Be a Great Test Knitter!
We often partner with talented knitwear designers, providing yarn support and marketing assistance on new designs that utilize our yarns. We like to include a QCY test knitter in the designers testing pool, so that we can have a sample of the design to add to our very large sample collection.
It’s been a while since I jumped into the test knitting pool. With my current work load, I typically end up utilizing our amazing sample makers for these, but they were all busy working on other things we aren’t ready to share yet. So, It was up to me! I was really excited to get to know Jill (of Knit Sisu) and knit her newest design the Olive & Oak Sweater.
My VERY first step was a schedule! Jill needed my feedback no later than Sept 4th. Once I had the pattern, I worked out a schedule. I took every day between the day I got the pattern and the deadline and broke the pattern into small daily deadlines. I also took into account days I knew I wouldn’t have time to knit as well as finishing up my Super Simple Summer Sweater in time for the Southern Comforts Market. I also gave myself days that had no deadline. I used these as days to catch up.
I could and should do a whole blog post on swatching, but I will leave that for another time. After swatching, I was ready to get started reviewing the actual pattern. For this I prefer paper and a red pen. (The architect is still in there!) I printed the very first version of the pattern and read the whole thing. I like to circle or highlight all of the instructions and numbers for my size. This is a good time to ask questions. There were a few minor errors, but I was behind the other testers and they has already found these typos, so I double checked they had been corrected in the second version I also had printed.
From there I dove into knitting, hitting my daily deadlines most days and catching up on others but never falling too far behind. As I had questions or comments I added them to the pattern. I used my Taco progress keeper to mark where I started each day!
Once I finished my sweater it was time to translate my chicken scratch hand written notes across three versions of the pattern into a cohesive set of notes for Jill.
Last and Final Step, Photo Shoot! I find it VERY helpful to see photos of the finished test on a body!
Meet the Designer: Jill of Knit Sisu
This week we are featuring Jill's newest design, the Olive & Oak Sweater made in our luscious Coleman Yarn, so we thought you might want to get to know Jill a little better!
My hometown is…. I've moved every 2-5 years of my life so there isn't one hometown! But I was born in Denver, CO and spent a lot of time in Irvine, CA.
I currently live in… Washington DC
My professional background/degree is in… English Lit with a Masters in Teaching
My preferred craft is…and I have been doing it for (how long)... Knitting! For about 10 years.
Fiber crafts I would like to try are… Macrame, yarn dyeing
Non yarn related hobbies are… Yoga, cooking, hiking, and reading
My favorite movie is…. Clueless. But my husband won't watch it with me because I recite all the lines.
My favorite QCY color is…. the new autumn-y Coleman Maple color!
A food I think is super gross is… haha not much - I'll eat just about anything!
I have an unpopular opinion about…. Cats. Yikes.
My current Work In Progress is… I always have way too many projects going at once. Right now I'm designing a cardigan, a shawl, a couple cowls, and a few socks.
Do you have a pet? Yes! Sig - a longhaired Dachshund mix with LOTS of attitude.
Favorite chip or ice cream flavor? Chip - truffle potato chips. Ice Cream - really good vanilla
Coffee or tea? Both... coffee in the morning, green tea in the afternoon, ginger tea before bed.
Mountains or Beach? Most often the mountains, but the beach if it's cold, gray and blustery.
What are you reading and/or watching right now? Watching - the 5 Days at Memorial series (not exactly a feel-good watch, but amazing that it's a true story). Reading - Half Baked Harvest Every Day by Tieghan Gerard... I often read cookbooks like novels, cover to cover.
If you had a superpower what would it be? To instantaneously make people feel comfort, happiness and joy. And also be able to knit really, REALLY fast. 😆
Meet the Maker: Jess
Want to meet the extended QCY team? Follow our Meet the Makers Series! This month we are introducing you to Jess, the gal behind the camera! Jess is a professional photographer who snaps all our gorgeous product marketing photos. She can take a couple skeins of Coleman and make them look like the art they are! Read on to find out more about Jess!
My hometown is… Hickory NC
I currently live in… Waxhaw, NC
My role at QCY is… Photographer
My professional background/degree is in… Business Management
My preferred craft is…and I have been doing it for (how long)... Cooking & Baking, since I was a kid in the kitchen with my Dad
My favorite movie is… The Harry Potter films.
A food I think is super gross is… Olives
I have an unpopular opinion about… The word brekkie
My current Work In Progress is… My yoga practice.
Do you have a pet? 2 cats, 1 dog, and 4 chickens
Favorite chip or ice cream flavor? Coffee icecream or Nacho Cheese Doritos
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Mountains or Beach? Both! NC is great for that!
What are you reading and/or watching right now? Just completed The Maze Runner 5 book series on Audiobook
If you had a superpower what would it be? Teleportation - I get carsick easily so it would be nice to travel more without that!
Do you have a side hustle? I recently launched a passion project, Finicky Foods, making hand-crafted gourmet pimento cheese for the Charlotte community and beyond. Find us at www.finickyfoodsnc.com.
Meet the Maker: Hannah
Time for a fun meet the maker QCY edition! Let's get to know the Queen City Team. You'll see some familiar faces and not so familiar faces. We sat down to interview each team member so you can get to know them better!
This week we're talking to Hannah, QCY's resident Graphic Designer and Marketing Specialist. She has put so much work into making our holiday boxes extra special.
My hometown is…
Lincoln, Nebraska
I currently live in…
Charlotte, North Carolina
My role at QCY is…
Graphic Designer
My professional background/degree is in…
Art & Advertising
My preferred craft is…
My current craft of choice is more culinary. I love sourdough bread making and have been doing that consistently over the last 8 years
Fiber crafts I would like to try are…
I learned to knit a long long time ago but haven’t done it in the last 15 years. Now that I’m working with QCY I need to pick it back up!
Non yarn related hobbies are…
Hiking, travel, reading, cooking
My favorite movie is…
Little Women - Old and new!
My favorite QCY color is…
MVP
A food I think is super gross is…
Cantaloupe
My current Work In Progress is…
A new baby! Due at any moment!
Do you have a pet?
A rescue pup named Moose
Favorite chip or ice cream flavor?
Any Jeni’s flavor of ice cream
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Mountains or Beach?
Mountains
What are you reading and/or watching right now?
Watching Julia on HBO
Reading Lessons in Chemistry
If you had a superpower what would it be?
Speaking every language