Pattern Testing with @Hooked.On.Yarnics

Pattern testing world - Meet Leslie! The amazing maker behind @hooked.on.yarnics. Leslie is not only a regular pattern tester, but also works in fashion/styling, giving her a unique perspective on styling handmade items with your wardrobe! Please enjoy this interview with Leslie about her maker journey and then head to Instagram to show her some support.

Leslie is featured above wearing the RBeadG tank by @by.stephanie erin, and below wearing: the Stevie Beanie by @ilovetinderbox; the Tango Wrap by @detroitknots; the Perfect Peplum by @by.stephanie erin; and WIPing on the Perfect Peplum and the Tunisian Void Shawl by @by.stephanie erin

Tell us about @hooked.on.yarnics! How and when did you get into yarn crafts? When and why did you start your account?

I vaguely remember my mom, who is a talented crocheter, knitter, and seamstress, teaching me how to crochet many years ago but it wasn't until I moved from NJ to TX in 2016 that I picked it up again for real. My mom mailed me some yarn and hooks she had at home and I hopped on YouTube and started looking for things to crochet! I started hooked.on.yarnics in early 2019 because I felt like not a lot of people following my personal account really wanted to see all the yarn I was starting to hoard, but I don't even remember what I called it at first. My sister actually came up with the handle hooked.on.yarnics as a play on hooked on phonics (shout out to the 90s kids!).

When did you first get into pattern testing? Had you been making garments before then? What appealed to you about pattern testing? What brings you back to pattern testing?

I vividly remember my first pattern test! It was the Eliana Sweater for Steph from @by.stephanie.erin. I had made a cropped sweater and a cardigan (that's definitely still unfinished) before then and had wanted to test patterns earlier but never felt like I had the time. I was following a decent number of designers and pattern testers and was really excited about the community that existed so that's what initially made me want to start testing. That's what keeps me coming back to apply for tests too. I've gotten more selective with what I apply for but I've made some amazing friends and I love sharing those tester experiences with them. Everyone is so talented and inspiring!

What is your least favorite thing about pattern testing? Is there anything you wish you could change about the process?

I don't know if it's my least favorite but sometimes keeping up with the tester chats can get tough during the day. It's definitely a great way to get questions answered and keep everyone on the same page but I've to had to mute some chats before so my phone isn't going off all day long. I do make sure to look over the chats so I don't miss anything important though.

Tell us about your day job! You work in styling right? How did you get into that line of work?

I do! I work for Stitch Fix as a full-time Senior Stylist and I style our men's, women's, and kids' lines. I always loved fashion and clothing and worked in retail merchandising for a while right out of college but didn't come to Stitch Fix until about a year and a half ago. Actually, Stitch Fix and pattern testing kind of started around the same time. I was a teacher for almost 3 years prior to SF and became extremely burnt out and my mental health was suffering because of it. I was having panic attacks at school and eventually had to take a leave of absence from work to quite literally work on my mental health full time. I found a 7 day a week group therapy program that was the best thing I've ever done for myself and was actually encouraged by the amazing women I met there to do more with crocheting. When I was discharged from that program, I started pattern testing. About a month later, I got hired at Stitch Fix.

How does your professional life overlap with your yarn life? Do aspects of your job affect your maker life, and vice versa?

Work overlaps the most when I take my tester photos but it also plays a role in my yarn choices. I put a lot of thought into what colors I choose for garments I make based on the rest of my wardrobe. I want whatever I make to feel cohesive with my style and be something I'll wear often. I tend to get more colorful or use variegated yarn with things like shawls since I prefer solid clothing pieces. And of course, I have so much fun styling my FOs for photos. Pretty much everything that I pair with my handmades is from Stitch Fix. And actually, my tester photo skills came in handy when I created some summer Fix unboxing content for my team at work. I got to show off how I styled pieces from my own Fix and having taken tons of tester photos by then it was a fun and familiar experience.

What is one piece of advice you would give to other makers or pattern testers when it comes to styling their handmade items?

Don't feel like you need to dress up your handmades excessively for your photos if that's not you. Part of what I love about seeing other tester photos is seeing each person's individual style and how differently we can all wear the same piece. My style tends to be a little more everyday casual with some touches of boho and some edginess thrown in and I want that to show in my tester photos. If you aren't usually one to throw on heels and a ton of makeup, you don't need to do that for your photos. Style your pieces the way you'll wear them in your real life. Of course if you want to get all done up, do that too! I think the most important thing is just staying true to your personal style because that's going to make you feel confident and your confidence will show in photos.

Do you have anything coming up or that you’re excited about and want to share?

I'm working on a test right now for Courtney of @ilovetinderbox and it's my first crochet dress test. I'm really pumped to finish that. And I'll be selling some crochet accessories for the first time at an event some friends in Austin are hosting in Jan. 2022 so I'm starting to plan for that once this dress test is done!

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Thanks for reading this interview! Be sure to head to Leslie’s Instagram page to show her some support. ◡̈