Test Knitting - 2 test knitters 1 pattern Costco Edition

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If your mind wandered to the same place that mine did with this title then welcome to the dark gutter sweet friend. If you don't get it then bless you. 


So where were we - ah yes test knitting. 

In the test knitting world test calls are similar to the samples at Costco, they are set out for all that are interested but you may or may not make it in time before they need to heat up another batch of taquitos. And if you didn't make it in time better luck next time, or better yet go to another sample station! Now, much like the free stuff lovin' Costco members who follow the sample carts, test knitters can fall into one of two camps: 

1. You like to stick around, make small talk and get to know the others around you. 

2. You avoid eye contact - person with a purpose, get in and get out. 

Personally I can do both but I prefer #1. IRL I am actually a very awkward person - I make self-deprecating jokes and I LIVE for parent jokes but honestly that is actually what I love about myself and often times I find that knitting folk da same. 

Even though I'm an introvert I enjoy being part of an instagram group message or ravelry group, it makes this experience less isolating. Many times folks meet up to video chat or they show their yarn choices and on occasion you have real world conversations with the designer. As the tester goes on you get a chance to vent if you need to and hopefully swoon over the yokes or the stitches. And when all is said and done you end up with 20+ new friends on your feed. 

The support and encouragement that I have experienced in this type of setting is so genuine and I encourage you to reach out to other knitters in future testing groups. 


My least favorite testing condition is when I have to do it all by my self *cue music*. This is not because I need hand holding it's because it's just not as fun. I mean sure, I love test knitting, and sure I do this because it is fun but this is kind of my anti-social social time. 
I mean who else is going to see my pictures if I can't share a sneak peek? Also not to brag, but there is no one else on this planet who will be as excited as I am that I was able to fix a stitch without frogging. IYKYK

This setting is actually more common in large test groups with the big name designers. You get notified by the designer and after that email your interactions and conversations are filtered through the coordinator. Fortunately, folks will occasionally send pics directly to the group email, but that's as far as interactions will get. :( 


If you got to the end of this piece and you're getting ready to email me or blacklist me please know that this piece is not intended to shame you if you prefer to run testers that fall into either category. And most importantly this is not a piece that calls out the knitters who prefer to go at it alone. After all a costco sample is still delicious if you mumble a response to the Costco employee as your shamelessly grab 2 samples on your way to the toilet paper. 




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