Free Craftsy Class on Short Rows

From time to time Craftsy offers free mini-classes on topics to get people interested and give them a taste of what learning from a Craftsy class is all about. Right now there’s a free class going on all about short row shaping by designer Carol Feller.

According to the introductory materials, the class will teach four different ways to do short rows: wrap and turn, Japanese short rows, yarn over short rows and Feller’s own invisible short row method. Viewers will learn how to place bust darts, shape shoulders and use short rows in other ways to make their knitting fit.

And just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s short; it looks like there are about two hours of content in these four lessons!

Sounds great to me. All you need to enroll is to sign up for a free Craftsy account. Then you can choose the class and watch it whenever you want. I know I’ll be taking a peek.

[Photo by Craftsy.com.]

While no one would likely use a knit backpack for school, knitting a backpack is a fun way to show off your knitting skills and carry around your project or everyday essentials instead of using a purse. Check out these cute backpack knitting patterns and stitch one up for your next project.

I couldn’t resist sharing this adorable bunny backpack (you can also make it without the ears) that is made on a circular knitting machine. This pattern is from Orange Olive Road and you can use a 46 or 48 needle machine for the bag but will also need a 22 needle machine if you opt for the bunny version.

If you prefer knitting by hand, check out the bucket bag pattern from WoolFans Knitting. This one calls for super bulky yarn in two or three colors (you could make it all in one color, too, if you’d rather) and it looks like the base is knit flat and then the sides are worked in the round.

You know I love a stashbuster, and that’s what you get with the Whidbey Bag from Wool and Pine Designs. This one calls for DK weight yarn for the body of the bag, which is actually worked in a single color from the top down. The colorful bits are woven in after the knitting is done, allowing you to use up all sorts of odd balls quickly.

Adding hardware to a knit bag makes it look that much more interesting, and the combination of leather accents and a sari silk yarn makes Le Backpack from Vanrey Knits a lot of fun. This pattern is on Ravelry and uses a super bulky yarn and seed stitch for a ton of texture.

Mama in a Stitch has a great free pattern for a little backpack with a flap closure. This one is worked in worsted weight cotton yarn with two strands held together for extra stability. It starts with a flat base with the body worked in the round and a knit flap and I-cord straps.

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