Tech Editing

What Tech Editing Means

When I proofread a pattern, I correct typing errors and grammatical problems. But that is not all. Technical Editing means verifying all technical aspects of a knitting pattern for an accurate and professional result. Here are some of the things I check for when I tech edit a knitting pattern:

• Are stitch counts, row counts, pattern repeats, increases and decreases, and all other calculations correct throughout?

• Are the sizes graded correctly and consistently?

• Do the measurements correspond to the stitch and row count at the given tension?

• If the project consists of several parts, do all parts match and line up the way they should?

• If there are charts, do they match the written instructions?

• If there are any special stitches, are they described clearly, and are the instructions easy to follow?

• Does the pattern state clearly whether to work a particular set of instructions in a right-side or a wrong-side row?

• Are all the conversions correct, or do I have to convert certain data sets (inches and centimeters, meters and yards, US/UK/metric needle sizes)?

• Is the list of abbreviations correct and complete?

• Are all the required notions mentioned?

• Are layout and formatting consistent (round vs. square brackets, punctuation for separating sizes, etc) and do they match the existing style sheet, if provided?