WITH THIS COURSE, YOU CAN LEARN THE SKILLS AND TOOLS THAT YOU NEED TO CREATE A NEW CAREER PATH FOR YOURSELF.

Welcome to the first step in the Learn, Build, Grow, Thrive Framework -- learning how to tech edit! 

I'm so excited to have you here and mentor you on this journey!

Nope! Test knitters are the ones who go through and knit the item. A tech editor needs to be able to read through the pattern and visualise what is happening without ever casting on. This is what allows them to work through and check a pattern in a matter of hours, not days and weeks.

Is test knitting better than tech editing because test knitters actually knit the item? I don't think so. I know of patterns that have been knit thousands of times and suddenly a knitter will find an error. 

Yes there is! There are constantly new designers coming on to the scene and there are constantly tech editors leaving it for one reason or another. I'm confident we haven't reached saturation point yet. :)

If you can understand a knitting pattern then you can become a tech editor. Will you be a tech editor that edits complex garments constructions? Probably not. But that's okay. I know editors who only want to work on garment patterns. I also know editors who only want to work on knitted toy patterns and simple accessories. As long as there are people designing the types of patterns you love to knit (which usually becomes the patterns you love to edit) then there is a spot for you as a tech editor.

All of the examples and sample patterns are knitting, so if you have no idea how to knit or read knitting patterns you will struggle to get the full value of the course. However, I have had people who crochet and knit go through the course to become crochet tech editors because the theory is applicable to both fields.

I'm not going to lie, you need to love math. You really do. Crunching numbers needs to make your heart sing if you're going to think about this as a career. But do you need to have a math degree? Definitely not. There are plenty of people who come into the tech editing world from something other than a maths background. They might have a science, engineering, English or communications degree. Or they might have 20 years experience working in a yarn store providing pattern support for customers that come in. Whatever the background, it is experience and personalities that make good editors. Typically tech editors are very analytical, have a good eye detail, are able to deal with multiple sets of numbers at once, and are comfortable putting formulas into a spreadsheet. That alone isn't enough to edit knitting patterns though. You also have to be a knowledgeable knitter, familiar with different types of constructions for everything from garments to hats to socks.

There are definitely ways around this. But first you have to understand that this isn't about a laziness or a lack of discipline. According to the Four Tendencies framework created by Gretchen Rubin, some people work really well on their own and other people need more accountability. When you join the course we can figure out which tendency you are and get you the accountability you need so that you stay on track with the course. (And just in case you take the quiz, get "Rebel", and think that means you're screwed, don't worry. I'm a Rebel and still manage to get things done and run a successful business. I can help you if you fall in that category too.)

A tech editor is the writing editor equivalent for knitting patterns. A tech editor goes through a pattern top to bottom, line by line, checking for errors, inconsistencies, problems, better ways of writing things, and so on. They meticulously go through the pattern with a fine tooth comb; checking stitch counts, making sure the gauge gives the right measurements, looking at the wording, looking for deviations from the style sheet. It's a lot of work and a good tech editor does this quickly and efficiently.