Crochet Pattern Tech Editing Services
What is a Crochet Pattern Technical Editor?
A crochet (and knit) pattern tech editor is someone who works with designers and yarn companies to thoroughly check patterns before they are submitted for sale, download or publication. Every pattern whether it be amigurumi, a blanket or a jumper should ideally be technically edited for clarity and accuracy. This would probably happen before the pattern is tested. A tech editor does not make the item in question.
It is the role of the tech editor to check a crochet pattern line by line looking f6r spelling and grammatical errors, checking stitch counts, repeats, schematics and charts and size grading as well as checking the tension / gauge. Many designers have a particular style in which they like their patterns to be presented so checking this can also be an important part of the role.
Why should I get my patterns tech edited?
This is feedback I do hear quite often:
'I’m an experienced designer and I check my work myself’
‘some of my patterns are quite old now so I don’t think it’s worth having them checked’
‘it’s not something I’ve thought about doing for my patterns’
Do any of these statements sound familiar to you? Well here’s my reasons I think tech editing (even on free patterns) is really important:
1. Creating the best possible design with clarity for the crocheter, ensuring your repeats and stitch counts are accurate.
2. If you are looking to establish yourself as a credible crochet designer, it’s important to show you are capable of writing a good, legible pattern. Even if you are a successful designer, it’s important to get a fresh pair of eyes on your work as even the smallest of mistakes can be made - I know, because it’s happened to me!
3. Just take this example of what could happen - you publish a pattern which you checked yourself. Then you realise after publishing that there is a mistake on one line where the repeat doesn’t add back to the stitch count…..what do you do? Post an errata on the site where it’s published. Fine. But what if you can’t do that? You may also find lots of emails in your inbox from crocheters asking for help. This could be 100s of people who don’t maybe have the experience to work it out for themselves.
Just a bit of food for thought. If you are thinking of getting your patterns tech edited, please contact me for a free sample edit of one of your patterns. I’m more than happy to give you an estimate of cost for editing the whole pattern. I am also happy to tech edit UK and US patterns. I am also a left handed crocheter so can help fellow lefties produce a right handed pattern should you wish.
I charge £20 / hour in 15 minute increments. Please contact me at munira@chromacrochet.com for further information.