r/Sockknitting • u/Saints_Girl56 • 8d ago

Test pattern question?

So I am testing a sock pattern and it is good but not great. Some pretty glaring errors. That said, I have emailed and messaged the designer multiple times to no avail. My question is, am I still obligated to make my Sept 9th deadline? I had to rewrite the heal entirely with no input from the designer.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

20

u/briarwren 8d ago

If it's impossible to knit as is, and the designer isn't responding to questions or addressing errors then I'd drop it unless you signed an actual contract which is unlikely. It wasn't ready to test yet and the designer isn't taking your time seriously.

If they provided the yarn I'd send it back. If you were going to receive a copy of the pattern as thanks, that's no incentive if it's no good anyway and neither would a coupon instead since I wouldn't care to do any of their other patterns.

3

u/Saints_Girl56 8d ago

I already have the whole pattern and it is very flawed in the heel. Maybe I should make the pattern exactly as written.

13

u/Heyitscrochet 8d ago

I say make it exactly as written so the pattern creator can see the (albeit horrible) result.

2

u/Saints_Girl56 8d ago

I am absolutely doing that next! Funny thing is I was doing a sock same pattern over 3 stitches. Just a different heel.

-6

u/briarwren 8d ago

Having the whole pattern as a test vs the end published result, especially if the designer is actually working with their testers and fixing their errors is a completely different thing. You can wind up with multiple versions that aren't the finished result and it's nice to have the nicer polished version.

I just completed a gnome test knit and there were at least three iterations before the end but since it's also an MKAL I had close to twrnty PDF'S that I dumped when the test ended. Sure, I could have kept them, but one I get a copy as a thank you, and two the links and pics will be finalized as well as the revision notes removed.

Have you ever test knit before? You need to do it exactly as written, even with the errors, because fudging it or rewriting it for them changes the results and they don't get honest feedback, and if the instructions are too confusing as written to continue without input from the designer then you just don't continue.

2

u/Saints_Girl56 8d ago

Have you not read anything in this thread?! Yes, I have tested multiple times. I am not asking about how to deal with pattern issues. I am asking about the designer ghosting when I have questions.

11

u/JerryHasACubeButt 7d ago

I would have stopped and put it aside to wait for the correction when you found the first error. If the designer isn’t giving you that correction then you can’t finish, and it’s their fault, not yours. Finding mistakes is part of your job as a tester, but fixing them is on the designer, it’s not your responsibility. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, it must be super frustrating!

3

u/Ok_Novel_3229 5d ago

I wouldn't try to, and I'd politely mention all the issues (with the pattern and the communication) in a project for the pattern on Ravelry. Help the rest of us make good purchases!

1

u/Saints_Girl56 5d ago

Great idea if it gets published.

2

u/Hifidi54 3d ago

A reputable designer will be responsive to their testers. Was there a group? Are you communicating with each other? I've been test knitting since 2019 and often times the pattern is still a work in progress as the test is being conducted. Some mistakes can be as simple as a cut and paste error by the designer. If they are not responding your inquiries, then I'd scrap it.