Professional Knitting Pattern Grading & Technical Editing Services
Helping knitwear designers publish accurate, size-inclusive, polished knitting patterns
What is pattern grading and technical editing?
knitwear PATTERN GRADING
When a knitwear designer wants to scale their single sample garment to multiple sizes, they may employ a pattern grader. The process involves preserving the original design proportions, structure, and intent while mathematically adjusting the stitch counts, row counts, and shaping elements so that each size fits correctly while maintaining consistent fit and style. Knitwear pattern grading requires comprehension of the structure of knitted garments and deep understanding of how body shape changes as size decreases and increases.
TECHNICAL EDITING
A knitting pattern technical editor is a specialist who reviews, verifies, and refines knitting patterns to ensure they are accurate, clear, and consistent. They check stitch and row counts, gauge, sizing/grading, and construction instructions, correcting errors and standardizing terminology and formatting so the pattern is easy to follow and produces reliable results for knitters.
Who works with knitabl?
Hi, I'm Annie Lin, founder of knitabl. I work with indie knitwear designers who publish independently or submit patterns to publications. If you want help writing your knitting patterns to be accurate, consistent, and easy to follow, I will collaborate with you to achieve your goals.
I focus on the technical aspects of grading knitting sweater patterns, translating your designs into inclusively-sized publishable instructions.
Over time, I have worked closely with independent knitwear designers to help them:
- Correct and refine pattern instructions
- Develop consistent and well-fitting grading across a size-inclusive range
- Translate ideas into clear written instructions and charts
- Provide top-notch support to knitters after publication
knitabl grew out of a simple need that I saw repeatedly: patterns that were beautiful concepts, but did not extend across an inclusive range of sizes (including my own!), were so poorly graded that they were unwearable, or were riddled with errors and omissions that rendered them impossible to make.
Now, having worked on more than 500 patterns, I bring my substantial experience to your designs.
What does knitabl do?
technical editing
As a knitwear tech editor, I want to help you make your knitting pattern as clear and error-free as it can be. I specialize in garments with unique constructions and textures, but also edit accessory patterns including those with lace and brioche.
When I edit, I check all numbers (Imperial/metric conversions, finished measurements, grading, and stitch counts). I verify compatibility of charts and written instructions, ensure accuracy and completeness of abbreviations, and look for consistency in language and tone. Many years of knitting experience allow me to provide suggestions on layout, usability, and clarity.
pattern grading
Have you written your pattern for the sample size that you made, but want to offer a full range of sizes? I will work with you to grade your pattern and make it fully size inclusive. I work with several fit models, and incorporate your ideas about fit, to make sure your pattern is comfortable and flattering across the full range of sizes.
Knitwear design Consulting
Knitwear design Consulting
I enjoy consulting with designers who are learning to grade but need some assistance and guidance along the way.
I provide experienced perspective that helps you navigate the designing and grading processes to avoid potential pitfalls before they appear. This saves you time, headaches, and money when it comes time to have your pattern edited.
style sheets
Knitwear design Consulting
Your patterns are where your customers gain a true sense of your personality and your style.
I help you to develop a consistent and clear layout, with an awareness of how knitters use patterns, so that you will have a style guide and template to use for all future patterns.
Your patterns will be recognizable at a glance, and you will have fewer items to address in revisions and after technical editing.
schematics and charts
I create charts from your written row-by-row instructions, or generate written instructions from a chart. All charts that I create have a symbol list and stitch summary.
I also make schematics, either line drawings or illustrations showing texture and detail. All schematics are vector format, so you never need to worry about pixelation, and are customized to your style and measurement listing format.
Schematic example is from Thea Colman's Peach Bourbon Tea.
pattern support
Let me answer your customers' questions about your patterns, leaving you free to keep creating! I have a knack for helping knitters understand where they got off track in a pattern, and will help them be confident that their work will produce a finished project that they are proud of.
I use my experience with pattern support to give you insights into what questions knitters will ask most, enabling you to produce patterns that avoid questions in the first place.
About knitabl
knitabl was founded in 2019 by Annie Lin, though her knowledge comes from many years of experience prior to the company's creation. The name comes from "knit" and Annie's initials, ABL. Every project is handled directly by Annie; there are no subcontractors, so you work with one person from start to finish.
Prior to editing, Annie wrote technical manuals for a biotech company and taught customers how to use their products. On the side, she knit and modified over 50 sweaters for custom fit, all while wrangling her then-small children. For several years she worked at her local yarn shop, guiding customers choosing yarn and making their own modifications to their knitting projects.
Now, Annie is the force behind knitabl. She provides expert pattern grading built on years of deep expertise and has had involvement with more than 500 knitting patterns to date. She enjoys working in spreadsheets doing all the behind-the-scenes mathy bits required for truly inclusive fit!
You can find a sample of knitabl patterns here, on Ravelry.
