Crochet Pattern Testing 101 🤓 How to get picked & be a tester designers want ✨ pattern test with me!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- A lot more goes into pattern testing than just crocheting… from getting selected to sending feedback there are different expectations that designers hold, including myself! In this video I’m going to tell you how I got into pattern testing, how to apply for pattern tests, designers expectations, how to test patterns, and what mistakes to avoid while pattern testing!
Want to hang out some more? I post crochet and chats, yarn hauls, VLOGS, and more! Subscribe here & never miss another video:
/ @miss.a.crochet
Chapters
0:00 how long have I been pattern testing?
1:10 disclaimer!
2:09 my journey/instagram
2:50 how to get selected
6:00 pattern tester applications
10:07 what happens when you get selected?
10:17 how to pattern test
14:33 can’t complete the pattern test in time
16:01 providing feedback
17:38 THE MISTAKE
22:48 pattern test with me
35:47 perfectionist
37:40 pattern issue
39:32 finished plushies and final notes!
sea birds by poms and posies
www.etsy.com/listing/17053704...
Size Matters shirt
www.webbthreadcrochet.com/
a b o u t m e
Hi I’m Anna! I make videos about crocheting, yarn, and my small business. In addition to posting on youtube, I run a crochet instagram, etsy shop, and participate in in-person markets! Here I share my experiences as a crocheter and small business owner through crochet and chats, VLOGS, and educational videos!
Let’s be friends on insta, I post all of my makes and silly reels!
/ miss.a.crochet
Need to get in contact? Send me an email here: miss.a.crochet.insta@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER This post contains affiliate links and at no cost to you I earn a teensy tiny commission if you choose to purchase something using my links. Please know that I only recommend products I have had good experiences with!
Sound Effect from pixabay.com/?...
Free Music for Videos 👉 Music by Blue Sirens - Passenger Seat - thmatc.co/?l=D66A1FDA
The was very informative. I recently have been chosen for pattern testing and you helped me on what to say to and what to look out for. You even help me catch a mistake that i would've overlooked. Now I am waiting for answers from a previous concern I have from the designer before I send my complete thoughts. It really helped. One thing I also asked the designer especially when testing a specific animal etc, if they have a preference for colors when testing.
I’m so glad it was helpful! ❤️❤️
This is very relevant I just started applying for the first time to test. Although I always feel super awkward tagging other people if I don’t know them really well when it says to tag others to apply lol
You can tag me if you ever need to!
🍄🍄🟫 This is really brutal but I needed it 😂. And i appreciate it. I applied for a pattern test and it asked people to comment their favorite plant among other things. I thought that meant our favorite plant in general. But later on I thought “what if that actually meant our favorite plant in the pattern bundle?” 😮🤦🏾♀️ it was disheartening honestly. But you talking about the little things like the stupid mushroom, is an eye opener. Do you advise talking to pattern designers to get an idea of what they are looking for when they call pattern tests? So you know if you’re able to deliver before you sign up? Like for example, I ask you now what things you look for in a tester (that you didn’t already mention in this video) so I know whether I can meet that standard when you release your next test?
Haha yes I feel you about the YU 😂. It was so hard to do in the beginning but now it’s so natural that when I stop to think about it, I go through the EXACT same process you just did. 😂😂
I think a lot of pattern designers hold the same standards that I have so when applying for a test I don’t think you need to ask them, but if you get selected and they don’t really say much maybe send them a private message and ask if there’s anything they really want you to focus on!
I kinda covered what I look for in the video, but another thing I do is look to see if someone has tested before and compare their plushie to the designer’s plushie to see if it was a “successful” test aka if they look like they’re from the same pattern!
All very good information!! Thank you for putting it all together in one video. Cute birds! I’m going to have to go check out the pattern! P.S. 🍄🍄🟫
hehe thank you!! 🍄
Awesome video! Very helpful to both testers and designers! 😊
Thank you!!!
Enjoyed this video! Funny and informative.
Awesome, thank you!
This is so good, fantastic video ☺☺
Thank you so much!
I didn't realise just how much goes into pattern testing. It's not quite as straight forward as I imagined. What about pattern testers from other countries? They might not be able to use the exact yarns as stated...does the pattern clearly state US stitch terms used, because UK stitch terms are totally different and can result in an out of this world creation! Anyway, thanks for a really informative video. Here's another 🍄 for you.😉. 👍from UK
Thanks! I’m not too sure about pattern testers from other countries, I think most amigurumi patterns I find use US terms! I would say if the pattern can only be made with one specific yarn I wouldn’t host a pattern test for it/expect people to purchase yarn for it (for example my calcifer pattern wasn’t tested, I just made it a bunch of times because not everyone has eyelash yarn!)
In my tester calls I don’t list that it’s US terms but in my etsy listings I do.. but that’s something I should consider!
Good information.
Glad it was helpful!
Really enjoyed this video, but I feel it needed a pic of the alligator pattern. Had no idea what you were talking about 🤷🏽♀️
not me trying to remember when I talked about an alligator pattern 💀
I think the point about changing the original pattern varies and a creator shouldn’t get angry about that unless they actually specified in their rules that they want testers to follow the pattern exactly.
