the value of being thorough

There is a real consideration that arises when patterns become more complex and involved, and altogether longer, both in what needs to be checked, and in how long that will take. I understand on every level the hardship on independent designers that are receiving big bills for their tech edits. But what else are you receiving?: A thoroughly checked pattern in its best form for your knitters.

You don’t really want your garment tech edit over in a flash. So let’s dig into the ‘what is being checked’ bit, and make sure that is happening. As you may expect, it starts with communicating clearly.

All about communication

So, you’ve sent your pattern off to your tech editor and are expecting them to catch any mistakes that might be lurking there. And let’s hope they do! However, for them to catch things, they need to be checking for them. Are they?

Sometimes tech editors make mistakes – we are only human after all. But when the mistake is not even checking some things in a pattern in the first place, that needs to change. There is a lot going on in a pattern, and some things might get ignored. It’s not necessarily due to a lack of caring or skill, it’s often just missed communications and fuzzy expectations.

When designers hire tech editors, I think a lot is assumed on both parties about what is going to be done. This can lead to huge problems if the assumptions are not the same. The best way to eliminate the possible disparities of each party’s assumptions is for you each to clearly communicate your expectations right from the beginning.

This should start at the very least, with what will be checked. Hopefully at the start of an edit you will receive an email from the tech editor telling you what will be checked. To this, you can confirm and add or subtract items as you require. If you do not receive an estimate email from your tech editor listing what will be included in their edit, ask for one. If you have concerns or questions, ask them right away.

When it goes wrong

Many times, what is going to be checked is not clarified, and designers are left with patterns they think have been thoroughly checked, when in fact they have not. This is usually discovered by a knitter having trouble with the pattern, or many knitters having trouble, and that can be disastrous for the designer and the knitters.

What follows is a basic list of what tech editors check for. Find beneath each item some examples and situations that show where those things are sometimes not thoroughly checked. Remember that clear communication is your best tool for a successful tech editing experience, so if you have questions or requirements, kindly make them known.

The 10 things your tech editor is checking for (and what they might be missing)

The following 10 items are in every estimate letter I send regarding a tech edit, and then customized as needed. But they are a lot more robust than they appear. My best client once told me that she would never think I was checking yarn information for example, based on number 1. Let’s look at what we’re talking about.

1. All necessary components of a pattern are present and are correct.

So, everything that needs to be included in a pattern is there and is done right. Do you and your tech editor agree on what those things are? What if they don’t check your romance copy, or your copyright information for errors? What if they don’t check the yarn requirements? And if they do, do you want them to calculate the yardage/meters for every size or only check that they make sense? Do they consider those things necessary? The pattern includes everything, not just the instructions and the numbers.

Here is a 100% solid quick tip, and I can’t say this loudly enough: if it is in the pattern, it needs to be checked, and it needs to be checked against anything else it has to do with in the pattern.

2. The pattern matches the sample photo, if there is one, and the photo gives a clear picture of the design.

This means all the photos, and all the things the photos are showing. Not just stitch patterns (yes those!), but also fit and ease recommendations – do those recommendations match the photos, and does the pattern as written get you there?

3. All photos included represent what they should.

Along with sample photos, there may be photos of techniques, or close-ups of details. Are they correct? Do they depict what the pattern produces? There may be captions on sample photos saying what size is worn, what options are worn, and what ease is worn – are they right?

4. Proofreading for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, or typos.

Not all tech editors include proofreading in their edits, so if you require this, double check. I do include this, and it means all the words, spaces, punctuation, and sections. Let your editor know if your pattern is not in final layout, and you do not want spacing checked yet.

If they don’t proofread for these things, be sure to get someone who is not you to do it. You don’t need a typo blemishing your beautiful work. As pertains to style, be sure they have a copy of your style sheet or a recent pattern for reference, and we’ll get to style below.

5. Clarity and correctness in the instructions.

Well, isn’t that the bread and butter of the pattern? This is a loaded item, and many things can get missed. Double check for instances like this:

· Are they checking the RS and WS labeling?

· Are they checking any stitch or shaping tables that knitters can use to work from? Do those match the written instructions?

· If lengths are given as well as row counts, are they checking that those match according to the gauge?

· If pages are referenced, are they making sure they are correct? Be sure to highlight them in case they change in layout.

· Are needle changes written in and correct?

· Can the knitter find their way? Is it clear where on the item they begin and end each section?

Can you think of more things like this? Has this happened during an editing experience for you, where seemingly insignificant things have not been checked and have caused an issue?

6. Charts and schematics are correct.

This means that the charts consume and result in the right number of stitches, that the repeats are executed properly, that moving from one chart to another is seamless and happens correctly. This means that if the chart is worked as written, it will produce the design and be the same result as working the written instructions would be.

Schematics are drawings of the item and need to faithfully represent it. If it is a garment made in one piece, there should be an image of the finished sweater. If it is a garment worked in pieces, we need to see images of the pieces. They don’t need to be perfectly to scale, but the lines and details need to match the pattern design, and nothing should be present in the drawings that is not in the design. Finished measurements should accompany any schematics and it should be clear which part of the drawing each measurement refers to.

Is your tech editor making sure those match up, and that the measurements listed match the pattern?

7. Consistency with style and language.

This encompasses the whole pattern. Are the style choices used for:

· Stitch counts

· Sizes

· Written line instructions

· Repeats

· Paragraphs and explanations

· Techniques

· Spacing

· Pattern details

· Page numbering

· Measurements

· Photo captions

· Chart keys

· Abbreviations, in the list and in the pattern

· And anything included in the pattern…

consistent to the pattern? Is every instance consistent to the style sheet or sample pattern?

