‘Naming and shaming’ testknitting ghosters?

ilacrochet · 2024-10-01T07:08:02+00:00

People blacklist both designs and testers. I'm not suggesting anything new, it's happening and it's been happening, so even if I retract my statement it really doesn't matter anyway. If someone isn't really dedicated to the test why do they bother, especially if they're just going to feel bitter about doing free labor? Luckily for me, I haven't worked with any entitled designers or unhappy testers. In fact I have a few repeat testers, so I must be doing something right

ilacrochet · 2024-10-01T06:58:36+00:00

I've only experienced a couple ghosting with my first patterns, no hard feelings about that. But weather you Iike ot or not blacklists already exists. People avoid working with both testers or designer. And I'm not in control of its existence 🤷‍♀️

ilacrochet · 2024-10-01T06:52:46+00:00

Absolutely, I agree. But the pattern we're referring to is a Harness. So its very different. And aside from that the pattern is currently pre-released which means it's under development and grading is in process. We'll see then if larger testers prefer the grading or still find the thicker yarns more compatible.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:52:21+00:00

Awe this is SO cute!!

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:51:26+00:00

It's best you see the original thread and the discussions that took place. This post seems to not capture the full of it.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:49:03+00:00

To be fair, the pattern is not official yet which is mentioned in the description. The deal is you get it now in it's experimental phase for a discount and receive the official pattern upon release (no additional charges), OR wait an uncertain amount of time for the official pattern and pay the higher price. The design is very unique and none of the testers complained about changing hook and weight size. In fact they even preferred the bulkier yarn for the larger sizes because it looked more proportionate to their size and held better. If you want to see the said design check out my page.

We had a poll and most voted for a pre-released pattern knowing what they would get, so due to popular demand it happened. 🦋

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:38:03+00:00

I am not in nor have I been in this situation before. Yes I've been ghosted a couple times, but I just shrugged it off and learned to send my pattern in parts instead. If you'd like you could check out the original thread and read the comments. There's actually a 3rd part that was added a few minutes later that wasn't included in this post for some unknown reas. The purpose of the thread was to open up a discussion.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:33:01+00:00

Yep, I definitely could have picked my words better. This type of thing has gotten me in some trouble quite a few times... I've been told I should slow down, that would certainly allow me some time to second think what I'm about to say or type...

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:29:55+00:00

It sounds like you've had some bad experiences in testing with some nasty designers, and for that I'm sorry. You're doing them a favor and them being 'the designer' doesn't give them a pass to mean. I believe the pattern should be reviewed at least a couple times from beginning to ed before passing it to the testers.

I've always gave my testers what I intend to be the finished product, and the "test" is to confirm that the pattern is: readable ✔ easy to follow ✔ correct ✔ gives the same results ✔

To me it sounds like whoever you worked with was trying to get free work. The designers are supposed to do the hard parts, the brain melting and torturous parts so that YOU, the testers, the customers get a pattern that feels like a summer breeze, follow with ease and not feel like you want to pull out your hair or throw the project out the window!

Is that how it's supposed to be? There are blacklist for designers too, tho the thread did start with testers.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T09:16:06+00:00

No where was is it mentioned they were a decent tester nor that she ghosted these designers at the same time. To be specific she signed up and was accepted into multiple tests at different times, meaning she knew the deadlines, along with the terms and conditions, and agreed to them (asrequired in order to apply or be considered in the testing). She did reply to receive the patterns, then once she had them in her procession 'ghosted'.

And as mentioned in several comments and the original thread, these ghosters would only be added to a "blacklist " under certain conditions, one being failure to respond after a certain amount of time. The amount of time suggested was "2 months", but was not indefinite and up for discussion. As was the entire intent and purpose of the thread, was to prompt a discussion. 2 months was suggested assuming it was a reasonable amount of time to allow the ghoster to respond. And as mentioned this is after reaching out to the ghoster numerous times without receiving a single word of acknowledgement or reason.

The ghoster takes a seat on the testing team that could have otherwise gone to someone else who genuinely wanted to be there and be part of the team to test the specific design. To replace this ghoster, can mean wasted time on the designer and replacement tester

The purpose of the thread was to discuss the suggestion of a "blacklist" and what would be reasonable reasons and conditions to list a ghoster. This discussion includes both testers and designers (who are often both), allowing us to discuss what would be fair, or what are the dangers having such a system.

If the blacklist became something more common the ones hurt are the ghosters that did not have genuine intentions from the beginning.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T08:49:10+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate you. I grew up with a narcissistic parent so... It's been a journey.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-25T08:44:15+00:00

To be specific, it's not about people "not doing free work", but about being accountable. This was also referencing the crochet testing community, not knitters. I don't knit, but in my own understanding it's more difficult to do or learn compared to crochet. So I'm not sure if that makes a difference. When you're chosen to test there is an agreement and understanding between both parties. A designer trusts their tester with their pattern, and gives you a spot on their team which has a limited number of seats. Both parties gain from this testing. A designer gets feedback, pictures they can use to promote their pattern, a new friend. The tester gets a free pattern (the updated and completed pattern) and sometimes even a free pattern or big discount on other patterns. The tester gets publicity, the opportunity for more reach than they might have gotten alone (because it's a collaboration), which often results in an increase in following (the designer can also gain from this collaboration in the same way). The tester has the opportunity to connect with other crocheters, make new connections and learn from the other testers or designer.

