Saturday, October 25, 2014

"Tempest" - On tech editing a book; giveaway!

One of the joys for me in my technical editing work is the sense of virtually knitting a project. There are only so many hours in a day, only so many knitting hours in a week, only so many projects I can make in my lifetime. I'm very much a process knitter, and I get an awful lot of satisfaction from the technical aspect of knitting: learning new techniques, experimenting with and understanding different constructions, and enjoying a designer's implementation of a design idea. To do a technical edit of a pattern provides all of those experiences, in less time that it would take me to knit it. And it's true, if there's a sample, I have been known to try it on, and have a good fondle of the yarn, and luxuriate in the colours. (The downside is that I don't get to keep the lovely FO at the end, but there have to be some trade-offs...)

Sometimes I am working with a designer, editing individual patterns; sometimes, I am working with a publication, to edit a group of patterns from different designers.

The most fun projects, however, are the big ones: editing a collection of patterns from an individual designer. You know, books!

Working with a designer on a book project allows you to really dig into a designer's vision and design sensibility. Working on a book project allows me to experience and enjoy all the different ways a designer expresses herself.

Over the summer, I had the distinct pleasure of being the technical editor for designer Holli Yeoh, for her just-released book Tempest.

Holli is a wonderful designer, and her design sensibility reflects a remarkable balance: her pieces are beautiful but entirely wearable, interesting in construction and technique, but entirely knittable. It's not easy to do, and Holli is a master of this.

Tempest is a collaboration with Felicia Lo of Sweet Georgia Yarns. All of the projects in the book use Felicia's yarns, and take advantage of her fantastic colour palette. (I've used Sweet Georgia Yarns myself in my books and I adore them.) And just as I enjoyed diving deep with Holli's designs, I know that Holli thoroughly enjoyed diving deep into Felicia's yarns.

Tempest features eleven designs, accessories and garments for women, inspired by the weather and natural surroundings of the west coast of Canada.

Now, Holli and Felicia are in Vancouver, and so were the projects. Tech editing remotely - that is, without the projects in hand that I could examine and measure and explore - adds a degree of challenge to the process. It's often the way I work, and it can be useful to do it this way, in that it allows me to assess and work through the pattern the same way a knitter would - with only instructions and a few pictures to guide me.

The downside is that I don't get to really enjoy (you know, oogle, fondle, try on) the projects in the same way.

Holli and Felicia launched the book at the KnitCity event in Vancouver earlier this month, where I was teaching. Being at the launch party was lovely, and I really enjoyed being able to congratulate them both in person... but the best part of being there? Getting to see the projects in person! I may have even tried a bunch of them on...

To see all the projects, and to learn more, visit the website for the book. The site also hosts tutorials and discussion forums.

You can buy a physical copy of the book online at the Sweet Georgia Shop, or a digital copy from Ravelry.


Holli and Felicia have generously donated a digital copy of the book for me to give away to one of my readers. To win, leave a comment on this post. Please make sure I have a way to contact you - include in the comment either your Ravelry ID or your email address (in a way that the spammers can't get it, write it out with spaces and spell out the at and the dot, e.g. kate dot atherley at gmail dot com).

Deadline for comments is Tuesday Oct 28th, midnight EST.

51 comments:

pudgypooh said...

Sounds like an amazing book. Great giveaway too.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ONEDAY Designs said...

Such a great giveaway and thanks for the chance to win. I've only just discovered Sweet Georgia yarns and it was love at first sight, or should I say first feel. You can reach me at sellickl at gmail dot com

Maryzona said...

Beautiful designs! I think these designs really highlight the yarns used. I was making mental shopping lists as I studied each project.
Maryzona on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

This collection looks lovely, I can't wait to try some patterns out! -Emily, Ravelry ID callmemle

florapie said...

I also loved seeing these in person, and still trying to come up with an appropriately ethereal sub for the mohair I can't wear in Eventide.

Anonymous said...

I first encountered Holli's designs about 7 yrs ago when I had returned to knitting after many decades. Her toddler sweater patterns for my grandson were outstanding. The details were superb supported by detailed instructions. They still look fabulous after passing through three grand kids.

Can't wait to knit her adult patterns. Would love a copy of this book. Thanks for the offer. You can reach me at zeeknits at gmail dot com.

Now Am Found! said...

beautiful book. got some christmas gifts in it for sure! i always learn something from your blog, so thank you for that
maura'
nowamfound@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Those designs are beautiful and the Sweet GA yarn is one of my favorites. Thanks for the giveaway! Rav ID is KittyKatz

Anonymous said...

I like the title of process knitter - I think that describes me too. I'm always looking for projects to have some sort of new technique or new element to keep me interested.

(entish on Ravelry)

cat said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I bought a copy of Tempest at Knit City, but as a gift for someone else. I'd love to have a copy for myself.
caterpillargreen on Ravelry
p.s. Just looked at the captcha; I think I'm about to fail the humanity test.

Heather said...

