Interested in Test Knitting or Sample Knitting one of my designs?

Well, I’ve collaborated with my good friend, the lovely Felix Ford aka Knitsonik. As self employed indie designers we’re often forced to wear many different hats in the course of running our small businesses. That means doing all the social media as well as being accountant, knitwear designer, graphic designer, photographer, stylist and sample / test knitter. But, much as I enjoy sample knitting because it allows me to really connect with a design, with the best will in the world, I can’t knit everything. 

This is where you might come in…. 

Felix and I have produced some resources for prospective test and sample knitters. Could this be you? If so the resources are listed below;

 

The partnerships between sample and / or test knitters and knitwear designers should be mutually fulfilling arrangements, they should also be fun! Both test and sample knitters feed the creativity of designers, and improve the clarity and helpfulness of pattern instructions by bringing in new knitterly skills and perspectives. In turn, participating in a test or sample knit process means you get to be more involved with the creative ideas and excitement of new design releases – AND you get to make new designs before anyone else. You’ll find information on Rates of Payment further down this page. 

The information given here explains all aspects of test and sample knitting for Jeanette Sloan so if you have any questions, hopefully they will be answered here. The application form has been carefully designed to get the best matches between designer and test or sample knitter for everybody’s benefit. If you have any concerns or questions about sample or test knitting for Jeanette Sloan, please email me here. 

Felix and I have done our best to make this information as clear as possible for the avoidance of time-wasting or confusion. It's a long read but worth it if you're thinking of signing up for this test / sample knitting pool. 

Sample part knitted in yellow and red wool on a blue circular knittiing needle lying on white background.

Test knitting and sample knitting - what's the difference?

Test knitters use your own yarn to make a project from pattern instructions that have been tech-edited but are yet to be published. The test knitting process is designed to flag up any issues with the instructions in terms of language and usability. At the end of the process, test-knitters receive credit in the pattern for test knitting, a fully tech-edited and formatted PDF of the final pattern, and another pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Pattern Store or online shop.

Sample knitters knit a project from pattern instructions that may not have been tech edited and aren’t yet published. Unlike test knitting, the yarn is supplied by the designer and is the same as that described in the pattern. The sample knitting process is designed to produce a finished example of the project that will be returned to the designer for use as a ‘worked model’ in photography and for promotional purposes. A finished sample is defined as one that has been blocked, pressed/steamed and sewn together (where appropriate) with all ends neatly woven in. Any finishing to be done by the designer rather than the knitter will be agreed upon before the start of the process. As with test knitting, sample knitters are asked to flag up any issues you may encounter within the instructions in terms of language and usability.

At the end of the process, sample knitters receive financial payment as agreed in our contract (see example contract here), a fully tech-edited and formatted PDF of the final pattern plus credit for knitting the sample.

Rates of Payment & Expectations

Rates of Payment

The fee for sample knitting is estimated based on the meterage of yarn used in the design and is calculated at 12p per metre of yarn used. The designer will use swatches and pattern-maths to round up payment for the work to the nearest whole £ GBP Sterling. For instance payment for knitting a lace shawl that takes 870m of yarn would be £105 (870 x .12 = 104.4, rounded up to £105).

A signed agreement sets everything out in writing for mutual clarity and the benefit of both the designer and the sample knitter.

Expectations

Before entering into an agreement I’d ask that you first check the requirements / timescale / skill level are a good match for your experience level / availability / skillset. That said, you’ll need to be a competent and self-sufficient knitter with an intermediate to advanced level of knitting knowledge and experience of knitting from written patterns and charts. You’ll also need to be able to work to a mutually agreed timescale and finish projects to a professional standard so they will look good in photos. It would be really helpful to see examples of work you’ve previously made.

As both test and sample knits are time-sensitive please always commit to completing the test / sample knit in the timescale given at the start of the process. If you are in any doubt that you can complete the knitting in time, please do not sign up.

All test/sample knits will be managed via the Slack platform which you’ll need to know how to use, and it would also be helpful – but is absolutely not essential – for you to have a Ravelry account.

Yarn & Materials

For Test Knitting 

Test knitters agree to supply their own yarn which should match the weight and gauge of that used in the pattern. Before test knits begin, please share which yarn you’ll be using. At the end of the test knitting process, the finished item will be yours to keep.

For Sample Knitting

Yarn will be provided for sample knitting and you’ll need to keep all ball bands / labels. At the end of the sample knitting process, the finished item should be returned to the designer along with all ball bands / labels and any unused yarn using a mutually agreed postal service or courier. Sample knitters will be paid a previously agreed fee for the finished sample and also reimbursed for any postal / shipping costs incurred.

Communication

During both test knitting and sample knitting processes, all knitters agree to keep the designer informed of all progress with regular photographs and updates on Slack. Please alert the designer of any pattern issues such as missing / incorrect stitch counts or typos. Please also direct queries or feedback about the pattern via Slack and not via Instagram, Ravelry or email.

 

Photos and Discretion: Timing is Everything

While in-progress pictures of both test and sample knits are essential for tracking progress, please do not share them on any social media platform until the designer says it’s ok to do so! At that point, I’ll ask you to share images using any specific hashtags or copy created for the project, but please: do not no share any progress pictures before the design has officially been released. At all times, your discretion as a sample or test knitter is really important, supportive and helpful.

 

What happens at the end of the process?

For Test Knitters

Each knitter informs the designer of the total meterage / yardage used for the project. All knitters with Ravelry profiles should create a project page for their test knit. Once the pattern has been finalised, test knitters receive a free copy of the final pattern instructions in PDF format as well as an additional pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Pattern Store or online shop.

For Sample Knitters

Each knitter informs the designer of the total meterage / yardage used for the project and return the finished sample to the designer along with all ball bands / labels and all unused yarn. All knitters with Ravelry profiles should create a project page for their sample knit.

Once the sample has been received by the designer and it’s been mutually agreed that it has been finalised, each sample knitter will receive a free copy of the final pattern instructions in PDF format as well as an additional pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Pattern Store or online shop.

What you can expect from me if you sign up to test or sample knit for Jeanette Sloan?

I will always be polite and timely when responding to queries and as clear and helpful as possible in all communications with everyone. I will provide instructions that have already been tech edited and will, as far as my own resources allow, make adjustments to instructions to ensure they are accessible to all. This may mean providing the instructions in a larger typeface or supplying charts in black and white as well as in colour. In the case of some Sample Knits it may be necessary to provide instructions that haven't been tech edited. In such cases I will make you aware of this at the outset.

I recognise and celebrate the skills other knitters bring to the table, and your questions and feedback on my instructions and on the knitting process will help to ensure what I produce is of the best possible quality. I will always manage test and sample knits in line with this – listening respectfully to feedback and giving credit and acknowledgement wherever it is due. Thanks in advance for your input!