If you are a yarn pattern designer, or an aspiring one, you might be wondering how polished does the pattern really need to be before I can send it to the tech editor?
As a designer myself, when I finally started using a tech editor, I fretted over this a lot. With editing time is money and the more you do upfront the less time it will take to edit. However, on the other side of that, if there is an area that you are struggling with, a bit of math or wording for example, don’t worry about it. Highlight, let the tech editor know when you send the file over what you’re struggling with and they will be happy to help you.
Tech editors, most of us, are here to help designers with more than just editing. We are also a sounding board for when you encounter a sticky area or just aren’t sure if the idea will work or the stitch pattern can be graded.
Look for a tech editor who are comfortable with. What do I mean by “comfortable”? Someone with whom you can communicate well using your desired method, will tell you the truth, but gently and that understands your needs as a designer. This might take some trial and error and you might find you want more than one tech editor for different kinds of projects.
Now to the pattern. I’m going to share with you somethings that you can do easily to help your pattern editing time be shorter and therefore cost less money.
- Read what you have written out loud and very slowly.
- Check any math that you are not struggling with.
- Have another stitcher look it over.
- Have a style sheet. This is a guide, usually just a page or two, about how you want to style your patterns, from fonts to headings and abbreviations to wording. I can help you make one if you’d like.
- If you have a style sheet check you pattern against it.
- Check your gauge again, as well as yarn info and hook or needle size.
- When you send your pattern, include your style sheet, conversion numbers and size chart used.
Taking the above steps will help you to see some things that will feel obvious once you see them. It will also save time of your editor having to email you and ask for the info or get clarification.
If you have questions about prepping a pattern for tech editing or making a style sheet please feel free to comment below or drop me an email.
Happy designing and
Happy making!
Azariahs Fibre Arts 