Designers, do you use a tech editor? Why or why not? No judgment here, just genuinely curious!
For example, I have designed some patterns in the past and I didn’t use a tech editor because I was intimidated by the thought. How did I find one? What would the cost be? Would they laugh at my pattern writing?
I’m not sure what the name for it is, but I have a knack for proportions and distilling garments into formulas that allow me to swap out modifications. It’s how I can convert my knit to crochet. Since it’s a formula, it makes size-grading much easier, I just need the gauge.
Unfortunately, it becomes very gauge reliant and turns out horribly wrong if the person using my pattern doesn’t understand gauge.
So, other than proofreading , I have not really needed one…but I have noted in the past, I do believe I have thrown away more patterns and frogged more projects than I have kept due to poorly written patterns. Entire books, that I paid for, that made it through editors and were published, that were absolute garbage.
It was the main reason I decided to start writing my own. So while I do not use them now, I can certainly appreciate the need for them!
Thank you for a great and honest reply! 
I have never used a tech editor before. I wouldn’t be able to pay for the cost and I kinda feel like they would change my whole pattern. I’m just a bit intimidated by the thought of it.
Thank you for sharing this!
I’ve employed a tech editor for my more advanced patterns and I found so much value in her services. She’s very kind with her critiques and in no way demands changes be made, just suggestions based on industry standards. I always use her suggestions because they make sense and add value to my pattern. My testers can then test and not worry about checking for errors or grammatical mistakes.
Most US tech editors charge $20-$30 per hour billed in 15 min increments.
After my 1st pattern, I knew more of what to check for in my pattern, therefore the next one didn’t take as long. I usually spend less on the tech editor than on the yarn used in the sample project.
Love this. So true. Thank you!
I have never specifically used a tech editor. Although I have had some amazing testers that could have been. I tend to notice things on other patterns, but sometimes miss them on my own.
When I think of a tech editor, I think of you (someone) checking the number of stitches in a row and comparing them to the total at the end. Checking the decreases and verifying the correct number of stitches still remains. That kind of thing.
Numbers are hard for me because of a mini stroke I had in the past. It is getting better though, Pretty sure the crochet is what is helping it.
Thank you!
Personally I use a proofreader and testers, I don’t make any real income from my patterns (even when I had 8-10 patterns published) to afford a tech editor… But I could definitely see their value
Thank you!
Is this not normal for pattern testers to do? I’ve always checked counts as a basic task in testing.
Pattern testers can do this as well and the more eyes on a pattern, the better. However, tech editors do much more than check stitch counts and math. I have a blog post about then difference between testers and editors on my website (link in my profile).
I know they do more than this, it just took me back the thought that this is not a standard expectation for testers when testing a pattern.
Tech editors make sense for the scope of what they do and how a pattern can be fine tuned.
Back when I was a contracted tester, my job was to make the pattern AS WRITTEN and send the item back to the designer with any notes I had on mistakes or changes that I would make.
It was emphasized that it was not my job to edit.
I will have to read that. Thanks.
Normal for me …
Would it be possible for you to give my Gamer Vest Top the once over please. It’s in testing at the moment and I am hoping to launch it on 1st June, The pattern is hopefully all good as edits have been made as they have come up, but you know what it’s like when you proof your own stuff, you can’t always see the errors.
Thanks, Faye
Absolutely. Would you be able to send me a pdf to my email Christine@stitchreader.com?
Or a Word doc!
adding you as a tester in ribblr would be easier