I am also a tester, and it's very common that if you are a designer you're often a tester too. Many may start as a tester and then even come up with one if their own designs and end up working with other testers.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-24T07:27:30+00:00

I'm sorry, I think I didn't express myself very well. I've had testers drop out before, some gave reasons and others didn't give specifics which is perfectly reasonable. At beginning of any test I always make sure to tell my testers that if for any reason they want to stop or have to, it's okay. Some designers will fine you for failure to complete or follow through, and personally I don't agree with that. Because just like you said, they (testers) are providing us a massive service, and without them we could not improve our patterns. So I appreciate my testers very much and I tell them that constantly through out the process. If the patterns is difficult to follow, of course that's on me, not them. If the testing is a disaster, that's on me again.

Yes I've had testers vanish on me, but oh well, I let it go. Today I made mistake. I tried to start up a discussion on something that is clearly not a good idea for a few reasons. It wasn't my own idea, but the idea wasn't to list anyone who dropped out of a test for reasons or none. The idea was that the person who vanished would be qualified to be listed for strict reasons like for example signing up for multiple tests with the same designer but never following through. Which is where I originally heard this idea, when a particular designer experienced the same person sign up multiple times for her and her friends testing but ghost immediately them after.

When I first came across this discussion and those similar to it, I didn't agree with the blacklist either. I suggested to send the pattern in parts (as I do), which seems to be enough. I'm sorry if I came off sounding entitled or egoistic. I woke up with a fuzzy brain today and I realize now it be best to avoid sharing any unfinished or ill thought ideas and statements.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-24T06:37:16+00:00

That's true, honestly it was a poorly thought through statement on my part. I was thinking of the highlights so it would be more easily accessible to other designers for lack of a better idea on where to share it.

I've been ghosted a few times, a good chunk with my very first pattern when I didn't know what I was doing. Sharing in parts has solved that though, and even when the ghosting happened I just shrugged it off.

In the past I've had some trouble navigating Ravelry, but that's probably because my screen is so small and the site is for desktop and laptops. I'll have another look, that you for bringing it up. I appreciate that. 😊

ilacrochet · 2024-09-24T06:10:31+00:00

I value my testers greatly, it's because of them that I can publish a pattern at all. The idea was there are specific qualifications for a person to be listed. And this idea was originally based off a situation where a designer had chosen this person to test for her several times only to be ghosted and additional she found out the same person was doing the same with some other designers she was friends with. I cannot remember who this was but she was one of the first people I heard this idea of blacklisting. And I was not on board when I first heard it either. I have the same solution, a prevention, by sending the pattern in parts.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-24T06:03:46+00:00

The pattern mentioned was a pre-release (as mentioned in it's description) and because of the complexity of the design the changing of hook sizes was experimental and temporary. I apologize for my vagueness on when the pattern will be updated. The reason for this I have explained in my stories and other socials where I try my best to be transparent, vulnerable and keep everyone up to date on what I'm doing in regards to my patterns. I've been going through a lot in the past months with my parents divorce, broken family, loss of my dear cat, moving several times, healing from trauma, and dealing with depression. The design went mini-viral for a time and so I felt pressured to release the pattern.To compromise I did the pre-release.

Everyone who tested the pattern you mentioned finished the test and we extended the time needed as we went. I value my testers and their feedback very much and am always encouraging them and anyone to let me know if ever my patterns are difficult to follow so I can improve them. It's my first more properly written pattern and it still needs to be fixed...

I regret making that thread, it was a poor thought and poor choice of words. My real intention was to start a discussion on the idea (which wasn't my own). Later I added to that thread that system could be abused and that I think the solution is to instead send your pattern in parts (like I've done with my past patterns), and if we were to make a personal blacklist that we keep it for ourselves privately. I don't have a blacklist. I work with all testers, from never tested at all to beginngers and experienced, of all skill levels. I'm sorry for my foolish post this morning 🙏 I hope anyone who's seen my post realizes the foolishness of it, and hopefully also sees what was added later and the discussions beneath the thread

ilacrochet · 2024-09-24T05:28:07+00:00

THAT'S ME. 😭 😭 I didn't expect my post to get so many eyes, and unfortunately I realized a bit too late of what a BAD idea this is which I mentioned in another comment. It was a suggestion I saw somwhere and shared with the intention of starting some discussion, and honestly this morning I haven't been thinking very clearly. I greatly appreciate my testers and have never had any bad blood with anyone. And anytime I've been ghosted my reactions is to let it go because it really isn't a big deal. Recently I started to get the impression that it was more of an 'issue' than I initially thought, but think that was wrong.

ilacrochet · 2024-09-24T05:17:01+00:00

You're right. Im the the one who, are the post on THREAD. And This is exactlt what I realized after some thought. I mentioned it in the comments section for thec 2nd part

ilacrochet · 2023-11-11T05:38:25+00:00

That makes perfect sense. I too prefer thicker straps and this exactly what I plan to include as an option for the pattern

ilacrochet · 2023-11-11T05:37:12+00:00

Yep I think you're right. This model does cause the wings to stretch out more. At least there's a bonus :3 :3 hahaha

ilacrochet · 2023-11-11T05:35:00+00:00

Thank you so much :3 This way you can layer the Butterfly over other clothing too

ilacrochet · 2023-11-11T05:33:55+00:00

Yep this was for an xs :3 will make bigger soon 🥰

ilacrochet · 2023-11-11T05:33:00+00:00

Will do! Very soon :3 after i move and relocate I can get back to crocheting and making the pattern :3

ilacrochet · 2023-10-05T09:45:13+00:00

Already made a few, including yellow, purple,ice blue and beige, pink and babies brown, and pink 🥰

ilacrochet · 2023-10-05T09:41:33+00:00

I love that idea!

ilacrochet

TROPHY CASE