Do you love to knit and/or crochet?
Can you read patterns?
Do you love getting patterns for free?
Do you have great time management skills?
Do you love learning new things?

If you answered yes to all of the above questions, then I NEED YOU!  My pattern business is growing by leaps and bounds, and I desperately need to add more pattern testers to my group!

If you’re wondering what the heck pattern testing is all about – let me give you the ol’ 411 🙂  (That’s “information” for those of us old enough to remember being excited to have a new rotary phone but not knowing anyone else’s phone number 🙂 )

When writing patterns, most designers make every effort to insure that the documents are written as clearly and accurately as possible the first time around.  But, alas, we are not perfect… so we rely on testers to be the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – however many “ths” are necessary – set of eyes before we publish our designs.

Testers create the project from a customer’s point of view to verify that 1) the instructions are clear and easily followed, 2) proofread for grammatical errors, 3) submit photos of their finished items, and 4) provide feedback as requested by the designer.

You’ll notice that I didn’t list “Are you an EXPERT?” as one of the opening questions….  That’s because you do not have to be able to crochet blindfolded with one hand tied behind your back while being subjected to Chinese Water Torture in order to be a tester…  No, seriously – you don’t!  I love working with testers of all skill levels, as many other designers do.  In fact, it is often very helpful to have beginners as testers, because we want to make sure our beginner level patterns are clear and understandable.  And that’s a perspective that advanced knitters and crocheters often lose as they build their skills.  And speaking of building skills, working as a pattern tester is a fantastic way to do that very thing!

So you see, you can be a very valuable asset whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced yarnie!

What’s expected of you as a tester:

1. If you sign up for a test, you must commit to completing it on time.  If you’re not sure you can meet the deadline, you shouldn’t sign up to test.
2. Be honest about your experience level.  As I mentioned above, all levels are welcome, but knowing your skills helps me to know which patterns are more suitable for you.  It also helps me know how I might be able to tutor you on if you are wanting to learn a knew skill.
3. You should consider this real work, even though you won’t be paid in cash money.  Compensation comes in the form of free patterns, tester-specific discounts, and free educational opportunities.  Of course we have a lot of fun too, but I depend on my testers to be focused and dedicated so that my designing reputation can continue to shine.  In addition, you will be building your own reputation in the yarn industry!  A solid relationship with one designer can open many more doors for you to test for others as well 🙂
4. You don’t have to be a professional photographer either 🙂  Cell phones, point & click cameras, and fancy schmancy cameras are all just fine! All I ask is that your photos use natural light whenever possible and are free of cluttery backgrounds.

Of course there is a bit more of the “fine print”, but it’s nothing too drastic 🙂

If you love yarn, and want to join my tester team, please visit the Pattern Testers section of my blog and click the link to fill out the application!