How to Become a Test Knitter or Run a Test Knit Yourself

When you get more familiar with the world of knitting, eventually you’re probably gonna come across phrases like “test knits” and “test knitting.”

It may seem obvious what these words mean, but you may still wonder how to participate in these tests or why people do them in the first place.

As a knitwear designer, you may want to know what information to request and what to be cautious about when searching for test knitters.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What test knitting is and why it’s important
• Common issues found during test knits
• What it means to be a test knitter
• Why people test knit
• Do test knitters get paid?
• Other ways to reward test knitters
• How to become a test knitter
• Where to find test knits
• How to run a test knit as a designer
• Test knitting should be fun

What is test knitting, and why is it important?

Test knitting is a process in which knitters receive an unpublished pattern from the designer to test the instructions, complete the project before the due date, identify any errors, and provide helpful feedback. It’s an essential part of knitting designers' processes, as it helps them improve the pattern and ensure it’s easy to understand for knitters with the recommended level of experience. 

Sometimes, what seems clear to the knitwear designer can be confusing to others, as we often create mental shortcuts and skip over things that, to us, may seem obvious.

Most common knitting pattern mistakes

Some of the most common examples of errors uncovered by pattern testing are:

• Missing instructions. For example, a designer may include instructions to increase stitches, but doesn’t specify where exactly you should do it.
• Missing abbreviations in the stitch glossary. Even the most common abbreviations like “st” (stitch) or “RS” (right side) should be included.
• Not including stitch counts after a round of increases or decreases. This prevents the knitter from being able to check whether they have the correct number of stitches.
• Not using parentheses and other punctuation marks consistently throughout the pattern. This can become particularly confusing when complicated stitch patterns and multiple sizes are involved.
• Inconsistent use of knitting abbreviations. You may notice that the pattern has “bobble” spelled out once, but abbreviated elsewhere. Sometimes, there's a reason for this.
• Sizing issues. Body measurements don’t increase all at the same rate. That’s why it’s very important for designers to understand the differences in sizes when grading a pattern.

What does it mean to be a test knitter?

A test knitter collaborates with the knitting designer to refine a pattern before it is published. You could also test for knitting magazines, books, or other types of publications. So, what are your responsibilities as a test knitter? Find the most common ones below:

• Read all the conditions of the test and sign up only if you agree with them. It’s also essential that you don’t overestimate your capabilities so that you don’t sign up for a project that’s beyond your skills.
• Start your project on time and pick an appropriate yarn. When test knitters order yarn for their project, it’s important that they pay attention to the shipping and availability of the item. Ordering a back-ordered yarn might not be the best idea in this situation.
• Ensure you match the required knitting gauge; if not, troubleshoot with the designer. This has happened to my test knitters several times, as gauge can be quite tricky, depending on your knitting style. Sometimes it’s almost impossible to match the designer’s knitting gauge exactly. Slight differences in gauge may be less noticeable with oversized items.
• Help identify potential mistakes and ambiguities in the pattern and notify the designer clearly and concisely. Good test knitters ask questions but also respect the designer’s time and availability. It’s always good to try to stay positive and curious. Sometimes what seems like a mistake in the pattern can be a miscalculation on the test knitter’s side. Sometimes, the designer may struggle to understand the error you're pointing out.
• Note down your feedback, which you used, and whether you made any modifications to the pattern. Even if you think you’ll remember it, it’s always good to note down what could be improved or which needles and other knitting accessories you used.
• Complete the project before the due date and provide what was agreed upon when you signed up (e.g., photography of the finished project, creating a project on Ravelry).

Experienced test knitters are reliable, pay attention to details (like missing abbreviations), and give feedback that’s constructive and helpful. They are eager to learn what they do not yet know, and sometimes they even step in and try to help others.

Notably, a knitting test doesn’t end with the test knitter finishing their project. What follows is also important; for example, adding a link from the project page to the published pattern, providing good-quality photographs of the finished object, or rating the pattern's difficulty. Adding this information online can help the designer establish the credibility of the pattern upon its release.

Why do people test knit?

People generally enjoy test knitting because it allows them to receive a knitting pattern for free. With the ever-growing number of knit tests available online, knitters are now more than ever able to pick a design they genuinely like. Other benefits of test knitting may include:

• Being one of the first people to knit a completely new design.
• Being a part of a group of knitters with a common goal, often communicating together, and perhaps even making new friends.
• Free copy of the final knitting pattern. Receiving the final, published version of the knitting pattern for free.
• Help and support from the designer. Being able to communicate and ask questions directly to the designer.
• Increased motivation. Having a deadline can increase your motivation to finish a project that may otherwise have taken a lot longer (or would stay unfinished).
• Getting to know the knitting designer or publication and maybe building a relationship for the future (for example, you could end up having an agreement that the designer will notify you when there’s a new test knit).
• Receiving a financial compensation (less common).
• Yarn support for the project (less common).
• Discount for future purchases from the designer or a free pattern of their choice (slightly more common).

Do test knitters get paid?

Test knitters typically don’t receive payment for their assistance with a pattern. Designers often reward test knitters with the final pattern and other types of compensation. It's more of an exception that test knitters get paid for their services on an hourly basis or based on yardage used, for example, 15 – 30 cents per yard. However, the line gets very blurry between what is called a test knitting service vs. sample knitting. Sample knitting involves sending the finished object to the designer or a publication, which makes it very different from test knitting. 

