Almost there

Yesterday I checked my pm's on Ravelry to find a great surprise...one of my testers had finished! Yay!!! I know for those of you who write patterns all the time this is probably nothing but I was excited nonetheless. It is a pretty basic pattern but I was worried that what I thought was basic would end up being wonky. I'm glad to know that I'm not as entirely demented as I had previously thought. The testing process has been an interesting first. I have learned a few things. First and foremost, put everything up front for your testers. For example, I gave them the list of techniques they would need to know, I also discussed that I couldn't pay them for their help as this would be a free pattern. One thing I forgot to mention, however was a time frame. I wished that I had done that but since I didn't I thought it better that I not add that in all of a sudden and so I wait. Patience is another thing that I have learned. I think it a great thing that my testers have different abilities because then I get the whole spectrum of problems that may arise. I consider myself a moderately advanced beginner so seeing what other people think and how they interpret my explanations was very helpful. Gauge is another thing I didn't consider too much but now I see that it does make a difference even with an oversized hat. My gauge was apparently really tight because some of the problems with sizing or holes etc. didn't seem to affect my finished project as much as it did to my testers. They have been a great help in my own learning process and I thank them. Kudos to Chra and SLOrnamentals on Ravelry.

Austin unraveled

I have finally figured out what I did for seaming on my project Austin. I know that sounds stupid but I liked the fact that the seaming didn't look like seaming but it wasn't all one piece either. Since figuring this out I can now finish up a pattern and send it off to my lovely testers at Ravelry. And when the testing is complete I can post my first pattern. Yea!