What is a tech editor?
Tech editors help pattern designers ensure that their patterns are the best they can be. They check for mistakes, inconsistencies, omissions, and anything that doesn’t make sense in the pattern.
What are the benefits of hiring a tech editor?
Aside from the obvious mistake-free pattern. A tech editor can help you to make sure your pattern is clear and consistent, easy to read, and appropriate for the level of knitter and crocheter that the designer is targeting.
What I check as a tech editor
- Overview Scan
- Initial spell check
- Abbreviations check
- Stitch instruction check
- Check Numbers
- Check yarn usage
- Check stitch counts row by row and stitch by stitch for each size
- Check sizes and measurements compared to stitch gauge
- Check style consistency
- Font size
- Bold, italic, etc
- Writing style
- Terminology
- Check punctuation consistency
- Periods
- Commas vs. semicolons
- Parentheses vs brackets
- Check capitalization consistency
- Capped sentences
- First words in instructions
- Knitting terms
- Check abbreviation consistency
- Knitting terms consistently abbreviated
- Reconfirm each abbreviated term is listed in key
All of this is checked based, on the designer’s preferences and to match their stylesheet (if available). I will always make sure the pattern stays in the designers voice. The goal is to give the designer the most clear and consistent voice possible.