Now that Craftsy Patterns are live, we’re so eager to show you what’s available to you from all the indie designers. It hasn’t even been a week yet, and there are already more than 4,000 (and growing) patterns to choose from. Support indie designers and check them out! For all of you crochet fans, here’s a look at some of the terrific crochet pattern stores indie designers have recently opened.

Pattern store: MadisonsCraftNook’s Shop

Designer: Madisoncraftnook

Get ready for maximum cuteness. With these patterns, you can crochet adorable animals that look like 3-D cartoons!

Pattern store: Linda Permann Designs's Shop

Designer: Linda Permann

Strike a perfect balance between stylish and casual. These patterns let you make all kinds of great wear for hanging out or going out.

Pattern store: Sweet Kiwi Crochet’s Shop

Designer: Sweet Kiwi Croc

If you’re thinking that these inventive and fun patterns could be adapted for adults, this designer has the same idea! So go ahead and make something for the baby in your life, or just crochet something for yourself!

Crochet’s just the beginning. We’ve got knitting, quilting, sewing, jewelry, and more! You’ll just have to come by and see for yourself. And designers: don’t delay! It’s free for you to list and sell you patterns on Craftsy. We charge no fees; we take no commissions!

It hasn’t even been open for a week, but we’ve got over 4,000 patterns spanning all types of crafts, and so many of our Craftsy members have supported indie designers by making a purchase. But if you haven’t been there yet, you have got to check it out. The Patterns section is filled with so many incredible designers’ Pattern Stores. In fact, here’s a preview for all you knitters out there!

Pattern store: Peacefully Knitting Shop

Designer: Tina Sanders

What we think: If you’re looking for fresh takes on timeless patterns, this is a first-stop. The patterns in this designer’s store make items as elegant as they are warm as they are earthy.

Pattern store: Avrellyn Rose’s Shop

Designer: Avrellynrose

What we think: So whimsical, so gorgeous, so fun! This designer has created patterns that will have you making stunning garments and accessories for babies and kids.

Pattern store: Crafty Diversions’ Shop

Designer: CraftyDiversions

What we think: This designer’s store is filled with sassy, stylish wear. With her patterns, you can make some truly high-end boutique worthy shawls, hats, sweaters, and more!

Of course, we’ve got more than just knitting patterns. So no matter what your craft is, go to Patterns and check it out! And designers, don’t forget: It’s free for you to list and sell your patterns on Craftsy. We charge nothing; we take no commissions. So what are you waiting for? Go open up your own Craftsy Pattern Store!

Just a reminder that we’re coming up on the last week of Project Cupid! We’ve already got about 170 submissions, all of them appropriately lovely. Check out some of our favorites below! The rules are simple: the project with the most hearts wins! The contest closes at the end of the Valentine’s Day (February 14) week. The winner gets a free class!

Here are a few Project Cupid submissions that have caught our eye:

Sweet Feet

We heart these socks!

A Lovely Pendant

We love the detail!

Valentine’s Quilt

Wrap yourself in love!

This week, we received an intriguing letter from Liz in Alexandria, Virginia who wants to know if Craftsy is planning to offer a class on how to draft flat pattern blocks. Turns out, we’ve been thinking about doing a class on that very subject and are actively looking for a terrific instructor.

Leave a comment on this post if you know someone who would be a great instructor for this class (or if you would be one yourself).

Meanwhile, here’s Liz’s letter to the editor. If any of you newsletter readers would like to submit a letter to the editor, please do so at editor@craftsy.com

Dear Editor,

I am waiting with bated breath for Gretchen Hirsch’s Starlet Suit Jacket class. I can’t wait to take that in addition to Susan Khalje’s new class The Couture Dress. The only thing Craftsy hasn’t offered yet that I would love to see is a series of classes on flat-pattern drafting from scratch. There are recent books galore on copying things you already own, on altering commercial patterns to fit, etc. But there seems to be a real dearth of classes available that teach how to take a set of proper measurements and draft flat pattern blocks from them. For ladies like myself, who don’t fit either commercial pattern sizes or commonly available retail clothing, this is an invaluable skill for sewing our own wardrobes full of cute clothes we’d never otherwise be able to wear. I think this would also help boost folks who sew well for themselves, but who would like to be able to sew for others as a business.

I would gladly pay a monthly subscription for a year’s worth of classes of this sort, especially with the faculty Craftsy has been able to attract. Is this something you have in consideration, or would consider producing in the not-too-distant future?

