Pattern Testing with @Lindsey_Taine!

I am so excited to introduce a crochet pattern tester extraordinaire, the one-and-only: @lindsey_taine! I met Lindsey pattern testing crochet garments for Stephanie Erin and have continued to love watching her rock her pattern testing journey. Lindsey does an amazing job choosing unique colors for her makes that show off her bright personality in her photoshoots. Please enjoy this interview getting to know more about Lindsey’s maker journey and then head to her Instagram page to show her some love!

Tell us about @lindsey_taine! How and when did you get into crochet? When and why did you start your Instagram account?

I started in 2013. I wanted something that would be a fun activity but also relax me as I have very fidgety hands. I’m always very anxious, so crochet helps me concentrate on something, and also making something that I will use in the end makes me happy! I started an Instagram in 2012, just to post photos every once in a while like everyone else on there, haha, and then started to post crochet, so my friends could see what I make.

When did you start pattern testing and why? How do you select the patterns you want to test? Do you prefer to test garments or accessories, and why? And what brings you back to pattern testing?

I started pattern testing in 2017. It was for @iron_lamb. I loved a sweater she posted on Instagram, and she was looking for people to test her pattern and she had my size! At the time, I couldn't find many patterns online that had my size, which was really disheartening.
I prefer testing garments because I feel like I get more wear out of the things I make.
What brings me back to pattern testing is all the amazing designs and the beautiful community of pattern testers and designers. I love participating in the creation of a pattern, even if it's just a small part! Also, I can never pass up a @by.stephanie.erin — she keeps me busy year-round, haha.

I absolutely love your use of colors! Can you tell us a little bit about your process for choosing yarn for a pattern test?

Thank you! I love color, so I'm always looking into how I can make a crochet item more interesting. I usually spend an entire day trying to figure out what color I haven't used recently and what would go well with the vibe of the garment! And I'm also obsessed with gradients!

What is your favorite thing about the pattern testing experience? Least favorite thing?

My favorite thing about pattern testing is showing off the final piece in pictures, so people can see the amazing design!
My least favorite thing is messing up the pattern in some way and having frog!

What is one valuable thing you’ve learned from pattern testing that you don’t think you would’ve learned from making on your own/not testing?

How much work goes into making a pattern and making it fit different body shapes and sizes. And also seeing how wonderful the crochet/knitting community is!

If you could give advice to someone who wants to start pattern testing, what advice would you give them? If you could give advice to the designers for whom you test, what advice would you give them?

To take the leap and test their first pattern! I know a lot of people are nervous about testing but don't be, it's a wonderful experience!
Also always maintain communication with the designer that you're testing for, especially if you're having trouble or if you're behind on the test. Designers are very understanding and will help understand the problems you're dealing with. And finally, take good quality pictures, (outside is best!)
Don't ghost designers, don't change anything in the pattern that hasn't been ok'd by the designer, and if you are a 2xl-5xl or bigger, please test! Designers need feedback from those sizes to see how it looks on plus-size women, and I often see them struggle to find people in those sizes!
Luckily I've tested for amazing designers, but I would recommend having an Instagram group chat for the test, it helps a lot when you can speak to other testers and work together on this pattern.
For new designers or designers I haven't worked with, I would please ask you to make your patterns size-inclusive, and xs-xl is not size inclusive! I know its more work to make the pattern for more sizes, but it’s really sad when I see a pattern on my discovery page on Instagram, and I can't make it because it only goes up to a size L. Also please give enough time for larger sizes to finish the test, it takes way longer for us to finish!
Oh! And if you can provide yarn support for larger sizes or a discount on yarn for testers that would be lovely, because yarn can get expensive for plus size garments.

Is there anything you have coming up that you’re excited about and want to share!?

Well... I'm currently working on a couple of tests for some lovely designers that will be released in August, so if you want to see pictures for those designs on a plus-size body, you can follow me on my Instagram!
This Saturday, @inspiredbygrandma is releasing her Hope Halter Top so if you want to see pictures of the top on me, I’ll have them up on Saturday!
Also, @calm.homemade releasing the Iris Crop Top soon on a Lovecrafts blog. It’s actually one of the pictures that's on this blog post — the rainbow design with @murphymadecrochet North Cap Cardiana!

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Thank you so much for reading this interview with crochet pattern tester @lindsey_taine! Please be sure to check out her Instagram page and show her some support.