Knitting Design Books and how Test Knitting Works // Casual Friday 2-40
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- This podcast discusses test knitting and sample knitting, and how/why designers use test knitters and sample knitters as part of the design-to-published-pattern process. Later in the podcast is Part 2 of my knitting library tour. I show you the books on my shelves that help me in the design process, most of which are aimed at knitters looking to design garments for themselves.
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To jump directly to one of the topics, click on the adjacent time-stamped link
Introduction 0:00
What is test knitting: 1:21
Knitting Library Tour, Part 2: Design Books: 18:40
The books I mentioned in this podcast:
Ann Budd's series of books
The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns amzn.to/2B3U7L3
The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns amzn.to/321ekNz
The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters amzn.to/326nqsq
Knitting Without Tears, by Elizabeth Zimmermann amzn.to/2IHkLhf
Knitting from the Top by Barbara G. Walker amzn.to/2on15IE
Knitting in the Old Way (2nd edition) by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts amzn.to/2IHlgb7
Sweater Design in Plain English, by Maggie Righetti with Terri Shaw (this is a newer edition than the one I have): amzn.to/2OETZtp
Designing Knitwear by Deborah Newton (newer edition than mine): amzn.to/2OCRJmt
Little Red in the City, by Ysolda Teague amzn.to/33nqD7b
Mother-Daughter Knits, by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter amzn.to/313uEfA
Knitting Pattern Essentials, by Sally Melville amzn.to/31525OL
The Science of Sexy by Bradley Bayou amzn.to/327OSpF
Seven Things That Can "Make or Break" a Sweater, by Margaret Fisher amzn.to/2q3GnxQ
Beginner's Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns (2016) by Kate Atherley (appears to be the same book with a slightly different cover --and different publisher --than the book I showed, which was Pattern Writing for Knit Designers (2014,2015), by Kate Atherley) amzn.to/2VwWob6
If you have questions about this video, or suggestions for future videos, please let me know down in the comments or on social media.
Rox Rocks Ravelry group: www.ravelry.com/groups/rox-rocks
Facebook: / roxknits
Twitter: / roxmpls - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Barbara G. Walker and Elizabeth Zimmermann I found difficult books to understand. Then I took a class with Laura Aylor and then understood Barbara G. Walker. Again, you are awesome thanks
Those footnotes were at Terry Prachett level! Great information as always, Roxanne. But thank you for the footnotes!
These videos have been invaluable! I have some knitting books I was given when I first started but now I have a healthy list of books to look out for to grow my shelf. Thank you!
Well, that was really fascinating. I was the "test reader" for my husband when he was writing a science book for children some years ago. It was never up to me to "fix" the writing, but to instead circle the parts I found confusing or had to re-read a couple of times to have it make sense. I would find words left out or doubled or maybe a comma or two, but the writing was his. I did sometimes make suggestions as to how something might sound better or be clearer, but that was it. So that was really interesting to me about test knitters and what it can tell you about your pattern if people are getting stuck in the same place or puzzling over instructions.
A fantastic video - very informative and interesting
Thank you for the explanation and purpose of a test knitter.
I can’t wait to see what sock knitting reference books you have. Thank you so much for sharing what you find worthwhile since there’s so much out there to wade through.
Great podcast! The test knitting vs sample knitting was very interesting. I would like to be a test knitter one day. I need to get started on my level one master hand knitter program. I enjoyed your discussion on the books for design. Popped over to amazon and purchased a couple. Thank for sharing. See you next week!
I rely on test knitters notes, regarding patterns I am interested in knitting, on Ravelry. I expect to find more comprehensive notes from the testers than anyone else. Recently I came across a Scandinavian designer whose patterns I admire and found all the test knitters notes to be practically nonexistent. I queried this with her and asked if she had requirements of her testers, whether she gave them guidelines of her expectations and that they be shared in their notes on Ravelry, as that was one of the platforms she expected to sell patterns on. She replied that she did not and Ravelry was not really used in Scandinavia and her testers were not familiar with using it.
I took from this that all her testers were Scandinavian and were only required to communicate mistakes or confusion directly to her, had no obligation to write project notes when posting projects on Ravelry even though she expected to sell patterns there.
I find this most unhelpful as I know a lot of knitters rely on the project notes when selecting patterns/yarns etc., for new projects.
Thanks Rox, highly informative and that is what we like, don't we?
I’ve done tech editing and test knitting and I’ve had folks test knit my designs. As a tech editor, my job is to make sure the pattern is readable and the instructions are clear and consistent, and the math adds up correctly. As a test knitter, my job is to knit the item from the instructions provided. If there are problems, my job is tell you what the problem is, and for you to find a solution because it’s your design, not mine. For folks who have test knitted for me, I reimburse the cost of their yarn and they get to keep the item.
This was fascinating and I really appreciate your comments on all the books. I have several of them already and I think this will help me understand some of them better. Thanks!
Oh! Thanks so much for writing my seasonally appropriate holiday wish list for sharing with my family! (Wink) I see several books that I want. Also, it pleases me to be able to say, "I have that!".
This was fascinating. I knew very little about how testing worked. And I love your selection of books for today. I own only two of the books you have shown. I hope my local library has some of them. That little green hat is so cute, I'll be waiting to hear when the pattern becomes available.
Test knitting info really helpful! I look forward to your videos.
Another great video. I always learn so much when watching your videos. I will definitely be purchasing a few of those books. A few I already have.
Thank you so much for doing this!!!! I want to know how to design my own sweaters and other knit wear. I have looked at books, but it is so hard to know how good they really are and what it is that I am really looking for. This was very helpful to get my started.
Thank you for explaining how you use test knitters. I just signed up for the new Professional Knitter Certification from TKGA (after "flunking" the Master Hand Knitting, lol) hoping to be able to get into test/sample knitting. I will definitely keep an eye on your forum to see when you need some new test knitters!
Very informative video, thank you!
Love it☺
Hi, Rox...I used your faux cable in a pair of socks and liked it so much I knit up your hat shown in this podcast. Nothing fancy...2” twisted rib followed by a series of 6st faux cables separated by 2 purls. I finished off the hat with standard decreases. The oddest thing happened...all the cables slanted to the left! I am an experienced knitter, have even tension and good knitting vibes. Any idea what may have caused this?
A friend is attempting to knit a shawl that has a bit of stranded colorwork. She's only done a few stranded items before and they were in the round. She is a continental knitter and she's been holding both strands in the left hand. She is trying to find a video that shows working colorwork from the purl side, catching the floats, while having both strands on the left. All she can find is videos with one strand in each hand. Due to a recent crochet related injury, throwing with her right isn't able to happen. Is there a way to do this and if so could you do a video? I don't do stranded work myself (living in AZ have no need for anything twice as thick) so I'm no help to her.
Nice sweater
You may have posted this elsewhere... but I’m wondering which charting software program you use/recommend? Thank you Roxanne
I use StitchMastery. The programmer has very good customer service and has an active Ravelry group.
Roxanne Richardson thanks! Your videos are great!
What a beautiful sweater! What pattern did you use?
I haven't written it up as a pattern. It's on my agenda for this winter.
@@RoxanneRichardson It is really lovely, and beautifully executed. I am looking forward to seeing your pattern published. :)