Setting up a Successful pattern test call

There are a lot of reasons why someone may not want to test your pattern, such as poor photos of the finished item, not enough information provided in the posting, or too many requirements and demands put on the testers. Follow these suggestions to set up a successful pattern test call that knitters will want to join!

DON'T MAKE IT TOO SHORT

You have to remember that knitters have lives, things come up, and that the larger sizes need more time than the smaller sizes. As a good rule of thumb, you should allow at least one week per 100 yards used. I saw a sweater test where the smallest size required 1,000 yards and the largest size 1,600 yards. They had their timeline set for only six weeks for all sizes. But by using the 100 yard/week rule, their test should have an absolutely minimum time of 10 weeks, and that's only to cover the small size. That's just over two months, which in reality, isn't a long time and is a perfectly reasonable testing period. Also make sure to take into consideration any complicated elements that one might need more time on. For example a brioche garment might require more time an all-stockinette garment, due to the more advanced technique.

DESIGNER'S REQUIREMENTS

Another problem I have seen is that designers are asking too much of test knitters in the test. I have never seen test where knitters get paid fully for their yarn, let alone the time they are taking to test your pattern. I actually have seen a test call where the designer had over two pages on requirements for their knitters. Unless you are paying your testers, your requirements list should be very minimal.

Another thing I see often, is designers like to require knitters to have a knitting-related Instagram account in order to apply. Many test knitters do not have Instagram or strictly knit-related accounts. Even I for a number of years had a mixed instagram account that was for both knitting and personal things. Not everyone knits enough to have a separate knitting account, and some people don't want to manage two accounts either.

Really, your requirements only need to include the following for testers:

• Be active in the testing thread with updates, questions, and concerns.

• Provide a decent finished photo of the finished item.

• Provide feedback on clarity of instructions.

• Fill out the exit survey at the end of the test. (More on this later!)

• Optional - share to social media.

WHERE TO FIND TESTERS

There are three places I know of where designers go to find test knitters including The Testing Pool on Ravelry, Instagram, and YarnPond. These are all great places to find knitters. You can create a call there and then hold the test wherever you like including email, Ravelry, Instagram, Discord, Yarnpond, Google Docs, etc. If you ever need help finding testers, I'd love to help! Tag me on instagram and I will share your post to my stories.

HOW TO WRITE A TEST CALL

You should include information that is on your pattern description and materials pages so testers know what they are getting themselves into. At minimum you need to include:

• Quality photos of the finished item

• Complete materials list (number of stitch markers, sizes of needles, finishing items, etc.)

• Finished sizes and completely yards/meters needed for each size

• Special techniques they may need to know

• Timeline for completing the test

• Requirements knitters will need to follow

You will also want to let them know what they will receive in exchange for their time. Many designers offer the finished copy of the pattern they tested, plus one additional pattern of their choice. I personally give my testers a code for one free pattern of their choice, and the code is good for one year.

USE AN EXIT SURVEY

Ask your test knitters to complete a short exit survey that answers important questions about the pattern. Questions could include how many yards they used and what size needle, if they met gauge, suggestions they might like to make, did they find any errors in the pattern that were not discussed during the test, and if the pattern was easy to follow. At minimum, make sure you get their yardages/meters used, so you know if your pattern suggestion for yarn was accurate or if you need to make adjustments to your numbers.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK IN TOO

This should go without saying, but make sure you are checking in with your testers! Ask if they have any questions or concerns, answer questions as they come up, and reply to all the knitters who provide finished photos. I have heard times where the designer never answered questions or doesn't take any suggestions into consideration to improve the clarity of instructions. That is a recipe for never getting test knitters again!

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR EDITOR

If your testers find any pattern mistakes, make sure you let your tech editor know! We always do our best to catch every mistake, but tech editors are human, so it happens. If tech editors don't know what they missed, they won't know how they can improve. So reach out to them, even if you can fix the issue yourself. Many editors, like myself, will also do a final proofread of your pattern before you publish to make sure no silly mistakes were found.

I hope you take these tips into consideration to create a successful test knitting experience!

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