Technical editing is one of the crucial steps in pattern writing. You have knitted that garment or accessory and written the pattern, so you know all about it, why you made this or that decision and how it knits up. But your knitters will discover your pattern and see only what is written.
Test knitting also gives you an appreciable help, but one tester takes just one size. Technical editors have a global view on your pattern, check everything to ensure that everything works, and gives you an outside opinion: Is the pattern easy to follow? Is the style consistent? Is the language appropriate to the supposed level of difficulty? And I will come up with suggestions to improve your pattern.
I have begun to tech-edit more than a decade ago and I love this job because I can take part of this “pattern making” process, thinking with designers how to make instructions clearer and easier to follow. I also like putting things in order 🙂
This is the list of what I (double)-check. Before sending me your pattern, please go through it for one last time, checking yourself the elements listed below. That will save our time and your money!
CHECK LIST
Mathematical aspects
– stitch/row counts consistency
– gauge – measurements correspondence
– required yardage (please weight your yarn!)
– measurements and materials conversion (meter-yard, centimeter-inch, needle size) – if you’re an American designer and want to reach Worldwide audience, I highly recommend that you convert yard/inch into meter/centimeter.
Style matters
– clarity of instructions;
– consistency of style and abbreviations;
– completeness of materials and abbreviations listed up;
– spelling and grammar.
Charts
– correspondence symbols/written instructions
– chart drawing (I use StitchMastery)
I can also write out instructions from charts.
How does it work?
Please contact me with the form below, letting me know what kind of pattern you want me to tech-edit and when you’ll need it finished. I’ll answer as soon as possible if and when I can work on your pattern. My average turnaround time (between your inquiry and the start of editing) is currently 5 working days (1 calendar week) and we will need a some more days to “finish” the editing, which means your pattern ready for testing. Please take this into account for your test call.
I can correct and/or comment Microsoft Word and Excel files, PDF files, and Google docs and spreadsheets.
How much does it cost me?
My current hourly rate is 25 euros (click on to see the conversion into your currency), with half an hour minimum.
I need to see your pattern to give you an estimate, but here’s the average time I need to tech-edit:
– accessories: 0.5 to 2 hours;
– garments: 2.5 to 4 hours.
Please note that patterns with complex stitches (lace, cables) and many sizes will require much more time (+ 1.0 hour or more).
I accept PayPal payments from all over the world, and bank transfers if you are in euro zone.
See the Pinterest’s board below for my works. I’m happy to work with new clients 🙂
Please feel free to contact me for any questions!
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