Pattern Testing with @OneRuleBeJeweled
I am so excited to introduce one of the greatest crochet testers I know, Tina of @onerulebejeweled! I always love Tina’s color choices and her smile in her photos is downright contagious! Please enjoy this interview with her and then go show her some support on Instagram.
Tina is pictured above wearing the Selene Cardigan by @leroocrochet. Below, she is wearing the Perfect Peplum Top by @by.stephanie.erin; the Roxy Pullover by @deni_made; the Loretta Shawl by @divinedebris; and the Tara Pullover by @divinedebris.
Tell us about @onerulebejeweled! How and when did you get into crocheting? When and why did you start your account? I’m also curious how you came up with your handle?
My mother taught me the granny stitch when I was about 18. We worked on a granny square blanket together off and on while I was learning. My mom passed away right before I started college when I was 20, and it was hard for me to pick up a hook for several years. Instead, I chose to dabble in beadwork and made earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. using glass and ceramic beads that you typically find at Michael's. When I started teaching in 2007, I was able to pick up my hook again as a way to remember my mom and it became a much-needed stress reliever. As a teacher, I have that natural pursuit of knowledge and desire to learn, so I taught myself to read patterns and diagrams through Youtube University, LOL. I made little things like scarves and ear warmers and gave them away as gifts for, like, a decade! I'd make a bunch of hats, scarves, and ear warmers and would bring them to work during the holidays for my co-workers to take what they wanted at no cost. Everyone told me that I should sell my pieces, but I just didn't feel that my creations were good enough, and frankly, I didn't even know what to charge. I started to look into Etsy and thought that maybe I could actually sell my work, so I talked about this with a great friend of mine, Katie, who is also a teacher where I worked and was a regular recipient of my crochet and jewelry makes. She always loved what I made for her and wore them to work with pride, which made me feel pretty good too! It really gave me the boost I needed to try and sell these accessories. She helped me to brainstorm names for my shop; she loves a good pun and playing with words, so I knew she would help me come up with something clever. She came up with the name "One Rule: Be Jeweled," and it was so fitting! I've stuck with that name ever since.
When did you start pattern testing? How do you select the patterns you want to test?
I started pattern testing in 2018 as a way to continue to develop my crochet skills. I wanted to make garments, but I was really intimidated to do so. I also knew that by testing patterns, it would really test my comprehension of reading crochet patterns. My first test project was for Denisse @deni_made. I tested the Lorelei Cardigan and I was SO proud of it! When I was selected to test this, I was beyond excited! I remember going to Michael's and getting the largest skein of worsted weight yarn I could find. I later realized that this yarn was best used for a blanket as opposed to a garment, but you live and you learn! She taught me about gauge swatching, different types of hooks, and the golden rule. In that two-week testing process, she was so patient and knowledgeable, and has become a dear friend that I continue to test for to this day. During this testing process, I learned about Instagram and I started my IG page. My mind was BLOWN with all of the amazing crafty goodness that the crochet community has shared on this platform! I wanted to make all the things and do all the tests!
You’re a teacher by day! I can only imagine how crazy that’s been this past year. How do you balance your career and other personal obligations with testing deadlines and yarn time?
Yeaaaaahh. This year has been quite the rollercoaster, for sure! I started teaching in 2007 and the changes that have occurred in education over the years have been just as wild, but this year has been the most challenging, chaotic year of my entire career. I have also been an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher online to children in China for the past 3 years, and I've thoroughly enjoyed that as well. Crochet keeps me sane. It is the way that I give back to myself because everything that I test is for me. It has become an integral part of my life and a regular part of my daily routine. In my IG profile, it says "Teacher By Day, Crocheter By Night" and that is 100% true. When I am not teaching (or doing teacher-related things like writing lesson plans, responding to parent messages, grading, in meetings, researching resources and/or best practices), I am crocheting. I am blessed to have a room in my home - which my family calls my 'she-shed' - that is 3/4 filled with yarny goodness, and the other 1/4 of the room is my virtual teaching space. My family is extremely supportive of my hobby and recognizes how much it means to me. They are actually concerned when they see me sitting still without a crochet project in my hand! I've had to learn how to budget my time with my projects by keeping a calendar of due dates and I've learned how fast I can crochet different things through this process as well. I've been able to set realistic progress goals for my projects so that testing continues to be a pleasurable experience for me.
