Are you curious about how to make a living in the yarn industry using your knitting or crochet experience, while building a business that brings you fulfillment and helps others?
(This is the kind of insight you won’t find on Google!)
What if you could Earn Money by helping a Designer make their Patterns the best they can be?
You could be providing help to individual designers, magazine & book publishers as well as yarn companies - they need you!
With the rise in the number of designers, and not enough tech editors (think pattern checker on steroids) to keep up, a good tech editor is very sought after.
We know that some patterns are simple and others are super tricky. When it comes to tech editing similar checks are needed for all.
But when you are just getting started as a tech editor you can work on simpler patterns that you feel most comfortable with.
As you work on more patterns and become more confident you can take on trickier edits, giving you the opportunity to always be growing, learning and developing!
No more selling patterns on Ravelry or makes on Etsy -unless you want to, your main money earning potential could be from tech editing
Work flexibly from home around family or other commitments
Use your income to pay the bills or pay for your next yarn stash - the choice is yours
Know that you are making a difference to a designer while earning money. It’s not just any job, it’s cheerleading and supporting others
Work on commissions for fun rather than being under pressure to earn money from them
Take control and build a lasting business that requires your underlying knowledge without having to knit or crochet anything!
So, let me ask you a question
When was the last time you accomplished something fulfilling, knowing you had made a difference to people - and (here is the tricky bit) you were paid for it AND appreciated!
We all walk our own paths - navigating jobs, family and friends. We pick up hobbies or obsessions (I see you!) which we can't do without.
Whether you love knitting or crochet, it has a hold over you. You love it so much that you will choose to make something for someone else for the satisfaction, and if they wear it well that's a bonus.
This addiction has been one that has been infecting people for years… that's why knitted or crochet gifts from family members or friends who have that ability are special - they love making something and they love gifting… despite the time it takes or the cost of the yarn!
The craft is the addiction, not a bad one, but it can be bad for your pocket after a while, so it’s no surprise that so many people look for an answer on how they can earn a living from their craft.
The most searched phrase on Google for this is ‘ways to make money in knitting / crochet’, for which 20 odd pages of Etsy shop links, Ravelry links, blogs on how to become a designer and of course, making commissions will pop up.
A technical editor is a term I encountered when working on a commission for a magazine. They asked me if I could check the patterns before the magazine was published. Can you imagine? I didn’t have time to make everything I wanted as I had a full-time job, but this magazine offered me a contract to check patterns for errors - without making the item!
I had stumbled (almost by accident) into the 'hidden world' of tech editing … and have never left.
There has been a change in the last few years with tech editors now becoming more visible - I have been beating the drum to ensure that the light is shone on us tech editors and I am passionate about how we can make a difference to a designer.
Designers are becoming more aware that in order to have a widely successful pattern, they have to make sure it is the best it can be and without errors. How many times have you had a pattern with errors in it? It can be very frustrating and will most likely mean you won't buy a pattern from that designer again.
Error-free patterns is what every designer should aim for as that is what every knitter or crocheter wants.
This is what I discovered that changed everything...
I have my favourite designers, they are ones that I will go back to time and time again - there have also been some designers in my yarn journey which I will not give time or money to anymore because while I can figure out what the error in the pattern is, that is never the point… I love finding a knitting project that requires no thinking, my hands just create magic while I watch tv in the evening… I mean making and creating should be fun and enjoyable not annoying and stressful!
When I realised that the skills I had developed in life enabled me to find errors in patterns I thought, well surely everyone knows how to do this right? A few years later I started to suspect not.
I started working with independent designers and with every pattern checked they were gaining more followers, sales and growth…I was their rocket booster.
I already knew that I loved patterns with no errors and it seemed like everyone else did as well. If people found a designer whose patterns always ‘worked’ they stuck with them, the designer had fans… and I had enabled that!
And, word spread… I went from a full time job as a programmer to a full time tech editor in a few short years and I can't quantify how many patterns I have worked on; how many designers I have helped or how many books, magazines or yarn companies I have enabled.
There is the magic… I am still in the yarn industry, I have time for designing and creating (I love this but cannot possibly do this full-time - money earned from selling patterns would not support me).
