1-week turnaround – frequently within three business days
Every pattern is full of potential. Tech editing maximizes that potential. A well-edited pattern makes everyone happy. Happy knitters keep coming back for more of your designs. Clean, concise, and accurate patterns are essential for a successful knitting brand.
Being self-published does not mean you need to lower your standards. Self-publishing doesn’t mean you’re unprofessional. I’m here to help boost your confidence in what you’re publishing. I’m here to support YOU in your knitwear designer journey and be a soundboard. Your success is my success!
What you can expect from a rhyFlower Knits tech edit
- All necessary components of the pattern are present and accurate; They include everything required to complete the project in the pattern and are consistent with the industry sizing and notation standards.
- Proofread the pattern for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors or typos.
- Style and language consistency; ensuring the same knitting language is used throughout the pattern.
- I ensure clarity in the instructions.
- All the math in the pattern is correct; sizing, gauge, instructions, stitch counts, etc.
- Check written instructions against any included charts or schematics to be sure they match.
- The pattern matches the sample photo if there is one, and the photo gives a clear picture of the design.
- Verify measurements against industry standards to be sure they are similar, taking intended ease into account.
My current rate for tech editing is $30/hour (with a one-hour minimum). The first edit will get back to you within a week. Once you make any necessary changes, I’ll take a second run-through of the pattern and return it to you in a day or so. Rush jobs (less than 48 hours turnaround) are $60/ hour (with a one-hour minimum).
Typical time estimates:
Simple Accessories: 30 min–1 hr
Complex Accessories or Simple garments: 1 hr–2 hrs
Complex Garments: 2–8 hrs (varies on the number of sizes included in the pattern)
Add on services
- Develop charts from written directions
- Develop written directions from charts
- Creating pattern schematics
- Helping prepare your patterns for third-party publications
- Help to develop a style sheet to ensure brand consistency
- Pattern grading (creating more sizes for your pattern)
- Low-Visibility and Screen-Reader-Accessibility Formatting
- Pattern Ghostwriting
- Design Consultations
- Draft the pattern on Ravelry (all you’ll have to do is hit publish!).
- Manage the test knitting process (this will add an additional 4-8 weeks to the turnaround time, as testers need time to work up the pattern).
The Process
Please send your patterns in a PDF, Word, or Google Docs format. Also send any photos, charts, or files I will need, and let me know what sizing standards you used during your design process. Once I have all that information, I’ll be able to send you a cost estimate and date of return.
If you have specific concerns or questions about the pattern, let me know about them so I can ease your mind about the design. What may seem unclear to you about the pattern may come across as clear to me, so anything you’re unsure about is great to bring to my attention.
After my initial review, I’ll return the pattern to you to make any necessary changes or adjustments. You’ll then send it back for a final review. Sometimes the pattern will go back and forth between us a few times to get it right. I am committed to working with you until your pattern is error free so you can confidently release your pattern into the wild.
Communication
I am quick to respond to your questions and help to the fullest of my abilities. My goal is to make the process as easy peasy for you as I can, providing whatever feedback and conversation about your design that you need. My office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm MST. Do feel free to email me anytime, but please understand you may not hear back from me outside of my office hours until the next business day. I am happy to email you as frequently as you need.
Pre-Edit Pattern Checklist
A free prepping your pattern for tech-editing checklist can be found here. One way you can help keep your tech editing costs down is by ensuring the pattern is as cleaned up as possible before you send it to your tech editor and giving your tech editor everything they need for the tech editing process.
My Qualifications
Without a doubt, my passion is knitting. It runs through my veins. I knit daily; I’m continuously learning new techniques and mastering my skills. My love for fiber arts and the math behind it has driven me into the intricate world of tech editing. For the most part, I am a self-taught knitter, so I understand what it means to have correct and precise patterns. I love working with knitwear designers to help them provide these to their knitters!
I have 15+ years of knitting experience, real-world knitwear design experience, and test-knit for various designers. I’m an active tech editor in the knitting community with talented repeat designers who continue to work with me. I’ve taken tech editing courses like Joeli Creates Tech Editing: Masterclass and multiple other classes to understand knitwear design and how to bring a pattern to its fullest potential.
I believe I possess the skills to bring your pattern to the next level. To help you over any hurdles, you may have stumbled over. Having a fresh set of eyes on your design will help pull out any kinks you’re having with the flow, consistency, math, or something as simple as wording. As many designers can attest, tech editing your pattern on your own is quite impossible.
Please note: I only offer tech editing services for knitting patterns, not crochet patterns.