Thinking about how to create a craft kit for the crafty person on your list? I know you have seen them. There are kits out there for almost any interest. Companies create a kit for building, cooking, sewing, crafting and within almost any category you can name.
Many of these kits are designed to come in ‘monthly installments’. In other words, you pay in advance, and get a box every month. If you have someone on your gift list that has a creative nature, it may sound like a good gift.
But what if they get the first one and they don’t care for it. What if they discover it isn’t the craft for them? In most cases, the subscription can’t be cancelled – or it can, but you still have to pay a premium.
Instead of starting off big – try doing something smaller and simpler. Create a craft kit that someone can explore, try and work with first. And if they love it, you can either create more advanced kits for birthdays and other occasions or go ahead and order a subscription!
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links; if you click on a link and make a purchase I might make a small commission, but it does not affect the price you pay!
How to Create a Craft Kit
The first order of business when you create a kit is to focus on one craft. Don’t try to incorporate more than one – such as knitting and crochet. Although both crafts deal with yarn as a basic medium, each has their own method. Knitting requires two needles (sometimes more), crochet requires a hook.
If the recipient is a true beginner, you want to focus on including the basics. This can be a book on how to do the craft, or a flash drive where a how-to video has been downloaded.
It may even be a coupon for a beginner’s class that is being taught locally. Although this is an ideal thing to do, you need to make sure ahead of time that the recipient will be able to attend. A better idea is to add a ‘coupon’ for the class that says you are willing to pay the fee IF they are available to go.
The next thing to include when you create a craft kit are the basic supplies. Continuing with the knitting theme, you may want to include needles, yarn, stitch markers, and other beginning supplies.
Knitting needles (and crochet hooks) come in various sizes. To choose the best option, look at the book you purchased (or the video) and choose a project. Skim the supply list for that project, and purchase those items for your kit.
The directions will tell you the needle size, the amount of yarn, recommendations for the type of yarn, and anything else you will need to know to complete the project.
Containers for your Kits
When you create a craft kit, consider the container size you will need. The size itself will depend on what goes in it.
The type is optional. In most cases, a plastic tote large enough for the supplies to fit easily is the best bet. Purchase the items before you create a craft kit – then purchase the container.
Your craft kit can also be placed in a wicker basket or decorative box. Just be sure it has a lid that fastens tightly. This way all of the supplies stay in the box!
The exception to the rule is when you create a craft kit for someone who wants to knit or crochet. Then you can get a bit more creative and find a bag or tote designed to carry all the items. As knitting and crochet is a ‘portable’ craft, this may work better than a plastic container.
When you create a craft kit, remember to keep it basic and simple. You don’t need to add in everything they will ever need to continue with the craft. Instead, save some of the more advanced tools for your next kit!
Ideas on How to Create a Kit
If you need some good ideas to create a craft kit for someone on your gift list, try some of these:
For the Knitter
When you create a craft kit for those who want to learn to knit, first find a book, video or class. This will offer you specifics on sizes and yarn types. Things to include in your kit are:
Create a Craft Kit for Crochet
Cooking / Baking
The best part about baking is you can create a craft kit for almost any age group. If you are doing this for a young child or teenager, choose a cookbook designed for their age group. If for an adult, choose a cookbook that reflects beginning skills.
Just so you know – when you create a craft kit for someone wanting to learn to bake or cook, the items you can add to the kit are endless. Find out first if they have the basics (measuring utensils, spoons, pots, pans, etc.) and work from there.
Rather than list ideas to create a craft kit for baking and cooking, consider the tools they will need to begin. If it is cooking meals, choose supplies they will need.
One of my favorite things in my kitchen is an Ulu. This is a small cutting board with a bowl shape in the center. Most come with a curved knife, and it is designed for dicing – especially herbs. I love using mine to chop onions, bell peppers, celery and anything else that needs to be chopped for a recipe.
If bread is their focus, consider things like baguette pans, a Couche (linen towel used for proofing), and a dough scraper.
If cookies, cupcakes or other sweets are their goal, consider cookie cutters, wooden spoons, muffin cups, spatulas and other supplies designed for that type of baking.
If they are wanting to cook meals, consider a windowsill herb garden. You may also want to add jars of herbs and spices that are the most common – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, oregano, basil, parsley, etc.
Create a Craft Kit for a Beginning Weaver
If you have someone who wants to learn to weave, the best starting place is with pin or small looms. A floor loom or one with shafts can get very costly. Even a table loom or rigid heddle loom can cost upwards into the hundreds of dollars.
If your recipient has never woven before, start them off small. The looms on this list range from simple pin looms to frame looms.
- Books on Pin Loom Weaving
- Books on Small Loom Weaving
- Books on Band or Backstrap Weaving
- Pin Loom (Note: Pin Looms come in many shapes and sizes. For others, check out Etsy!)
- Beka Loom
- Backstrap Loom
- Shuttles
- Thread/Yarn
- Weaving Comb (used as a beater for pulling the weft together)
Create a Kit for the Sewing Beginner
- Sewing Basics Book
- Needles
- Needle Threader
- Thread
- Straight Pins
- Pin Cushion
- Assorted Buttons/Snaps/Hooks
- Sewing Kit (Note: Some boxes come with basic supplies, like this one)
- Scissors (Fabric cutting, Pinking Shears, Small for trimming thread)
Create an Embroidery Kit
- Beginners Guide to Embroidery
- Hoops
- Embroidery Floss
- Aunt Martha’s Iron-on Patterns
- Embroidery Scissors
- Cotton Dish Towels, Pillow Cases, etc.
Create a Kit for something other than Crafting
These are only a few of the kits you can create for those who love to craft. But there are also kits you can create for other areas of life.
Do you have someone on your list who will be moving into their first apartment or house? Think about a
Housewarming Kit
This kit would include things like:
- A Book on Homemaking Skills
- Scented candles or Potpourri
- Kitchen ‘Smalls’ (measuring utensils, etc.)
- Welcome Mat
- A Small Tool Kit (a hammer, nails, picture hooks, etc.)
Consider someone who would like to learn how to
Garden
- A Beginner’s Guide to Gardening
- Seeds
- Hand tools
- Seed Pots
- Seed Tray
- Garden Markers
- Garden Trellises
- Bag of Seed Starting Medium
Create a Kit for Anyone!
These are just a few items you can add when you create a kit for a crafter. If you have a kit in mind and want to know what else to add, just email me at julie@thefarmwife.com and I will be more than happy to help!
No matter what someone wants to learn to do, you can easily create a kit just for that purpose. It may take a little research on your part to find what will be needed to begin, but within a few short hours you can probably have a long list of everything they will need.
When you create a kit for someone you know, you do more than get them started. You relay the unspoken message that you believe in them, encourage them to learn something new, and that you are there to support them along the way.
To me, there is no better gift!