I found a way to make money in the yarn industry, to make that change not only to my own life but to designers and their clients - ultimately you… I am sure you must have come across patterns that have been tech edited and were error free! I'm sure that made your knitting or crochet journey easier and more enjoyable.
I want to give you the opportunity to know what I know by offering you the chance to see the insider track, the magic behind the numbers. See how I do it, and after I teach you WHAT I know, I will also show you HOW to apply that to a pattern to find errors. It really is magical.
You may not know whether this is an opportunity for you, but unless you can 'dip your toes in the water' to learn what is needed and do a real tech edit with me, you will never know.
This is what I want for you, I want you to see if you enjoy this like I do, because if so, this is your rocket booster.
I Can Help You
Understand the difference between a tech editor and a pattern tester
Teach you the process and formulae required to understand patterns and look for errors
Apply those processes and formulae to a real tech edit in real time
Make a difference to a designer AND get paid for your work.
Intro To Tech Editing for Knitters or Crocheters
Teaching others how to find errors in patterns, for those who want to earn money from their craft, working in something they enjoy
Introducing…
In less than 1 week, you will walk away with tips and tricks to improve your yarn game by -
Unlocking a proven way to find errors in patterns
Discovering how to help designers improve their pattern writing skills
Learning some tricks of the trade as a tech editor (and there are a few!)
Being confident enough to highlight errors in patterns
Seeing how a real tech edit is done!
Finding a way to make money in this industry that you’ve probably never heard of
What’s inside...
What is a Tech Editor?
Understanding the role of a tech editor will enable you to see the difference between a tech editor and a pattern tester. You also get you to meet tech editors who have gone though the training and you can ask your own questions of them!
What resources do you need to have to be able to tech edit a pattern?
Who is responsible for making which changes?
What is the best way to make changes?
What should, and more importantly, should not be changed?
Learn my Step-by-Step Process
With various ways of checking patterns being taught from other course providers, I will teach you my exact fool proof methods and formulae that have enabled my clients to see the best and most efficient results first time.
With over 50 Tech Editors qualified using these methods I know that it is by far the best way to get into this industry
Learn my step by step process for checking stitch counts
I provide you with the formulae I use for checking measurements and show you how to use them
Learn how to look further into patterns to find the most likely source of any error
Cementing in the learning
Being taught a process and being able to remember it are two different things, therefore we don’t just teach you, we help you lock it in!
Each day you will have a quiz to lock in your learning from that day
Detailed answers for the quizzes, which you keep, help you learn way after the session has finished
Tech editing pattern conundrums are shared in the group… how would you solve it?
Many size charts are included, never have to troll through the internet again
Also included are a glossary of terms, abbreviations and hook and needle size conversions as well as other useful resources
Do a REAL Tech Edit
By the end of the real tech edit day, you will know if this is for you, with a tech edit that we work on together. I take a real pattern and with your help highlight the changes needed, add comments and put those formulae and processes to work.
This is a do and teach tech edit - ‘on the job learning’
Use the skills you have learned so far to help tech edit an actual pattern
Learn from other suggestions in the group
Find out if this is something you enjoy and have an aptitude for, with the opportunity to move forward if you feel this is for you.
Student Reviews
Don't Take Our Word For It
Worth every penny and more!
This short course has given me so much insight and confidence in just a few short days. Carol is an excellent teacher and both her and Paula are incredibly motivating and empowering. They want you to succeed and they show it every day.
I've come away even more eager to learn more and start tech editing, and I even feel confident about tech editing small, simple patterns straight away!
Absolutely well worth it, even if, like me, you're pretty sure you want to do the full course anyway. Do the introduction course whether you're sure about the full one or not. You won't regret it!
Emily Hetherington
A brilliant introduction into Tech Editing
Carol is incredibly knowledgeable and a great teacher, I learnt so much over a few days and have now decided to continue my studies to become a Tech Editor. Thank you for such a great course.
Rachel Pickett
★★★★★
★★★★★
A brilliant introduction into Tech Editing
Carol is incredibly knowledgeable and a great teacher, I learnt so much over a few days and have now decided to continue my studies to become a Tech Editor. Thank you for such a great course.
★★★★★
Extraordinary!
It opened my eyes to what tech editing really is. I always thought it was all about maths, but it's much more and so interesting!
