Test Knitting FAQs

We periodically send test calls to our newsletter as part of my regular marketing emails. If you'd like to receive test calls, please subscribe to our newsletter.

We choose testers based on demonstration of knitting skill in their portfolios (provided through Instagram or Ravelry), and based on their ability to finish the test knit.

We do not require a public knitting Instagram (as long as we can find another location to view your knitting).

We prioritize testers who are a regular Ko-fi subscriber. We also try to accept a minimum amount of return testers to faciliate a smooth test process.

We do. We believe that representation of knitting patterns shown on a variety of bodies is important, and we will sometimes select testers to reflect that.

When we have a larger number of applicants, we take into consideration the overall test group to make sure that the overall test group is inclusive and reflective of the overall population, including knitters of color, knitters who are disabled, LGBTQIA+ knitters, and knitters of all sizes.

A number of our policies in this document have been developed to ensure an inclusive test experience, and they are noted throughout this FAQ.

Our patterns are tech edited before test, as well as formatted in its near-final formatting to ensure fidelity to the final pattern experience. This is also to facilitate a smooth knitting experience for testers so that the process is as easy and error free as possible.

We very rarely have numerical errors in the patterns during the test period, but they do occur. The bulk of what we are testing for is user experience and clarity.

Our pattern tests have a minimum of:

• 4 weeks for accessories
• 8 weeks for garments

AND

• 200 yards per week in the largest size

This can sometimes result in a timeline as long as 12-18 weeks, depending on the pattern.

This timeline policy was chosen to be inclusive of larger sized knitters, as well as those who need to obtain the yarn from far away due to being in a remote area.

This policy is also intended to accommodate knitters who have disabilities such as chronic pain.

Our tests are run from Google Drive and Slack. All the intro documents, new versions of the pattern, etc are issued via Google Drive.

We feature 2 channels for each test in our Slack group.

One is for official feedback, which we monitor and respond to within 2-3 business days.

The other is for chatter, which are less closely monitored and moderated. This is so that testers can feel free to interact, chat, and share as many photos as they'd like.

We find that some testers really enjoy the social chatter process, and some prefer to only interact with the "official" updates and feedback channel.

At the conclusion of the test, we ask testers to fill out a Google Form with their feedback and any fit photos required.

We require modeled photos in Slack and in our feedback form for all tests, except those for children's patterns. To protect the privacy of children, we allow flat lay only photos for testers knitting a children's size.

We do not require testers to allow use of their photos for marketing, nor do we require testers to have a public Instagram.

We also don't require testers to post their finished objects on social media or Ravelry, though we always do appreciate when they do.

During the feedback stage, we do ask testers to opt in or out of marketing consent.

Exceptions: we require photo use consent from those who have received partial or full yarn support. This is always clearly stated at the time of application.

We believe in size and income inclusivity for our tests and prioritize those values in our yarn support policies.

We provide a discount for yarn either through our own shop or with our yarn partners for all testers.

We also provide partial or full yarn support for some testers based on self-reported financial need.

Our yarn support program is made possible by our Fiber Friends. Thank you, subscribers!

No financial documents or proof is needed to determine need status.

Those who require financial aid to join a test are prioritized by size. The largest sizes are considered first due to the financial burden being highest in those sizes.

As budget and number of financial aid spots allow, we consider those in mid and smaller sizes after that.

If the tester does not live within the contiguous 48 states in the United States, we will offer a stipend paid by PayPal instead so the tester can purchase yarn in their locality for it.

Testing is a volunteer role at this time at Aimee Sher Makes.

Testers who complete the test by filling out the feedback form receive gift cards to our shop with which to purchase patterns or other products with.