Saturday, October 23, 2010

Testing.

Have I told you that I'm doing a bit of knitting pattern testing?

It seems like not very long ago that I popped into Georgie's blog and saw all the gorgeous patterns she was designing and decided then and there that I had to learn to knit.

Fast forward a few months and I have knitted five pieces using Georgie's patterns and now I am one of the testers testing her latest pattern that will be added to her range next month.

It is such an exciting feeling receiving a pattern that so few people have seen before, to start knitting knowing that soon people all over the world will be knitting these same stitches and to watch this new garment coming together before my eyes. And it is such fun to be included in all the chit chat that goes on in the secret pattern testing website, (did you even know such a thing existed?)

But I have struggled with this responsibility too. I did three gauge squares before I was certain I was knitting the right tension, I have counted each stitch waaaaaaaaaaay too many times and I am overly aware of how much yarn I am using and making sure that I follow the pattern exactly.

I know that there are quite a few other testers testing this same pattern, I know that I have knitted her patterns successfully before and I know that the fact that I am a beginner knitter is probably why Georgie chose me to test but still I want it to be perfect and I am taking this responsibility so seriously.

So far my stitch count has differed from the pattern once and after undoing it and reknitting it and getting the same count again, I checked the testing site to find that it had already been corrected.

Let's hope it is all smooth sailing/knitting from here and that the pattern will be released really soon for you to knit and enjoy as it sure is a gorgeous one.

I hope you have a really happy weekend.
When Miss Pepper wakes up from her nap, her and Jazzy and I are going to catch the train to Melbourne to meet Bren and Indi.
See ya! XX

21 comments:

  1. How exciting, can't wait to see the end result!
    I did pattern testing for a couple of sewing patterns before and you're right, it is very exciting and interesting to be a part of. Also a big responsibility, I remember reading every word at least twice and wanted everything to be perfect. It's hard to know when it's your issue or the patterns. Best of luck and I know it will turn out great!

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  2. A secret pattern testers website ... the world of yarn craft continues to amaze me!! Have a fun train ride to Melbourne!! x

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  3. What fun (and waht pressure) I am a hopeless pattern tester as I tend to skim over things. :p And having to do tension test squares? Might improve my bad habits lol.

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  4. i just can't get my head around knitting. maybe one day. being a pattern tester is a bit exciting. enjoy your weekend.

    x

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  5. I really dont know how you do this.

    Have a fun time on the train, x

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  6. WOW!! Awesome news Kate!! so exciting to be working on a brand new garment before it goes "LIVE" well done mate!

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  7. Isnt test knitting exciting, and yes a huge responsibility. I have just joined up with Tikki's kal so it should be fun. Cant wait to see what pattern you are doing.

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  8. Congratualtions! How special to be doing this not long after you learned the basic skill. I am sure the worry over tension will lesson with each review. Enjoy your train ride with the littlie. Cherrie

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  9. Learning knitting to pattern testing in one year! You are terribly clever!

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  10. She does have gorgeous patterns, I can see why one would be inspired to learn to knit. It's very impressive of you to go so fast from learning to knit to testing. Good luck with the rest of it.

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  11. That must be exciting! Well done and have fun, the train might even be the perfect place to knit!:)x

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  12. I couldn't think of a more suitable pattern tester myself.
    How exciting Kate, must be wonderful getting something before it is "out there" xo

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  13. It's all a bit 'cloak n dagger' when your a 'pattern tester' hey! Hope it all goes well Kate. How have you (all) been? P xo

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  14. kate that is what i would call a meteoric rise to knitting fame, you clever lassie. from emergent knitter to secret service knitting agent. you go girl. you are a craty goddess

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  15. thanks for the link over to tiKKi, I love the bloom pattern and can only imagine how gorgeous this test knit you are doing is, my goodness how exciting.

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  16. Do you have secret hours in your day that no one else has?

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  17. wow - you are very brave. but also very clever :)
    l
    x

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  18. :) well done you - I am about to cast on the same little marvel:)

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  19. aww, you're doing a marvelous job, Kate!

    xx

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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