Thanks for all you do already!

Liz C.
Alexandria, VA

The Patterns section of Craftsy is now up and running and open for business! Already, there are over 2,500 patterns that have been uploaded by more than 500 indie designers. Go there now and explore all that’s available. It’s the perfect place to get ideas, inspiration, and instruction. And this is just the beginning!

Remember, when you shop for patterns at Craftsy, you are supporting independent designers and small business. And speaking of designers, what are you waiting for? Add your patterns to Craftsy! It’s completely free to list and sell your patterns. We charge no fees. We take no commissions.

Here’s a quick sampling of some of the patterns that are available now:

Check out Patterns now…and tell your friends!

Craftsy Patterns is a vast and growing marketplace full of talented indie designers. Here, they offer their patterns to crafters all over the world; they sell them without paying Craftsy a single penny in fees or commissions. We support indie designers, and we love crafters. So explore the many categories of patterns to find inspiration and instructions for creating your next project.

Here’s an overview of how Craftsy Patterns works for designers:

Free, Fast, and Easy to List and Sell

Craftsy does not charge designers any fees or commissions to sell their patterns; it’s completely free. As for listing patterns, all you need is your pattern in PDF format, information about the pattern, photos of what the pattern is for, and a PayPal account. It’s a simple and fast process, which you can read more about here. We’ve also put together some helpful tips on how to best present and market your patterns, which you can read here.

Receiving Payment

All transactions for patterns are done via PayPal. Again, Craftsy charges no fees, and nor do we take any commissions. Thus, we do not handle any of the financial transactions. PayPal, however, is a widely used service that allows customers to use their checking accounts and/or credit cards. If you do not already have a PayPal account, consider the different account types (which you can review here). Some account types may charge more fees, while others may limit how much money you can receive in a given timeframe. Again, any fees that are assessed are those of PayPal, not Craftsy.

No Need to Send Your Pattern

We host your pattern (in PDF format) on our site. Your customers download the pattern directly from Craftsy after they’ve paid. That means you never have to worry about running to the post office to your patterns!

 Here’s an overview of how Craftsy Patterns works for pattern customers:

Quick and Simple to Browse and Buy

Just as it’s free for designers to sell their patterns on Craftsy, it’s free for customers to browse the patters. In order to buy a pattern, you need only be a Craftsy member (which simply means you register your email address), and have a PayPal account.

Coming soon! Leave Reviews and Post Your Pictures

Soon, you’ll also be able to help other customers by leaving your feedback! After you’ve completed your pattern, you will be able to upload a picture and leave reviews. Remember, it’s a community, and your fellow Craftsy members would love to know what you think!

Craftsy online classes combine the best of online learning with the best of live, in-person instruction. Professionally filmed in high definition, you get the clearest view of all the action. And since they’re online, you can watch them however many times you want, and whenever it’s convenient for you and your schedule. However, like a live class, you can still interact with your classmates and teachers. That means you can ask questions, and get answers and advice as you go along! Craftsy classes come with course materials for you to review, and the video platform allows you to take notes, which get tagged to that particular spot in the class so you can go back to it! An online Craftsy class is truly one of the most
fun and effective ways of learning!

With that in mind, let’s talk a little more about what you can do with a Craftsy class:

Watch when you want, what you want, however many times you want. Once you register for a Craftsy class, your access never expires. So you can watch it according to your own schedule; in a few long sittings, or in a whole lot of short ones—it’s up to you! You can also retake the class as many times as you’d like. You will also see that the class is broken into chapters, or lessons. Though most classes are intended to be viewed from beginning to end, you can click on whichever chapter you’d like to view. This is particularly helpful if you’ve already viewed the class once, but would like to review a particular section.

Ask questions, get answers. At any point during the class, you can ask the instructor a question. They check in regularly and usually respond to you within 24 hours. You will notice a blue box directly beneath the video screen. This is where you can type your question. When you submit the question, it becomes part of the class discussions. Thus, your classmates will also be able to offer their views. When the instructor writes you back, it will show up in your inbox, as well as in the class discussion.

Take notes and mark important spots. As you’re taking the class, you may come across sections that you find noteworthy. If so, make a note of it! In the navigational column on the left, you’ll see an item called “Take Notes.” Simply click that to take a note. When you make a note, it is automatically tagged to that minute and second in that section of the class. So when you go back to those notes, you can also go back to those exact spots of the instruction!

