So this week has been rather boring and quiet and I really don’t have anything to show because I’ve been testing a few crochet patterns and it made me realize how important it is for patterns to be thoroughly tested prior to publication.
Why is it so important that designers, no matter the media, have pattern testers? From a crocheters point of view, mine by the way, there is nothing worse than having a pattern that is poorly written, doesn’t make sense, and has a ton of errors. That is why I enjoy testing patterns for crochet designers. One, I am helping in the design process to ensure the pattern that is being put out there is the best it can be. Two, I benefit from getting free patterns.
I wish I could share the pictures of these two projects I’m working on but both designs are super secret and I can’t spill the beans yet. Both patterns have been giving me a headache. Both projects have been ripped back countless times and started over but I think I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. One project was close to being done but I didn’t like my yarn choice and the item was turning out extra huge. So rip it back and find a new yarn and go down a hook size. That’s better, hopefully I will finish that up this weekend.
The second project was close to being done several times. Same thing here, first yarn choice wasn’t stellar so tried a new one. Not liking the looks of this, something is wrong so shoot an email off to the designer and she works through it and sends me some modifications. Rip the project back again and start over. Hmmm, looking a bit better but still something wrong. Email the designer again and she sends me more modifications. Sigh, rip it back again and start over yet again. Now it’s starting to look like something, yeah! But I’m still having problems with one stitch. It’s not making sense to me so I push on and do the best I can with it, after all that’s what the designer told me when I questioned her about it. I like the finished product. Now to just figure out that stitch.
It is quite a process of going back and forth when testing a pattern. But in the end the pattern should be as perfect as it can get. I say “should” because there is no way to please everyone and there will always be those that say “this should be this” or “you should have said this or done this”. Eh, in that case, design your own pattern right?
I’ll finish these two this weekend and then move on to a shawl I should have started already. I thought these two smaller tests would be quick and easy. You do know what they say about assuming right? Well, don’t because Murphy is alive and well around here. If something can go wrong, it will.
A Little of This and a Little of That 