Test and Sample Knitting for KNITSONIK

Are you interested in Test Knitting or Sample Knitting for KNITSONIK?

Myself and my good friend and fellow knitwear designer Jeanette Sloan have put our heads together recently to produce some resources for prospective test and sample knitters. If this is you, please read on.

Resources include:

At their best, partnerships between sample and test knitters and knitwear designers can be mutually fulfilling – and also fun! – arrangements. 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, by participating in a test and sample knit process, you get to be more involved with the creative ideas, buzz and excitement of new design releases – plus you get to make new designs before anyone else. Sample knitters are also paid, the rates for which are given below.

The information below explains all aspects of test and sample knitting for KNITSONIK so if you have any questions, hopefully they will be answered there. 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 KNITSONIK, please email knitsonik@outlook.com. I am trying to be as transparent and clear as possible for the avoidance of time-wasting or confusion, but this does make for a slightly wordy read. Thanks for taking the time to read this and – especially – thank you to Jeanette for helping to devise a clear and professional structure for managing test and sample knits.

Jeanette grinning on the left and Felix grinning on the right - photographed at Unravel 2020

Test and Sample Knitting

What’s the difference between test knitting and sample knitting?

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 the designer’s Ravelry Pattern Store or online shop.

Sample knitters knit a project from pattern instructions that have been tech edited but 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.

Rate 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 £GB Pound. For instance Payment for knitting a pair of stranded colourwork mitts that take 340m of yarn would be £41. (340 x .12 = 40.8, round up to £41).

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

Expectations
We will never enter into an agreement without first checking that 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 finish projects to a professional standard which 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
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, it would be super supportive and helpful for you to share images using any specific hashtags or copy created for the project, but please: no sharing before the design has officially been released. At all times, your discretion as a sample or test knitter is really important.

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 the designer’s 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 the designer’s Ravelry Pattern Store or online shop.

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

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 that 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.

Thank you for your input!