The first time I was ever introduced to technical writing was in college. I had the bright idea of taking prerequisite courses in the middle of the worst time of my life. I wish I had time to share all the messy and painful details, but that would take too long for this blog post. Honestly, at the moment, it seemed like the dumbest choice I could’ve made, but I had no idea that it was exactly what I needed. And my short stint with getting a professional education still impacts me almost 20 years later!
I remember walking into lit class for the first time, a 3-ring binder in one hand and a pouch full of pens in the other. I’ve been obsessed with writing (and pens and journals) since I was nine when my mom bought me my first diary to write down my stories instead of talking her ear off about them. I always had stories. As a matter of fact, I still have stories!
Mr. Knight, my literature teacher, had long tables shaped like a “U” around his classroom. I walked in and made a beeline for the middle chair so I could sit right in the center of his lessons. I always looked forward to Tuesday mornings because I felt like I was in my element learning grammar, syntax, parts of speech, proofreading, and editing.
I was so excited when he gave us the first writing assignment, titled ‘How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.’ This was my first introduction to technical writing, and who knew that over twenty years later, I would be a technical editor—editing technical copy.
As a matter of fact, I’m also a technical writer because I write crochet patterns. Yep, that’s right. Crochet patterns are considered technical copy. And this is exactly where we’re going to start because what I share in this article will be the foundation of EVERYTHING I teach about pattern writing. If you can understand these concepts, you are one step closer to being a better pattern writer than before reading this article.
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What is Technical Writing
Technical writing is all about making complex information easy to understand, especially when it comes to specialized topics. Think of it as taking something complicated and breaking it down into clear, straightforward language that everyone in a specific audience can understand.
Technical writing, or technical copy, is distinctly different from other types of writing. A technical writer must possess in-depth knowledge of the specific subject matter, which requires a strong background in that area. Additionally, they must be familiar with the relevant standards and conventions for writing technical copy in their field of expertise.
There are a lot of categories that fall under Technical Writing. Here are just a few:
- Contracts
- User Manuals
- Warning Labels
- Websites
- Proposals
- Product Catalogs
- Instructions
Why Is A Crochet Pattern Technical Copy?
Crochet itself is a specialized topic. Not everyone knows how to crochet. I tried to find statistics showing how many people in the world crochet and couldn’t find any solid findings. But with over 8 billion people worldwide, this is a pretty niche market. Not everyone knows crochet terms or the specialized shorthand involved in its instructions.
Since crochet patterns are specialized instructions with specialized terminology and abbreviations, they are considered technical copy. To achieve the desired result of a crochet pattern, a person must follow the specific, precise technical instructions.
These instructions are technical in nature for a few key reasons:
Mathematical Accuracy: Crochet patterns involve calculations for stitch counts, row or round repetitions, gauge, and dimensions. The math in a crochet pattern must be correct for the finished project to turn out as intended.
Standardized Terminology: Patterns use standardized crochet abbreviations and terms (e.g., sc for single crochet, dc for double crochet), which require consistency throughout the pattern. The terminology must align with industry standards, making it a specialized form of writing.
Logical Sequence and Construction: A crochet pattern involves step-by-step instructions that need to flow in a logical sequence. The writer must communicate construction techniques in a clear, structured way so their reader can replicate the design exactly.
Complex Visuals: Sometimes, patterns include charts, schematics, or diagrams, which add a layer of technical complexity. These visuals must align with the written instructions, ensuring the person reading the pattern can easily follow both elements.
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If You Write Crochet Patterns, You Are A Technical Writer
Trying to explain to other people what we do can be difficult. The reason why it’s difficult is because we’re afraid others won’t see value in what we do. We downplay it or make it sound less than what it is right from the start of the conversation. “Oh, I’m a stay-at-home mom with a small crochet business.” “I just make crochet dolls.” “I just sell crochet patterns.” Maybe we don’t even mention that part of our lives at all.
What you do is more than JUST. You are a technical writer who specializes in writing crochet patterns. Just like I am a technical editor who specializes in editing crochet patterns. Which leads me to my next point.
Why a Crochet Pattern Needs to be Edited by A Professional
Crochet has been around for a long time, and throughout the years, there have been surges in its popularity. We saw this with the mess that happened in 2020. Everybody and their mother learned how to crochet. Then, a rise of new crochet patterns hit Etsy, and the market became utterly oversaturated.
Many people who had just picked up the craft started writing crochet patterns because they discovered they could sell them and make some income online. The problem is that because they were so new to the craft, they were ignorant of the publishing process. They skipped over a HUGE step in the process.
Whenever something is set to be published, it goes through several stages of publication. One of the most critical stages is editing. Without editing, the author risks releasing work that contains errors or lacks clarity. Who wants to purchase a book full of misspelled words or sections of a story that makes no sense? No one…that’s who. If I bought the book, read all those errors, and couldn’t make sense of the story, I would never purchase another book from that author again. Immediately, trust was broken, and my thoughts toward that author were not pleasant.
The same goes for crochet patterns. Suppose a designer publishes their technical copy (crochet pattern) without going through the proper steps of technical editing. In that case, I can guarantee there are errors and parts that don’t make sense…or at least parts that could use clarifying. Crochet patterns have intricate, technical components and require specialized editing to ensure accuracy and clarity. Skipping this important step puts you at risk of losing the trust of your readers and, in turn, losing sales.
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Why a Pattern Doesn’t Need to Be Pretty to Make Sales
You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”; the same goes for a crochet pattern. It’s not about how pretty the cover or pattern is but about the accuracy and clarity of the written words.
When writing a crochet pattern, it’s way more important to get the technical stuff right than to just make it look nice. A pretty pattern means nothing if it’s not error-free. Your number one priority when writing a crochet pattern should be to ensure that your crochet pattern is accurate, precise, and concise. Most well-known designers don’t have pretty patterns, but they do have professionally edited ones!
Terms to Become Familiar With as a Crochet Designer
Technical Copy: Specialized form of communication that conveys complex information.
Technical Writer: A professional who writes technical documents such as crochet patterns.
Technical Editor: Edits technical copy for clarity, accuracy, formatting, style, grammar, and math errors before publication.
Crochet Standards: Specifications and guidelines for abbreviations, yarn, hooks, and language used by manufacturers, publishers, and designers to prepare consumable products.
Accuracy: conformity to a truth or standard: exactness; free from mistake or error: correctness
Precise: marked by exactness and accuracy
Concise: giving the relevant or necessary information clearly in a few words; brief but comprehensive.
As you read other articles on this blog, you’ll understand why I approach the subject with such a technical approach.