When I first started tech editing, I said yes to every job. I would edit anything, no matter what. Any type of item, any designer, anything. I was so excited to edit! That enthusiasm is fantastic, and a lot of us feel that way when we begin any new thing.
Over time, you learn what you do best, what your strengths are, what you enjoy most about the work, what you hate about it, and that's when you can get really good.
Saying yes to everything is a great practice, but it's only a starting place, a path to what we want, because we won't be great at everything. Zeroing in on how you, specifically, can do the most good, offer the most consistent product, show up authentically, is the key to doing your best work.
It's so important that we know what we do well, and that we don't feign competence in anything. The reason for this is the customer, the knitter, the human at the end of the long line in this whole design-idea-to-completed-pattern process. When we remember the purpose of our job - no matter what it is - why it matters, it helps us to work from a place of honesty and integrity. Working that way will always put out the best product.
Go all in on what you do best. Learn it all, show up, deliver. Don't feel you have to be everything to everyone or wear every hat. You do not, and it isn't the best way to serve the knitter. The way to be the best is to know what you're best at, then just do that. No one can do what you do like you can. So you do you. And let them do them.
There are so many ways to work in patterns, like: - Designing
- Drawing
- Knitting
- Pattern writing
- Design grading
- Layout design
- Photography
- Technical editing
- Pattern testing
- Marketing
And within each of these disciplines, there is another whole long list of things to specialize in, to be so damn good at doing that you become an expert.
I've had designers give my grading advice the side-eye because I don't offer grading. I've had people tell me that my next natural step would be to design patterns. I've had knitters flat-out call me a fraud about gauge because I don't write patterns. It's all total crap.
I'll tell you a secret - I don't say I know something if I don't, and I am not a fraud. Yet none of those things are what I do best, nor what I would want to do.
What I went all in on, and what I excel in, and what I know best in this industry, is knitting patterns. I know and understand patterns better than I know anything, how they work and what makes them work best, and everything that goes into them. I've had my sleeves rolled up and been knee-deep living in all-knitting-patterns-all-the-time for a long time. I freaking love knitting patterns.
Talking to you all about patterns and best practices is my jam. Cuz there's another way to work in patterns: - Consultancy (otherwise known as: getting into the weeds with someone to make something work in the best way possible for that someone.)
I've got about 30 articles on my website that run the gamut, if you have questions surrounding knitting design, writing patterns, grading, or technical editing. You can always reach me directly here, or you can hit reply to this email, or book a consult anytime. I'm here for you. | 