Craftsy Designer Workshops: How They Work
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!
31 Comments
Join the conversation and post a comment.
The designer, Paula Pereira, states that the Boho Scarf will be fun to make. Boo hoo I am having difficulty. Does the” yarn over twice” count as two stitches on the next row? Any further help would be aappreciated
Whenever you have specific pattern questions, it’s a great idea to contact the designer directly. Her contact information is most likely somewhere on the printed pattern, and if not, you can leave a comment for her on the project’s page.
The discussions in the workshops would be really nice to add to the classes as well. Or do something different with the class comments and discussions. I’m following the block of the month class and having a horrible time communicating with people. You click on a comment to view replies, and when you go back you are brought back all the way to the top. Finding replies to your own comments is almost impossible. And it makes it really hard for people to have a real community feel in the class. Each class really needs something more like a live chat room and then a separate forum where people can easily search and post questions, pictures of finished projects, etc. It makes it hard for me to consider signing up for a paid class when something so integral to the class (the communication aspect) is so limited and really lacking. Thanks for considering my suggestions!
I love the idea of the secret craft-along. Can you rate the difficulty of the project? I’m relatively new to knitting.
Hi Deborah! The difficulty level for the Mystery Knit-Along is intermediate. The great thing about it though is you can view the Knit-Along whenever you want, as many times as you want starting July 1st when it opens. So if you feel like you need more time on the project since you’re new to knitting, you have all the time in the world!
It would be helpful to know what you need to have at hand at the time you sign up for the knit along. For example: needles and markers. This way you will know if there is anything you need to buy and what your total cost will be.
Important to know before you buy.
Color is important to me. It would be nice to be able to choose a color or color way. Also, information on fiber content would be helpful. I know some knitters who are allergic to certain fibers.
Hi Mia! I understand your concern in regards to the details of the Mystery Knit-Along; however, in order to keep it a surprise, we cannot go into the details of the fabric color, materials, etc. I can tell you that joining this Knit-Along gives you access to the exclusive pattern starting July 1st as well as yarn delivered to your door hand selected by the pattern designer. If you’d like join a knit workshop that gives more details on what you will need such as yarn, knitting needles, sewing needles, thread, etc, then take a look at all of our workshops here: http://www.craftsy.com/ext/social_workshops
I am thinking about doing the mystery knit along…but would love to see what June’s was first! thanks! i’m not good with surprises in general but trying to work on that! thanks!!!
Ginger,
June’s Mystery Knit-Along project was beaded fingerless gloves; however, the Mystery Knit-Along does vary from month to month. What I can tell you about July’s project is that it will be a one size fits all accessory. Hope this helps!
Regarding the July Knit-along, will the pattern be revealed all at once, or in steps? A friend participated in a crochet-along at another site and they were given a different motif every week for several weeks, and then assembly instructions/suggestions. Just wondering if there are component pieces that participants will need to keep up with for the project.
Also, how frequently does Craftsy do these knit-along projects?
Thanks for any additional information or hints you can provide.
Hi Miriam! The pattern will be released all at once on July 1st when the July Mystery Knit-Along opens. As for the frequency, we hope to continue the Knit-Along, but stay tuned for more details. We will be sure to make a blog update if we do indeed have another Mystery Knit-Along.
HELP!!!!…I received my mystery yarn but nothing else!!!!!..When do the instructions come in???…It starts tomorrow….I have not received anything else…Thank you
Hi Linda,
Tomorrow morning (July 1st) you will gain access to the Mystery Knit-Along, which will be found in the “Enrolled Workshops” section of your Craftsy account. You will also receive an email tomorrow morning letting you know that you have access to the Knit-Along. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Hello –
I just received my yarn for the September Mystery Knit-Along. It is really pretty.
The information above of what will occur on Sept 1st, should be sent to people who purchase these in the confirming email. The,
“which will be found in the ‘Enrolled Workshops’ section of your Craftsy account” is what I think should be sent in the email with the confirming the purchase.
I really thought that the instructions had been left out of my bag from Craftsy.
5 days and counting!
-Karen
Hi Karen,
I’m so sorry if the information for the Mystery Knit Along wasn’t clear! We mentioned it in the description before you enroll in the Knit Along, but I completely understand that a reminder in your email would be helpful! This is great feedback and we will certainly keep in this mind going forward. Enjoy the Mystery Knit Along and we’re glad to have you be a part of it!
I was curious as to what the Mystery project was for this month. I am thinking of trying my hand at September’s project – just nervous that it might be too complicated for me!
Hi Cheryl Love,
Thanks for your interest in the Mystery Knit Along! It should be a really fun project and we would describe the skill level as intermediate. You will want to have a good basis of different stitch patterns as well as increases and decreases. You will always have the chance to ask the instructor and your fellow knitters questions as you go. It should be a great project for an intermediate knitter or beginner who is looking for a fun, new challenge!
I want to participate in a Knitalong at some point. I think it would be helpful to post the difficulty level.
Thank you.
Thanks for the great suggestion! I would be happy to pass this information along to the appropriate department.
Question, the upcoming knit along with included kit, will it just be the workshop and yarn, or will the knitting needles be included? I am interested, however, my knitting needle collection is sparse. It would be nice if they were included.
Great question, unfortunately the Knit-A-Long for September will not be coming with a set of needles.
I am interested in the Sept knitalong, however I am a beginner. Is this too advanced for me?
Thanks
Hi Mary,
I’m glad you’re interested in the Mystery Knit Along. We would describe the skill level as intermediate. You will want to be familiar with different stitch patterns as well as increases and decreases. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions from the instructor and fellow knitters as you go along! This should be a great project for an intermediate knitter or a beginner looking for a challenge.
Hi there! Thanks for an amazing website and the incredible online classes! I have just started a knitting one as well as a crochet one and they are just great! Even for a very “challenged techno-user” like myself! (My computer skills are somewhat lacking!)
I live in Africa and would love to know if I can participate in the upcoming October Surprise Knit-Along? Our exchange rate is horrendous ($25.00 is equivalent to your $250,00!!) so I have to be really clever and careful in my choosing and need to know if you ship all the way to Johannesburg!
Thanks again for my favourite website that fills me with joy, excitement, lots of learning and inspiration and helps me not feel so isolated in two hobbies that fill the heart with a song!
Michelle again…oops, just noticed that it said “no international shipping” in your enrolment information! Oh well…not too worry…I can just think of buying a new online course instead! I look forward to it and wish all those knitters on the knit-along loads of fun! Enjoy! Thanks again!
I received my yarn yesterday…I have been running all over looking for DP needles US11. I can not find them. I checked in my craft books and they only have size 10 – 10 1/2 – 13 or 15. Would it be okay to use a 10 1/2 DP. Or could you tell me where I can purchase the size 11.
Thank You
Hi Marcia,
Clover makes bamboo US11 double-point needles. I found some at a local yarn store, but they are also available at Joann.com. I don’t know if the 10 1/2 size would be okay, since the pattern is still a mystery to me. I’m jealous that you got your yarn! I can’t wait to get mine.
Just received my yarn for the February mystery knit along. I L O V E it. It came in my favorite colors and I can hardly wait to work with it. It feels sooooo wonderful. This is my first on line knit along and I can hardly wait to get started on 2/1/13.
Please lease tell us color families. I would love to do this but fear I will get yarn in colors I abhor (yellow and orange for example!). If you don’t want to publish it, at least allow us a way to get a PM
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your feedback!