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Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Knit and Crochet Designers, please Don't do this!
Oh my gah, I am pulling out my hair.
I love her to death, but I think she finds these things online just to test me. You remember my friend Betsy, right! Yeah? No? Well, if you don't, she's a retiree, been knitting for a long time, but still at a beginner level, and she is okay with that.
So last week, she brought a project to me that almost stumped me, almost.
I'll have to say that sometimes, Betsy is not the best at judging the book by the cover, especially when it comes to picking patterns to knit from the myriad of freebie patterns strewn across the interwebs. She buys knitting books and magazines, but likes to go pattern searching online for freebie because she can search specific keywords to find exactly what she wants to knit rather than flipping through all her books and magazines.
So, Betsy wanted to find a simple project for a long road trip she was planning. She goes online to start her search. Of course she wanted a free pattern, which is find, but like they say, you get what you pay for.
The other day, she brought this mess of a project. I mean it was not good, at all. So I had her show me the pattern page and in less than 5 seconds it became glaringly clear why this pattern was a problem and she should not have attempted to make. I am all about building her confidence to try new techniques and make mistakes, but in this cause, so much could have been avoided.
Remember what I said about judging a book but it's cover? Well, imagine the pattern page as the cover that is a window to the written instructions within. First, the pattern page was not complete. There were no information on the yarn used, the gauge, needles, how it's constructed, nothing. Failing to fill out that information is generally a big red flag to the completeness of the actual written pattern.
Then for giggles (because I wanted to confirm my suspicions), I had Betsy show me the printed copy of the pattern she was using and unfortunately it was exactly as expected from the pattern page. It was more than spelling/grammatical errors; we are all humans, these things happen. It was the lack of "required" information that is pertinent to achieving the same result as the designer.
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Forget abut the romance copy that is all cutesy and clever about what inspired the designer, that stuff is optional, but there was no yarn and needle details included, just "worsted weight yarn". Was it wool, acrylic, cotton? Because those behave differently. Was it a size 9, 8 or 7.5 needle used? What gauge did you get? Was it loose or dense? Needless to say this headband for a baby turned out almost big enough to fit around a telephone pole, twice. Also, the stitch pattern was off. The yarn overs in the poorly lit photo are suppose to line-up certain spots, but didn't if you followed the written directions.
So, there are a lot of things I don't believe we "should" do, just what makes us feel good. But when you are writing a pattern that you are sharing with the world, whether it'd free or for pay, there are A LOT of things that you not only should do, but MUST do if you want to be a knit and crochet designer.
COMING SOON
By the way, if you are wanting hands-on help with pattern writing, register for my Writing 101 E-Course: Write your first (or next) knit/crochet pattern.
Registration is only open to {The Weekly Yarn} subscribers at the time. So, if you are not on the list, get on it!
Class Starts May 15th and runs for 4-weeks, so sign-up today.
Registration is only open to {The Weekly Yarn} subscribers at the time. So, if you are not on the list, get on it!
Class Starts May 15th and runs for 4-weeks, so sign-up today.
Tian
A rising tide lift many boats
OTHER PATTERNS YOU MIGHT LIKE!
Go, check out KnitDesigns by Tian Pattern Page to get your copy here:
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
100, no 105 knit and crochet patterns
I didn’t grow up with yarn in my house or learn to knit and crochet at my
grandmother’s knees. When I first learned to crochet in 2001 it was just a distraction
from all the news relating to the aftermath of 9/11. Never had I expected to be
a full time designer and tech editor. Heck, I didn’t even know those were
career options!
The path to get to where I am now WAS neither linear or easy. But ending
up where I am now IS so worth the work.
Like many designers, for me this journey started out as a hobby. At first I was
just modifying
existing patterns to fit my specific needs and taste, which
later developed into full-blown creating unique designs. It started with self-publishing,
discovering Knit Picks’ Independent Designer Program, then working hard to get
a few pieces sporadically published in print publications.
What I
wish I knew?
Running a design business is more than following my
passion. There is so much behind the scene stuff that goes on that is not as
sexy as what the outside world sees.
Designing is expensive when first starting out. You have no
credibility yet, so you have to buy all your own yarns for the samples.
Don’t go it alone! Having a support system makes life a lot
easier. Sure, having family and friends support is important, but having fibery
help (a tech editor and/or test knitter) to help work out kinks are essentials.
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How did I go from hobby to full-time?
Sure from the outside I am knitting and crocheting for a
living, but on the inside there is marketing, promotion, administrative work,
contacting yarn companies for yarn support, submitting designs for publication,
invoicing/billing, tracking payments, tracking submissions/yarn receipts/sample
due dates, and so on.
So, while it might seem like the life of a knit and crochet designer is lazily sitting on the couch watching Murder She Wrote on Netflix and stitching all day, there's a lot more to it than that. Heck, some days I don't even touch yarn. But the bright side is doing something I love which provides me with the flexibility to be a better wife, mother, and steward to our land and all the little creature that come to visit and those who call our backyard "home".
