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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
 Posted - 08/17/2006 : 07:28:48 AM
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Hi all,
I am looking for 1 or 2 test knitters for a pattern I'm designing. I'd posted several days ago and have had no responses . . .
Is there really no one interested? Did I not give enough info? Someone tell me what I'm missing/need to do to find one or two more test knitters?
The project is a sweater and I would prefer someone with some test knitting experience since I'm new at designing . . .
I will need to have a larger size sweater knit to test that end of the pattern sizing. The turn around time is a little tight, 3 weeks, and I will need to keep the finished sweater as a shop sample.
The compensation for test knitting will be a gift certificate for yarn or fiber at my site (so you can choose the yarn or fiber, colorway etc) equal to the value of the yarn used for the sweater. Since I'm asking to have a larger size knit (to fit the model volunteer I have) the compensation will be approx $175 worth of the yarn of your choice. I say approx because I'm not certain of the yardage needed yet, will know if a few more days.
If you are interested please either PM or email me for more info. I'd like to see samples of your work so if you could include a link to photos that would be great.
Thanks so much!
Margaret
visit my sites:
http://www.inspirationsyarn.com
http://martheme.blogspot.com/ & the baby blog http://mimmot.blogspot.com |
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PamS
Seriously Hooked
USA
943 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 09:59:26 AM
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IMHO, your qualifications may be too severe and knitting entire sweater in only three weeks is also what may be not doable in most folks eyes. Also, I would think that an experienced test knitter would prefer the cash for all that work. Also you're getting into holiday knitting time.
You've probably already thought of this, but have you contacted some local knitting shops to see if any of their staff or customers meet your qualifications? Just a thought.
--PamS
Women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges. |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 10:09:53 AM
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I have test knitted and technical edited for Figheadh (http://figheadh.com/) and when I test knit an entire sweater I was given time, the yarn (and I got to keep the leftovers) and I got to keep the sweater. I also got a slew of free patterns and Jennifer was lovely and sent me some other things as well. I was NOT an experienced test knitter then. To me that was worth it because I was an aspiring designer and it helped me be more aware of how the knitter reads my patterns.
I do NOT give my test knitter enough compensation, but god bless her, she likes my patterns and actually wants to knit them. She will eventually be getting that kimchi book she wants if I ever get off my butt and get back to Kyobo... She gets to choose her own yarn (she's always used something different than the pattern calls for), I put no time limit on her (although, ahem, I sort of begged and pressed for the last one because I was really eager to get it up), she chooses the size she wants to make, and she keeps the garment.
But back to the topic.
I'm not clear on something here. Are you providing the yarn AND a credit for things from your store?
If you're not providing the yarn then you're asking for free work. Even if you are providing the yarn, why not increase the credit to try and account for the fact that you're asking for an entire sweater in three weeks? Or consider saying you need it for a store sample for 6 mos or 1 year but will return it after that (that's in addition to the credit compensation).
Amanda Takes Off... and
Amanda Knits
Only you can decide how tongue in cheek I am. |
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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 10:24:18 AM
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Thanks for the feedback . . .
Amanda, sorry I wasn't clear . . . yes, I'm providing the yarn for the sample and they can keep the left overs plus giving the store credit to allow them to choose their own yarn as compensation.
I'd offer more/cash if I could but just can't at the moment. I'm a very small business, just me, and am trying to get things back up and running after not really being able to work this past year and a half. I was pregnant and then taking care of the baby. He's just gotten to a point where I can really work again.
I'd increase the time if I could, but I'm submitting the pattern somewhere and got a late start. I only thought of submitting recently as I got the sweater idea and am working as quick as I can to finish the pattern. Since want to submit for this year rather than next and it is a winter sweater . . . Later projects will have a longer turn around time as I start planning ahead more.
As for the finished sweater . . . I'm hoping to start doing shows in the spring and will need to have samples of some patterns to show what my designs look like as well as what my dyed yarns look like knit up which is why I need to keep the sweater. I realize $175 worth of yarn isn't a lot for that amount of work but realistically is all I can offer . . .
oops, baby work up . . . gotta run,
thanks,
Martheme
visit my sites:
http://www.inspirationsyarn.com
http://martheme.blogspot.com/ & the baby blog http://mimmot.blogspot.com |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 10:34:21 AM
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I understand that you've got a kid, yadda yadda, but business is business. You wanted to know what you needed to do to get test knitters, I gave some of MY ideas. You've got to find a way to get the two lines crossing: your needs and abilities vs your test knitter's needs and abilities.
