Our pattern testers
Pattern testers are worth their weight in gold, both to the pattern designer to help ensure patterns released are error free and easy to understand and also to the crocheter who expects to purchase patterns that can use and enjoy for years to come. We have hundreds of pattern testers but here are a few of the "superstars"!
Erna Garduno
Erna has been a tester with us for about 5 years now. She‘s done Corner to Corner (C2C), Mosaic and Bobble stitch projects. I recently learned what a small world it is after finding out that Erna lives in the same city (Pueblo, CO) as Bob and I do…..THEN we discovered she lived right down the road from us! It’s been a treat getting to know her over lunches and chatting!
Erna’s been crocheting for over 40 years and learned in school, back when they still had home economics. Her favorite thing to crochet is blankets and she loves to use the Ombre yarns to really make them look spectacular!
Erna enjoys learning new crochet techniques but is not a fan of the single crochet graphgans as there are a lot of ends to weave in.
Her advice is to never give up. If you don’t understand a pattern or a stitch, look it up on YouTube. There are usually several different crocheters that will explain a technique or stitch so find one that works for you!
Debbie Myers White
Debbie has been a tester for us since 2019. She learned to crochet from her mother when she was 10 or 12 years old and has been crocheting for over 50 years now.
Debbie likes to do the Corner to Corner (C2C) afghans because they work up pretty quick and prefers the acrylic yarns.
She belongs to her local Crochet for Cancer chapter and feels blessed to be able to provide hats, lap blankets and more for people who are undergoing treatment for cancer.
Terry Heart Deleon
Terry joined The Crochet Couch pattern testers just last year but has completed some beautiful work! She is one of our international pattern testers and lives halfway across the world!
She’s been crocheting for about 12 years and learned from her auntie as well as from YouTube. Terry’s favorite thing to crochet now is Corner to Corner (C2C) She likes Acrylic yarns as well as cotton, Alize (a cotton acrylic mix) and Himalaya which is a velvet type yarn. We also enjoy seeing the projects that people make using yarns that aren’t locally available to us.
One thing that we love about graph projects is how universal they are for the most part. While there may be a bit of a language barrier, the graph patterns are easy to work up once a person knows the stitch.
Kathleen Alkire
Kathleen has been testing for The Crochet Couch since 2017 and has completed so many wonderful projects and she is a real treasure. Her work is superb, and we even get the benefit of her husband modeling from time to time.
Kathleen has been crocheting for over 50 and initially became interested in the art while watching her grandmother crochet. She used many books from her local library (no internet or computer back then!) and taught herself to crochet.
She tried Corner to Corner (C2C) for the first time after joining The Crochet Couch as a pattern tester. It was easy to pick her for her because the instructions included a lot of helpful information. She uses the written row by row portion but compares her work to the graph every few rows just to make sure she hasn’t made an error that would require frogging.
Kathleen likes Hobby Lobby yarn “I Love This Yarn” and Red Heart yarns but does sometimes have a hard time matching dye lots with the Hobby Lobby brand which can be frustrating.
You’ll notice quite a few of Kathleen’s projects include cats….that’s because she has 4 rescue cats and enjoys making afghans with a cat design.
Janet Monroe
Janet has only been testing for us since last year but wow does she have a lot done! She’s multitalented and has done them in mosaic, SC, Bobble and C2C.
We asked Janet to tell us a little about her crochet journey. She initially learned to crochet about 40 years ago from her grandma. She did it for a little while doing some small projects. About 3 years ago she picked it up again and started doing some afghans from Annie’s Catalog. She then found us and C2C and fell in love! She decided to become a pattern tester and we’re so grateful that she did! Every project she has done for us has come out perfect.
Janet’s favorite item to crochet are afghans and her favorite yarn is the Impeccable yarn from Michaels. She says it’s so soft to work with and gets even softer after washing.
Her worst crochet disaster was when she was participating in the Mother Crochet Along that was a bobble afghan. She accidentally stitched one of the blocks upside down! Oh No! I think many of us can relate to that. She still has to fix it and says it’s a reminder for her to slow down and pay attention.
Janet’s tip for other crocheter’s is to weave in ends as you go.This is somewhat of a debate as some of our testers weave in ends as they go, and others save them for the end in case they have to frog later.
