Understanding Test and Preview Knitting in the World of Knitting

Test, Preview, and Sample Test, Preview, and Sample Knitting Knitting Presented by JoEllen Kay and Su Fennern 7/11/2025 1

What is Test and Preview Knitting What is Test and Preview Knitting Test knitting is a process in which knitters receive an unpublished pattern from the designer to test out the instructions, finish the project before the due date, look for any errors and provide helpful feedback The term preview knitting is used as it better represents what the designer is looking for in the next step before releasing the pattern. Preview patterns will have been professionally laid out and tech edited. They have most likely been test knitted. The designer is looking for extra eyes to catch small errors, a sense of anything that might be confusing to some knitters, and feedback on everything from how well the project fits to how fun it was to knit. Not all designers use the preview process. 7/11/2025 2

Why Test A Pattern? Why Test A Pattern? To provide feedback to the designer on: Pattern clarity Pattern errors Yardage used to complete the project Garment fit 7/11/2025 3

Knitter Qualifications Knitter Qualifications Good communication skills Ability to pay attention to detail Ability to meet deadlines Ability to provide photos of progress/finished project Prior garment knitting experience Presence on social media including Ravelry, Instagram, or Facebook Experience knitting at suggested knitting level (no need to be a master knitter) 7/11/2025 4

Designer Selection of Test Knitters Designer Selection of Test Knitters Test knitter selection is generally not based on first come first serve bases. You can take time to read the pattern, consider the size you will make and look for yarn to match the pattern s yarn. Some tests may limit two or three testers per size. Other factors that are looked at are: Knitting experience and skill level Track record as a test knitter Quality of project photos Presence on Ravelry or other social media Whether you have outstanding or concurrent test knits 7/11/2025 5

Before Starting A Test Knit Review the conditions of the test (including deadline and skill level) Read through the entire pattern Obtain appropriate yarn Do a gauge swatch Make sure you know if this is a public or secret test. Most are public tests where you set up a project page and post progress notes, photos, comments, and ask questions. If the test is secret, you don t publish any thing about the pattern until the pattern has been published. 7/11/2025 6

Examples of Pattern Inconsistencies Examples of Pattern Inconsistencies and/or Mistakes and/or Mistakes Missing abbreviations in the stitch glossary Not using parentheses or brackets consistently Math errors Omission of stitch counts (especially when increasing or decreasing) Inconsistent wording or abbreviations 7/11/2025 7

After The Project Is Complete After The Project Is Complete Creating or updating project page with pattern link Posting photos to social media Adding comments Good test knitters are reliable, pay attention to details, and give feedback that s constructive and helpful. Last but not definitely not least, DO NOT GHOST the designer if you feel like you aren t able to finish the test knitting project in time to meet the deadline. Reach out to the designer and let them know why you won t or why you think you won t be able to meet the deadline. The designer will appreciate you letting them know and they may even be able to extend the deadline. Communication is key! 7/11/2025 8

Designer Provides Designer Provides Support for questions throughout the process Final PDF of the pattern Extra Pattern choice (optional) Posts on designers social media 7/11/2025 9

Test Knitter Provides Test Knitter Provides Yarn to match weight and gauge Detailed feedback throughout the process Project page Knit per instructions Any modifications need to be approved by designer 7/11/2025 10

Test Knitting vs Sample Knitting Test Knitting vs Sample Knitting Test Knitters: Use their own yarn to make a project that has not been published. Get to keep what they knitted. Receive no pay, they will receive a copy of the published pattern and credit for another pattern by the designer. Sample Knitters: Received yarn from the designer with the pattern. The finished project is used by the designer as a work model. Receive financial payment as agreed to in advance. Are also used by yarn companies and yarn stores for making samples for their trunk shows and store displays. 7/11/2025 11

Where To Find Knitting Tests Where To Find Knitting Tests Test knitting calls are a fantastic way to get involved in the knitting world, from designers, yarn, and pattern companies. Sign up for mailing lists or newsletters for these companies. The easiest way to find test knitting jobs is to get a free membership to Ravelry and head to the Testing Pool forum. That s where the designers post projects, they need tested. Do you have a favorite designer, find their website and sign up for being one of their pattern testers along with their newsletter where they usually notify members of an upcoming test. Many designers use Instagram or Facebook as a means of communication. These are used for posting up coming testing opportunities. 7/11/2025 12

Where To Find Knitting Tests Continued Ravelry is probably the most well-known knitting site and a great resource to find knit tests. Designers on Ravelry either have their own discussion groups where they publish test knits or there are dedicated groups like the Testing Pool that are available for anyone to post in. Yarn Pond was founded relatively recently in 2018 and it requires knitting designers to pay a small fee to post knitting tests. This may be well worth it though as Yarn Pond offers more structure and options for both the designer and the test knitter. For example, the test knitter is able to get a positive rating which can make it easier for them to be accepted for another test. Slack is another program where test knits can be found. You can chat with the designer and other test knitters, share progress photos, and encourage each other along with real-time chatting. 7/11/2025 13

Local Opportunity With Brooklyn Tweed Brooklyn Tweed (BT), located in Portland, develops and manufactures breed- specific yarns from sourcing, dyeing and spinning yarns 100% within the USA. Every pattern is meticulously drafted and edited to provide clear instructions. Brooklyn Tweed uses independent designers to produce patterns that are a pleasure to knit and wear. Brooklyn Tweed has 2 programs, one is Preview Knitting and the other is Sample Knitting. Preview Knitting is done on a volunteer basis. You need to complete their Preview Knitting Interest Form on their website. https://brooklyntweed.com 7/11/2025 14

Local Opportunity Continued BT s Sample Knitting Program is coordinated by the BT Pattern Production team. BT has sample Knitters throughout the year to produce samples to be photographed for our seasonal knitwear collections and individual pattern releases. Sample Knitters are paid by the knitted yard for the garments or accessories knit for BT. Yarn for the project is provided by BT and the project is kept by the company to be used for their stockists trunk shows. Upon completion of the knit item, sample knitters receive free yard for yard matching amounts of the BT yarn of their choice, as well as additional yarn discounts and pattern perks. If interested fill out the Sample Knitting Application on their website. https://brooklyntweed.com Presentation for Salem Millstream Knitting Guild October 12, 2024 7/11/2025 15