In today’s blog post we are going to be talking pattern testing! First, we will do a brief overview of what pattern testing is & why it is important. Then, we will get into the nitty gritty of being a pattern tester – from how to become one in the first place, to being the best rockstar pattern tester that every designer is going to want to work with! Much of the focus of this post will be around garments and wearable items, but all the non-sizing specific rules apply to all tests whether you’re making a crocheted sweater or an amigurumi!
There is also a corresponding YouTube video with today’s blog post - check it out here!
Note: This post is a general overview of testing with a focus on testing from the pattern testers perspective. Next week we will jump into the specifics of pattern testing from a designer’s perspective including things like: determining deadlines, if/how to compensate testers, and the pros and cons of testing versus tech editing.
What is pattern testing?
Pattern testing is an essential part of the designing process. It is when the designer has made their sample and completed the math for various sizes. The designer wants to ensure that the design is going to fit the various sizes and is error free before it becomes available for purchase. The pattern is sent to a group, representing a wide range of the sizes, for them to make a sample within a certain timeframe.
How does it work?
Every designer has their own unique ways they prefer to run their pattern tests, but essentially it is a small focus group between the designer and makers. Most designers will have you apply to test, select testers and send them the pattern. The testers then need to make their sample, communicating errors and questions along the way, and submit notes and photos by the pre-determined deadline. Throughout the course of the testing period designers will make edits to the pattern according to tester feedback and questions, resulting in a much-improved pattern by the end!
Why is it important?
Pattern testing is critical, especially when we’re talking about wearable items like garments! For me, I find the two most important aspects of testing, beyond finding random errors, are checking for yarn usage and ensuring the piece fits all the sizes in a similar way to how my sample fits me.
Designing is a human-led process so mistakes are inevitable. Testing helps to find as many of those little typos, grammar errors, math errors et cetera, that would make the final pattern seem unprofessional.
Beyond little typos, even the most experienced designers can make math errors or typos (for example, writing 25 instead of 35) that could result in a finished piece not fitting a customer.
Lastly, testers’ final products showcase the design in a wider range of sizes, colours, and fibres than the designers’ single sample. This gives the designers’ customers a better idea of what their potential product could look like on their body, in the fibre of their choosing or the colour they like.
How do you become a pattern tester?
The only things you need to be a pattern tester are the ability to crochet and to apply to pattern tests! You can find tests to apply to on Instagram, Ravelry, Facebook groups, Reddit & other social media.
Some designers do open calls for tests on their social media platform of choice and anyone is free to apply to those. Other designers, like myself, have a closed testing group that we do our testing calls to first (more details on how this works in next weeks blog post). If you’re having difficulty getting in with one designer or on one social media (for example, Instagram) try other designers or try looking on other platforms (for example, Facebook groups).
Speaking for myself, I do like to have a mixed group of testers, both in their crochet skills and their testing experience. Novice crocheters and testers will more often question areas of a pattern that a more experienced crocheter might not. However, I know most designers want some expert and well-seasoned testers in every test so it can be tricky to get that toe in the door.
Personally, being mostly Instagram based, I do give significant preference to those with a public Instagram account that has photos of finished crocheted objects. By peeking at your account I can quickly see your level of crochet experience and how well you’ll be able to photograph your final make. Sometimes when filling in certain sizes in a test I will bring on someone with a private account as long as they are ok with taking photos and are ideally okay with me sharing their photo(s) on my social platforms too.
Another barrier to entry for testing for some people is sizing. Sometimes when I do a testing call I may get only one application for one size and 15 applications for another. Obviously, testers need to test their accurate size so only a few testers from that popular size will be chosen, meanwhile that one who applied for the less common size will be chosen as well. The only exception I make for not testing your size is if you are making it for someone you know who is okay being the model in your photos.
What are the characteristics of a great pattern tester?
The primary characteristic of an amazing pattern tester is their communication skills. As designers, we want to know if/when there is a problem and as soon as the problem comes up. Whether it is a problem in the pattern OR a problem in your life preventing you from completing the test – the sooner we know the sooner we will hopefully be able to rectify it. If any question pops into your head during testing, it is always better to err on the side of asking the question, than it is to not ask and assume you know the answer and carry on past what might be a potential error in the pattern.
