Sh*t Happens: How to Bow Out of a Test Without Being a Jerk
Britt is pictured above wearing the Courtney Shawl by @twentyfourthreads, and below wearing the Summer Dreams Top by @designsbykey; the Through the Leaves Wrap Top by @prairiefoxstudio; the Summertime Tank by @tlyarncrafts; and the Braided Tunisian Ear Warmer by @tlyarncrafts
Hi, I’m Britt of KnotBadBritt and I am a serial tester AND I have failed a test. In the summer of 2019, I applied to complete the Tunisian Chill Cover Up by Stephanie Erin. I couldn’t do it. I had the yarn that the pattern required, all the right tools, and not enough skill. I bowed out of that test after MUCH anguish. It wasn’t my first test with Steph. I had an excellent track record with her and many other designers, so it was weird to even think that I’d have to renege my responsibilities. Since then, I've continued to test for Steph and others.
*Sigh* Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest let’s get to it.
I want to share with you some tips on how to bow out gracefully and respectfully because sometimes, that’s what we need to do. But first, let's talk about some ways to avoid this all together.
Avoid Bowing Out
Look at the timeline before applying - Successful serial testers utilize a testing schedule. Seriously. They know how much they need to complete each day to get through their testing schedule.
Re-evaluate the test once accepted - This is the nicest thing that designers do, give you an out right from the start. You NEED to reconsider taking on the responsibility of the test the second the email comes in. Hell maybe when the IG group is made. It is much easier for a designer to find a new tester before the test begins.
Understand what the test involves - If you applied for this test and didn’t know the yardage, understand the construction, or mentally prepare yourself to learn a new technique, that’s on you. You should have a grasp on the responsibilities of the test BEFORE applying.
One exception to this could be acquiring yarn. With COVID and rampant wool supply issues, we know that getting the yarn needed for a test can be tricky. Stash-diving can avoid this, but if you are ordering yarn, be upfront about this with the designer. Chances are you are not the only one experiencing this problem and designers should be calculating this issue into their testing time.
Ask for help - Even if you have to DM the designer directly or chat with another tester, DO IT. There is no shame in mentioning that you do not understand a concept of the pattern. It is why patterns are tested. Yes, it can be intimidating. Do it anyway. If you feel like you can’t, don’t test patterns. I’m dead serious. The purpose of testing the pattern is for the designer to learn these things. If you are feeling extra shy about it, ask a fellow tester for help
Sidebar: This is basically how Kasey and I started talking. I couldn’t grasp a concept of the design and she did her best to help me. I ended up bowing out of the test but I struggled with that decision.
How to Bow Out Gracefully
Communicate early and often - Be sure to communicate what you have done to avoid this. No one wants to hear that you couldn’t get past the gauge swatch on something that was given to you 5 weeks ago, boo. You get no sympathy for that. That’s a you problem. DM/email the designer privately about what is going on and apologize profusely, you have no idea what is going on in their lives… Don’t create a scandal in the IG group. Save that drama for Olivia Pope.
Don’t assume you know how the designer will react - The designer has every right to be disappointed in you. More often than not, they are also working on a timeline that isn’t shared with you. This could be for a magazine, you might be the only one they could get to test a particular size, their life could have additional stressors. You just don’t know. Give the designer room to feel how they feel and communicate that. You let them down, remember? BTW, this does not give the designer room to be disrespectful to you.
Offer to pay for the pattern - Immediately. This should come at your suggestion not theirs. Then do it. Send the designer the receipt of you purchasing the pattern upon release. If they send you a PayPal invoice, pay it in 24 hours. Don’t put the monetary aspect of this on the designer. It’s not fair.
Promote the pattern during the release - You can still have a positive effect on the pattern release. Engage positively once it is out. Favorite it on Ravelry. Heart it on Etsy. Like, comment, save, & share the designer’s post on IG. Visit their website. Watch the YouTube Video. Support the designer AND the testers.
DON’T…
Ghost - This should be a no brainer. By ghosting, you show that you have no respect for the designer or yourself. You are suggesting that none of this matters and you were really into it for the free pattern in the first place. Don’t be that guy, that guy SUCKS.
Be an asshole - this includes:
Blocking the designer
Bowing out at the last minute
Bailing on this test only to start another
Gossiping behind the designers’ back
Closing your account and creating a new one
Blame the design or the timeline - There is a reason that designers have you fill out a form and agree to certain things before beginning the test. You need to read and understand each of the things being accepted of you before hitting submit.
You. Don’t. Have. To. Test. Everything.
Play it cool or play the pity card - Look, life is HARD and things HAPPEN. We are all people and very few of us, I mean VERY few of us, are doing this as our full time job so a designer will understand that you have additional obligations. There is no need to play the pity card, be honest. Kid get in a horrible accident and testing this scarf is no longer a priority? I agree, homie. Take your time and take care of your family. Virtual school is well…. Virtual school? Bet. Thank you for being honest and sharing what’s getting you down. Just mentally in a dark place? We have all been there and there is nothing more important than YOU.
Leave the situation knowing where you stand with the designer - Truthfully, the designer might not know where you stand upon hearing that you are unable to complete the test. Knowing that, you can still leave the conversation on good terms and your future actions can completely change their point of view of the situation. The last thing you want to do is be a nag or put a shitty taste in the mouth of your favorite designer.
How to come back from it all:
Keep testing - If this is truly something you want to do, keep working on it. Get some new skills under your belt. Test patterns from other designers. GROW.
Make the item you failed - Proudly finish the project you couldn’t complete. Show the designer that you can complete the project and that you are proud of it.
Don’t immediately apply for their next big test - If you failed on a sweater, you better have another sweater (or two) under your belt to indicate that you can, in fact, complete the task. Give the designer space.
It comes down to a simple sentence: Don’t be a jerk.
If after reading this you’ve thought, ‘Damn, she’s harsh.’ You’re right. If this is our first time meeting: Hi I’m like this all the time. If this isn’t, this is exactly what you expect from me. A very direct, no nonsense approach to a topic I am passionate about. Happy to oblige.
Pattern testing isn’t for everyone. It can be stressful and unfulfilling if you are in it for the wrong reasons. Doing it because you want a free pattern is the WRONG REASON. Doing it because you want a look into the design process, really admire a designer, consider it your ‘thing,’ or simply want to try something new, is the right reason. Choosing to test is totally up to you. My advice would be to start small. Maybe with a project that you are confident you can complete with minimal effort to learn. I would advise against having your first test be a garment if you have never made a garment AND don’t have the time to dedicate to learning how to do it correctly. P.S. My first test was a garment. I learned a lot and it was the only test on my plate at the time.
♡♡♡
Thank you for reading! Britt is an incredible maker, designer, tester, and all around human. Please support @KnotBadBritt by following her on Instagram, checking out her Etsy account, and buying her patterns on Ravelry! If you would like to test for her in the future, join her testing list here.