Susana Monge
Pattern Editing workshop
Excellent course giving great insight in what a tech editor does, how to become one and key learns of what this looks like in reality.
Inspired me and now joined self study full course
Andrea Warner
★★★★★
Absolutely first class!
Detailed support and packed with info .. totally worth the money!
I have signed up to the 5 week LIVE course too as I was so impressed with both Carol's and Paula's personality and professionalism.
Loved every bit of it and learned loads!
Thanks so much
Kitey (Andrew) Kite
★★★★★
What you’re getting...
You choose Self-Study or Live via Zoom
✔️ Intro session (via Zoom) to meet Carol and the Cool Wool Team, as well as meeting others on the workshop and sharing the agenda for the week
✔️ Four training sessions (via Zoom) where you will learn the processes and methods and can ask questions live
✔️ Going through a 'Day in the life' of a tech editor, meeting previous students, and asking them your questions (via Zoom)
✔️ Daily learning downloadable PDFs that you can print off and make notes on while we run the sessions - keeping all your notes in one place
✔️ Full quiz results. Questions and answers that you can download and keep
✔️ 15 downloadable PDFs that include size charts, glossaries and conversion charts, amongst others
✔️ Pre-recorded extra bonus video sharing a designer's story and Carol's recommended reference books, websites and Facebook groups
✔️ Pre-recorded extra bonus video sharing Carol's actual business figures when she got started and an introduction to book editing
✔️ Live Q&A sheet available to ask your questions, updated daily and full of great answers you never thought of asking
✔️ Replays from each session are uploaded each day, ensuring you will never miss a session. You can also watch the session again if you wish to
✔️ Pop-up Facebook group for members of this cohort only, meet others and ask questions in a safe environment
✔️ Unique workshop Zoom links ensure only those who have purchased have access to this live workshop
✔️ Intro session (pre-recorded) to meet Carol and the Cool Wool Team, as well as meeting others on the workshop and sharing the agenda for the week
✔️ Four training sessions (pre-recorded) where you will learn the processes and methods and can ask questions live
✔️ Going through a 'Day in the life' of a tech editor, meeting previous students, and asking them your questions (pre-recorded)
✔️ Daily learning downloadable PDFs that you can print off and make notes on while we run the sessions - keeping all your notes in one place
✔️ Full quiz results. Questions and answers that you can download and keep
✔️ 15 downloadable PDFs that include size charts, glossaries and conversion charts, amongst others
✔️ Pre-recorded extra bonus video sharing a designer's story and Carol's recommended reference books, websites and Facebook groups
✔️ Pre-recorded extra bonus video sharing Carol's actual business figures when she got started and an introduction to book editing
❌ Live Q&A sheet available to ask your questions, updated daily and full of great answers you never thought of asking
❌ Replays from each session are uploaded each day, ensuring you will never miss a session. You can also watch the session again if you wish to
❌ Pop-up Facebook group for members of this cohort only, meet others and ask questions in a safe environment
❌ Unique workshop Zoom links ensure only those who have purchased have access to this live workshop
Unsure where to start?
Take the self-study, and if you have more questions, upgrade from inside the course for an extra £10 and join us for a live Zoom workshop!
Or take a look at the live via Zoom option below ⬇️
You don’t know what you don’t know!
If you are an avid designer, a great hooker or knit picker you will know that perfectly polished patterns with no errors are rare, we cling to those designers almost like a groupy and love every pattern they put out.
Why?
Because you know you won’t need to undo any of it and it will… well, work … nothing like finishing a project.
Thats not an accident…
Far from it!
You see, you might be forgiven for thinking that those designers just ‘have it’, and they might ‘have it’ but I can sure you the ‘it’ is a tech editor checking that pattern and taking it from written to wow!
Maybe you have come across patterns with errors (especially free ones). You know the designer and their patterns are not bad, but the formatting and errors could have been picked up… well like marking you own work it's hard to find errors in something you have created yourself. You need a second pair of eyes to look in detail for you.
Ever written a pattern and it works for you, but when you ask a tester to make it they hit an issue?Yeah, maybe it wasn't their fault… you see a tester isn't there to check your calculations work, they're there to make the item in one size only.
