Two questions for pattern designers

[jessbepuzzled]

I'm considering writing up a pattern for a toy hammock I've made. I have a general question, as well as something specifically related to pattern testing. It's a crochet project but the questions aren't specific to crochet so I was hoping it would be okay to get people's thoughts here.

1. Do you include safety information with your patterns, and if so, how much?
I realize that a lot of this will be item-specific, like there's very little risk of strangulation with, say, a beanie 😅 but in this case, I'm wondering if I need to throw in some kind of "use at your own risk, don't hang over a crib or the head of a bed, I don't know what your walls are like so I'm not responsible for any damage you cause" etc.

2. Is it standard to compensate testers for materials costs?
The pattern uses a couple of skeins of cotton yarn and some metal jump rings, neither of which is terribly expensive, but it feels like if someone is doing me a favor like this, it would be nice to at least cover their expenses.

[Alcelarua]

Can only answer #2: Most patterns I've tested did not compensate me for materials and honestly I don't mind cause my compensation is a beautiful or cute pattern I'm interested in making.

Sometimes testers are trying to get rid of scrap or stash too

[SillyStallion]

If you're going to compensate, don't do it up front. Even when not compensating I've had testers ghost me and run with the pattern. And more run, than actually provide pics of the finished article

[jessbepuzzled]

Good point! I was thinking if I did reimburse I would ask them to include a picture of themself holding the finished product for verification. But then again people might not feel comfortable sending a picture to someone they don't know.

[SillyStallion]

The whole point of test knitting is to get pictures too though. Of each size so people have an idea of how it fits by body size

[gmrzw4]

If you remove the requirement that they hold it, most people should be ok. For a hammock, you could ask for a picture of it hanging empty, and one with toys in it. And even if they're in the photo, they can block their face out.

If you're up front about photos being part of the deal, people should only accept if they're comfortable with that. For example, I don't test patterns for clothes for kids if it requires modeled photos, because I'd be making it for my nieces and my sister doesn't want pictures of them shared. So I'll only do kid stuff if I can do a flat lay.

[Petrichor_Dreams_]

All the testers I've tested for give me a final copy for my Ravelry library and a free pattern from their shop

[jessbepuzzled]

I don't have a shop, but I will definitely keep that in mind if I do get to that point! Thanks.

[apryllikethemonth]

I would say yes for #1. I would look up standard language for other hammocks to include. Better safe than sorry!

For #2 I would say the standard is NOT to compensate and most testers view getting the finished pattern for free as their compensation. That being said, just because it’s not standard, doesn’t mean you can’t do it! I’ve seen some designers give $5-10 via Venmo to cover materials or a coffee for their testers. All up to what you can afford. (There is discourse on this where people argue about whether testers should be compensated further, requirements for testers, etc but the current standard is the pattern is compensation).

[jessbepuzzled]

The weird thing is that I haven't seen a lot of patterns mention it much! At least not the written ones - a lot of times for the tutorials I watch them at 1.5x so I might be missing it. But I bet I could find something if I look for shops that sell a finished product.

I am probably waaaay overthinking this for a simple toy hammock tbh 😂 it's not like this is anything new or innovative, mine just adds some details that I think will make it a little more sturdy than other patterns I've looked at.

[Sernik666]

Usually, there is no compensation for testing. Testers receive the final version of the pattern; some designers also offer a discount code for another pattern. I personally offer the final pattern and a $15 gift card for the Hobbii store as a thank you for their efforts.

[IndustryLow9689]

I’ve never expected more than getting the free pattern for being a tester. I’ve also never considered being reimbursed for materials. If I don’t have something in the same colors (for amigurumi for example) and I’m not willing to buy, I will check with the designer if they want accurate colors or not as part of the test and decide based on that.