Good luck.
Amanda Takes Off... and
Amanda Knits
Only you can decide how tongue in cheek I am. |
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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
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Tam
Permanent Resident
Australia
2810 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 4:17:25 PM
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Margaret,
I'd do it for you but it would take longer than 3 weeks to get the yarn to me and then for me to get the jumper back to you.
Happy Knitting,
Tam in Melbourne
http://photos.yahoo.com/lillysmum2002
2006 Stats: 2 WIPs, 15 FOs
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pkee
Chatty Knitter
222 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 4:25:49 PM
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I was intrigued, I confess. However, you never stated the gauge of your garment. There's a lot more time involved in knitting w/ sportsweight than worsted.
Pam |
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Boogie
Permanent Resident
USA
3073 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 5:14:44 PM
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Margaret
I have an idea
Why don't you knit the sweater and then hire an editor (usually cheaper than a test knitter). You will know your sweater is knitable and the editor will make sure the pattern is technically ok and readable.
amy
http://theboogerblog.blogspot.com
http://www.spunkyhats.com |
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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 5:43:51 PM
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Hi,
The sweater is knit with a light worsted yarn . . .
Amy, if only I could. I've got someone doing a test of one other size so I will have some other feedback. I had hoped to have the XXL size knit up to test that range of sizes and to have a plus size model for the pictures. I might wind up trying to knit it myself but realistically I probably won't be able to do it. Between the baby, all the other day to day around here house and business wise and the fact that we leave for a 3 week trip just after that . . . If it comes to it I'm going to try it but I might wind up with just 2 sizes for pictures. . . . not the end of the world but it would have been nice to show the larger version.
thanks for your thoughts everyone,
Margaret
visit my sites:
http://www.inspirationsyarn.com
http://martheme.blogspot.com/ & the baby blog http://mimmot.blogspot.com |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 6:11:52 PM
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Okay, here's another idea that saves you money and gives you some time; hire a babysitter or drop your kid off at day care for a couple of days. You can write the child care off on your taxes and you have complete control over your project. School is still out so you should be able to find a high school student to at the least watch the kid in your home while you knit in the garden or go knit at the local cafe.
http://www.femiknits.blog-city.com/knitting_for_canadian_troops.htm
http://greenfishoutofwater.blogspot.com |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 9:41:31 PM
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School isn't out everywhere, Mokey.
And you can't always write off child care.
However, if you can't drop everything for three weeks for your own business, well...
Amanda Takes Off... and
Amanda Knits
Only you can decide how tongue in cheek I am. |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
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mamid
Permanent Resident
Canada
1568 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2006 : 10:56:11 PM
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not always. It depends on who is your daycare provider and what time(s) they have available.
I gave up model stitching because there was simply no time to stitch even with DS in daycare. I was using the time for other things - cleaning I couldn't get to when he was with me, shopping for groceries, etc.
But 3 weeks for a sweater? Even I know that's almost beyond what even the Yarnharlot could do.
The Last Thread |
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Boogie
Permanent Resident
USA
3073 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 08:36:37 AM
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Depending on the work involved 3 weeks isn't completely unreasonable for a fast knitter. I knit a sweater in 9 days but I was compensated well for it, and it was Medium.
I couldn't "write off" childcare. Besides Write offs aren't like magic money. It does help with taxes but it doesn't always make up for the money you're actually paying for the childcare. I don't know what it costs in Canada but it's expensive here to get decent care. Beyond any other reason to stay at home with your own kids, sometimes it's more economically sound.
Margaret,
I wouldn't worry about the extra sizes and getting all the pictures taken. If one person is already test knitting it then I'd say that's fine. If you're worried about yardage, I'll be happy to take a look at it and estimate the yardage for you.
amy
http://theboogerblog.blogspot.com
http://www.spunkyhats.com |
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kdcrowley
Permanent Resident
USA
4773 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 10:12:22 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Boogie
I couldn't "write off" childcare. Besides Write offs aren't like magic money. It does help with taxes but it doesn't always make up for the money you're actually paying for the childcare. I don't know what it costs in Canada but it's expensive here to get decent care. Beyond any other reason to stay at home with your own kids, sometimes it's more economically sound.
