How
I Work
The Tech Editing Process for Knitting
Patterns Last
updated: 04/02/2023
What/When/Why
Tech
editing a knitting pattern basically means checking it for
errors without
actually knitting the design. See What I
Check below for more details.
If
you plan to have your pattern test knitted, I
recommend having your pattern tech edited first (and in any case,
naturally before publication). There are several advantages in doing
this:
- You
get most of the
corrections/changes to your pattern identified all at once, allowing
you to concentrate on changes/updates in one sitting, rather than
having to return to your pattern many different times as test
knitters
notice potential issues over
days/weeks.
- It
reduces the need to
send revised pattern versions to test knitters.
- Minimizes
confusion for
test knitters.
- Avoids
potentially
embarrassing test knit situations where a garment just doesn't come out
as it is supposed to due to a critical oversight in the pattern.
- When
the test knit is run on a public forum (for example, Ravelry), less of
your pattern is revealed to non-testers and non-purchasers.
In
other
words, it
saves you time and
allows you to concentrate on your next design.
Why,
in addition to the
above:
- Tech-edited patterns
look professional and neat.
- It
reduces questions
from knitters who've purchased your pattern.
- Knitters
appreciate
error-free patterns and are more likely to give a higher rating to
patterns (and also to purchase more from the same source) that are
neat, clear, and free of errors.
- Test
knitting in itself
is unlikely to identify all errors and inconsistencies. Many skilled
knitters happily and quickly produce the design as intended, not
noticing little errors and especially style inconsistencies, etc, as
they knit.
- It
can be hard (some say
impossible) and time-consuming to spot errors in your own work.
Basic
Tech Editing Process
I work from .doc, .docx, or .pdf files, or in Google Docs.
PDF
If you're an
independent designer, a PDF file has the advantage of being WYSIWYG
(what you
see is what you get) thus allowing me to check the layout exactly as it
will be seen by purchasers. PDF file security settings need to
allow me to print, copy, and comment. I do most of my work directly
onscreen in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC noting errors/corrections and
making suggestions by adding "markup"
highlights and comments.
(Click here for more details.)
You'll
receive my
editing comments in a return PDF
file via email and see my highlights
and comments therein that pop up as you mouseover. At this point,
since I haven't changed any actual file content, you can work directly
with it making changes (optionally deleting or replying to my comments
as you go) or you can work from your original file. Either way,
once you've finished making changes, I recommend sending the corrected
pattern to me
for rechecking. The process may need to be repeated.
Word
.doc/.docx
The
procedure is much
the same working with .doc or
.docx files: I add review comments in Word. This file format has the
advantage of
allowing me to make corrections to the pattern itself, should you wish
me
to do that. In that case, I work with the "track changes"
option
turned on so that you can see what I've changed. I also add
review comments if the reason for the change isn't obvious, I'm correcting an error, or when
suggesting a change that I feel needs your confirmation or input. It
can be convenient, saving time for both of us, if I quickly correct
things like
typos, grammar, and
punctuation as I work through a pattern.
When
working with Word files, if you've used a non-standard font that I
don't have installed it's likely
to mess up the layout/formatting on my computer. In most
cases,
I can download and install the font that you've used and all will then
look as it should. Let me know which special fonts you've used, if any,
or if you're not sure you can send me both .docx and .pdf formats of
your pattern. This allows me to compare and check I'm seeing the
pattern as intended.
Google
Docs
If
you prefer to use Google Docs, I can work in "suggested edits"
mode (which tracks all changes that I make) or simply add highlighting
with
comments – the choice is yours. I'll let you know by
email when I've finished my review/edits – please wait
until then before accepting/rejecting/resolving
them or making other changes to the document.
Seeing
a pattern's layout in PDF format is naturally more important with
complex layouts such as those that include photos, diagrams, charts,
notes in margins, and background shading. Typical layout problems
are diagrams encroaching on text or insufficient margins
between text and page borders. Of course, you can always send
your
pattern in both file formats if you'd like me to check the layout as
well as make corrections to your .docx file rather than being
constrained to review/markup comments alone.
In
addition,
if I see a number discrepancy (stitch
counts, for example), instead of adding details with a lot
of numbers in comment boxes, I may
create a spreadsheet showing my calculations – for clarity and ease of explanation – and email
it along with the PDF or Word file.
Style
There
are many different ways to format and phrase knitting patterns that go
to make up a designer's, magazine's, or book's style. I follow your
Style Sheet if you have one, or otherwise simply your
style as presented in your
pattern, checking for style consistency and clarity. I can also
help define your style if you wish.
My own tech editing style is flexible. My aim
is to help
you create good-looking, error-free patterns in your own style in an
easeful way. Hence, if you'd like me to follow a different procedure to
what I've outlined above let me know. When communicating,
I tend
to be
informal, friendly, relevant (I'm not going to bore you with
cat
stories! 😊), and clear as to the
reasons for pattern changes/suggestions.
What
I Check
Everything! 😊
I check for every possible kind of error as well as consistency,
clarity, and completeness in style and instructions. This includes:
- Math,
measurements, all
numbers and stitch counts are present and correct.
- Written instructions are correct.
- Instructions,
photos,
schematics, and charts match.
- Consistency
of
style, phrasing, and compliance with your style sheet.
- Clarity.
- Completeness.
- Chart
consistency/correctness.
- Written
instructions
match charts.
- Spelling,
correct word
usage, punctuation, formatting, and grammar.
- Stitch
patterns match and align as intended.
- Schematic measurements
match sizing standards and intended ease.
- Gauge
is reasonable,
matching the design and yarn weight.
- Layout.
- Any
external references
are correct (e.g. videos, yarn details, url's).
- Abbreviations
and
notations used are defined and consistent with industry standards.
- All
required materials
are listed and yarn requirements look reasonable (more detailed yardage checks upon request).
Related
Services
I grade patterns,
expand the size range of previously graded patterns to be
size-inclusive, and ghostwrite entire patterns. I also create
charts
(Stitchmastery) and schematics (Adobe Illustrator).
Time
My turnaround time is usually 3 to 14 days, depending on my other
commitments and the length/complexity of the pattern. In most cases, I
like to sleep on it and read through each pattern one more
time with fresh eyes before emailing my work. I send progress
reports when applicable and I'll let you know asap
if I find a major issue in your pattern that causes me to pause my
checks. (A major issue, for example, might be a grading issue, a missing section,
or an
error in one place that may result in significant changes to
instructions that follow.) Do let me know if you have a deadline for
the
tech-edited pattern completion and I'll let you know if I can meet it.
Pricing
My
standard rate is $48 per hour, billable in 15-minute
increments with a minimum of one hour.
All prices/rates/quotes are in USD. Payment is due upon receipt of
invoice/completion of tech editing. I accept payments with credit/debit
cards online via a secure link in invoices sent, as well as other methods listed on the Payments page.
I keep a
strict track of my billable time by using
time
tracking software. The clock starts ticking when I start working and
pauses when I am interrupted, only resuming when I have
complete focus once again on your pattern.
With
care and highlighter,
---Sue |