Consistency in style is so important. You might think it isn’t, but even if all the numbers in a pattern are the correct numbers, inconsistent style (things being said a different way; letters, numbers, and punctuation being used differently) is the easiest way to confuse a knitter in your pattern. They will not trust it and will become frustrated.

Does your tech editor have your style sheet or a pattern to reference? Are they checking for possible inconsistencies? Remember that when style is done well, it is invisible; and when it is done poorly, it can take your whole pattern down.

8. All the math in the pattern is correct, such as sizing, gauge, conversions, yarn info, instructions, stitch counts, etc.

Wowzah, this is a big one, right? All the math. That covers a lot of ground. Is your tech editor checking all your numbers for accuracy? This includes how those numbers trickle down or interact with other numbers, like measurements matching stitch and row counts for example.

Checking every number, especially making sure the gauge is listed correctly, stitch counts are correct, sizes are listed, are the main bones of tech editing, and are likely being checked without a worry. Some numbers in a pattern that might not be getting checked:

· Buttons or markers needed for each size.

· No sizes are missing anywhere in the pattern.

· Meter and yard conversions are correct and with the requested buffer added.

· Repeated rows list stitch count change and not new stitch count (unless every repeated new stitch count is listed)

· Number of rows worked are all correct (such as when rows are repeated).

· Centimeters and inches are rounded and converted accurately.

· Measurements match stitch and row counts, in the instructions and in the schematic

· All listed measurements are taken and checked (if this does get checked and your numbers differ, make sure you both understand how to take the measurements and are doing it the same way).

· Measurements that determine proper fit are taken and checked.

· Ease is determined to assess the grading.

These are things that often get missed, or are just generally omitted or not thought about, and aren’t happening in some edits. The numbers in your pattern are the pattern, and them being correct is necessary for the knitter to reproduce your design and get an item that fits as it should. Every single thing in the pattern needs to be checked, and it needs to be checked against anything else that thing (or number or set of numbers) has a connection to in the pattern.

9. Check instructions against any included charts or schematics to be sure they match.

Do the written instructions produce the finished item? Does working the chart produce the finished item? If the answer to both of those is yes, then that is correct, even if the written instructions and the chart are not identical. There are sometimes simpler ways to demonstrate things in a chart than the way it needs to be written out, and vice versa, so be sure your tech editor checks them both.

Does the schematic reflect the instructions, the shape of what is being worked? Is there anything in the schematic that shouldn’t be? Is something missing? Remember that added on trim is not going to be present on drawings of separate pieces, but if it is worked in one piece, trim must be present. Double check those drawings.

10. Check measurements for accuracy, and against standards to be sure they are similar, taking intended ease into account to be sure the design will fit all sizes as intended.

I am continually surprised to learn that many tech editors do not check eases or look for issues in the grading of a pattern, in accessories or garments. Maybe some might say it isn’t a tech editor’s job to do that, but I entirely disagree with that thinking.

Part of checking to see if a pattern will work means looking to see if it will work on a body, not just on paper. Don’t forget that fundamentally a knitting pattern is clothing and needs to fit bodies. If it isn’t achieving that well, then even if the numbers come out, it isn’t right and needs another look.

A tech editor is a big part of the process in producing an accurate pattern, meaning accurate across the board, in all sizes, in all ways, so they must check the grading. Don’t be afraid to ask them to, it’s part of the job! Make sure you are helping them out by sending them the sizing standards you use, and your own charts you grade from. For instance,

· Do the finished measurements minus ease match reliable size charts?

· Is the rate of the grade even across sizes, so knitters will be able to choose a size reliably?

· Are enough sizes represented to suit all knitters?

· Does the pattern include information about how the item is intended to fit?

· Does each measurement for each size make sense? Are any of them too big or too small based on intended fit, or the modeled shots?

· Will every size get the same fit?

· Does the shaping make sense? Is it where it needs to be?

Checking the grade and intended fit is checking the pattern.

The best relationships

Most of all, don’t leave each other in a lurch. Sometimes the ball gets dropped after the first check of a pattern. It is vastly important to check the pattern again after the designer has made any changes, to be sure they are incorporated correctly, and no new errors have been introduced.

Every time you make changes to that document it needs to be reviewed. You can help by highlighting any changes you make. So be sure to send the pattern back to your editor! This might take several drafts, or maybe only one; it may also mean re-checking the pattern many weeks later after it’s been tested by knitters. Don’t forget to send it back after you get it into its final layout! Double check with your editor whether these reviews are included in your estimate or if a new estimate will be generated.

Do not be remiss in clarifying cost, time, and services. Communicating clearly about what is included and what is being estimated, what is being checked and what services the tech editor is providing, is paramount to this being a success.

Working relationships go both ways. Designers, be sure to respond to your TE’s queries so they can finish their work, and editors, be sure you are available to answer questions and turn that pattern back around after corrections.

Value your time and work

This doesn’t mean being taken advantage of, or working when you normally wouldn’t. Set working hours and times you will be available and let each other know those times. Make sure to let each other know in advance if any changes need to be made to the schedule or if a new agreement needs to be made.

A pattern is made up of a lot of moving parts, and they all need to be checked for accuracy and clarity to give the knitter the best product we can. Your tech editor can be a huge asset to you and your goals as a designer. Taking time to make sure you are on the same page will never be a wasted effort and will always produce the best work.

If you are looking for a tech editor, I recommend going to The Tech Editor Hub and submitting a request. The other best way is to ask a fellow designer who they have enjoyed working with.

Remember to be clear in your expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. And don’t be afraid to move on if a working relationship isn’t producing good work.