After the Sale is Made

I heard from a buyer last week who wanted to buy a project from a proposal I had submitted.

What's next?  What happens after the sale is made?

I received the yarn for the project on Friday, and this morning I started to work.  I pulled out my swatch and the notes I made.  First, I reviewed those notes for gauge, stitch pattern, hook size, etc, as it has been a while since I worked up the proposal. The buyer didn't ask for any changes to the basic design, just changes in colors.

Next, I began a draft of the pattern. I started at the "top" with the skill level, the Materials section, the Pattern Notes, Special Stitches and the Stitch Pattern. This gives me a head start on all those little details.

Then, I took out graph paper and created a symbol chart of the stitch pattern.  The buyer didn't ask for this, but it helps me visualize--as I mentioned, it's been a little while since I've worked on this--and makes sure I've got the pattern down before I begin calculations for actual stitch counts.

After the symbol chart, I wrote out the words for each row of the pattern.  I will go back and add the actual stitch counts, but for now, this gives me a good basis to test the technical part of the pattern while I'm stitching the model.

Next, I calculated the dimensions using the gauge, and came up with actual stitch and row counts. This is not a garment, so sizing will not be a factor.  I had certain dimensions in mind, but the stitch pattern and the number of colors involved dictates the number of rows.  I needed to think about whether the finished size would be appropriate for the project--little decisions here and there need to be made!

The next part is not as technical in nature.  I made the original swatch in 3 colors, but the buyer wants to add a 4th color. Now there are possibilites for color arrangement (oh what fun!).  Color changes are the norm; most of the time the buyer will give instructions for substituting colors for the original colors, or if not, I go by light/dark. In the case of the Red Twig Socks, I swatched in purple and black, so I followed the light/dark plan for the butter yellow and burgundy that the editor wanted.

In this case, I could arrange the colors in an ABC sequence, or ABC, then CBA, or maybe I could arrange them as ABCBABC, or even ABCCBAABC.

The choices I make will affect the pattern writing; the ABC sequence would make the easiest pattern to write (and to follow), but would that make the project POP? 

I'm swatching color sequences now . . .

Happy Stitching!