So, there you have it. That's how I've been able to publish 105 patterns, 14 in the last 4 months and consistently.
So, while it might seem like the life of a knit and crochet designer is lazily sitting on the couch watching Murder She Wrote on Netflix and stitching all day, there's a lot more to it than that. Heck, some days I don't even touch yarn. But the bright side is doing something I love which provides me with the flexibility to be a better wife, mother, and steward to our land and all the little creature that come to visit and those who call our backyard "home".
So, there you have it. That's how I've been able to publish 105 patterns, 14 in the last 4 months and consistently.
Until next time...Stitch on!
Tian
A rising tide lift many boatsWednesday, April 13, 2016
6 Major mistakes knit and crochet designer are making
I wanted to die when I got that first email. And it wasn’t just one email. They just came coming in. It was one of my first pattern published by a publication. I should have been over the moon, and I was, but for only a short time. There were errors with my pattern in a magazine. How could that be? It was tech edited.
The high I was riding on had swiftly landed back to earth with a harsh crash. I was jolted back to reality and it was painful. I didn't know what to do. This thing I had created and was so proud of was a failure, or so I thought. I’ll get back to this.
Should I blame the magazine tech editor? Well, the thought had cross my mind. But, at the end of the day, the final published pattern – the quality and accuracy – is ultimately the responsibility of the designer.
So, what does a tech editor do anyway? And if you are a designer, do you need one?
Yes, you absolutely need a tech editor. A tech editor is integral to the publishing process and elevates the professionalism of a designer because you have a polished pattern that you are confident about. Every designer needs a tech editor, especially when first starting out.
A tech editor is not the same as a copy editor who reviews for punctuations, spelling, and grammar. A tech editor does all that and much more. A tech editor checks to make sure the pattern is clearly written. They search patterns for errors and accuracy, check the math, make sure the design works, and checks for consistency and flow throughout the pattern, from start to finish. They offer recommendations on how to improve the instructions.
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6 Major Mistakes
Designers Make and How to Avoid Them
1)
Not having a style guide.
Creating a style guide allows for consistency in writing style and a cohesive pattern look.
2) Not following the publishers' established style guide
Having your own style is great but when publishing with a magazine it is important to follow the template they provide. Being a good designer is more than writing great instructions, you have to be able to follow them as well.
3) Using non-standard terminology or making up your own
There are times when you need to come up with a way to describe something new and different, but don't reinvent the wheel with your patterns. Use the standard terminologies that everyone else is using. This will allow for a clearer understanding of your designs.
Creating a style guide allows for consistency in writing style and a cohesive pattern look.
2) Not following the publishers' established style guide
Having your own style is great but when publishing with a magazine it is important to follow the template they provide. Being a good designer is more than writing great instructions, you have to be able to follow them as well.
3) Using non-standard terminology or making up your own
There are times when you need to come up with a way to describe something new and different, but don't reinvent the wheel with your patterns. Use the standard terminologies that everyone else is using. This will allow for a clearer understanding of your designs.
4) Making assumptions
Don't write your pattern thinking you are writing a guide for dummies, but don't leave out crucial information that the knitter/crocheter will have to go searching for in order to figure out. Consider the skill level for which you are writing the pattern and evaluate how the information will be received at that level.
5) Not handing errata
Errors happens. I've seen patterns go through 2 rounds of tech editing still having errors. It happens, so don't avoid it or delay too long. Develop a process for how you will handle customer service issues and be consistent.
6) Not having patterns tech edited
Especially in the beginning when you are first starting out, it is important to get experienced eyes on your pattern to catch errors and provide guidance. This might seem daunting, but spending that $25-$45 now will save you time and heartache from solving error questions in the long run.
Ok, again, this was a long post. That's it for now... there is so much more say, but I will end here for now.
Are you a designer or aspiring to write your own pattern. What is one thing you want to know about writing or getting published? Or, did I miss anything or do you have a question? Leave a comment or question on the blog
Don't write your pattern thinking you are writing a guide for dummies, but don't leave out crucial information that the knitter/crocheter will have to go searching for in order to figure out. Consider the skill level for which you are writing the pattern and evaluate how the information will be received at that level.
5) Not handing errata
Errors happens. I've seen patterns go through 2 rounds of tech editing still having errors. It happens, so don't avoid it or delay too long. Develop a process for how you will handle customer service issues and be consistent.
6) Not having patterns tech edited
Especially in the beginning when you are first starting out, it is important to get experienced eyes on your pattern to catch errors and provide guidance. This might seem daunting, but spending that $25-$45 now will save you time and heartache from solving error questions in the long run.
Ok, again, this was a long post. That's it for now... there is so much more say, but I will end here for now.
Are you a designer or aspiring to write your own pattern. What is one thing you want to know about writing or getting published? Or, did I miss anything or do you have a question? Leave a comment or question on the blog
Until next
time...Stitch on!
Tian
A rising tide lift many boats
A rising tide lift many boats
OTHER PATTERNS YOU MIGHT LIKE!
Go, check out KnitDesigns by Tian Pattern Page to get your copy here:
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