Time Management in Pattern Testing
I am often asked how I balance multiple pattern tests at one time. The honest truth is, right now, I don’t have much else going on in my life. Aside from my day job, I can spend most of the rest of my time knitting or crocheting, if I want to — especially this past year during the pandemic, when my external social life went extinct. That makes it really easy to take on more than one test at a time without worrying about whether I will be able to meet the deadlines. Nevertheless, I have picked up a few strategies and tips for managing my time while juggling multiple pattern testing obligations.
The most important lesson I’ve had to learn (& am still learning) is this: there will always be another pattern test. I suffer from pattern testing FOMO like nobody else I know. But one thing I’ve come to realize is that designers I follow are always cranking out new designs and I will always want to test all of them. It’s okay to—and necessary to—say no sometimes. When a tester call comes out when I am not completely ready to take it on, I have to sit back and tell myself, “There will be another pattern test for me, when I have more time and am more mentally prepared to take it on.” Another lesson I am still learning: you can always make the design when it comes out. You don’t have to test it just because you LOVE IT SO MUCH. You can love it so much that you buy the pattern and make it later too.
When it comes to managing how many tests to take on, it comes down to a few things for me:
Knowing my speed.
Knowing my external limitations.
Knowing my internal limitations.
YOUR SPEED: Key word: your. Before you commit to seven tests all due within the next six weeks, make sure you have a strong understanding of just how long it takes YOU to knit and crochet any particular type of project. Within any given tester group, there will be a tester who can finish in two days and a tester who takes all six plus weeks. Neither speed is “right,” “wrong,” or “too slow”; it all depends on the tester’s lifestyle, the size they are making, and their own external/internal limitations (discussed further below). But regardless of the reasons for why you may be slower or faster at making something, you need to have an understanding of your own speed before you can commit to certain tests. If the designer says, “Don’t worry, it only took me 5 days to make,”… keep in mind that you may not work at the same speed or have the same lifestyle as the designer. The designer could mean 5 full days working on the garment, sunrise to bedtime, with no other obligations. If you have multiple WIPs, a job, and/or any other obligations at the time, it likely will take you longer. And it’s not an excuse at the end of the test to say, “Well, the designer said it would only take 5 days, so I didn’t start it until the last week, and now I can’t finish it on time.” You are responsible for knowing how long it will take you. The best way to figure that out is to take on fewer tests at a time until you get a sense of your own speed with different project types (tank tops versus sweaters versus beanies) and different yarn weights (is it a fingering weight garment or a bulky scarf?).
EXTERNAL LIMITATIONS: When a testing call comes out and says it’s due in four weeks, don’t just think about whether four weeks is enough time for you to complete the project abstractly. Think about your actual next four weeks. Do you have any trips planned where you might not be able to knit or crochet often? Do your kids have any big projects coming up with school that you will need to help with? Do you have family or friends coming to visit on the weekends, taking away major chunks of your usual crafting time? Is your work schedule particularly busy or do you have any major deadlines that may keep you working late some days? Do you have any personal appointments that might slow you down? Think about all of the external things going on in your life during that actual timeframe and be realistic with yourself. Anticipate that something will come up, because life happens. It just does. Can you get it done, comfortably, with wiggle room if something comes up?
INTERNAL LIMITATIONS: This one requires you to reflect on your own mental health and desires with respect to the projects. One of the things I’ve realized about myself through my testing experience is that when I have too many tests going on at one time or due around the same time, I begin to severely dread them. There are too many active tester chats, and it starts to bother me. The thought of having to submit feedback and photos for five different projects starts to give me anxiety. I begin to loathe having to pick up my WIP and work on it. I’ve also noticed that if I have too many of one type of project (for example, five crochet tests in a row, or three knit garments that are all fingering weight yarn), I start to hate it and/or certain muscles in my arms, shoulders, and hands start to hurt from working the same repetitive movement too frequently. That’s not what this craft is supposed to be about. It’s supposed to soothe my anxiety and bring me joy. If it’s getting to the point that it doesn’t do that anymore, and it feels like work, physically painful, dread, and/or anxiety, I know I’ve taken on too much and it’s time to dial back. As you take on pattern tests, reflect on what you love about it and what you don’t love about it… and then only take on the right amount to balance that out so that you still enjoy the process.
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Aside from managing the amount of testing obligations you take on in the first place, another critical aspect of time management in pattern testing is keeping adequate track of your existing tests. I do a couple things that help me stay on track and prioritize what to work on.
First, I keep an updated task list in my gmail account that shows up to the right of my screen every time I open my email. Every time I am added to a new pattern test, I immediately add the name of that pattern test to the Task List with the due date. Then I organize my tasks chronologically by due date, so I always know which one is due next. Then, for each task/test, I add three sub-tasks: Finish Project, Feedback, and Ravelry. Each sub-task has it’s own checkbox for when it’s complete. That way, I don’t think I am done with my testing obligations the second I finish my project. Keeping this updated list of chronological due dates and where I am in the process with each one helps me quickly assess how much I have due in a certain time period and whether I have time to add another test.
Second, I have due dates marked on a physical calendar on my desk, as well. That way, I see upcoming due dates every single day, even if I don’t open my gmail account and see my task list.
Being aware of my limitations and keeping an organized task list are the primary things I do to effectively manage my time, but here are a few other tips that I’ve found help me stay on track with my tests:
Weave in your ends and block your project within 24 hours. I find that if I set it aside for “later,” several days or even weeks can pass before I get around to blocking and finalizing my testing obligations. Which means I’ve procrastinated my pictures and feedback, as well. If you weave in your ends and block your project immediately, then you’ll be able to grab pictures the next time the weather is perfect or you’re just feeling cute. Your project will be ready whenever you are!
Keep track of feedback as you work on the project. Note typos as you work on the pattern. Physically write down issues that you think need to be fixed. If you think a direction could be written more clearly, write out how you would suggest writing it when you think of it. I find that if I just make a “mental note” to myself that I want to include something in my feedback, I am always struggling later to remember what that was and end up spending much more time re-reading the pattern over and over trying to figure out what I wanted to say.
FYI @shadesofknitting is selling really awesome Tester Notebooks now that have designated spots for you to keep track of your notes and everything you need to submit for your feedback! I just started using one recently, and I love it! Check it out here.
Prioritize the one due next. It’s okay to switch back and forth between a few different pattern tests so that you don’t get bored, but I always try to make the one due next my *primary* project until it is done. That means I dedicate the most time on my schedule for the week to making progress on that WIP and only switch to a different one if I need a break for some reason.
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Hopefully you found some of this to be helpful guidance as you navigate your pattern testing obligations! The golden rule is: if it’s overly stressing you out, you’ve taken on too much. I know I need to practice what I preach, but I am slowly learning to say no and establish boundaries! I highly recommend you do the same to avoid burnout. You don’t want to start hating the one thing we all love so much, right? ◡̈
I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips for time management in pattern testing! Head to my instagram post today or share in the feedback form. Thanks so much for your continued support on the blog!
