You brought up some great test knitting points. A designer being non-responsive or super delayed in responding and no recognition are two of my biggest pet peeves. I LOVE testing and I would never have found you without it!
I've done about a dozen test knits, and I couldn't agree with you more. Doing a test for a variety of different designers helps you to understand what you like, and what works for you. For example, one test I did was the most complicated garment I've ever knitted, and I received nothing for doing the project. So, lesson learned: won't be testing for that designer again. Yarnpond is definitely a great starting point. However, you often run into new-ish designers who are also inexperienced, so keep it in mind.
That's a good point on Yarnpond! And I couldn't agree more - sometimes you find designers you just love working with and other times it's a bust but learning what you like/expect is helpful for picking future tests!
This! All of it! My first test knit was a cowl and the further the designer chose to write the pattern in was really unclear and there were good suggestions on how to make it better with a few other tweeks. They were dismissive and didn't make any alterations to the original version that was tested. They are now on my "no test" list 😅. I've since had many successful test knots with other designers and I agree. The most important "rule" is communicate. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah so disappointing when that happens. But I'm glad you've had better experiences after! Luckily I've had only a few bad tests and many more designers I've grown to love more through testing!
The great thing about being willing and able to test knit is the ability to choose who we are willing to give our time to (or not). What I hadn't said is your upload was very comprehensive and if anyone asks me about my experience as a test knitter I'll also recommend that they watch this so they have a more complete idea of expectations on both ends.
very interesting to hear your feedback as someone who is relatively new to testing (I've done about half a dozen). i definitely agree with you that it's very disappointing when a pattern is released only a day or two after the test ended. i guess in some cases it might be that most people had finished and given feedback well ahead of time but sometimes it feels like they didn't listen to tester feedback.
Totally - I just think it's an unrealistic amount of days. If you have a set release date just make the feedback due a whole week before! That's why it's a pet peeve haha
I would encourage new testers to keep an eye out for bigger designers that do open calls. My first was for a bigger designer who stated she didn’t want us for marketing (ie didn’t care about photos or instagram followers) - just wanted pattern feedback. It was a wonderful experience.
Hi! Not late at all! I personally have a tripod so I can do it myself, but just set yourself up somewhere with a background that's not too distracting. Outside is best or a place with a lot of windows. It's generally best to be in shade though! I use the timer and have my phone set up with the front facing camera so I can see myself. And then just take a million pictures haha. There isn't a trick other than set up. You can always crop out your face if you don't want it in your pictures but I tend to just use a real smile and hope for the best! I do strongly feel if it's for you taking a picture with it on is actually a great morale boost for yourself! It's a way I got more and more comfortable and happy with the skin I'm in. I also will often take pictures of garments on hangers with a neutral or nature background but I find those tougher actually! Hope this helps!!
test knitting….8 weeks for a garment is very reasonable! But I about changing the test to much, modifications are fine, color, yarn, but it must be recognizable as the original design.
I know that you covered the not being about to finish case. I am test knitting a project now, and I am about 99.9 percent sure I can finish it, but it will be close. No good reason except that I didn't estimate well - Fingering weight stockinette knit flat took far longer than I thought. In case I can't finish it, what can I do to compensate the designer? I will probably not test knit for her again, so not worried about that. I just want to be as fair as I can. Is it enough that I pay for the pattern? I know that my size was tested by another person, plus I know that there are no errors because I am almost done. Please help me feel less guilty in case I don't finish
Just let her know! I think that's most important here. If you can give her all the feedback you currently have (or will have at test end) and still make sure you hype the pattern at release and also post your pictures as soon as you can then you shouldn't have to pay for the pattern. Most designers are understanding and flexible but they want to know ahead of time what to expect. No one likes to be ghosted!
@@a_knotty_mess should I let her know now that there is the slightest chance that I can't finish? Or should I wait until the deadline? I am hopeful that I can finish - I still have eleven days and there are testers who are behind me. Thanks for talking me through
@sparkle5240 as a designer I would love to get a heads up! Even if you end up finishing in time, the communication of a possibly delay helps the designer be aware, and also gives the possibility of a couple day extension of they have some flexibility! And it just shows you care enough to let them know!
You brought up some great test knitting points. A designer being non-responsive or super delayed in responding and no recognition are two of my biggest pet peeves. I LOVE testing and I would never have found you without it!
Yay! I've met so many great people during tests. That's just one of the reasons I love to do them :-)
Super helpful video!! It's so good to hear both sides of test knitting! ❤
Claire!! Thank you so much for your feedback and also for running pretty kick ass tests!!
I've done about a dozen test knits, and I couldn't agree with you more. Doing a test for a variety of different designers helps you to understand what you like, and what works for you.