Download course materials. Beneath the “Take Notes” item in the left navigation, you will see “Course Materials.” Click that item to access all of the helpful course materials, which include added details, instructions, directions, photos, illustrations, and any patterns that might come with the course.

Explore all the of the online Craftsy classes by clicking the Classes tab in the upper navigational menu on any Craftsy webpage!

No more getting stuck and frustrated on a confusing or just plain inaccurate pattern; Craftsy Workshops are the perfect and refreshingly easy way to learn how to make something! So much more than a mere pattern, these are step-by-step web-based tutorials written by the designer. Workshops are our spin on a craft-along, in that you craft along with your fellow Craftsy crafters, as well as the designers!

Workshops have in-depth instructions and ultra-clear, close-up photos at each step. Additionally, you can ask questions to the designer and the rest of the Craftsy members who are also taking the workshop as you go. In fact, if you’ve got something to share, you can even add a tip to help other crafters!

You take workshops whenever you want and at whatever pace you prefer. Enjoy interacting with the expert designer and your fellow Craftsy members. Here’s an overview of all you get in a Craftsy workshop:

Ask a question.
At the top of the right hand column, you’ll see a yellow window called Section Discussion. From here, you can click “Ask a question.” This will post the question to the designer, as well as to the workshop community. The instructor checks in regularly and will most likely answer your question within 24 hours. But don’t be surprised if your fellow Craftsy crafters answer you right away!

Add a tip.
As you are working, you may have an idea to make the project even easier. Or perhaps you have an alternate idea (for instance, substituting a fabric). Post your tip to the workshop by clicking “Add tip” from the yellow box called Section Discussion. Then, others can read and use your tip and leave comments, as well.

Start a discussion.
As you are creating the project, you may have an observation that you think is worth bringing up to your fellow crafters. If so, click “Start a discussion” to post it. Like a tip and a question, it’s posted to both the designer and the community, and everyone can post their thoughts.

Take notes.
Write yourself helpful notes as you work, and save them to the section that they apply to. That way, you won’t be left wondering what your note refers to. Simply click “Add a note” in the gray navigation menu along the top.

Rate and review.
Once you’re all done with the workshop, add your rating and review to it so other Craftsy members can see how you liked it, and if it’s right for them. Of course, as you explore the workshops you’re interested, you can check out all the ratings and reviews to see what others thought of it!

To explore Craftsy workshops, simply click the Workshop tab in the upper navigation on any Craftsy webpage!

Recently, Marly Bird designed a beautiful sweater, exclusively published by Knitter’s Magazine.

Fortunately, we’ve partnered with Marly (after all, she teaches two Craftsy classes), Knitter’s Magazine, and Bijou Basin Ranch so that we could offer you the following awesome bundle of goodies at a huge discount: the sweater pattern, the yarn she uses in the pattern, and a copy of the issue of Knitter’s Magazine in which the pattern originally appeared!

The sweater is called Artichoke Twist, and as you can see it is a gorgeous, earthy, understated sweater perfectly fit, and made elegant with its cabling in the hems and yoke.

Look at that yarn! That is none other than Bijou Bliss from Bijou Basin Ranch. Made right here in Colorado, that makes it local to Craftsy! It’s a special 50/50 blend of yak and American Cormo wool. Very, very soft. You’ll love wearing it! You’ll also love buying it since our discount is 21% off of retail!

Truly, this deal is a great value. Your price will depend on what size sweater you are looking to knit. Pricing information for each size can be found through the following links:

Small (8 skeins)

Medium (9 skeins)

Large (10 skeins)

X Large (11 skeins)

XX Large (12 skeins)

3X Large (13 skeins)

 Definitely check this out, as it’s a great way to get wonderful yarn, a terrific pattern by a wonderful designer, and a very fun and interesting magazine. Visit the links above to learn more and order!

Each week, we see more and more letters to the editor of our weekly newsletters; keep them coming! In the meantime, a sampling of this week’s letters, including one from a Craftsy member who needs your help finding yarn!

Dear Editor,

I am looking for a gold or sungold yarn with a sparkle yarn through it. Any suggestions? I believe Hobby Lobby has the color but doesn’t carry it with the sparkle. Please help!

Thanks,
D’

We felt this was the perfect question for all you Craftsy crafters. Can you help D’ find this very particular kind of yarn? If so, please leave a comment below.