I have been a part of the Annie’s Hook & Needle club for over five years and I was told that my kits will become more sporadic in the future because of kits I have completed once before being sent. Having not received a kit for over five months I have decided to try a different club that they offer.
I have always enjoyed learning new stitches and have crocheted several sampler afghans throughout my crochet journeys. So, after receiving several email’s for Annie’s Crochet Afghan Block-of-the-Month Club – I have decided to try it for a month and see for myself if it is worth pursuing. I can see right away it is a club in which you are sent a good quality yarn, and patterns for three squares -to help you complete a 30 square stitch sampler afghan.
In every kit you will receive the following:
Written patterns for three squares
Enough yarn to complete the squares
Easy-to-follow DVD lessons
In the first kit there were patterns for a single crochet square, double crochet square and a V- stitch square. Annie’s said in the description that the square skill level would increase as you advance in the club.
The first kit also had four free gifts for you…
FREE Gifts #1 and #2: Crochet hooks “H” and “I” are the tools you need to make your afghan!
FREE Gift #3: Illustrated Stitch Guide. This must-have reference will become your favorite go-to guide!
FREE Gift #4: Tapestry needle — perfect for weaving in ends and picking up stitches.
The yarn was Afternoon, worsted weight light taupe which is always very enjoyable to work with. It is a little early to tell if I will enjoy the club or not, it will depend on the stitches that are chosen for the afghan. The DVD was very well done; an excellent camera view of how to perform stitches was very easy to follow and I believe it would really help for those of you unfamiliar with the stitches that you will need to work. I thought it was a nice added feature to help a struggling crocheter’s to finish.
Let me give you a tip just in case you miss it in the DVD – it is suggested that you save all left over yarn to help with the edging of the afghan. I could not get confirmation on this one thing. I am assuming the club will run its course in one year. I deduce this because there are 30 blocks in the afghan and with three a month, even with additional kits for the edging, I can’t see it running more then 12 months. But no one at Annie’s could confirm my conclusions.
With the warmer weather just around the corner, my timing was great as this is the perfect club. The small very portable blocks can easily be carried with me for the more livelier and on the go spring season.
Only time will tell if I will enjoyed this club, but I can state Annie and I are off to a good start. With the DVD tutorial’s accompany this kit makes it more likely for me to recommend it to a beginner crocheter. For me a lot will depend on the stitches that have been chosen for the future blocks.
Until next time, keep those hooks flying.
Hey I just joined the afghan club, too! Even though I’ve been crocheting a number of years, I was mostly-self-taught. I’ve struggled with tension and stitch size. I learned a few tips that were helpful, the main one being to crochet the first row into the back stitches of the chain to make it easier to crochet the trim. It was awkward at first, but it’s gotten easier with repetition. (They DO NOT tell you this in the written instructions.) The yarn was a dream to work with, compared with some I’ve used, and the colors are going to go great in my living room. The squares are small enough to complete one in an evening. I highly recommend this club whether you’re a beginner or a veteran who could use some skill practice. One caveat: I do wish they would name the patterns, like Shell pattern or Seed, whatever it may be.
Thanks for your reviews. I always enjoy reading them!
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Anna, thanks so much for sharing, especially about the tips that helped with your struggle. I think tension is the hardest thing to learn. I have just received my second kit from the Annie’s block club, what month are you on. I have been crocheting for over thirty years and I am enjoying the club, however I would not have a problem recommending it to a beginner either. I also would love to have names on the blocks, it just more fun to say this the seed stitch then to say this is block 6
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I’ve only gotten the first 3 squares and waiting on blocks 4, 5, and 6. I also am working on a kit-of-the-month club, this one being a white lacy top. I’ve NEVER crocheted actual clothing, so it will be interesting. I love checking your reviews of the projects to see how you liked them. Most are easy to follow and yield nice results. I have a few I haven’t tried yet, still in their plastic! Some day, though!
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I think you are working the same project I started today. The best tip I can give you is to go through and highlight the size throughout the pattern you are working before you start. This really helps me to crochet the right size. I look forward to hearing how it come out. I should have my review on this project next week. Good luck. As far as the blocks, I think I am one month ahead of you. I just finished my second month.
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I have asked repeatedly if you will sell me the entire kit and ship the whole project complete in one delivery – do not understand why it is so difficult to get an answer from you people……
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I am sorry about any misunderstanding, But I am also a customer and I purchased my own kits. I do not work in any form for the company. I can say I receive my kit with enough yarn to complete either the crochet or knit project. If you would like to order a kit or join the club you need to contact Annie’s Hook and Needle Club. Hope this helps.
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Why has no one mentioned the price!! Shipping alone for 10 months is $60 – enough to buy a whole kit. I too asked if they would sell the whole thing and the answer was no. In the end you could use the internet to find a pattern you like, use YouTube for stitches you don’t know, and pick your own color choice. Otherwise this will cost you $360+. Not worth it no matter how cute the pattern is.
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I never thought about mentioning the price, I decided to join the club and review each kit. My reasons was not about getting a good value, it was about learning new stitches and new techniques that I could in return pass on to my students. Also, by doing the reviews, this way going into it you will know what to the club. Unlike me, who went in blind. Although if you think about it you receive two skien of yarn, a pattern and a DVD. I thought this was a better value then the other club I was in for over six years. But also this is not for everyone, a lot will depend on your reasons for wanting to join. Thanks for you input, I think it good for readers to hear both sides.
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when finished with the block of the month sampler afghan, what is the overall size of the afghan? I’m hoping for queen size bed spread size.
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If your blocks are around 9 inches according to the pattern it should be around 50 inches wide and 60 inches long including border.
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I didn’t receive a DVD.
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I am a customer the same as you but If you go to the web sight under customer service and let them I know. My experience with them have always been quick and good.
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Annie, I am josephine Martinez, I have worked blocks 1,2,3, I am waiting for the other blocks.What has happened that I haven’t heard from you. Please continue sending the blocks. I love the alghan block club. I do not have an email , it,s blocked. Thank you , Josephine Martinez, 34836 S. Weaver Rd, San Benito, Tx. 78586
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I am sorry but I have no connection with Annie’s. I have brought all my kits the same of you. But you can contact them through their custom service on their web sight. I am sure they will be able to help you.
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I am disappointed in this program. I got my first kit and was impressed with both the instructions and the videos which really helped understand how to do the stitches! I had done VERY basic crochet as a young girl but had never done more than the basic stitches. However, the second kit is taking forever to get here! I received the first kit on June 19. Today is July 29th and I have yet to receive the next kit. I called and they said it went out on July 12th and will take 3-4 weeks to arrive!!!! SO…. NOT a kit of the month Club! More like a Kit every 6-8 weeks kit! How it takes 3-4 weeks to get from Texas to Ohio is beyond me! It would be faster by Pony Express! I’m quitting already and I’m sure I’ll be able to find a pattern and yarn at my local JoAnn and find videos on YouTube to help! And, yes, I too asked if I could buy the whole kit at once and of course the answer is no because they are making more money doing it this way! Next, I’m logging in to the site to quit! sigh….
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I have no connection to Annie’s company and the customer the same as you. My kids came every four weeks-You might wanna look under your settings to make sure it says every monthly or call the company. Whenever I dealt with customer service they was very helpful. I’m sorry it’s not working out for you the same as it did me
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Sorry I mean my kits
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