Pattern Testing
Patterns I've tested for designers.
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Pattern Testing the English Garden Reading Socks
Fall 2018 was full of sock test knits for Nicole of Woolfield Studio. First there were the Shag Carpet Shorties, then these English Garden Reading socks, and then the Vanilla Spice socks. The English Garden Reading socks and Vanilla Spice socks were even tested at the same time! I’m so lucky she lets me test so many of her patterns! Of all the socks I have ever knit, the English Garden Reading socks are my favourite. This may be a little surprising since I finished my first one in November and the second one last night (June). As I’ve said recently on Instagram, I’m apparently easily distracted. I am not…
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Pattern Testing the Tulip Tank
I was keeping a very close eye out for the pattern test call for this top from Morthunder. I fell in love as soon as I laid eyes on it the first time Morgan posted it. When the call came it was going to be a 5 DAY test! As there are no sleeves of course, it seemed doable so I committed. Shortly after starting the test was extended, though I did still manage to knit it within the original deadline! This pattern doesn’t have sizes, but rather uses your own gauge with whatever yarn you’re using for your tank, plus your body’s measurements to determine your stitch counts. This…
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Pattern Testing the Fairy Dust Socks
It had been feeling like forever since I’d tested for Nicole of Woolfield Studio. I was actually thinking that when I was watching my Instagram stories and saw that she had a testing call for a new sock design! I applied immediately to test the Fairy Dust Socks and started thinking about which yarn I would use. I was pretty sure I was going to use my skein of Angel Aura from Songbyrdy, but then that pile of yarn sitting on a table in my living room kept staring at me. Particularly the skeins of Plume from The Wool Baron. Just to be sure, I put a poll in my…
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Pattern Testing the Easy Eyelet Yoke Sweater
After mostly working with acrylic yarn for 2 months, and all those projects being knit flat, it was an absolute DREAM to be working with the mostly natural fibers of Lion Brand Chainette (affiliate link)and in the round for this sweater. And the Easy Eyelet Yoke sweater is SO pretty! You know how I can tell it’s really pretty? Some of the wip pictures I took are my 2 most liked pictures on Instagram. So what’s a yoke sweater? It’s a top down sweater that increases evenly the whole way around rather than in specific places like a raglan. That’s how you get this classic, perfectly round picture. If you’ve…
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Pattern Testing the Amethyst Grace Cardigan
This is probably Laura of White Willow Wearables‘ best pattern to date! I was a little on the fence about applying to test knit this cardigan because I had A LOT of other projects on the go. But, it had a really long testing period, so I figured I could manage – this can be an important feature when you’re looking for test knitters. The other thing I needed to consider was my repeated proclamation that I was going on a yarn diet. Testing would definitely mean I would have to buy yarn. I mean look at this thing, that’s a lot of yarn! But I went to Michael’s and…
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Testing the Vanilla Spice Socks
I did this test knit way back in November, but as I just finished the test sock’s mate, I didn’t feel right writing about it until now! You’ve probably noticed already that I’ve tested a few of Nicole of Woolfield.Studio‘s patterns. She is an amazing designer, especially for socks, and before she even started designing them, she inspired me to try knitting socks again. When the call for testers came out I was already testing her English Garden Reading Socks (which still need the 2nd sock done…), and another sock for a different designer. I had also ordered yarn for Knitatude’s Big Catch Sweater which was open for testing. So…
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Pattern Testing the Shag Carpet Shorties
These are my favourite socks! This may be a little premature as I see a number of socks in my near future, but still, I love them! When Nicole of Woolfield.Studio asked if anyone wanted to test these beauties I replied within a minute! Especially since I had just bought a skein of DK that would be perfect – not too varigated or multi-coloured to take away from the gorgeous cables. And using the skein right away meant it didn’t stay in my stash too long and get celebrity status so I became to scared to use it. Now regarding the socks: first of all, DK weight socks knit up FAST.…
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Pattern Testing the Marea Cardigan
This was a BIG project for me. Pattern testing is always a good way to try something new – and to give you a kick in the pants to try something you’ve been wanting to do, like making a fingering weight sweater. Enter the Marea Cardigan. I saw this cardigan in Emily’s (The Blue Mouse) stories months ago as she was working on it. And I kept a close eye on her feed for the pattern to come out, but then she needed testers for it! I had to decide if I was going to be able to get it done in time, but since there were still spots available…
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Why I Like to Pattern Test
You may have noticed that I do a lot of pattern tests. I did a quick check, and of the 12 patterns I’ve posted about on my Instagram account since I started it in June, 5 have been pattern tests. I was actually surprised that number wasn’t higher. I have even done 2 tests at once if you go back in time on my personal, less knitting-related Instagram account, having finished 12 with the 13th on my needles right now. The first time I ever pattern tested I was asked to. I felt so honoured! It was Chantal of Knitatude’s 2nd ever pattern and I’d only met her about a month…
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Pattern Testing the Lancet Beanie
It’s been awhile since I’ve made a toque. FYI: A toque is a winter hat in Canada, and I have a hard time using the word beanie. It conjures images of a very different kind of hat, one with a propeller on top. Anyway, while it may seem weird to make winter items like a hat in the summer, it’s actually a great idea since, like socks, they’re fairly small so don’t turn into a blanket as you knit. You’ve seen the pictures, so you can see why I wanted to test this pattern. The cable design is beautifully laid out and I always find it impressive when there are decreases with…
