FAQ – Becky Monahan

What do you do as a Tech Editor?

My main goal is to allow the designer’s voice to shine through their pattern’s written instructions, unhindered by grammatical or formatting errors. Designers pour their hearts into their creations; I want each knitter to fully understand the designer’s intent and see the original vision as clearly as possible. With this in mind, I will always edit patterns in the following ways:

Stylistic: Is the pattern’s visual format easy to follow?
Clarity: Are the instructions precise without being overly wordy?
Format: Are individual lines written in a standard format?
Accuracy: Is every line correct for every size?
Completeness: Has anything been accidentally omitted?
Gauge & Needles: Do these match knitting averages, or are they unique to the designer?
Yarn & Yardage: Are these appropriate for the pattern?
Garment Sizing: Are the sizes clearly labeled and aligned with industry standards?
Charts: Do they match written instructions? Do they need to be created or transcribed?

I will work through your pattern from beginning to end and submit my editing notes in your preferred format: a bulleted list in a separate document, document comments utilizing Google Drive, or an annotated copy of your pattern PDF.

Most importantly, I will offer advice, encouragement, and a gentle critique so that your customers receive the best possible version of your work.

What about Test Knitting?

Test knitters are fantastic and beautifully complement the tech editing process! Consider asking within your existing fan base or the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry for enthusiastic fans to trial knit your vision.

Testers, aka preview knitters, provide vital feedback but are distinctly separate from tech editing. These generous humans already give so much time & skill with little to no compensation! Show how much you value their efforts and do the first round of tech editing before starting the test knit. Editing first will allow for the best experience possible:

You will give your test knitters the best initial reaction to your pattern. Remember that they are your emissaries, the promoters & cheerleaders of your new release.
You will protect your time. If there is an ambiguous instruction or an omission in your pattern, would you rather deal with it once or have to respond to multiple people who are frustrated?

Ultimately, it is a better use of your time and skill to design, tech edit, test knit, final edit, and publish your work in that order.

What about Crochet?

My crochet skills are only rudimentary, so I encourage you to find an experienced crochet editor.

What about Schematics?

I believe schematics are vital for garment patterns and an encouraged “extra” for accessories! Schematics can be very simple or highly detailed; most importantly, they should accurately represent your design’s dimensions and visual scale. Clearly defined measurements will enable your knitters to select the best size for their project and give them confidence in your design. Check out my Schematic Samples gallery or watch my Tech Tip Talk interview to learn more.

What will all this cost?

Effective August 2022, my rate is $40 per hour.

Garments require a minimum of 3 hours of editing; intricate construction, size-specific stitch patterns, garment scaling, or other complexities will require additional time.
Similarly, custom schematics will vary in time investment, starting at 2 hours of billable time.
Accessories average 1-3 hours of editing, potentially more for a multi-faceted design.
I will invoice through PayPal upon project completion.

Every project will be unique, but I will be as precise as possible in my estimates and communication.

How do I contact you?

Please send me a message via my contact form. I will respond as quickly as possible, typically within two business days.