I know I have shared the difference between tech editing and grading before, so I’m not going to do that too much here, if you are interested jump over HERE for more. What I want to share with you in this post is my first actual grade of a pattern.
A few years back I designed a raglan cardigan for babies. It was graded to a few sizes by me, nothing too big and I had it tested. If I remember correctly it was also the first pattern I had tech edited. It only went up through size 18-24 months. After I took the grading class with Melissa Metzbower in the spring, I knew I wanted to make this sweater in more sizes. It has taken me more than one start and then I really had to dig in for about three weeks of math, stitching, ripping and trying again.
I am a hands on learner. I can read something and usually do it but when it is something as technical as grading I need to do it to really get it. Melissa had a pattern for us in class and that was helpful. I had the videos and notes to go back to as I trudged through this baby sweater grade.
What I thought was going to be a simple grade became a bit harder when I realized that the stitch pattern is troublesome. It is just moss stitch but when you increase in moss stitch and want to stay in pattern, you have to increase two stitches. As I was doing this memories were coming back of all the math and finagling that went on with the first sweater pattern.
North Side is currently graded to 10 sizes. Infant through child. If I decide to make a youth and adult version of this pattern I will use worsted weight yarn.
The number of sizes might change depending on input from the tech editor. I was done making decisions and just needed someone else to deal with it. This is another reason to NOT edit your own work.
North Side is currently with the tech editor, mostly to check that my grading is sound and will fit the sizes I think it should. I’m excited and a bit nervous to see what she has to say.
Here is one of my first samples of the North Side sweater. I have made some changes to the button hole location and in the larger sizes the neck line is a bit more square.
I will have photos of the 5T to share soon, so stay tuned!
Happy making!
Azariahs Fibre Arts 