Welcome!
Thank you for getting involved in the pattern testing for The Annual (issue six), our in-house magazine. This issue features six new patterns based on a theme of power and steam - with colour work, cables, texture and more, there is plenty to indulge your creativity! Details on all of the patterns for testing are on our website.
Allocation of patterns
To get enough test knitters for each pattern, please select the pattern that you would be interested in testing for us, plus one or two alternatives in case your first pick is oversubscribed. Please also let us know the size you'd be making for each pattern (where applicable).
Slack - our testing platform for discussion and questions
Once you have completed this form, we will process all sign-ups. If your application is successful, we will send you an email invite to the test space hosted on Slack (a free messaging platform), which will also let you know which pattern you'll be testing. It may take us a few days to get back to you after you submit the form, as this process isn't automated and we are a small team. As we are usually oversubscribed for our Annual testing, not everyone will be invited to participate. You will be notified if you have been unsuccessful.
Please note that participation in the test will only be available through Slack, so only sign up if you are willing to work on this platform. We will not be sending pattern details via email or other digital/print media. Thanks for your understanding.
Before the test begins
Once you receive our email, you’ll have some time to swatch and select yarn before the patterns arrive on 6 February. You are more than welcome to use stash - handspun/mill spun, our mill, or someone else’s ('tis all fair game) - but if you would like to pick out something new, there will be a 15% discount code included in our email to you (valid until the end of February 2026).
The test timeframe
Testing will run from 6 February to 2 April (8 weeks), so please be mindful of this when selecting your project, as some are slightly larger than others.
Feedback and our gift to you
Once the test is over, we will send you a questionnaire for feedback, and we would love it if you could also send us some photos of your finished piece for us to use - fully credited, of course! All testers who submit feedback will receive a pdf copy of the final pattern they have tested when The Annual (issue six) is published in September, as well as a voucher code (valid until the end of December 2026) for an additional 15% off any of our products, as a thank you for your help.