Become a test knitter! 

Test knitting is a vital stage in creating great knitting patterns. Test knitters try out the pattern before it's published to make sure that all the instructions are present and clear, and provide feedback on sizing and yarn usage for the project. 

It's really helpful to have a range of experience levels test patterns. What I need from testers:

• knit to the specified gauge
• work from a pattern in Google Docs that's still being tweaked and may be edited when you're part-way through knitting, and add comments for any queries you may have
• create a project on Ravelry including photos of your finished item
• work to the given deadline for the test knit.

You get early access to the pattern before it's published, and, in return, you receive a free download of the finished pattern and an additional pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store.  

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Current test knits

Tree Hay 

Tree Hay is inspired by the brushwood and pruned branches used both as winter fodder for the sheep and to aid in creating a wetland corridor on Gutchpool Farm, where the wool for my sample is from. It’s a v-neck tank top, and the naturally coloured Dorset Down and Shetland yarn used for the colourwork details recall twigs and branches that have lost their leaves.

The tank is worked from the bottom up, with stranded colourwork on the body and steeks for the neck and arms. There’s contrasting ribbing to finish the edges, with an optional split hem and short-row shaping on the neckband and armholes.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Measurements:
Finished chest circumference: 75 (90, 97.5, 112.5, 120) [127.5, 142.5, 150, 157.5, 172.5] cm / 30 (36, 39, 45, 48) [51, 57, 60, 63, 69]”
Body length from underarm: 35.5 (34.5, 33.5, 37.5, 36.5) [35.5, 34.5, 38.5, 37.5, 36.5] cm / 14.25 (13.75, 13.25, 15, 14.5) [14.25, 13.75, 15.25, 15, 14.5]”
Armhole depth: 19 (20, 21, 22, 23) [24, 25, 26, 27, 28] cm / 7.5 (8, 8.5, 8.75, 9.25) [9.5, 10, 10.5, 10.75, 11.25]”
Back neck width: 14 (14.5, 16.5, 16.5, 17) [17, 18, 19, 19, 19.5] cm / 5.5 (5.75, 6.5, 6.5, 6.75) [6.75, 7.25, 7.5, 7.5, 7.75]”
Cross-back (excluding ribbing): 29 (30.5, 32, 33, 35.5, 35.5) [37, 38, 39, 39.5] cm / 11.5 (12.25, 12.75, 13.25, 14.25) [14.25, 14.75, 15.25, 15.5, 15.75]”

The sample shown is size 2 worn with 5cm / 2" positive ease at widest point of chest.

Yarn: Gutchpool Farm Dorset Down 4 Ply, used for MC in Cream, and Gutchpool Farm Shetland 4 Ply, used for CC1 in Moorit and CC2 in Charcoal. (4-ply weight, 180 m per 50 g ball)
MC: 100 (120, 125, 150, 160) [165, 180, 200, 210, 220] g / 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) [4, 4, 4, 5, 5] balls
CC1: 40 (45, 45, 50, 55) [55, 60, 65, 70, 70] g / 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) [2, 2, 2, 2, 2] balls
CC2: 70 (80, 85, 105, 110) [115, 125, 140, 145, 150] g / 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) [3, 3, 3, 3, 3] balls

Gauge: 24 sts and 28 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stranded colourwork on larger needle, worked flat and in the round, after blocking

Needles:
2.75 mm / US 2 circular needle (or needle 1–2 sizes smaller than main needle)
3.25 mm / US 3 circular needle (or size required to obtain correct gauge)

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, darning needle for sewing in ends, spare needle for three-needle bind-off, sharp scissors for cutting steeks. 

Apply to test knit here.

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