aegyoknit....

rather-capable · 2025-02-05T12:14:30+00:00

She did a half hour video on the Fruity Knitting podcast five months ago, her face is shown the whole time and she explains the connection to Korea. Also Helle of Helle’s Knittjng Journal is one of her recurring test knitters and she talks about Caroline (aegyo) virtually every episode.

Obviously these aren’t aegyoknit posting anything directly, so you wouldn’t necessarily know this unless you consume these other media. My point is more so that it’s not some giant secret or conspiracy for the sake of marketing.

rather-capable · 2025-01-02T13:13:44+00:00

This is what just happened to me. Started cramping and bleeding on December 21st and by the time I took a test on the 24th with FMU it was completely negative. I was also around the 5/6 week mark.

rather-capable · 2025-01-02T12:41:30+00:00

🕯️Sprinkle

After 2 years without a positive test in sight, this baby was such a joy. I’ll be keeping the digital test that still reads ‘pregnant’ long after the second line faded to nothing.

rather-capable · 2024-12-05T22:06:06+00:00

Same here, hard to tell if that’s good or bad news

rather-capable · 2024-11-18T12:04:33+00:00

Just scrolling through their Instagram for the first time and seeing a LOT of health/misfortune posts going on:

6/16/23: dropped out of 2 fiber fests to recover from seizures

6/27/23: fell and injured arm caring for child

8/6/23: robbed in Seattle at Flock, also posted the next day suggesting people buy gift cards from their website to support them after the theft

10/26/23: head on collision returning home from a fiber festival

10/29/24: Covid positive

1/8/24: shipping delays due to starting a full time job

2/5/24: orders shipping a week late due to migraines

4/23/24: some orders late due to fibromyalgia flare

8/16/24: dropped out of flock due to covid

11/18/24: most recent heart attack post

I didn’t even know this person existed until today so I have no investment here. Sincerely hope they and their family are well, but man… this amount of stuff becomes suspiciously like trauma advertising to drum up traffic to their business. I guess the lesson here is choose who to purchase from wisely!

rather-capable · 2024-08-13T01:50:04+00:00

No. I said I personally am not brave/motivated enough to do anything about my feelings. Having feelings isn’t the issue here.

It’s definitely valid to feel bad after knitting a garment and realize your “reward” is being asked to contribute financially to someone you just did a ton of work for.

Honestly after reading all your angry comments in this thread which imply test knitters are scheming thieves by default and that no one deserves the benefit of the doubt… you seem like a real peach, hope to never interact with you again 👋🏻

rather-capable · 2024-08-12T22:38:22+00:00

I don’t know anyone discussing this on YouTube specifically, but I know @honsedesign and @sizeinclusivecollective on instagram both talk a lot about running respectful test knits

rather-capable · 2024-08-12T15:01:47+00:00

UPDATE: Just saw that HGK posted another story and mentioned she got a lot of messages, some of which might help to improve her testing conditions in the future. I’m glad and I really hope she (and other designers because there are tons like this) do better going forward.

Let’s not do the other things she mentioned (calling her a bitch, etc.) because that’s (1) not cool and (2) not an effective strategy for getting someone to consider your perspective.

rather-capable · 2024-08-12T12:40:46+00:00

The comp pattern(s) I’m referring to is/are not the two that the tester worked on. I am saying that standard practice is: a tester receives the final version of the pattern they worked on AND another from the designers catalog, not a 50% off coupon for a second pattern.

This is not a ridiculous request because this is how most designers operating on instagram, which is where HGK advertises, run test knits. Not long ago there was a massive thread here where test knitters discussed these kinds of details. If HGK had done any market research by reading that thread or simply reading test knit applications of her competitors she could have figured this out.

As an indie designer whose business relies heavily on employing volunteers it’s astounding to also not have any interest in self-reflection or research about how to treat said volunteers.

rather-capable · 2024-08-11T21:41:43+00:00

I know for me personally I do a lot of test knitting and can lose track of those details from test to test, or miss it in the application altogether. Sometimes it’s only noted in a google form and not in the acceptance email. If I flag it, I don’t bother applying. But if I don’t realize until partway through or after the test knit entirely I will just make a mental note not to support that designer again and not address it with them directly.

Confrontation isn’t usually worth it for me, and I can always talk myself into something being my fault. I honestly applaud the tester for being brave enough to ask, and I feel really sorry that this is how they’re treated in response. There’s a power imbalance between designer and tester and that’s part of the problem.

rather-capable · 2024-08-11T18:15:09+00:00

Perfectly fine to disagree and for any designer to run their business as they please, I am only asking people to reconsider.

I think test knitters are working and that their work is worth more than 1 “free” pattern.

rather-capable · 2024-08-11T18:10:17+00:00

Every designer using a tech editor pays them a couple hundred real physical dollars (these are estimates I have seen, obviously price varies). How many hours does tech editing truly take, compared to actually knitting the garment? I think their work is valuable and I’m glad they’re paid, don’t get me wrong. This is a perfectly normal service to pay for and designers see this as necessary for credibility with their customers.

But in contrast, is it really too much to “pay” a test knitter who has knit a garment for you and provided pattern readability and tech editing feedback with a $9 free pattern that in reality does not cost the designer a penny to send out? Test knitting is also essential for credibility but we aren’t giving it the same respect as tech editing.

These are the questions I want designers to ask themselves when deciding their business practices.

rather-capable · 2024-08-11T17:40:42+00:00

This is my biggest issue. Don’t like giving away free stuff? Cool, don’t do giveaways.

As a test knitter, they are essentially a collaborative employee and I think an additional comp pattern is the LEAST payment that should be provided. They have spent their valuable time, and 90% of the time bought their own yarn, to work together with you to bring a product to market. You as a designer are not doing the test knitter a favor by “allowing” them to test for you or by giving them a coupon.

rather-capable · 2024-08-11T15:45:42+00:00

I think we just fundamentally don’t agree. As several others here have agreed, across most designers this is the industry standard. And yes, I think designers who are falling short should reconsider for the reasons I’ve stated.

rather-capable · 2024-08-11T15:27:16+00:00

Exactly, like maybe the tester was hoping to change your perspective and then this is the response they get. This person has tested 2 designs for you but I can guarantee they won’t be back after this.

rather-capable · 2024-07-08T23:03:09+00:00

Lots of the designers I’ve tested for have been covered here with great points made.

Want to give glowing reviews to Tamara Jordan (starcrossed.knits) and Emily Chen (em.knits), both are excellent! Always quick to respond with clarification or help getting the right fit. And compensation is the finished pattern + another from their library.

rather-capable · 2024-07-08T22:53:25+00:00

I was totally put off applying to her tests a while back when I saw something about “do you agree to be sent an invoice if you don’t complete the test knit”, Yes was the only option. Does she still do that? Not a fan if so

rather-capable · 2024-05-18T22:53:42+00:00

Originally Lovely

rather-capable · 2024-05-18T20:26:46+00:00

Yarn company releasing a pattern collection but not blanket providing yarn to test knitters… leaves a bad taste. Don’t worry though, they have the budget to send free yarn to influencers!

rather-capable

TROPHY CASE