Jamie Pratt
Jamie has been testing patterns for us since 2017 but started crocheting around 1998.
She’s one of our left-handed testers and learned to crochet from a book. Her grandma tried to teach her but being right-handed, it was a little difficult. She does have to look at some graph patterns and depending on the stitch, will need to work them backwards if there are letters. She recommends all left-handed people compare their work to the graph to make sure it is coming out ok, especially if there are words or letters.
She likes to do C2C or anything double crochet as it works up faster for her. We’ve seen her complete very large afghans in an amazingly short time, and she has impressed us many times.
We think Jamie must be a dog lover as she has completed quite a few dog afghans over the years. I think more than any other tester.
Edna Louise Jett Pokorny
Edna has been testing with since 2015. In her own words: I started crocheting when I was about 7 years old. Taught by my Mom and Grandmother. They made such lovely things but of course mine was nothing like theirs. My Grandmother made the most beautiful doilies which I never attempted to make.
For many years I had put crocheting aside to raise my 3 children...life was busy. I picked it back up about 10 years ago after becoming disabled and no longer in the working field needing something to fill my time. I was doing just standard SC and DC afghans and hats.
My daughter Angela taught me how to read a pattern and opened a whole new world for me. I I don't remember how I came across my first graph testing group, but after joining and seeing the wonderful creations I was totally hooked.
I find it very relaxing. I gift a lot but also sell the finished products. My favorite has to be my first Eagle designed by your son. About me I am a widower, have 3 children Christina, Angela and Jeremiah. Seven grand children Cory, Kimberly, Taylor (our heavenly Angel) Austin, Zach, Hannah and Hunter. Now starting on those wonderful great grands. Mekale and due soon his baby sister Ma'kyah.
I transplanted from Ohio many years ago to Florida and never looked back. Besides crocheting I have recently started baking from scratch, love to read (must be a real book love the feel and smell of them) and watch different TV shows while doing my thing.
Shawna Brav
Shawna joined our pattern testing group in December of 2021 – in just that short of time she has done quite a few patterns including but not limited to: Letter M Swirly Kids Afghan, Letter R Kids Afghan, Live Laugh Love Afghan, Blue Blocks Afghan, Letter C Swirly Kids Afghan, Letter A Swirly Kids Afghan, Argyle Small Afghan, Rose Sachet Throw and Ladybugs in the Air Afghan. She is one fast crocheter!
We asked Shawna to tell us a little about her crochet journey and this is what she had to say:
“I started crocheting many many years ago, but it never stuck, could not get tension correct and had carpal tunnel, so I gave up on it. When my hubby and I had to clean out the massive and I mean massive amount of yarn from my mom in laws house (had to move her to a retirement apartment, as her husband had passed), I decided to pick it back up. I started with basic stitches, then found the enormous amount of videos online and basically self-taught. Over the years, I have picked up a lot, you can see the difference in my early stuff until now. There is no way I could do the things I am currently doing even a few years ago.
I like doing all kinds of crochet items, I have made blankets, pillows, animals, dresses. I really enjoy making gifts that I know people are going to enjoy, more than making random things that I am not sure what I going to do with later. My love is a theme and being able to bring it to life.
My two fav yarns are big twist and lion brand pound of love. I cannot stand chunky yarn are super thin yarn.
I still have a hard time with single crochet getting to the correct size. Example: if it’s supposed to be 12x12 it will be 8x12, so I have to add many rows on top and bottom, which does not always work with the picture ones. UGH.
I have a goal maybe more of a wish, I would love to do a mandala but the idea of what looks intricate still has me thinking it may be beyond me yet. ONE DAY.
I became a grandma 4 years, I never imagined that I would also be a full-time babysitter, so when he is over and we are watching tv, I crochet. I also crochet when hubby and I are watching our evening shows. I never just sit and watch tv (more like listen) with an occasional look up. I do miss a lot but it’s how it goes. I always have something in my hands (it keeps me out of the frig). LOL. I lost 50 pounds last years and would love to keep it off and add to that. I have even been known to bring a bag of crochet along on car rides.”
Michele Elisabeth
It's hard to believe but Michele has only been crocheting for about 5 years! The work that she does on our afghans, as well as other crochet projects is just unbelievable! Many of her projects also show some gorgeous photography skills so we're always excited to see one of her projects finished!
