The Woobles
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Craft kits, Educational products |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Justine Tiu, Adrian Zhang |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Amigurumi crochet kits |
The Woobles is a U.S.-based company specializing in amigurumi crochet kits, established in 2020 by Justine Tiu and Adrian Zhang.[1]
Their product lineup caters to both beginners and intermediate crafters,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name providing kits that come partially started and include stitch markers.[2] Each kit is accompanied by a comprehensive video tutorial.[2]
History
In 2018, the married duo Tiu and Zhang left their positions at Google and Deutsche Bank.[3] Dissatisfied with corporate careers, they explored entrepreneurship through various projects.[1] In 2020, Tiu opened a crochet pattern shop on Etsy, which gained momentum fueled by the surge in crafting during the COVID-19 pandemic and effective word-of-mouth promotion.[3][4] The couple assembled kits manually, enlisting family assistance.[1]
Following their 2022 appearance on Shark Tank, sales increased significantly, although a deal with Mark Cuban was not completed.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Kits
The Woobles' offerings feature step-by-step video guides segmented into manageable lessons.[4] With Tiu’s background as the former head of user experience at Google Classroom, the company emphasizes its role as an educational enterprise utilizing a digital learning framework.[4]
Kits arrive partially completed, equipped with stitch markers and specially crafted beginner yarn designed to minimize fraying.[4]
Typical designs include animals such as foxes, penguins, and rabbits.[1] Additionally, The Woobles has collaborated with brands like Sanrio and Peanuts to produce exclusive limited-edition kits.[5]
Reception
The Woobles has received favorable evaluations and is frequently recommended in gift guides as an accessible entry point into crochet.[2][6]
In a review by Wirecutter, Kase Wickman observed that the $30 cost of the starter kit may appear steep compared to the price of materials for those experienced in crochet.[2]
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedfortune - ↑ Gularte, Alejandra (21 May 2024). "Vulture's 2024 Summer Pop-Culture Gift Guide". Vulture. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ↑ Chokrane, Boutayna (21 October 2024). "19 Thoughtful Gifts for Your Coworkers". WIRED. Retrieved 9 February 2025.