Mystery Yarn Box — Surprise Yourself!
"When I opened the box I thought, "Boy these guys really remember me" I would have bought this yarn if I had been in the store. It is so fun to knit with." - a happy customer from Idaho
A mystery yarn box, personalized for you.
Most mystery boxes send everyone the same random skeins. We don't. Tell us two things — whether you knit or crochet, and one word for inspiration ("pink," "cotton," "cables," anything at all) — and we hand-pull a box around it: yarn, a pattern, and often a little extra surprise. Every box is worth more than you pay for it.
Shopping for a knitter and not sure what to buy? This is the gift that will make you a hero. You don't need to know yarn weights or techniques — just send us their two words and we'll do the rest.
Are you the knitter (or crocheter)? Skip the overwhelm of choosing your next project. Pick a size, give us your words, and let yourself be surprised.
Choose the size of your surprise:
- $75 — a 2-skein project: think shawl, scarf, cowl, or colorwork mittens or hat, with yarn and a pattern.
- $100 — a 3-skein project: a generous shawl, or maybe a vest, with yarn and a pattern.
- $150 — a 3–4 skein project: a larger shawl, or maybe a tee or vest, with yarn and a pattern.
- $300 — the luxury box: premium yarn and a project, maybe a project bag or tools or best-selling sustainable goods.
How it works:
- Choose your size above.
- At checkout, add two words in the order notes: your craft (knit or crochet) plus one inspiration word — for example, "knit, cables" or "crochet, pink."
- We thoughtfully pull together your box and ship within 5 business days. (A little longer than our usual shipping — because we're carefully curating something to delight you.)
Every box includes a complete project with yarn and a pattern, often with a bonus notion or gadget. Ships within the US.
The fine print: because every box is custom-curated, we can't accept returns or exchanges on the items included.
SHIPPING
We are committed to shipping your order as quickly as possible via UPS or USPS. You can expect to receive your items within 5 - 10 days. If you have placed a PREORDER, please check the product description for delivery dates.
To pick up your order at String Theory, choose PICKUP IN STORE during checkout. Orders not picked up within 90 days will be considered legally abandoned and payment will be forfeited.
Domestic packages are shipped with an $8.95 flat rate. For orders over $100, the rate will be 10 cents(a little crazy, but true!)
We are no longer able to ship internationally.
Digital patterns will be delivered immediately for free via email with a link to download your purchase.
RETURNS
Unused items in their original condition and packaging can be returned for store credit within 6 months of purchase.
No returns or exchanges are available for sale items, trunk show purchases, shipping charges, preorders, or jewelry.
Thanks for your understanding.
If String Theory cancels the class for any reason, we will refund your registration fee. If you are able to cancel at least one week prior to your scheduled class, you will receive a store credit for your registration fee. If you cancel less than a week prior to the class, you will receive store credit only if we are able to fill your spot. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide class make-ups.
String Theory Fan Club Cancellation Policy
Annual members can cancel anytime within the first 30 days for a refund, minus a $25 cancellation fee. After 30 days there are no refunds on annual plans. Monthly subscribers can cancel at any time.
Mystery Yarn Box — Surprise Yourself!
Customer Reviews
I got my first Surprise Yourself Box in 2025. "Calm" was the word I sent to guide the yarn divas at String Theory to create something for me. What I got was something I never would have attempted on my own. It was the Summa Stripes Shawl by Meiju K-P2 and the yarn was silk. It was an absolute joy to work with and I'm still using some of the techniques it taught me.
This is my second Mystery Yarn Box. I asked for something hopeful and the yarns and pattern were perfect. The pattern was soothing and the yarn felt soft as I knit. I'll probably do another one next year.
My husband got this for me for Christmas (after I forwarded the email hint:)
It is such a great gift! It included the yarn and pattern for a cowl and other surprises including a lumos light, tea towel, stitch markers and some luscious melt in your mouth chocolate! Most of all it came with a hand written note by Beth sharing the thoughts behind her special choices...amazing.
I can't wait to get another one next year!
"I should probably get my own account "...said my fabulous husband! (
I ordered the “Bigger” surprise bag and can’t tell you enough how awesome this was! My husband picked it up from the shop and had nothing but nice things to say. Such a cool idea too! It exceeded my expectations exponentially! I was beyond excited to open the surprise you put together. It is perfect and the personal note Beth wrote was so sweet! I’m looking forward to knitting this blanket!
I loved what I got. I asked for colorful and I got it. The yarn was a dream to work with and I use the pom pom maker over and over. After the project I was given I had enough yarn left over to make a teddy bear.
I purchased an amount that would cover the cost of a sweater's quantity of yarn. Had I been in the shop I would have never thought to buy the yarn and pattern I received but they are perfect! I love the yarn (so pretty and soft) and I love the pattern (well known designer and a sweater I can wear just about everywhere). I'm looking forward to casting on this project. Thank you String Theory!
I love this surprise. A beautiful mosaic shawl and the colors and yarn you picked out are just what I like. Thank you a great challenge and a joy to knit
I was so thrilled to open my surprise bag!!! The yarn is delightful and I can't wait to get started knitting. I hope I get another surprise bag next year. 💜
Great pattern! Love the yarn and. color, perfect! Also appreciate the hand balm. Sure need it in Michigan in the winter. Thank you!
I ordered the $75 Surprise Package and got the Zen Yarn Garden Gradient Trio in "moon purple" of 600 yds and the Manos del Uruguay Cabrito kid mohair of 230 yds. I plan to make a reversible scarf in feather and fan with the Zen Garden three shades. of purple and a hat with a few stripes of the kid mohair. I am addicted to reversible. scarves and love the "Reversible Scarves" by Audrey Knight patterns.....I have tried almost all of them!!
K2tog,
Mary Loera
I am someone who is returning to knitting. So I classify myself as a beginner because I am starting over again. I was quite surprised with the pattern I received, especially because it includes fringe. I don’t want to be making fringe, I want to be knitting. Also I don’t like wearing fringe. I supposed for my one word instead of putting “beginner” I should have put “fringeless.”
I opened my package to find coordinating skeins of yarn with a pattern and another little gift. I asked for non-wooly and got exactly what I would have picked for myself. Great value and lots of fun to receive in the mail.
I was so happy I decided to get the Surprise Yourself bag! I gave them my favorite color, and I ended up with a really high-quality yarn that I had actually been wanting to try, a nice pattern that was interesting but not overly difficult, and a couple of great accessories that I could tell were thoughtfully chosen. I highly recommend it!
I wasn't sure what to expect so I purchased the small bag. I was pleasantly surprised. I answered the question with 3 words instead of 2 and they put together something I really liked. I liked it so much that I will eventually be ordering the other 2 bags. Treat yourself. You will not be disappointed. I'll post a picture when I get to this project.
Was disappointed in colors but that's what happens with a surprise. Pattern is good. I'm working on it but temperatures have been too hot to work on shawl.
By purchasing yarn from String Theory, you’re lifting up a number of small and female-owned businesses.
We help women in Rwanda, who survived the genocide, educate a new generation. We help women in Uruguay find meaningful work without leaving their rural homes. We help a family in New Hampshire maintain a mill, a tradition spanning hundreds of years. We support sustainable farming in Michigan.
