Step 1: cruise the knitting swatch books for an idea + 10 experience
Step 2: swatch chosen stitch patterns to determine construction and design flow + 30 experience
Step 3: Swatch again to determine any variations and increase method. +30 experience
Step 4: Rip out steps 2 & 3 because a slightly different direction has been chosen. +1 experience
Step 5: Cast on trial version in remnant yarn from other projects. +20 experience
Step 6: Leave step 5, pick nicer yarn and start definitive cast on. + 100 experience
Step 7: create charts for entirety of pattern. + 150 experience
Step 8: Rewrite each chart at least once, sometimes up to 4. + 100 experience
Step 9: Keep rewriting charts as first sample is created. +50 experience
Step 10: Finish first sample. Do another edit to charts. +100 experience
Step 11: Knit a second sample using final charts. + 200
Step 12: Write up Pattern, submit to testers. +100
Step 13: Edit pattern as corrections come in from testers. +50
Step 14: Do final look through of pattern. +9
Step 15: Publish pattern to Ravelry. +100
+ 1000 Experience points = LEVEL UP!
This is what my level up looks like:
Of course whilst testing was in progress I started another design. Not one of the many that I have planned or sketches for - but a new one based on a wonderful hiking trail on the National Superior Hiking Traing in northern Minnesota. I'm thinking of naming it Tettegouche (tet-e-goosh). It is such an awesome name and is a Park on the National Superior Hiking Trail. Right now I'm in step ... 6? But haven't finished all the charts yet. They are completing themselves as I finish a section and decide the direction of the next. Right now it is being done in a buttery yellow cascade heritage quatro ... I'm saving the lovely Arauncania Huasco for the final sample knit. Now if only I could reverse engineer an asymmetrical crescent shaped shawl? Using increases and not short rows? Possible .., maybe not.
Yarn sample:
