How to Be a Test Knitter or Crocheter
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a test knitter/ crocheter or tech editor? Today’s podcast is chock full of valuable information on how to get into this industry and make money doing what you love!
- A good place to start is to join one of several groups on Ravelry. The Testing Pool is a great place to learn the ropes and get your name out there; we also love the Designers Group, Professional Crochet Designers Group, Indie Pattern Designers Group and Tech Editors on Yahoo! Groups. All of these forums are great for asking questions and letting people know you are available to work.
- Be proactive! If there is a designer that you truly love, reach out to them and tell them that you are interested in test knitting/ crocheting or tech editing for them. Be prepared to show them photos of your work — if you want to test knit socks, show photos of socks you have completed! Same goes for lace work, cables, anything!
- Communication is key! Stay in touch with your designer as you work through their pattern and ask them questions, share your concerns, possible mistakes, alternative techniques, anything! Your digital camera is your best friend.
- Time Management is hugely important — stay on top of your deadlines and communicate to your designer if you think you will be late on a deadline. DON’T accept a job if you can’t make the deadline.
- Be honest about your experience level. This helps your designer send you projects that are in line with your ability level and may even give you opportunities to learn something new!
- This is truly work! It’s very different from your casual knitting or crochet projects that you work on in front of the television. Please remember that you are doing this as a job — your designer has a reputation to uphold and you are creating a name for yourself in an intimate industry.
Special thanks to Gwen and Rohn for sharing their thoughts today! You can find more information on Gwen through her website, and Rohn can be found on his own website.
- Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/ review on iTunes to let others know about it!
- Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid!
- Find out more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird
- This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns and Bijou Basin Ranch.
Categories: Uncategorized
I just listened to your podcast on being a contract crocheter. I’m a left handed crocheter, and have been crocheting since I was 6 or 7 years old. I’m 54 now. I own a small craft shop in Risdgewood, Queens, NY. I have a few designs on Ravelry and am looking to expand as a designer. I have been doing some contract crochet for Karen Ratto-Whooley and for Pam Daley. I consider myself to be an advanced crocheter and am always doing special orders in crochet for customers at my shop. Let me know if I can answer any questions about techniques or stitches I know. I always get projects completed by the deadline, and communicate regularly about any questions or concerns about a project. I’m pretty good at math, although I don’t know how to do grading for sizes- I do want to learn this skill though. I have crocheted pretty much everything from potholders to bedspreads ; I prefer to work in yarn- Not a fan of fine thread. Let me know what I need to do to apply to do contract work for you.
Thank you
This was a terrific episode! Thanks so much for thinking of it and putting it all together.
I have been crocheting and knitting for 27 years. With crocheting, my specialty is working with crochet cotton. I started out making doilies. I still make doilies, I really like making the more challenging doilies. Some of the items that I have made would be doilies, Christmas ornaments, garlands, shawls, sweaters, pot holders, angels, baby cocoons, hats, scarves. I would really like to be a tester for crocheting or knitting. Please let me know if I can be a tester for you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you
I have been crocheting since I was 10 years old and I just turned 50. And enjoying crocheting as relaxation. Please let me know how to become tester for you. I will look forward from hearing from you.
Hello,
I have been crocheting since I was 14 and knitting since I was 12 years old. I just turned 56 years old July 1st and still enjoy knitting & crocheting as a way to relax my nerves after a stressful day at work. I have made lots of things. Sweaters, afghans, baby clothes & blankets. I also love knitting socks as well. I have also made several of the poplar Zen jackets for several of my co- workers. Please consider me for test knitting and/or crocheting products for you.
Thank You.
Im just a beginner…but some would consider me an advanced beginner because ive worked with many decorative stiches and even rounds and lace and made my own patrerns up. But still some patterns just befuddle me. So i sit and stare at the photo of the finished project and sometimes and make up my own pattern. I would love to be a test crocheter because i would love to work with a variety of premium yarns ive never tried but im scared to splurge sometimes on yarn like that cause im not fully sure how my projects will turn out. I really do love figuring out how to make it without the pattern but sometimes its such a waste of yarn!