According to The Penny Hoarder, Holly Priestley pays between $75 and $200 for knitting a sample; however, the site from which this information was obtained is no longer available. Another knitting designer, Jeanette Sloan, also offers financial compensation for sample knitting (based on yardage used), but not for test knits. She clearly differentiates between the two, ensuring that sample knitters understand they will need to send the finished knitting project to the designer for use in promotional photography. Test knitters get the benefit of the final pattern, a credit, and a free pattern of their choice from the designer’s store. Designer Woolly Wormhead says she pays an average of £35 per pattern (that is in total, with usually two test knitters involved).

It seems that it is less common to be paid for test knitting unless you’re a sample knitter. Even then, you are likely going to compete with other knitters to test the pattern that you like, as only some knitting designers can afford to have sample knitters. As a sample knitter, you will also have to give up the finished project.

Are there any other ways to reward test knitters?

There are more ways you can reward test knitters for their help other than financial compensation, for example, you could:

• Give them other pattern(s) of their choosing from your store (my personal favorite);
• Feature their projects on your social media and other channels. People love to be recognized for their work, and they will also appreciate being tagged and potentially gaining more followers. On Ravelry specifically, you can request to feature a photo from a test knitter’s project and show it on the pattern page. 
• Prioritize them in your next test. If they like your patterns and want to continue testing for you, give them a heads-up next time before anyone else.
• Give them credit in the final pattern.

How do you become a test knitter?

You can become a test knitter by applying to an open call held by a knitting designer or a publication. The designer then approves or rejects applicants, usually based on their experience and online presence. Sometimes there are too many applicants for the same size; in that case, you might not make the cut even if you check off all the boxes.  

Where to look for new test knits

Some people look for test knitters throughout the year. You can typically find this information on the designer’s website or by searching for it on Google. Here is a list of the most common resources to find new knitting tests:

• Ravelry. Ravelry is probably the most well-known knitting site and a great resource to find knit tests. Designers on Ravelry either have their own discussion groups (like I do) where they publish test knits, or there are dedicated groups like the Testing Pool that are available for anyone to post in.
• Yarn Pond. Yarn Pond was founded relatively recently in 2018 and it requires knitting designers to pay a small fee to post knitting tests. This may be well worth it though as Yarn Pond offers more structure and options for both the designer and the test knitter. For example, the test knitter is able to get a positive rating which can make it easier for them to be accepted for another test.
  
• Newsletter. Designers usually notify their subscribers about an open call for test knitting. For example, I usually give a heads up to my newsletter subscribers first, and then I post on social media if I don’t have enough test knitters.
• Social media. Follow your favorite designers on Instagram (like me!) or Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest news, including test knitting opportunities. FatTestKnits is a wonderful account sharing size-inclusive test knitting opportunities.

How to run a test knit as a designer

To run a knitting test, you’ll need to put together the information that test knitters need to know before they sign up. This varies person by person, but usually, you may want to include the following information in a test knit call:

• Short description. Talk about the construction and anything notable about the pattern. You could also mention what inspired you or whether this pattern was created in collaboration with someone, like a yarn company or a publication.
• Photos of the finished item. Sometimes, designers hold a secret test knit where they show only a part or a sketch of a design they want you to test, but normally, you'd share photos of the finished item.
• Pattern difficulty. Choose whether you require beginner, intermediate or advanced knitting experience. Refer to the Yarn Council for guidance on rating project levels.
• Recommended skills. Discuss here whether test knitters need to know specific stitches or techniques to be eligible to sign up. Keep in mind that techniques can be learnt if the test knitter is willing.
• Recommended yarn and yardage. List the yarn used (name, yardage per one skein, type of yarn), how many skeins you need for each size, and yardage required to complete the project (in yds and meters).
• Project due date. When choosing the project due date, you should consider the type of project (a hat takes less time to make than a sweater), the difficulty of the stitch patterns involved (cable knitting is more time consuming than a garter stitch), the yarn weight used (pattern made with a heavier-weight yarn will take less time to make) and the sizes available (plus sizes will take longer to make). Also mention whether the due date is flexible.
• Sizes available and finished measurements. It’s good to include both the finished bust circumference measurements (in inches and centimeters) and the available sizes. You could also mention the pattern ease and fit (e.g., a pattern with negative ease is fitted vs. a pattern with a lot of positive ease is loose-fitted or oversized).
• Required knitting gauge. Explain how many stitches and rows knitters should have in a 4 by 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) knitting swatch. Don’t forget to mention which needles they should use for knitting the swatch. Include more than one gauge if needed.
• Knitting needles and other tools needed. Discuss which needle sizes are required and which type of needles test knitters should use (e.g., circular, double pointed). If circular, include a recommended length. Talk about whether notions like a tapestry needle or stitch markers are required to complete the project.
• What’s required from the test knitters. List what kind of feedback you’re looking for test knitters to provide. Also mention if you’d like them to create a project on Ravelry, share photos of the finished project, rate the pattern difficulty, and more.
• Any rewards or compensation. Discuss if test knitters get any compensation for finishing the project in time and fulfilling the conditions of the test, e.g., free final version of the pattern, discount to your store, or maybe a financial benefit.
• How to sign up. Explain how people can sign up for the test knitted, e.g., by sending you an email/DM, or by posting in a Ravelry group where everyone can see it.
• The desired number of test knitters. Typically, designers allow 2 test knitters per size. If you have 10 sizes, that means you will have 20 test knitters.

Test knitting should be a fun experience for the knitter

Knitting tests are not meant to be stressful; they are a fun way to knit the newest knitting designs and help make them clearer. You also become a part of a group of dedicated knitters with the same goal. Sharing project photos is an essential part of a knitting test, and in the past, my test knitters often interacted and encouraged each other in the process.

Sign up now to get notified of future knitting tests by subscribing to our newsletter, or visit my discussion group on Ravelry for any recent open calls. I also post them on Instagram.