I have been given the opportunity to test some patterns but I feel that I don’t write enough on the journals. Can some pattern makers explain what they want? Like good criticism? Why it’s a good pattern?
You can sort of review the pattern. If it was easy to follow, how long it took, that sort of thing. You can also write down what yarn and hook you used
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Probably explain how the pattern is going and what part of the pattern you are crocheting/knitting at that time and if you like the pattern 
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I do like progress pictures. Just to show there is … progress. Yarn and hook used are always good because before buying a pattern, I want to know how that make was done to make it look so great. Also, as a designer, we need a “start” of a journal for tracking. So yarn and hook are a great start. Fun pictures are great later for the sale of the pattern.
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Progress photos are good but a final photo is also fine. Writing the yarn you used like the brand, weight, colors, etc along with the hook/needle you used is also really good.
Never write or show direct things from the pattern like: On Row 100: (inc, 23 sc) x 90 I had trouble doing that row (If your testing the pattern don’t write it in the journal your notes and suggestions should solely be for in the tester group message or to the designer another way)
But saying you had trouble without being super specific on a row is okay, if you had to contact the designer were they fast? Helpful? Didn’t respond?
How did you feel about the pattern, was it no-sew? Was it easy to complete? Any changes for next time? If you used a different yarn weight/type from the pattern was it harder or easier? Did you still like the results? Etc
Really you can write anything. Sometimes I can be vague sometimes I go into detail, think about what you would like to see if you saw a pattern and weren’t sure if you should buy/get it and wanted to see what the reviews had to say. Also to note, feel free to make journals for patterns you aren’t testing! They’re meant as reviews and looks great on a pattern 
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You were all so helpful thank you 
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I like general progress photos, specifications about materials, and tips or modifications that were made (like embroidering eyes instead of using safety eyes, using felt, etc ).
I prefer if pattern issues are discussed in chat because that allows me to fix the pattern and I don’t have to track down journals to explain that problems have been resolved.
Edited to add:
Comments about if you’ll make the pattern again, if you’ll be selling the finished project (or how many you’ve sold!), color changes you might use in the future, reactions to projects given as gifts, etc.
These type of comments can really help boost sales.
Lastly, mentioning the quality of communication with the pattern designer, how responsive they were to problems/suggestion, and if you hope to test for them again can help encourage (or discourage if your experience was negative) other potential testers.
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Sometimes it’s really hard to say negative things about someone’s work… like I had a designer that was kinda rude but I felt bad to write it on the journal even with nicer words
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I can understand that. It really does help potential testers though. Maybe try the trick I was taught as a professor’s aid: Start with two fairly specific positive statements, then give specific criticisms, then end with a general positive statement.
Sandwiching criticisms in between positives can help smooth ruffled feathers, and stacking the deck with positives lessens concerns about bias.
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Review the pattern, include what hook and yarn you used, and if the pattern had a lot of sewing or something like that where something was left out of the description, then mention that too. It’s okay to be negative sometimes but be nice about it, and maybe contact the designer if it needs work.
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I’ll definitely try it. sounds like a good idea
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