From Michele: I am about to be 50! Can you believe it 50! LOL. Anyway, I am a believer of Jesus Christ and His follower. I have learned Truth about His Love and His faithfulness. I never knew my worth or never even knew love. But today I walk in the fullness of His Love and I know I am worthy in Him.
I can honestly say crocheting helps with depression and anxiety though Jesus keeps me strong and He delivered me completely. Crochet just quiets me inside. If I do get anxious or even thoughts that bring me down go running through my head - I talk to Jesus and as I crochet away.
I enjoy reading, playing my guitar and singing worship on a worship team. I also dance and prophetic dance. I have been married for 27 years and have two grown children. I love my husband so very much and he truly is my best friend and God gave me him. I love my children and with this I have known family in every sense of the word!
I love animals, birds. I love, love the beach!! And I just enjoy life.
I am so grateful for the honor and privilege to test for crochet couch. I truly can say I was a pretty much a newbie crocheting when I first tested and testing the Lamb Blanket helped me grow my wings and encouraged me and shown me.... the gift that was inside me and placed with in by my Creator.
I am honored to have been chosen as a featured tester
. Thank you so very much.
Glory to God and God Bless.
Sandra Goodsell
Sandra has been testing for us since the beginning of 2016. She's a stay at home mom married for 10 years with 1 child. She loves to spend time with family and crochet, loves testing new patterns and loves to cook and try out new recipes. Sandra says: "I learned to crochet when I was 9 or 10 years old. I initially wanted to learn because my grandma was staying with us and I would watch her and thought it was neat. I became a tester right after I learned to do C2C and saw graphghans and thought they would be neat to make. My favorite pattern of yours would be the Duck Face. My afghans are frequently claimed by my son but I've also given some away and sold a few. Sandra hopes to one day soon meet some of the people she's met in online crochet groups for a real life crochet session.
Ann Jamieson
Ann has been with us since the beginning of 2016. She's been crocheting for close to 40 years off and on! In Ann's words: I used to be mesmerized by my granny, she made doilies with crochet thread, they were delicate and intricate. I would make chains which she would then make into circles, and I’d use them as carpets, covers in my dolls house, cardboard box! I guess I’d have been around ten when I made a strappy crochet top for myself, it was purple! Then I must have stopped and taken it up again when I was having my first baby, making clothes and blankets for her.
Originally, I just wanted to be like my granny! When my daughter was born, I didn’t get much handmade gifts from people and I preferred hand knitted/crocheted so there I began, the comments from others were also encouraging!
Searching through Facebook looking for ‘something different’ for a 21st birthday present, I was seeing works of art - Afghan/Graphgan and I thought ‘if only’. I asked if someone could make me a Jack Russell terrier and I was invited to join Kim’s original tester group, there I began my very first, never heard of, c2c graphgan! I was/am hooked!
I love them all! I’m amazed at how much I’ve improved over the years! Favourites include Black Sheep, Sleepy Sheep and the Baby Argyle, six colours Afghan
I live on the Shetland Islands, population of 22,000. I stay on a smaller island, Burra Isle, with my husband, Black Labrador, two ginger cats, a brood of hens, nine adult and fifteen chicks, hatched this month. I’m a learning support worker in our local high school. I have two grown up children, neither of who share my passion for wool, crochet or knitting! I love long walks with Brook, baking and knitting. I bake once a week, and always have a knit project and crochet project going at the same time, quite often more than one! I have recently undertaken knitting Fair Isle and have moved away from hats and gloves to my very first Fair Isle Yoke Cardigan, a 50th birthday present for my sister. My cupboards have more wool than the two wool shops on the isle! And I still never have the right wool for the project!! I’m patiently waiting on my ‘makkin’ room being done out/compiled!! The Crofthoose Hat I’m wearing was made for Shetland Wool Week, by a local designer, Donna Smith.
Laura Whitt
Laura has been a pattern tester with us since 2015. She has been crocheting for an amazing 42 years! Laura was blessed to have a grandmother who crocheted and was able to teach her and at age 12 she made a simple lap throw! Her favorite ones that she's tested? The Long Stem Rose blanket and the Carpenter Wheel in King size - both of which she did an outstanding job on! We're lucky to have Laura as one of our pattern testers!