Your testing portfolio is quite expansive! Do you prefer to test garments or accessories, and why? And what brings you back to pattern testing?
I love making wearables in general. Since everything that I make and test is for myself (yes, I admit, I am a very selfish crocheter) it has allowed me to develop a handmade closet that is unique, vibrant, and playful, which truly matches my personality. Pattern testing has taught me SO much and has challenged me to grow as a crocheter; it's kinda like Pattern Testing University! I respond well to deadlines and the challenge of learning new stitches, techniques, and meeting deadlines gives me such purpose while creating a wardrobe that I love - that feeling of accomplishment is addictive! Plus, I am helping to contribute to an amazing community of crocheters that have been so inspirational to me in my growth as a crocheter.
What is your favorite thing about the pattern testing experience? Least favorite thing?
Call me a geek, but my favorite thing about testing is learning. I've tested well over 100 patterns, and I've learned something from every last once of them. Sometimes it's a new stitch or a new technique. Other times it might be a new-to-me designer or a new way of pattern writing, or maybe even about yarn fibers or tricks. I walk away from every test project not only with a wearable that I am proud of, but also a little more crochet savvy than I was before.
My least favorite thing about testing is making things that I wouldn't wear. At the beginning of my testing journey, I was so excited to get my hands and hooks into as many projects as I could and pretty much applied to test everything that was out there. At times, I had been guilty of making something that I didn't feel good about, or I wouldn't wear because the item wasn't my style. It can be discouraging when you spend time and yarn making something that just sits on a shelf. Now I always ask myself : 'would I wear that? Can I give this project the attention it needs and finish by the deadline?' If my answer is 'no' to either of those questions, then I don't test it.
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?
I've learned a lot of time management when it comes to crocheting because there are always deadlines. It's embarrassing to admit how many patterns I have purchased that I have not made just because they don't have the sense of urgency that test projects do. By testing, I accomplish so many things: (1) creating something for myself that I am proud of, (2) helping designers bring their work to life, (3) learning new things, (4) meeting new people, and (5) contributing to the crochet community. I've also learned so many different techniques and tricks that I don't think I would have learned without the testing process.
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?
For someone that wants to test, I recommend that they ask the same questions that I do: would I wear /use it? Can I give this project the attention it needs and finish by the deadline?' If your answer is 'no' to either of those questions, then don't test it. Also, crochet is an art, so visuals matter. Take the time to take good, clear photographs that really showcase your work and the design. The pictures don't have to be fancy (as I initially thought at the beginning), but I do think it's important that they are quality and highlight the designer's pattern. I'd also say don't be afraid to try new things and ask questions along the way. I've been blessed to test for truly talented designers that have taught me SO much and have helped me to become the crocheter I am today! Most of them have been so patient, thorough, understanding, and available during the test process. My advice to them is to: KEEP BEING AMAZING!
Anything exciting coming up this year that you want to share with us?!
I am actually excited to share that I am a WeCrochet Ambassador, starting this month! I always joked with my family about getting support from a company that would provide my with the yarn I needed to make all the things, but I thought that was a privilege only available to designers. Last month, Heather at WeCrochet reached out to me with a desire to support me in my crochet pursuits while doing something that I absolutely love! It's truly a godsend.
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Thank you so much for reading this interview with TIna of @onerulebejeweled! Please be sure to go show her some support on Instagram. And if you’re a crochet designer, keep your eyes out for this superstar tester. ◡̈
