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Bluprint to Close Doors “Over the Next Few Months”

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The crafty class platform Bluprint, formerly known as Craftsy, has announced it will be shutting down soon.

In a blog post titled “Letter to Our Bluprint Customers,” John Levisay, the CEO of Bluprint, said that he is “devastated” by the news of the closing, which will happen “over the next few months.”

He noted that details are still being worked out as to when the site will close and how people who have purchased classes will be able to access them in the future.

For now, I wanted to let you know that we are looking at various options to allow those of you who have purchased individual classes to receive a copy of your classes. This includes individual classes purchased with own forever credits. We are also planning to issue prorated refunds for paid subscribers based on the last day our service will be available, which will be communicated when that date is finalized in the near future.

Craftsy launched in 2010 as a website devoted to craft classes, which over time came to encompass many different crafts, from knitting to cake decorating, sewing to photography. A majority stake in the company was purchased by NBCUniversal in 2017, at which time the name was changed to Bluprint.

The company’s model also changed from selling individual classes to a monthly membership and shorter, more project-based classes.

In a letter sent to instructors earlier in the week, Levisay said the company’s model was not sustainable in the current economic environment, as reported by the Craft Industry Alliance.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about how to access classes you might have purchased in the past (I know I have a lot!) or if individual instructors will be able to retain copyright of their classes to publish elsewhere.

Comments

  1. Amazing that I am reading this on this website as I am subscriber to Bluprint. I guessed something was going when they sent a messing in early April stating that “own forever” coupons were being discontinued as an annual member perk. I just now logged onto Bluprint and see the letter from the CEO. I think they have upset their annual members many of whom just enrolled in May. I believe they will find a way to provide to those members who have FOREVER CLASSES to download or other way to keep their purchases either by paying for individual classes or part of the ANNUAL fee. I loved Craftsy but have struggled with Bluprint. Like several quilting related businesses purchased by financial conglomerates, they have failed to understand that you can’t be everything to all. Well off to choose my classes in hopes they hold to their commitment that I have FOREVER classes. And download all my patterns!!!

  2. I haven’t seen an email come through about it yet but I am not an annual subscriber, I just bought individual classes back in the day. I saw something about it on Instagram first from an instructor, is why I went looking. I am definitely going to download all the patterns I can, but I also have instructional courses I would definitely not like to lose (photography and cooking, for instance).

  3. No big surprise. They took a good thing and “improved” it right out of business. Many of us are still looking for things that used to appear on Craftsy.

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Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.