Hawari Bazaar Test Team

What is a test knitter?

You've probably come across this term a hundred times while scrolling through your favorite designers on Instagram, but what does it mean?

In short, test knitters are lovely individuals, like yourself, who volunteer to beta test upcoming patterns. Testers will receive a rough version of the pattern, and knit up a sample while checking for discrepancies, typos, math, comprehension issues, etc.

Why are testers needed?

Test knitters are needed and appreciated for a few reasons:

1. They help provide feedback on pattern comprehensibility, ease and general flow of the pattern. 
2. Testers are able to catch any stray errors that may have been overlooked by the designer or tech-editor.
3. Testers also help the designer determine yardage usage.
4. Samples! It's always wonderful to have a plethora of knitted samples of any project, in varying colorways and combinations, sizes, etc to show to their audience.

4 things expected of a Hawari Bazaar test knitter:

• Excellent communication skills
• An eye for detail and precision
• Ability to make a project deadline
• Great photography skills

Communication is key. 

The purpose of a test knitter is to be able to work through a pattern to achieve the design intended by the designer. Testers are the last line of defense, and are expected to keep in regular touch with the designer, informing them of any confusion or errors that they may come across while working the pattern. 

Letting the designer know of any potential errors or issues as they arise is essential, allowing the designer to make the changes early on. 

Attention to detail and precision!

Focusing on the little details are important when testing a pattern. Is your colorwork puckering? Did you complete the correct number of rounds? Are you meeting the correct dimensions as specified in the pattern? Did you meet gauge? Ah... gauge.

Which brings me to the not-always-pretty side of testing... 

Do I have to knit a gauge swatch?

Honestly, yes. By taking on the mantle of test knitter, you are not just receiving a free pattern, but making a promise to provide accurate feedback to the designer. Knitting a gauge swatch may seem like tedious work, but it is crucial to be able to match the gauge specified in the pattern.

Plus, it saves on frogging!

Speaking of frogging, another difficult but necessary requirement of testing, if any issues arise, or if changes are  made to the pattern, ripping back and re-knitting is crucial to completing a test knit. I know this sounds awful, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. Hawari Bazaar patterns  are normally professionally tech-edited prior to the test call, but unfortunately, errors can slip past us.

Making that deadline.

I know how it is. We all get excited and ambitious. We want to make it all, but sometimes time just isn't on our side. for both yours and the designer's sanity, it is really important to be honest about whether or not you can make the scheduled deadline. Overwhelming yourself leads to a stressed mind, and a rushed project, and the goal is to make the test knit an enjoyable experience, and the FO a loved one!

If you find that you are spreading yourself too thin, or have had a sudden change in schedule, letting the designer know right away is crucial. 

Last, but definitely not least, photography.

Time to show the world your gorgeous new FO!

Designers and prospective knitters, love seeing projects knit up in various color combinations, sizes, on different body types, etc. Clever, well lit photographs are always greatly appreciated and super important to showing off the pattern. 

Great photos may even make it as a featured photo on Hawari Bazaar's Instagram feed or stories, project pages, and more!

How do I select my test knitters?

When selecting a new test knitter to join the fold, I tend to check for a few things:

1. An authentic, active Instagram account. Private accounts will not be chosen for test knits at this time.
2. Photography skills. Clear, complimentary photography skills are important when testing a pattern to accurately show off the knitwear. Aesthetically pleasing, staged or posed photos are a definite bonus! Everybody loves a good photo, no?
3. The knitter's mindset. Are you detail-oriented? Precise? Basically, are you able to follow the instructions, rip back when needed, keep in communication and make the deadline?

New to knitting? No problem! Your knitting age is of no issue when selecting a test knitter. It is important for a designer to know what skill levels are required to knit their patterns.

It is important here at Hawari Bazaar to be fully inclusive, and accept testers of all ages, sizes, ethnicities, genders, etc.

You've been selected to test knit, what happens next?

Congrats on being selected to test knit a Hawari Bazaar Design!

Once confirmed, an email will be sent out containing the PDF pattern, along with any general information regarding expectations, deadlines, etc.  A group discussion board will also be created for keeping in touch with myself and fellow test knitters. 

Yarn and Finished Objects

In your welcome email, a discount code for Hawari Bazaar yarn will be included for any tester who would like to use HB yarn for their sample. However, testers are not required to use HB yarn and can use any yarn from their stash.

All samples knitted by testers are theirs to keep.

Once the pattern is live, the finalized PDF and other fun goodies will be sent to all testers who complete their samples.

And that's it! 

If you'd like to join the Hawari Bazaar team, click here, or the button on the right to apply to be a test knitter!