I’ve seen some creators encourage testers to be creative, saying they can make small changes to the pattern as long as they follow the base. Also sometimes (could be depending on yarn/tension) following the original pattern causes a plushie to turn out weird, for example body to look too long. Ideally as long as the tester at least tries out the original pattern as written (and preferably takes a photo of what that looked like) then documents what change they made, it should be ok.
When buying patterns, I always check out the tester photos and if I see any tester photos of plushies that look bad it strongly deters me from buying the pattern - I think it would be better for testers to make small modifications in order to produce a good looking plushie that they love for photos + promotion (since it’s often a requirement to post the finished product + help promote) vs being tied to having to follow the pattern as is. It's also nice to see what all can be done with a pattern with small modifications (for example, a pattern can be made into different characters just through some minor tweaks). I’ve often not liked a pattern based on the creator’s photos then ended up buying it because I’ve seen the testers’ slightly different versions. And as tester calls largely benefit the creator, it's a bit unfair for people to use their time/yarn/etc. and be forced to stick to the pattern as written even if the plushie is turning out poorly (pattern testers are doing a favor for the creator, not the other way around)
sorry for the rant, tl;dr - if you're unsure if it's ok to modify the pattern or about anything, you can ask the creator and if you're a creator who wants testers to follow the pattern exactly, please be specific with your rules to avoid any misunderstandings
From what I know and what others have told me it is expected that pattern testers follow the pattern as it is written because that's what the designer intends to sell. I have done some pattern tests where I didn’t love the final outcome, but I did not change the pattern base when testing, that is something I can do when I make the plushie again on my own
In response to your comment about checking tester pics, if the tester changed something in the pattern and the designer did not know or implement that change that would, in my opinion, be “false advertising” since people who purchased the pattern would not have the knowledge that something was changed.
Also if you want to be a tester you are volunteering to help, no one has to be a pattern tester. Being a tester takes a lot of work and dedication, yes I love it but many people don’t and that is perfectly fine. This is all based on my own knowledge and experiences. I have tested for an array of people and I have had many conversations with designers most of which have stated within their rules and our conversation the expectation is: testers do not change the pattern. If a problem emerges, the tester contacts the designer and the designer takes it from there. In my case, someone manipulated the base of the pattern without consulting me at all and in the case of the birds featured in the video, their legs were not lining up. I messaged the designer and she gave me permission to move the legs over a stitch which I made sure I noted in the pattern. Now AFTER I had made two of the bird designs follow the pattern, I did make a parakeet which meant I switched up the colors and added a little comb, but again that was after I tested what she had written because that is what was asked of me. Other testers also made their own color changes such as making a robin, but they made those color changes after they tested the original design/color changes.
Thanks for the detailed reply!! I have seen creators request people send photos for use in tester appreciation without any extra decorations like bows/flowers added on (bc it might mislead buyers to think those are included)! But also I’ve done a lot of pattern tests and in most of them the creator was fine with small modifications so unless it’s explicitly stated in the rules, I can see why testers think it’s ok just based on past experiences and don’t think it’s a hard and fast rule that no modifications to the original pattern are allowed.
🍄 I had to do it!! 😂
😂❤️🍄
🍄 lol Thank you for this video, it's really helpful!
You're so welcome! 🍄
🍄I've been crocheting so many mushrooms lately
cute!!!
🍄
love the video!! what app are you using to mark up the pdf?
Goodnotes!
I’d love to do testing. But I don’t have very many followers on IG (currently 57 followers), and I don’t have anyone to tag except my daughter. 😅
I have 58 followers and did 3 pattern test these past 2 weeks and have offered to be tagged by anyone even if they don't know me. I commented on reels offering myself. I am willing to be tagged if you want.
you can tag me!
I did the same thing when I was starting out! I made some graphics saying anyone could tag me if they needed to!
How can I build a more aesthetic or creative Instagram that would appeal to testers? I just recently became more active on my art insta and I also wonder if other forms of art that are not crochet would deter people as well?
That’s a good question, I think other forms of art might deter designers just because the page isn’t “solely dedicated to crochet” but I totally understand wanting to share your other hobbies! I shared some studio ghibli earrings I made that matched my crochet soot sprites and it was pretty well accepted, I guess it depends on how integrated it is? If it looks random that’s not as “favorable”…? if you look at some of the huge crocheters a lot of their color pallets and backgrounds all coordinate (which is something I struggle with a lot) or at least look like there was effort put in
Hi, I just wanted to ask where I have to apply to be a pattern tester. I am new to this, so can you please help me out? Thanks.😅 🍄🍄
Hi, I apply to pattern tests on instagram
I have a stupid question 😅 Does the “don’t change anything” rule apply to changing the construction method to work for us left handed crocheters? Because I can see how letting the designer see how/why the assembly doesn’t work for us can be useful, but I also know that we’re a minority and it’s not going to *change* the pattern but rather be an add on? (Edit for spelling) 🍄
I think that doesn’t apply to the “don’t change anything” because it’s for a legit reason!
🍄🟫🍄
🍄❤️
🍄
❤️🍄
🍄
🍄
😆❤️🍄
🍄
😆❤️🍄
🍄
love it!