I am currently in full blown knitting for hire mode. So you might no hear too much from me over the next few weeks. I can tell you that there are pros and cons to doing Knitting for Hire jobs.
I have found that there are two different categories for Knitting for Hire Jobs: Test Knitting: where you are actually testing the pattern to make sure it is clearly written and doesn’t contain mistakes; and Sample Knitting: where you are not only reviewing the pattern for clarity, but also producing a sample garment that will be returned to the designer.
For Test Knitting, there are many designers that recruit knitters to review their pattern before they publish it. A lot of these designers look for knitters who will use their own materials and don’t expect to be paid for their time or materials. I have found that it is fun to work for these types designers because you can usually get a copy of the pattern for free, both when you test the pattern and usually when the final pattern, without errors, is published. Plus, you are one of the first to knit the project. The drawback that I have found is that sometimes it is necessary to make a purchase to meet the requirements for the pattern. Typically, I will only do this type of test knitting if I have the materials already on hand.
Sample Knitting is a different ball game all together. Designers requiring Sample Knitters will provide the materials and will also pay for the knitting, usually by the yard. Now don’t think you will get paid and also get to keep the item. No sir, the designers require the items for what they call Trunk Shows. They take their garments around to different shows to sell the pattern to the wholesale market.
One of the things I love about sample knitting jobs is that I learn so much and typically, I get to use yarn that I have never used before and might not have selected on my own. Understand that sample knitting is not a huge moneymaker, but I find it fun as well as educational.
Don’t get me wrong, there are the drawbacks as well. For starters, when I am in a time crunch to get a project completed for a designer I get little, if any, work done on my own personal projects. This makes it very difficult to knit up my stash, but I have found the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this case. Because it also means I am less likely to want to purchase more yarn.
May 5, 2009 at 10:45 pm
So wonderful to be able to ‘work’ at something you have a passion for! So are you doing both test and sample knitting right now?
October 20, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I am looking for knitters to knit samples, particularly children’s items, e.g. sweaters. All items are from high quality yarns. The knitted samples must be returned to me; but the excess yarn may be kept by you.
October 22, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I have been knitting for many years and was intrigued to read your message. I am interested in this type of project and wonder what it would take to fet started. Thank you for your consideration.
November 3, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I am interested in your proposal for knitting for hire. It’s a bit new to me. I have used Ghost Knitters out of New Jersey, but not with tremendous success. They send the projects out of the country. The turnaround time is a factor. Do you have any ideas how much you might charge or how you would charge for projects? I’m open to your ideas.