Designer Life
What’s a Tech Editor
Things that make a pattern better Part I
Ever notice this on pattern page “this pattern was tech edited and test knit.” Have you ever wondered what that was all about? Should you care? In Part I we’ll talk about tech editors; and Part II is about test knitting and what this can mean for knitters looking for a great pattern.
Patterns on Ravelry have a notes section. This extra space gives designers a place to tell knitters more about the pattern. Take a look at my Kimono Moon Shawl pattern page and you will see this at the bottom: “All my patterns are tech edited and test knit to ensure accuracy and clear instructions”.
What does it mean to have a pattern tech edited?
In a nutshell – my tech editor (TE) helps me to make sure that my pattern is the best it can be. So that when you are knitting it, you don’t find frustrating errors than can keep you from finishing your project.
A designer is putting extra time and money into their patterns when they hire a tech editor.
What does a tech editor do?
TEs double check the math, make sure that the instructions are clear, all parts to work the pattern are there, includes an abbreviations list, there is a logical flow, charts match the written instructions (when they should), and more. Some will even check the grammar, spelling, and word usage.
Among the many things a TE can do, the most important is to be sure that the math is correct. Lets say that my pattern tells you that the hat will be 10″ deep or tall. My TE will look at all the math and let me know if that’s wrong – in bright red pen. Ouch. Sorry ego, but it’s necessary.
When writing up a pattern it can be so easy to forget a basic part of the design. Let’s say the pattern is for mittens. The TE checks that the instructions include the cuff, palm, back of hand, thumbs, and the top. No part left behind.
Sometimes we designers can forget to include the abbreviations list, chart key, or special instructions. There’s so much to include. A good TE will note what’s missing (or not needed) so that it can be fixed.
Now, don’t get me wrong tech editing a pattern is not bullet proof. TEs are human too and sometimes errors do get by them, BUT those tend to be very, very minor.
Do all designers use a TE?
No, and there are many reasons. One reason is not knowing that tech editors exist. It also takes time. Using the services of a TE can add at least another week to the process.
There are designers that can craft a great pattern without using a TE. But, most of us spend so much time on our patterns that we become “blind”. At the very least, that extra set of TE eyes finds obvious things we just can’t “see” anymore.
Some designers use test knitters (more on that in Part II) instead of a tech editor. Basically the test knitters do the job of the tech editor too.
Although worth the money, hiring a TE can be costly. It’s scary to pay for tech editing when there’s no guarantee that knitters will buy the pattern.
So, why should you care if the pattern was tech edited?
The longer you knit, the more likely you are to come across a poorly written pattern. Chances are, it wasn’t tech edited or test knit, and boy it shows! You might even be taking your knitting apart due to the bad pattern math or instructions. . . again.
A pattern that has been tech edited and test knit is more likely to provide knitters with a happier knitting experience. There’s less frogging and frustration when the pattern is error free. Chances are that you’ll enjoy the process, keep on knitting, and finish your project.
Hiring a TE is an investment in my pattern design and reputation as a designer. More importantly, knitters really benefit when the result is a well written pattern.
My mission is to provide knitters with a wonderful and successful knitting experience. To me, there is no substitute for having my patterns tech edited when I know it results in a better pattern for the knitter.
