Testing for RBH

A cake of variegated pink, teal, and peach yarn rests on the arm of a grey Adirondack chair. Slightly out of focus beside it is a handmade purple mug, and to the left (also out of focus) is the start of a knitted WIP in light grey and the variegated…

Thanks for your interest in test knitting for Remade By Hand! Test knitters are a vital link in the pattern creation process, and I’m so grateful for your work and contributions.

I post tons of test-specific information along with each call, including all relevant pattern details (yarn requirements, test timeline, images, etc.). But there are a few general things I’ll share here.

I announce test knitting opportunities by email as well as on Instagram and Ravelry (check the group boards). If you want a direct notification for each test call, go with email. If I need test knitters for a secret pattern, I’ll use email exclusively.

The number of testers I ultimately select for a particular group depends primarily on how hectic my life is at the time, as the larger the test, the more work it is for me. When I can, I like to accept lots of applicants! I just can’t always manage to run a smooth test with a big group.

Tests are not first come, first served. Instead, I leave the call open for a day or two (as specified in each call), and anyone interested may apply. When the test closes, I go through applicants and compile a final list of testers (based on the info below), whom I then earburn in the testing thread. I ask testers to reply back to me indicating whether they’re still interested and available before sending over the pattern, worksheet, etc.

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being selected:

1. First, make sure your application post includes all the information I ask for. This usually includes (but may not be limited to) the yarn you’d like to use (photos or links) and your instruction preference (written, charted, or either - only if you truly do not have a preference!). The information I’d like from each applicant is always listed at the bottom of the testing call post.

2. Have some finished projects (with photos) on Instagram or your Ravelry profile. It’s hard for me to see what kind of projects you like, the work you do, whether you update the project page after you’ve finished a WIP, etc. if you don’t have any projects listed when I click through to your profile.

3. Similar to #2, if you use Ravelry or another project-tracking site, fill out the information in your project pages. Rate the pattern, link to the pattern and your yarn, add your notes, take some FO photos (even if you aren’t a great photographer!). All of this helps me if you do it for my pattern, and it helps future knitters who will make the pattern after it’s released. Since your project page will ultimately be linked to the final pattern on Ravelry, I like knowing you see your Ravelry project pages through to completion. That being said! If you don’t use Ravelry, please just let me know. It will not count against you.

4. Tell me what else I should know! Have you tested for other designers? Are you super active on Instagram? Are you bilingual? Do you teach at a LYS or have some editing experience? Would you like to try modifying an aspect of the pattern (size, color placement or scheme, etc)? Are you new to lace but really want to learn? I love having variety in my testing groups, and I love having people try out modifications, so don’t be afraid to tell me these kinds of things.

5. Finally, if you are selected and hope to test for RBH again, do your best to complete the current test and to provide real feedback. That’s the most reliable way to be selected for future tests.

As far as what I look for when selecting testers:

  • First and foremost, I look for the things listed above. Yes, I take the time to look at each applicant!

  • I prefer to have variety. I always want different instruction styles tested, and I like having a range of skill levels and color choices. I will tweak the group to achieve that.

  • I give preference to natural fibers (wool, silk, etc.) over acrylic, especially for lace-heavy patterns, simply due to significant differences in blocking results. That being said, I don’t prioritize indie-dyed yarns; testers use yarns from companies like Cascade and Knit Picks all the time.

  • I do give preference to return testers who have successfully completed tests for me in the past. (That means they finished the knit and project page—including photos, notes, and ratings—completed the end-of-test survey on time, and linked their project page to the pattern on Ravelry—or else explained to me why they had to drop out of the test as soon as they knew they would need to.) However, having tested for me before is not an absolute guarantee of being picked for every test, and I always include new faces in the group.

  • When the choice comes down to two very similar applicants, things like photo quality do start to figure into the equation, but it’s not my top priority.

I always hope that testers go into a test planning to complete it. However, I certainly understand that situations arise that can keep you from completing a test. That’s ok -- we all have lives outside of knitting! Please do let me know ASAP if you won’t be able to make the agreed-upon deadline.

If you aren’t selected for a particular test, please don’t take it personally or assume you’ll never be picked. Most likely it just didn’t work out this time around!