Celebrating ONE YEAR of the Blog!
Pictured above is the Luna Fade 2.0 shawl, a Tunisian crochet design coming on August 23 by @detroitknots
Y’all – I cannot believe it has been one year of the blog! First and foremost, I want to say thank you to all of you for reading, contributing, and following along with this pattern testing journey of mine! Just two years ago, I knew nothing about the world of pattern testing, and now it is part of my everyday life. Pattern testing has expanded my skillset dramatically, provided me with wonderful creative opportunities, and helped me form some of the most valuable friendships in my life today. I am forever grateful to this world, and love being able to give back in this small way.
To celebrate ONE YEAR of this pattern-testing focused blog, I thought I would highlight some of the primary posts on pattern testing tips – particularly for those who might be newer to the blog and might not know about some of the earlier posts, or for anyone who needs a refresher on some of the topics we’ve already covered!
Pattern-Testing Basics
Exactly what it sounds like! This was my very first post. It includes an introduction to myself as a maker and a pattern tester and my goals for the blog.
This post outlines what it means to be a pattern tester, and what it does NOT mean. It covers your primary responsibilities as a pattern tester and helps you determine whether pattern testing is right for you!
This post covers the basic items you’ll need to be a successful pattern tester! A few updates:
Since writing this post, I have tried out a couple other knitting needle sets, Tunisian crochet hook sets, and crochet hook sets. Here are a few other recommendations to consider:
(FYI, none of these are affiliate links or sponsored products for me at this time.)
Knitters Pride Ginger Interchangeable Needles - These come in a gorgeous case and are a great option for those of you who prefer wood to metal for your circular knitting needles. I use these just as frequently as I use my Chiaogoo set linked in the prior post!
Available on Amazon, but they may also be available through other yarn craft websites or your LYS!
KnitPicks 4” Caspian Wood Double Pointed Needle Set
I felt like I needed smaller DPNs, particularly for sock heels and toes, so I grabbed this set from KnitPicks (the 4” size 0-4 option). I love them!
Chiaogoo Tunisian Crochet Hooks Set
While I still prefer the pointy hook of the Knitters Pride set, but the Chiaogoo set has the option of the T-Spin cables, which are a game changer for me! I found with other Tunisian crochet hook sets with cords, the cord flops around a lot and annoys me. With the T-Spin cables on the Chiaogoo set, the cord rotates with your work and isn’t too stiff.
Available on Amazon here.
Tulip Etimo Crochet Hooks Set
@KnotBadBritt turned me onto these and I love them! I got my set on Amazon here, but they now sell them on KnitPicks/WeCrochet as well!
One of the tips was also about having a camera (a phone camera will do! that’s what I use), and since this post, there have been a couple posts about photography and photo editing! Check out these posts, too:
Testing Photography - The Basics
Instagram vs. Reality - Photo Editing 101 by @oddknotsandthreads
This is an amazing post by guest author Daniella of @oddknotsandthreads! Definitely check it out to up your photo editing game for your pattern tests and beyond. ◡̈
Posts about Gauge Swatching:
There have been two posts about the importance of gauge swatching worth checking out:
Swatch Lessons with @SunDaughterKnits - a great post from the voice of an experienced knitting instructor, @SunDaughterKnits!
How Do I Measure Yardage?
Exactly what it sounds like! Step-by-step instructions on how to measure yardage used in a pattern test project.
An important post about whether, when, and how to make modifications during a pattern test. Definitely read this one before you make any modifications!
This post includes helpful tips to keep in mind while you are applying to a new pattern test and in the early days of a new pattern test.
There are several more Tester Tip topics covered thus far, so please be sure to check them all out!
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I was also incredibly lucky to have several amazing guest authors on the blog this past year covering other important pattern-testing topics! In addition to the posts by @Oddknotsandthreads and @sundaughterknits featured above, be sure to check out:
Sh*t Happens: How to Bow Out of a Test Without Being a Jerk - by @knotbadbritt
Tester Chat Etiquette - by @by.stephanie.erin
Testing versus Tech Editing - by @capital.crochet
The Importance of Making for Yourself - by @cosmic_crochet_creations
Pattern Testing with Budget Yarns - by @romydandelion
On Size-Inclusive Pattern Testing - by @thecajuncrafter
I love having guest authors on the blog to cover pattern-testing topics that are important to them, so if you have an idea for a guest post relating to pattern testing, please let me know!
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Last, but certainly not least, I had the honor of featuring several pattern testers and designers through my Tester Tuesday feature! Please be sure to head to that page to meet some new-to-you makers and be sure to head to their Instagrams, websites, pattern shops, and more to show them some love and support!
I’d also really like to update the FAQ page soon, so if you have a moment, please head to my Instagram and reply in my stories or send me a DM, or head to the contact page, and let me know if there are any other pattern-testing FAQs you’d like me to address!
