So for testing journals, are we supposed to be keeping them private until we’re done? I’ve been keeping them public as I post so the people I test for can see how far along I am. Should I not be doing that? I don’t know the proper journal etiquette for testing. What is the consensus of the community?
And apologies if I posted in the wrong place!
I usually just make one at the very end, I never really make progress ones, idk, should I? Do designers like that better? Another question to add to this post I guess. Haha
i don’t see anything wrong with keeping it private but I always keep mine public so designers can see my makes when applying for tester calls! it’s really just a preference, so if you’d like to keep it private until the pattern releases, that’s completely ok, and if not that’s alright too!
Just keep in mind, your journals are private until the designer puts the pattern on dropping soon, releases it, or if the designer has made the pattern public at any point at all!
Journals made for patterns that are being tested are not visible to everyone until the pattern is published, but it needs to be set to “public” for the designer to be able to see the journal.
I was doing a progress journal for testing set to public. The designer I tested for was asking if I meant to “publish” it because it wasn’t complete. I wasn’t sure if we were supposed to be keeping these private until we were done with the project or what. It seems like maybe it’s a personal preference thing though?
It depends if you want the designer to see your progress as you go (only they will be able to), most designers appreciate being able to see how far through the pattern you are. Potentially this person was new and not aware that it was only visible to them, and wasn’t public to anyone else 
I like progress pictures. As a tester and designer.
Can we talk about adding yarn type to the journal? I was looking at a sweater to make and the journal pictures I liked the look of, did not say what yarn was used. 
I generally add the yarn type and hook size I used along with a final product size. I have pretty much only had a final photo in my journal. My journals stay on public and have not had any problems or concerns from the pattern designers.
Most people are okay with just a single photo of the finished work but I think it’s best to check with the person who you’re testing for if it’s bothering you XD I typically include the hook size and yarn in my journals tho
Usually when testing I wait until the end. I do give the progress photos in the chat.
I do that privately for two reasons.
So the pattern details aren’t public and so the designer knows I’m working on it.
When I do the journal I like to state hook size i’ve used, yarn type (if I remember) and my finished size of item. Sometimes I also the aprox amount of yarn I used.
If you have an issue with anything in the pattern state post it in testing group chat or send the designer a message rather than placing on the journal. That way the designer can decide to change the suggestion or not.
I also add a compliment in my journal to the designer. It always adds a boost to their hard work. We never truly know how much work goes into a design before it’s been tested.