Tech Editing

Bullet Points: Crochet Pattern Components

/ Deirdre K. Bentley / Leave a comment

Introduction

  • Title of the item
  • The designers name and business name (if applicable)
  • The story of why you designed the item
    • Should be short and sweet
    • Should capture attention of the maker
    • Also known as “Romance Paragraph”
  • A clear picture of the item
  • Copy right information
    • Include statement of permissions
      • i.e. if the maker can or cannot sell what they make

Materials

  • A list of what is needed to produce the item
    • Yarn
    • Hook or hooks
    • Notions
      • Things such as buttons or other objects attached to the finished item
      • Small tools needed during the production of the item such as scissors or yarn needles

Special Stitches and Instructions

  • Gauge
    • The number of stitches and rows needed to produce the item in the size intended
    • Can and should be adjusted based upon how the individual maker works with hook and yarn
  • List of all stitches and abbreviations used in the pattern
    • Should only include appreciations used in the pattern rather than an exhaustive list
  • Step by step explanation of any complex stitches
  • Notes section
    • Explanation of the making process
    • Include any complex stems in the process
    • Include finishing information
      • Blocking
      • Seaming
      • Adding notions
      • Etc.

The Pattern

  • Written instructions that a maker can follow to produce the item
  • Clear sections for each part of the pattern
  • Clear starting point for each part of the pattern
  • Consistently written to support ease of use

Bullet Points: Tech Editing Basics

/ Deirdre K. Bentley / Leave a comment

What tech editing is:

  • A review of your pattern from top to bottom
    • Spelling and grammar
      • I read your written sections out loud to make sure everything sounds right
      • I also mark any typos
    • Numbers
      • I plug your numbers into an Excel sheet and make sure there is a number for every size (if applicable)
      • I check counts and make sure they add up
      • I make sure that if there needs to be a number, there is one
    • Consistency
      • I make sure that formatting is the same throughout the pattern
      • I check that abbreviations are the same throughout the pattern
      • I check to make sure that when instructions for the same step are provided, they are stated in the same way
    • Clarity
      • I review for any redundancies that could be eliminated
      • I identify additions that could help make instructions more clear

  • Suggestions as to how to make your pattern the best it can be
    • Corrections to be made
      • We can decide how you would like this to be done, but I typically do not actually make changes to your pattern
      • I use the suggestion feature to identify potential changes
        • I only make suggestions rather than actual edits to avoid introducing potential errors to your hard work
    • Clarification to add in
      • Usually this is in the form of suggesting addition of pictures to illustrate features such as:
        • Pattern texture
        • Changes in shaping
        • Special techniques
    • Pieces of the whole that may be missing
      • Section titles
      • Designer name
      • Pattern notes

Once the edit is completed, I send you my work and you then integrate as much or as little as you like into your pattern. We can go back and forth as many times as you want in order to be confident in sending your pattern out for testing or publishing. Tech editing is one of the best ways to ensure success of your pattern.