January 2013--I saw a jacket pattern that ignited my desire to knit something other than a blanket. I decided to start small and improve my limited knitting skills by taking some of your classes at The Purple Purl. Coincidentally the jacket pattern and wool that is patiently waiting on the shelf for my skills to improve is Holli's Garter Stitch Jacket from Knit Simple Magazine! This jacket is the very reason I want to attend your "Perfect Fit" class.

RagdollDesigns said...

I'd love a copy!

Thanks,
Ragdoll on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Ohh looks fancy! I'd love to have a copy.

EmGemKnits on ravelry

Unknown said...

I love a new challenge and like to try new techniques. I would also love to win something sometime. Oh well, not holding my breath but leaving a comment just in case. lhyattfifty at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Wow. This book is amazing! Thank you for the opportunity to have a copy. :) lkawakami on Ravelry

Melissa said...

What an inspiring collection. So many patterns that I'd like to knit. So wish that the truck show was scheduled to come near me.

Nora McLernon said...

Looks like a lovely book-I'd love to add it to my knitting library.
knittingnora on Ravelry

Sylvie said...

I love Sweet Georgia's yarns, and this book looks awesome.

Rav - somesylvie

cinnymom said...

I've had the pleasure of meeting Holli when she did some teaching in Edmonton a while back. She's a very talented designer and I would love to win her new book! Thanks for the giveaway.
cinnymom on Ravelry

Geraldine said...

Lovely, lovely book and patterns! Would love to win!
gerscott at yahoo dot com

Geri Inglis said...

I would LOVE to win this book. Please pick me!

Sylvie Gagne said...

Well written Kate. The patterns are amazing and the colours delicious.

Knitting the Camino said...

I don't need a copy of the book since I have my own. I just want to say what a lovely review of the book, Kate. (And, confession time - I'm Holli's step-father, knitter of a couple of items in the book and proud parent.)

May said...

I love Sweet Georgia yarns and have a couple of skeins in my stash. Ravelry: kelseayarn

Anonymous said...

The patterns are lovely! The texture in that purple cowl is awesome - I just want to tough it!

I'm LittleMissNai on Ravelry :)

Anonymous said...

Love those west coast designers (patterns and yarn). I used Sweet Georgia for the Audrey Angst and am looking for another opportunity to use it. Holli's book would provide that opportunity.
DoctorPeg on Ravelry

Word Lily said...

Ooh, I'd love to win!

WordLily on Rav

sharon said...

Lovely book, with so many great patterns!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous designs, and beautiful colors! :) --Bookaholic13 on Ravelry

Unknown said...

Everything about this book is beautiful: yarn, colours, patterns. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it! This fibrefan3 on Ravelry or j dot faulkner165 at gmail dot com has her fingers crossed!

Christine said...

It would be awesome to win..so many lovely patterns.
Rav id: woolercoaster

Julia in KW said...

There are a couple of pattern I would love to wear! :)
Knitnosh on Ravelry

ridgestitch said...

Loved your story about tech editing this book. You make the patterns sound so interesting that I'd love to check them out and knit some.
ridgestitch on Rav in hopes of winning a copy of this great looking book

Chris M said...

What a fab book and I do love Sweet georgia yarns. Rav - Chriscatsknits

Alex said...

Pattern books are my new stash - gives me the opportunity to maybe actually use up my yarn stash someday!!
Antisocialnetwork on Ravelry

MCG said...

Sweet patterns and sweet Georgia yarn...oh my!!

Unknown said...

The patterns look fantastic and I would love to win the book.

Rav ID alilou78

Anonymous said...

Beautiful designs! would love a copy
I'm enjoying knitting my Rosetta
Tharpe shawl with Sweet Georgia yarn

elsalouise on ravelry

Anonymous said...

Great book, I enjoy knitting with Sweet Georgia yarns.
Thanks

lyn41 on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

I would love a copy of this book and an opportunity to play with some Sweet Georgia yarn.

Jlangt64 on Rav

La Vieille Chipie said...

Beautiful designs, and gorgeous colors!
VieilleChipie on Ravelry

Lisaaf said...

I love Sweet Georgia & the book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity.
Lisaaf on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Count me in!
Heather
Rav: princesswarrior

Marie ♥ said...

I am currently knitting with Sweet Georgia for the first time and loving the yarn. I have my eye on a couple of the patterns in the book.
Ctgctrrun on ravelry

Anonymous said...

Appreciate the chance to win the book! Mbdryknits ravelry id

Anonymous said...

Several of these projects on the must-knit list :) JLCherry33 on Ravelry

Sarah said...

I saw that book at KnitCity and am now kicking myself I didn't buy it

headshelfelf on Ravelry

Wenchlette said...

Gorgeous work, I definitely enjoyed ogling the projects at KnitCity!

Shaina Scott said...

My LYS just started varying Sweet Georgia Yarns and I've been itching for a reason to buy a bunch and try them out! I think that having a whole pattern book filled with ideas is reason enough. ^_^

areader said...

Beautiful designs and great colour choices. I'll have to check this book out. Ravelry: ashtree22