Pricing & Services

Technical editing

$35/hour — Patterns are checked for mathematical accuracy. This includes:

• using spreadsheets to verify all mathematical calculations such as measurements and sizing, stitch and row/round counts, and stitch patterns and repeats (cables, lace, etc).
• ensuring all photographs, schematics and/or charts agree with the pattern.
• making sure all necessary abbreviations and keys are listed and clear.

Copy editing

$35/hour — Patterns are checked for simple and concise wording while maintaining the designer’s style, tone and voice. This includes:

• checking language style, structure and word usage; including syntactical, grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
• checking your pattern against the style sheet or for consistent formatting and terminology if there is no style sheet.
• making sure the written instructions flow logically from section to section.

proofreading

$35/hour— This is the final step before publication. Any patterns that have already been technical and/or copy edited, can be submitted for a final review before publishing even if a different Technical Editor was used for editing services. Sometimes a final, third set of eyes is necessary!

Style sheets

$105 flat fee — Unique style sheets are created for each designer, ensuring consistency both within and across patterns. Having a style sheet will not only make sure designers spend less time writing out each pattern but also less money having each pattern edited. A style sheet will also help a designer create a brand, making all her/his patterns recognizable as such.

Charts

$35/hour — Charts are created from the designer’s written instructions using Stitchmastery. Written instructions can also be generated from charts. This service includes:

• confirmation the chart works.
• charts and keys with formatting that match the designer’s style.
• compatible formats: png, jpg or pdf (chart, key and key components as one file or separate files for ease of arrangement in the pattern).
• written instructions matching the style sheet.

schematics

$35/hour — Professional schematics are created using Inkscape from the designer’s hand drawings or photographs. This includes:

• to scale line schematic in jpg, png, or pdf files.
• imperial and/or metric measurements.
• formatting matching the style sheet.

grading and sizing

$35/hour — Professional grading to create an inclusive range of sizes using my own sizing charts based on a combination of sources or using a sizing chart of your choice such as ASTM, CYC, Ysolda, or any other publicly available chart. In order to grade a pattern, the designer needs to provide the original pattern, photographs of the knit sample (if available) and a completed Grading Questionnaire (The questionnaire will be emailed to the designer). Graded patterns should be tech edited by a third party to ensure an error-free final product. This service includes:

• tech editing your original pattern.
• maintaining ease, stitch patterns, row repeats and other design features.
• inclusive sizing ranging from 28" to 67" depending on the constraints of the original pattern.
• adding the directions for the new sizes to your original pattern, rewriting as necessary.
• if the designer chooses: contracting with a 3rd party to complete a final tech edit on the graded pattern

work flow & Cost estimates

Consultation: Work begins with a free consultation to review the pattern and the needs of the designer. If Midnight Purl is a good fit, we will move on to a cost estimate. If not, I'll try to help you find a more suitable Tech Editor.

Cost Estimate: Each pattern is unique, so an initial cost estimate will be sent after the consultation.

Techical and Copy Editing and Proofreading Cost: The following information can be used to estimate the cost of technical and copy editing and proofreading a pattern:

• Simple Accessories — 1 size, no charts, standard shaping, construction, and/or techniques - .75 to 1.5 hours.
• Medium Accessories — 2 sizes, 1 chart, intermediate shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Complex Accessories — 3+ sizes, multiple charts, advanced or innovative shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 3 to 6 hours.

• Simple Garments — 1 to 3 sizes, no charts, standard shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Medium Garments — 4 to 6 sizes, 1 chart, intermediate shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex Garments — 7+ sizes, multiple charts, advanced or innovative shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 6 hours & up.

Charts or Schematics Cost: In general, each chart or schematic usually takes about 1 hour to create.

Grading Cost: The following information can be used to estimate the cost of grading a pattern:

• Simple Accessories — 2 sizes, no charts, standard shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Medium Accessories — 2 sizes, 1 chart, intermediate shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex Accessories — 3+ sizes, multiple charts, advanced or innovative shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 6 to 12 hours.

• Simple Garments — 2 to 3 sizes, no charts, standard shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 3 to 6 hours.
• Medium Garments — 4 to 6 sizes, 1 chart, intermediate shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 6 to 12 hours.
• Complex Garments — 7+ sizes, multiple charts, advanced or innovative shaping, construction, and/or techniques - 12 hours & up.

Editing: Once the cost estimate is agreed to, work begins. Patterns are never altered. Upon completion, a marked up version of the pattern will be sent to the designer. It is ultimately up to the designer to implement any corrections or changes, ensuring the proprietorship of the original pattern.

Revised Cost Estimate: If the work is taking longer than expected or other issues or needs arise, a revised cost estimate will be sent to the designer for approval. Once the revised cost estimate is agreed upon, work will resume. This is to ensure the designer will never receive a bill that is for a higher amount than approved of. If a revised cost estimate proves necessary, it may delay the turnaround time.

Proofreading: If the designer chooses to implement any changes to the pattern, the finalized pattern can be submitted for another proofreading. If there are further edits necessary, the designer will be contacted in order to agree upon another revised cost estimate before any work is done.

Invoice: An invoice will be sent once the designer approves any final edits.

Communications: All commonly used formats of computer files can be worked with and can easily be transferred via email or Dropbox.

Payments: Paypal is preferred as a method of payment.