Mokey, in the states, the childcare writeoff only reduces the taxable income and the actual impact the the taxes that you pay is quite small....in fact from a tax perspective it can actually cost a family more to have both parents working than for one to be home, depending on the income bracket and the division of the income between the parents.
Where I live, daycare costs about 3-800 dollars a month per child depending on the type of care.
Mistress Kelley of the Hellacious Sockknitting
Going to He** for buying sock yarn during Lent, but at least my feet won't be cold.
http://ceallachknits.blogspot.com
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 10:42:38 AM
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Hi,
I've decided I may try to do it myself, but that if I can't get it done in time I'm not going to worry too much since I do have one person actually testing the pattern.
I had hoped to find someone who had done test knitting before and who, perhaps, had more free time than yarn budget and would want to trade some of that time for some handpainted yarn. Since that hasn't happened I'm just not going to worry about it. If I can do it without adding stess to our lives I will, and if not then not.
As for child care: Even if I could write it off, and I'm not sure I could, I would have to have income from the business (not my husbands) that was enough to cover all the other expenses so there would be a profit to write it off from. At this point, after not really being able to dye much yarn so far this year and only just getting back to it I'm not even really able to cover the business bills. Things are kinda limping along while I try to get it going again. That aside, we have chosen for me to be home as the best situation for our family. My husband is basically humoring me about having a business at this point but my real first job is my home and family. We have a few family members and one teenager who we trust to watch our child but the teen returns to school tomorrow, my mom is 250 miles away on vacation for 2 weeks and MIL has a big pile of her own stuff right now. We have a very high standard of care for our child and a "daycare" environment simply doesn't meet our needs at this time.
Amanda, I wish I could drop everything for my business but realistically, being a stay-at-home mom who also has a business means that taking care of my son, keeping house, cooking meals and doing things like laundry very often have to come first. Back in the day when I was single and childless I could drop everything since it was only my own stuff I was dropping. Now I could go to jail for child neglect if I dropped everything for 3 weeks. On a very good day I can manage a couple of hours at the end of the day to work on things like knitting designs. Once a week, at most, I can have my MIL help with providing meals and do some juggling to be able to convert my kitchen into a dye studio for yarn but I have to work like crazy for several days both before and after to keep up with the things that must be done around here. Don't get me wrong, I love my life just the way it is, but the days of dropping everything for something I choose to do are long over. If that means you don't consider me a "serious" business woman, that is fine with me. Someday perhaps you will have a family and will then be in a better position to understand how you are no longer your own first priority. For now, enjoy the freedom you have, someday you may no longer be so free.
Happy knitting everyone and thanks for your thoughts. You're a great bunch for coming up with different angles to examine a problem from ;)
Margaret
PS. Mokey, I don't now anything about employment law in Canada, but if I were to hire someone here in MA even on a contract basis it would involve a whole lot of complicated paperwork and taking the business to a whole different level that what it is currently at. Someday I hope to be able to do that, but for now that seems a very distant dream. But thanks for the suggestion ;)
visit my sites:
http://www.inspirationsyarn.com
http://martheme.blogspot.com/ & the baby blog http://mimmot.blogspot.com |
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gwtreece
Permanent Resident
USA
7254 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 10:45:36 AM
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Margaret, Good luck the the testing on the sweater.
Wanda
My Blog
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Katheroni
Permanent Resident
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 11:15:46 AM
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| Good luck with everything, Margaret. It sure can be hard to fit everything into a day! It seems you got really thorough answers to your question, and I bet you'll be able to plan ahead farther next time. I know how the children thing controls one's time. I love my son, of course, but I do look forward to a time when he will be a little more self-sufficient (though I'll miss the cuddling and cute toddler lisping.) I would recommend at least finding out how write-offable childcare is. I can totally understand not wanting to do full-time childcare, but it can be really helpful to at least have an option other than family and friend for temporary help with that. The write-off benefit is so small that it might not be worth it, but the extra half-day of "free" time might be worth it every once in a while. |
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rather be knitting
Seriously Hooked
USA
954 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 12:19:23 PM
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Margaret -- Thank you for your well-expressed and mature thoughts on being a stay at home mom, and on child care. You have one lucky child. Good luck with your sweater pattern!
claire |
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