Pattern Testing with @The_Yarn_Goddess

I am so excited to introduce Mia of @the_yarn_goddess for today’s Tester Tuesday feature! Mia is just 14 years old and has already completed 20 pattern tests. And she published a knit design! She does an amazing job on each project and really puts effort into showcasing the designs on her Instagram. Although she learned to knit years ago, she recently took up crochet and Tunisian crochet too, so she is officially a triple threat! I am seriously impressed by her talent and dedication to her craft every single day. Please enjoy this interview with Mia and then head to her Instagram page to show some appreciation for her skills!

When did you first start knitting and how did you learn?

I started knitting when I was 7 years old. My grandma taught me multiple times but I never had the time or attention span to sit and knit for very long. When life slowed down last spring, I picked it up again. I was knitting a blanket when Kasey’s grandma (fun fact - Mia and I are family!) showed me her Instagram! It was then that I saw knit garments could be really cute! So, after completing my blanket I decided to jump right in and make a cardigan. I found an online course that taught me the basics. Some people doubted my ambition to jump from a garter stitch blanket to a long sleeve, full length cardigan, but I was determined.
One day I came across a quote by Mack R. Douglas stating, “The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it.” I clipped my first gauge swatch to that quote, and I have been on a roll ever since!

(This is the amazing cardigan Mia made after finishing a blanket: )

How and when did you get into pattern testing? Do you know how many pattern tests you have completed?

I had just finished a third knit garment when I saw the testing call for the Stripey V Tee from @hannahsingleton. I was equally excited and nervous when she accepted me and I loved the entire testing process! Since then I have completed 20 pattern tests.

What are a few of your favorite things about the pattern testing process? Is there anything you do not like about testing?

I think the best part of pattern testing is meeting new people and learning new skills. The wide range of skill levels in pattern testing groups not only ensures that the pattern is easy to follow for everyone, but also means that there are many experienced makers that can help you if there is something tricky or confusing.
For me, there aren't any downsides to testing!

You’re only 14 and your work is incredible! How do you balance your knitting and your schoolwork?

Thank you! This year I was very fortunate to have the option of staying home and doing online school. Because I currently have no after school activities, all my time that is not school is filled with yarn! I can even make a lot of progress on WIPs that don’t require me to look at my hands while I learn.
Another plus of pattern testing is that some of the concepts that I have studied in English and Math can also be applied to proofing patterns.

Do any of your friends knit/crochet, as well? What do they think of your maker life?

I do have friends my age that knit and crochet and it is really fun to be able to chat about crafting in person. Everyone I know is very supportive of my maker life and that makes me very happy!

You also already published a pattern! How was that experience? What was it like being the designer on the other side of the testing process? What was it like being younger than your testers?

I wanted to dip my toes into designing and I thought making such a small scale project would be a great way to do it. (Check out Mia’s first design here - the Alpine Dishcloth!) However, because it is such a small thing, I have a hard time calling myself a designer.
Being on the other side of the testing process did make me understand why designers are so grateful for testers. They are the best and the pattern would not be as good without them.
I mostly just found it funny that I was younger than my testers! I don’t know why, it just seemed a little odd that they would be asking me questions and not the other way around!

Do you have any advice to any other teenagers who are considering whether to take up knitting/crocheting?

Do it! Seriously, try it out! There are so many wonderful things about the yarn community that are especially relevant to teens, including body positivity, sustainable fashion, a great use of social media, and a way to connect over a shared interest in art. Knitting/ crocheting garments is a great way to express yourself. There is a lot of pressure to go with the trends at school and wear things that you don’t want to just because it’s cool. In my opinion, making garments is the best way to make clothes that you want to wear, that fit the best, and set you apart from your peers! Knitting is cool ;)

What’s next for you on your maker journey?

Honestly, I don’t really know, but I want to continue to learn more techniques in the fiber realm. Going into high school could mean less yarn time, but all I know for sure is that this knitting/crocheting addiction of mine is here to stay!

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Thank you so much for reading this interview with Mia of @the_yarn_goddess. I absolutely love her perspective on making and her encouragement for other teens to try it out. Mia is such an inspiration! Be sure to head to her profile and give her a follow to encourage her to keep up her hard work.