Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a test knitter/ crocheter or tech editor? Today’s podcast is chock full of valuable information on how to get into this industry and make money doing what you love!
- A good place to start is to join one of several groups on Ravelry. The Testing Pool is a great place to learn the ropes and get your name out there; we also love the Designers Group, Professional Crochet Designers Group, Indie Pattern Designers Group and Tech Editors on Yahoo! Groups. All of these forums are great for asking questions and letting people know you are available to work.
- Be proactive! If there is a designer that you truly love, reach out to them and tell them that you are interested in test knitting/ crocheting or tech editing for them. Be prepared to show them photos of your work — if you want to test knit socks, show photos of socks you have completed! Same goes for lace work, cables, anything!
- Communication is key! Stay in touch with your designer as you work through their pattern and ask them questions, share your concerns, possible mistakes, alternative techniques, anything! Your digital camera is your best friend.
- Time Management is hugely important — stay on top of your deadlines and communicate to your designer if you think you will be late on a deadline. DON’T accept a job if you can’t make the deadline.
- Be honest about your experience level. This helps your designer send you projects that are in line with your ability level and may even give you opportunities to learn something new!
- This is truly work! It’s very different from your casual knitting or crochet projects that you work on in front of the television. Please remember that you are doing this as a job — your designer has a reputation to uphold and you are creating a name for yourself in an intimate industry.
Special thanks to Gwen and Rohn for sharing their thoughts today! You can find more information on Gwen through her website, and Rohn can be found on his own website.
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- Find out more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird
- This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns and Bijou Basin Ranch.
I just listened to your podcast on being a contract crocheter. I’m a left handed crocheter, and have been crocheting since I was 6 or 7 years old. I’m 54 now. I own a small craft shop in Risdgewood, Queens, NY. I have a few designs on Ravelry and am looking to expand as a designer. I have been doing some contract crochet for Karen Ratto-Whooley and for Pam Daley. I consider myself to be an advanced crocheter and am always doing special orders in crochet for customers at my shop. Let me know if I can answer any questions about techniques or stitches I know. I always get projects completed by the deadline, and communicate regularly about any questions or concerns about a project. I’m pretty good at math, although I don’t know how to do grading for sizes- I do want to learn this skill though. I have crocheted pretty much everything from potholders to bedspreads ; I prefer to work in yarn- Not a fan of fine thread. Let me know what I need to do to apply to do contract work for you.
Thank you
This was a terrific episode! Thanks so much for thinking of it and putting it all together.