Sign Up for Pre-Knit Announcements
For some time now, I have been asked to offer a mailing list for Pre-Knit announcements. My reluctance to do this has stemmed from a concern that opening this up to the public (rather than picking pre-knitters backchannel, as I currently do), would lead to constant misunderstandings of the process, and basically to people signing up and not following through.
However, I believe I am now ready to give it a try. And hopefully the extensive guidelines below will prevent any misunderstandings!
What is Pre-Knitting?
Pre-knitting simply means trying one of my patterns ahead of publication. Pre-Knitters receive the pattern for free, in finished and tech edited format (but possibly without the final photos that will be featured in the published version). They also receive individual support while working on the project.
In exchange, pre-knitters do the following 3 things:
(1) start the project as soon as convenient upon receipt of pattern
(2) set up a ravelry project page,
(3) make at least some progress (and post photos showing their progress) ahead of the publication date.
Is Pre-Knitting Different from Test-Knitting?
Yes, the two are different. Test-Knitting implies that the knitter is a tester - expected to spot errors and quality control issues, and to generally provide feedback. Pre-Knitting involves no such tasks. You simply knit the pattern, as if you had purchased it. Only you get a head start and are asked to show at least some progress before publication.
Does Pre-Knitting Involve Deadlines?
There is no deadline to finish. You are asked to (1) set up a ravelry project page, and (2) to post photos showing a reasonable amount of progress, before the publication date. But finishing to a deadline is not expected.
More About the ‘No Deadlines’ Thing
Please do not misinterpret the lack of finishing deadline to mean that I do not want pre-knitters to finish before the pattern is published, or that I don’t care if they finish. Of course if you are able to finish your project before publication I am delighted. But I simply do not feel right expecting this. I do not feel right rushing or pressuring people who do not work for me.
We all differ in how quickly we work. It’s also worth noting that larger sizes require more time, so I feel that imposing deadlines would go against the spirit of size-inclusivity. Finally, unexpected Life Events have a pesky way of interfering with our knitting time when we least expect it, don’t they? I do not want pre-knitters to worry about any of this, or to feel as if they would letting me down if they do not finish by a specific date. Life is stressful enough without knitting adding to it. Some of my publication timelines are quite relaxed, others can be tight. Some amount of progress, with photographic evidence thereof, is all that I ask.
What If I Dislike the Project and Decide to Unravel?
Pre-Knitters are absolutely not expected to complete their project if they do not wish to. They are however asked not to delete their project page or photos in the event this happens. And indicating that the project was unravelled/ stalled/ not right for you, if you wish to do so, is absolutely fine.
The Ideal Candidate for Pre-Knitting
The main thing I wish to communicate, is that pre-Knitting is not a job. It is a relaxed and mutually beneficial setup with minimal commitments from either party. If this works for you, you will enjoy the pre-knit format. If you prefer a more structured setup with a deadline and a sense that you are performing a task for the designer, then a pre-knit is not for you. The ideal Pre-Knitting candidate is an independent, intrinsically-motivated knitter who sees the pattern and immediately wishes to purchase and knit it - then happily realises it is a Pre-Knit announcement. It is also worth re-noting that Pre-Knitters should be able to use ravelry.
Things That Are Not in the Spirit of Pre-Knitting
Due no doubt to a lack of clarity on my end, I have experienced certain recurring problems with Pre-Knits being misinterpreted. So please let me be clear, that the following things are not in the spirit of a Pre-Knit:
. signing up for a pre-knit in order to collect a free pattern, with no intention to work on the pattern before publication
. working on a pre-knit, but not setting up a ravelry project page with photos prior to publication
. starting a pre-knit, then putting in on pause (since I do not have a deadline) in order to start somebody else’s test knit which does have a deadline
. expecting an unreasonable amount of individual interaction from me - for example: encouragements/ check-ins; replies to queries during late evening hours and on weekends/ over holidays. Remember, just as Life Events can get in the way of your knitting, so can they get in the way of my ability to interact with pre-knitters. The ‘minimal commitment’ goes both ways, and Pre-Knitting entails a high degree of independence.
. sharing your pattern draft with other knitters or in a public forum
If all of the above has failed to deter you, I would be delighted to send Pre-Knit announcements your way!
