful for those building their collection.

However, there are some drawbacks that are hard to ignore. The patterns are inconsistent and confusing, making this box a frustrating experience for beginners. While the yarn is decent, it doesn’t stand out as particularly premium, and the value doesn’t quite add up—especially when factoring in shipping costs and currency exchange rates for international buyers.

Who is this box for?

🟢 You might enjoy this subscription if:

✔️ You love mystery boxes and enjoy discovering new yarns and tools – it can be a fun experience to get a new box every month.

✔️ You’re experienced enough to troubleshoot pattern issues as needed

✔️ You don’t mind having duplicate hooks/needles in your collection

✔️ You’re looking for a gift idea for a yarn lover who likes surprises and trying different kinds of projects and yarns

🔴 You might want to skip this box if:

❌ You prefer high-end, premium quality yarn and selecting your own colors

❌ You’re a beginner and need well-written, easy-to-follow patterns

❌ You already have a large collection of hooks, needles, and tools

❌ You want a subscription that guarantees cost savings on great quality items over buying materials separately

Final Thoughts

If you love the idea of a surprise box filled with yarny goodies and don’t mind the occasional pattern frustration, you might enjoy Hooks & Needles. However, if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to build your stash, want flawless patterns, or prefer choosing your own yarn and tools, this subscription may not be the best fit for your crafting journey.

Would you try this subscription box? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Thanks for reading and happy crafting!

Looking for other honest, in-depth crochet book and product reviews? Check out my latest below:

• Crochet Activity Toys by Svetlana Golova
• Crochet Flowers & Squares Book
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• Crochet Furry Friends – My new amigurumi book!
• Check out all my crochet book reviews here.

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