Another great trait in pattern testers is attention to detail and ability to take directions. Did a tester find that missing period? They’re incredible! Did they make sure to submit notes and photos in the way you asked for them to be submitted? Excellent! Attention to detail is so important for checking math, stitch counts, typos et cetera, and the ability to take and follow directions is important so that the pattern test runs smoothly for designers.
The ability for a tester to take great final photos is another important trait to me. I really want to be able to showcase my testers and their hard work, as well as how my pattern fits different people and the only way to do that is through photos. If the designer does not give specific instructions for what they like to see in tester photos then you can ask them! The most important part of photos from testers is being able to see how the piece fits them. For garments, this means being able to see the full piece. For example, with a sweater, the photo should show the full length of the sweater and both sleeves. This way the designer can see how it fits all over!
I tell testers to try to ensure their photo(s) are crop-able to both the 16:9 orientation for use in Instagram reels and/or to the 1:1 square for grid photos. This means making sure your head or the bottom of the sweater aren’t cropped out of the top/bottom of the frame and your arms aren’t cropped off the sides of the photos. I also love to see natural light photos. Natural light will always make you and your finished garment look better than indoor lighting!
Are modifications allowed in pattern testing?
No. Full sentence.
I truly believe that if a designer is saying yes to your request for modification they are just being nice but really wish they were saying no (designers come back for next week’s blog post to hear me tell you to not allow modifications!). I am a firm “no” on modifications in testing because the designer needs to ensure the piece fits the way it is intended and if testers aren’t getting gauge, aren’t using the right weight of yarn, are adding in stripes/colour blocking where it’s not called for, adding or removing stitches/rows et cetera, then the piece has not been tested the way it is written. When altering things like gauge, yarn weight or the number of stitches/rows it will greatly affect the fit and the yarn usage of your make, which are two important bits of information clarified through testing.
There is one exception to this rule. If the piece is not fitting as it’s designed and it’s not a gauge issue, then the designer NEEDS to work with that tester to make sure the piece fits. There are two major reasons why it might not be fitting in testing: 1. The designer made a mistake in their math and they need to fix it or 2. The tester’s body varies from the sizing chart (for example, if their upper arm is bigger than the corresponding bust/chest measurement for their size). In this case, the designer should absolutely work with this tester to modify the pattern to fit their body. Assisting in modifying will help showcase how flexible the pattern is, and is a good exercise for the designer so that they can help customers in the future with this issue as well. A future blog post & YouTube video will go in depth about how to make modifications like this – for both designers and makers to use!
What are the perks of being a pattern tester?
I think the primary benefit from testing is the creation of community amongst other makers. Some of my best friends in the world were made through the process of pattern testing (Jenn, Maddi, Chris – I’m looking directly at you. I love you so much and am so glad to have you in my life as a direct result of you testing for me!). The ability to connect with people around the world with the same interests as you is such a unique experience that a lot of other people with other hobbies/businesses don’t get!
Pattern testing can also teach you new skills as a maker. You can learn new stitches, new techniques, more about yarn, the list goes on. It can also give you insight as to how to be a designer. Before I began designing, and when I was just starting to design, I tested a LOT of patterns for already established designers. I learned about garment construction, what I wanted and didn’t want included in my patterns, and how to run effective pattern tests.
When pattern testing you also receive the pattern you make for free. Most designers will also offer another pattern of theirs for free to testers after the test is complete as a bit of a thank you! I’ve also worked with some amazing yarn companies and dyers who offer significantly discounted yarn to testers for specific designs of mine!
Lastly, and this is something I know many of us struggle with in this community, pattern testing provides you with a deadline for completion! It seems to be the only way I finish any person projects these days. Having the deadline ensures that when you start that project, you’re going to finish it! No more adding to the stash of forever WIPs you’ve got hiding in the back of a closet!
In Summary
Pattern testing is an essential part of the designing process, which should be beneficial to makers, testers and designers alike! From ensuring patterns are as error free as possible to building community to learning new skills, pattern testing can be an awesome experience for everyone involved!
In next weeks blog post dedicated to pattern testing from a designers perspective, I will be diving deep into the question of whether testers should be provided with free yarn (yarn support) or financial compensation for their work as a tester and the steps to running an effective pattern test. To make sure you don’t miss out on it, and future educational content: sign up for my email list here, or subscribe to my YoutTube channel here!
Thanks so much for reading today’s post and happy crocheting,
Courtney