Announcement: We have two free workshops running this week. If you are interested in learning more about what it is like to be a tech editor, practice a editing a real pattern, choose your craft and click it:
Hello Reader,
It's been quite the year in the yarn industry, with a lot of changes. The tariffs are still affecting businesses around the world, and private equity consolidation and shutdown is causing ripples that haven't stopped. (If you want to keep up on all the trade news, sign up for the Craft Industry Alliance's newsletter, it's excellent [affiliate link].) AI-made craft books are cheating people who don't know better. A few longstanding small businesses have closed their doors.
But while the ugly, not-so-great things are happening around us, people are still gathering to make with yarn every day and still wanting to make more. Here's the things I noticed related to pattern technical editing over the last year:
People are using yarn craft to get off their screens. Before the pandemic, most of my yarn shop classroom students and fellow fiber festers were middle-aged to older white women. Not anymore. The younger crowd has figured out that knitting and crochet are excellent for not looking at a screen. It was the number one reason people took my in-person classes this last year. And these folks are diverse and SHARP. Can't wait to see how many of them are designers in the next couple years.
People are still using Ravelry, but not how we used to. Most people pop on, search for and buy a pattern and pop off. It's still the only online library of yarn patterns. Designers still are using forums to conduct tests and customer service, but more and more are moving to platforms like Discord. Have you posted there or do you advertise your services there?
Crochet is hot--still. Yarn shops are busy wooing crocheters. Crocheted shorts are in. There is still a need to educate crochet designers about their need for a tech editor, but those who are doing well work with one of us!
In-person is still a great way to meet prospective clients, whether it is at a fiber fest, yarn shop event, stitch meet-up, or guild meeting. Seeing people face-to-face over yarn is a joyful moment, and I haven't met anyone who doesn't want my business card once we get talking. There are now two h+h trade shows; this week the newest one in Houston, TX is happening. Are you going? If you want to find yarny events, Clara Parkes still has a list on her site.
Social media is harder, but not impossible. Ah the slop and the ads--blergh. But I have made serious, real, professional connections on Instagram in the past two months--and I am on there maybe twice a week. Tip for people looking for clients: make sure your profile is all about tech editing and when someone follows you, message them back right away with a real human message. Sometimes the conversations that start in the DMs lead to lasting connections and collaborations.
Vests, vests, vests. Have *you* edited a vest yet? The sleeveless sweater trend doesn't seem to be slowing down. It does shorten the design, editing, yarn use, and making time.
Designers are re-doing older patterns, updating for sizing and format. Quite a few of my clients are refreshing their portfolios, which is fun and interesting work. Most of them told me they wanted to redo the patterns they didn't have edited. So, friends, don't worry about newer designers--they get there to appreciate our work eventually. Keep going.
Designers are producing patterns faster by riffing on motifs and techniques. We all were laughing the other day in the Community because it seems that the progression is some form of pullover → cardigan → vest → cowl → hat → other accessory using the same motif. It's a great design process choice and does make tech editing fun and interesting.
European designers are in the hot-right-now. This is affecting how patterns are being written by many designers who are mimicking the best-selling patterns: grams are now included more in the yarn estimates rather than skein amounts; the European tailored shoulder and its modifications are seeing a resurgence; plain, neutral fabrics are getting people's attention.
Patterns are still being produced, edited, and published. People still want new things to make with their yarn and patterns are still the driving force behind the yarn industry. So far this year 48,660 patterns have been published on Ravelry alone.
So what have you seen in your neck of the wood recently related to technical editing? Hit reply and tell me about it.
Love and yarn,
Sarah
|
|
Last, but not least: next Thursday, I am hosting Kenniqua Lewter for a special session on how to create a client management system. Less admin time? I am in. I am super excited to hear about this from a pro on the topic (since I have hobbled mine along in a spreadsheet). Click the button below to join us. Access to the Community gives you a seat at the workshop but also everything else we have ever hosted is on demand. |