Now, I want to share something quite fabulous, this hidden gem in the yarn world is actually a way to make money!
If you type into Google ‘ways to make money in the yarn industry’ or 'profitable ways to earn money with knitting or crochet’ you would think that what I have just shared isn't true… but Google doesn't know everything.
So why have you never come across this magical, mystical person who takes a pattern from written to wow?
They might have a different name, like pattern checker, and you probably have never seen their name in the pattern credits.
They are the hidden gem of the yarn world - the tech editor and these guys have ‘it’ I can assure you.
Making money from your knitting or crochet passion is what many yarnies strive for in life, but making for others by selling on Etsy or at fayres; undertaking commissions that you never charge enough for because we know they won’t pay it; getting published in magazines with our own designs; writing blogs; creating tutorials and teaching are all okay, but none of them will be pulling the kind of income to cover your stash shopping and pay the bills!
So, while I cant promise to cover your yarn stash this week or this month, I can assure you that this is what you have been looking for, you just didn't know it.
This is your opportunity now, to have a go, see if this is for you, learn what this hidden role is all about and learn some fabulous things from Carol at the same time. The investment made in the workshop will be a small drop in the ocean to the amount of learning and knowledge you will gain.
Munira Rasul - Chroma Crochet ®
Crochet Tech Editor
Megan Wilding - Calm House Crafting ®
Knitting and Crochet Tech Editor
Are tech editors really in demand?
Oh yes.....for one thing I am always busy. In fact before I decided to stop taking on any new clients, I was overwhelmed with so many designers, book publishers, magazines and yarn companies who were chasing me to check their patterns for them day in day out.
You see the demand for tech editors has grown exponentially since Covid with many budding designers coming out of the woodwork and presenting their patterns to us, and boy are we grateful - there have been some amazing designers emerge because of the Covid era!
As well as being a tech editor, I teach techniques workshops and started to look at transitioning my workshop teaching into the online world rather than in physical locations during Covid, and pretty soon I was asked, If I was so busy with my tech editing work, why I wasn't teaching others how to tech edit… well lightbulb moment, this was what I had a duty to do...
I am passionate about ensuring designers have a GREAT tech editor and the best way to ensure they had a great tech editor was to teach tech editing myself!
I knew what I had, the way I taught and my methods were proven and the minute I transitioned and started teaching this hidden gem, well, the answers speak for themselves.
I have now trained over 50 tech editors since I started this journey in 2020 and I won't stop until I have to.
Teaching you in a succinct and factual way ensures you go from unsure to lightbulb moment (light bulb emoji) and during the week of the workshop I feel the transformation that happens during the Zooms, I feel the excitement building, and that question burning through your thought processes… ‘what if?’
I am Carol and I help those who love knitting or crochet to be able to change their lives and the lives of others by enabling them to make a living helping others publish wow patterns and be seen.
Frequently asked questions
Where Will The Workshop Happen?
The self-study is all prerecorded; once you have completed checkout, you will have immediate access.
The live via Zoom sessions are all happening within Zoom and inside our pop-up Facebook group. You also have access to a training portal with all the resources used in the workshop.
If I Cannot Attend A Live Session, Will I Miss Out?
Absolutely not! Although we would love to meet you on the live sessions, they can all be watched later via replays at your convenience.
However, we would love you to participate in the Facebook group so that you can connect with other students and with Carol and the Cool Wool team.
How Long Is Each Session
The self-study pre-recorded modules are broken into 'daily' chunks. These are around one hour long in total, but they have been chunked down to make it convenient for you.
The daily live via Zoom sessions are about one hour long, and the replays are accessible from the workshop portal if you cannot make the live sessions.
Will I Be Able To Ask Carol Questions?
The self-study option doesn't allow this.
The live via Zoom option, Yes!
I Haven't Set Up A Business Yet Is This For Me?
Totally! This workshop is designed for those looking to start their business, and that's because you need to get the basics under your belt first.
Will I Be A Tech Editor After This Workshop?
This is an introductory workshop to see whether tech editing is something you enjoy and have an aptitude for.
A further in-depth course with assessments testing many areas of knitting or crochet tech editing will be available as an option after the workshop to enable you to become confident in your abilities and create a profitable business as a tech editor.
