The value of having a tech editor
Autumnal photos, and a peek behind the curtain
Hello, you awesome people! After my first post in August, quite a few of you subscribed, for which I’m extremely grateful. Thanks for being here.
This issue of Yarnbound Tales comes a little later than I intended. September just got away from me. I had a massive cold for a week, so a lot of the things I wanted to do this month will be done in October.
However, I realized some of you might have seen on my profile that I’m a knitting tech editor, yet you might have no clue what that means. I wanted to explain this and touch on some of the questions that sometimes come up regarding tech editing and test knitting.
What is a knitting pattern?
A knitting pattern is basically a document that a designer created, giving guidelines on how to prepare a given item: what kinds of knitting needles to use, what kind of yarn to use, how many stitches to cast on your needles for any given size, what each abbreviation means, etc. Patterns usually feature at least one photo to show the finished object and anything else that a designer might find useful. If you’re interested in what a real knitting pattern looks like, check out Jason’s Cashmere Hat by Melissa Thomson, a totally free (and really cool, classic) pattern.
A pattern has many moving parts, like instructions, numbers, design elements, schematics, charts, romance copy etc., that really have to be perfect to not cause annoyance to makers who sometimes spend months creating the item. Not to mention the fact that most patterns cost money to buy, and yarn is also not cheap, especially if it’s a sweater’s quantity which can easily mean 1000-2000 metres.
It’s knitter math.
There is also the fact that people always have the option to leave reviews on a pattern (at the very least on Ravelry, one of the largest social media sites for knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and dyers), and they often share their experiences openly with others. So designers should ensure that what they publish is as clear and error-free as possible.
But we rarely see our own mistakes, especially in a document we spent a really long time creating.
Authors and translators have their copyeditors and proofreaders to help with this. And knitwear designers have their tech editors.
What is technical editing?
Technical editing for knitting patterns is the process of checking a pattern to make sure the numbers are correct, the style is consistent throughout, all the necessary instructions are there, and it is ready for publication.
We don’t knit the pattern, we check it theoretically, with a spreadsheet, a calculator, some reference books, style sheets, sizing charts, and lots of coffee or tea.
Depending on the complexity of the pattern, the process usually takes a few hours. Hats are relatively simple to edit, while sweaters with 10+ sizes might take a few hours longer. Copyediting and proofreading are integral parts of the process, but we also need to know some basic math, and we obviously need to know how to knit. While we don’t actually create the item, we have to imagine creating it, to see if the instructions can be followed or not.
We have to pay attention to a lot of things:
Are the instructions clear and accurate?
Is the style consistent?
Are there any typos in the pattern?
Are the abbreviations in order?
Does the layout of the pattern make sense?
Do the instructions match the chart(s)?
Are chart keys given and correct?
Are the necessary schematics included?
Does the schematic accurately represent the finished object?
Does the math of the pattern work?
Is the pattern reasonable when held up to some sizing standard?
Are the measurements converted correctly between systems?
Can a knitter achieve the measurements the pattern gives?
However, technical knowledge is not enough, we also have to know how to work with designers. Communication is essential. The knitting patterns we work on are not our intellectual properties, so while we might fix obvious mistakes and give recommendations on how to improve a pattern, ultimately it’s the designer’s right to accept or decline our recommendations.
Technical editing vs. test knitting
Now, some might say: “But Adam, isn’t this what test knitters are for? Tech editors are expensive, I sell my patterns for only a few dollars, and test knitters are free!”
This is a controversial topic, and I’m a bit hesitant to address it, but these questions have come up on social media recently, so I feel like I have to say a few things about them.
Let me start by acknowledging that yes, tech editing is another expense, another investment, but with thoughtful pricing and marketing, it can be a worthwhile one. It’s possible for a designer to break even and start earning a good income from their designs.
Let’s see an example. If the tech edit costs 100 Euros (this is about the cost of editing a sock pattern), and you’re selling the pattern for 5 Euros, then only 20 people have to buy it. That’s not so bad, right? And theoretically, the pattern can be sold thousands of times, in many different countries, especially if it’s a good quality product. Word of mouth goes a long way.
Testers are people who get the pattern for free, and then knit it on their own time, with their own yarn. They usually do this for free, probably only receiving a gift pattern for their efforts, so it's important to recognize that expecting them to act as tech editors isn't fair to them. The work of testers is invaluable, and some of them do enjoy finding little mistakes, but as Autumn from the Size Inclusive Collective said in one of her recent posts:
Testers are not co-writers, tech editors, or the designer’s marketing team. [...] The testers goal is to answer the question: Does the pattern work as written?
She has actually created some great posts about what testers and designers are responsible for, so make sure you check out her Instagram page if you’re interested.
I always say that tech editors to designers are what copyeditors and proofreaders are to authors and translators. Even the best need them because we are blind to our own mistakes. If a designer wants to ensure their work shines, an editor is an invaluable resource.
Interesting links
I have tech edited an amazing pattern, the My Secret BFF Socks by Gynka Knitwear. Mici is a TKGA-certified knitwear designer, so she knows her stuff. Make sure you check out the pattern, it comes in three sizes (baby, toddler, child), and features a beautiful cat motif, created by shadow knitting, a simple, beginner-friendly technique. – Website
Some of you might know that one of my hobbies is drawing fantasy maps. I mostly do it for our D&D group, to illustrate some of the areas of our homebrew world. I have recently published a new map for an area that was in the back of my mind for quite a while. This area is called the Arbiter Cliffs, and it has quite a sinister history. Feel free to check it out on my blog where you can even find a timelapse video showing my process.
Since it’s autumn and therefore apple season, I will definitely make this really easy apple bread recipe by Preppy Kitchen a few times this year as well.