Pattern Testing and Design

Knitters love to try new designs.  When we want to offer those designs to others, however, it is good to have several knitters test a pattern.  I may create something on the fly and make a few notes so I can reproduce the item in the future; Those notes are not enough for someone else to knit the design.

I enjoy testing patterns for designers.  My latest tests were of some slouch hats by Tracie Taggart, aka PETALKNITS. You can buy her patterns on Ravelry.  Shown here is the Madilyn Slouch:

It has a simple, pretty lace pattern around the hem and is quick to knit.  Her many designs include garments for infants, children, and adults.

Testers use the instructions supplied by the designer and follow guidelines for yarn, needles/gauge, etc.  They then offer feedback about errors or ambiguities in the instructions and whether they were able to achieve the proper gauge/finished measurements.  Testers are an important part of the design process, just as proofreaders and editors are for writers.

Links to check out:

PETALKNITS on etsy

FiberFrau on etsy

Winter Scarf Knitting: Playing with Color

Those who have read my post on the Blue Variant of the Doctor Who scarf  might be interested to know there are enthusiastic scarf knitters creating variants of the famous time lord's scarves all the time.  On the Facebook group Stitches in Time one member has created variants based on the Hogwarts house colors from Harry Potter.  When I saw the black and yellow/gold variant for Hufflepuff, I knew I had to knit one.  Purdue (my alma mater) is having an excellent basketball season and I want a new scarf that celebrates their colors.  

Of course, buying the yarn is half the fun:

I encourage those of you on Facebook to visit the Stitches in Time group and join. You don't need to be a Doctor Who fan--just an enthusiastic crafter! Almost every day someone posts a completed scarf picture, a question, or a tutorial.  Always be learning!  And always have fun!

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