For example, one test I did was the most complicated garment I've ever knitted, and I received nothing for doing the project. So, lesson learned: won't be testing for that designer again.
Yarnpond is definitely a great starting point. However, you often run into new-ish designers who are also inexperienced, so keep it in mind.
That's a good point on Yarnpond! And I couldn't agree more - sometimes you find designers you just love working with and other times it's a bust but learning what you like/expect is helpful for picking future tests!
This! All of it!
My first test knit was a cowl and the further the designer chose to write the pattern in was really unclear and there were good suggestions on how to make it better with a few other tweeks. They were dismissive and didn't make any alterations to the original version that was tested. They are now on my "no test" list 😅. I've since had many successful test knots with other designers and I agree. The most important "rule" is communicate. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah so disappointing when that happens. But I'm glad you've had better experiences after! Luckily I've had only a few bad tests and many more designers I've grown to love more through testing!
The great thing about being willing and able to test knit is the ability to choose who we are willing to give our time to (or not). What I hadn't said is your upload was very comprehensive and if anyone asks me about my experience as a test knitter I'll also recommend that they watch this so they have a more complete idea of expectations on both ends.
very interesting to hear your feedback as someone who is relatively new to testing (I've done about half a dozen). i definitely agree with you that it's very disappointing when a pattern is released only a day or two after the test ended. i guess in some cases it might be that most people had finished and given feedback well ahead of time but sometimes it feels like they didn't listen to tester feedback.
Totally - I just think it's an unrealistic amount of days. If you have a set release date just make the feedback due a whole week before! That's why it's a pet peeve haha
oh also, designers, thank your test knitters, and give them a gift! free yarn, another pattern, stitch markers.
Also agreed here! At least another pattern and really nice shoutout!
I would encourage new testers to keep an eye out for bigger designers that do open calls. My first was for a bigger designer who stated she didn’t want us for marketing (ie didn’t care about photos or instagram followers) - just wanted pattern feedback. It was a wonderful experience.
Great tip! It's definitely not impossible to get in with bigger designers or ones you know you like so it's less of a risk to you!
That was great❤ thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
I know I’m a little late to the party here… but I have a question. Do you have any tips on taking good photos of your knitted garments? Thanks!
Hi! Not late at all! I personally have a tripod so I can do it myself, but just set yourself up somewhere with a background that's not too distracting. Outside is best or a place with a lot of windows. It's generally best to be in shade though! I use the timer and have my phone set up with the front facing camera so I can see myself. And then just take a million pictures haha. There isn't a trick other than set up. You can always crop out your face if you don't want it in your pictures but I tend to just use a real smile and hope for the best! I do strongly feel if it's for you taking a picture with it on is actually a great morale boost for yourself! It's a way I got more and more comfortable and happy with the skin I'm in. I also will often take pictures of garments on hangers with a neutral or nature background but I find those tougher actually! Hope this helps!!
@@a_knotty_mess Thank you! This does help - I live in an apartment with not great lighting so going outside is a great idea! Thanks!
test knitting….8 weeks for a garment is very reasonable! But I about changing the test to much, modifications are fine, color, yarn, but it must be recognizable as the original design.
Totally!
I know that you covered the not being about to finish case. I am test knitting a project now, and I am about 99.9 percent sure I can finish it, but it will be close. No good reason except that I didn't estimate well - Fingering weight stockinette knit flat took far longer than I thought. In case I can't finish it, what can I do to compensate the designer? I will probably not test knit for her again, so not worried about that. I just want to be as fair as I can. Is it enough that I pay for the pattern? I know that my size was tested by another person, plus I know that there are no errors because I am almost done. Please help me feel less guilty in case I don't finish
Just let her know! I think that's most important here. If you can give her all the feedback you currently have (or will have at test end) and still make sure you hype the pattern at release and also post your pictures as soon as you can then you shouldn't have to pay for the pattern. Most designers are understanding and flexible but they want to know ahead of time what to expect. No one likes to be ghosted!
@@a_knotty_mess should I let her know now that there is the slightest chance that I can't finish? Or should I wait until the deadline? I am hopeful that I can finish - I still have eleven days and there are testers who are behind me.
Thanks for talking me through
@sparkle5240 as a designer I would love to get a heads up! Even if you end up finishing in time, the communication of a possibly delay helps the designer be aware, and also gives the possibility of a couple day extension of they have some flexibility! And it just shows you care enough to let them know!
@@perfectlyknotted6863 Thanks! I will see how much I get done by Friday evening and then let her know
I let her know today where I was and that there is a slight possibility of me not finishing it. Thanks, both of you!