// Advertising - received yarn for a new design
Since last time, I have started on the prototype. I haven't come very far yet, as a lot of time has gone towards work, spending time with my daughter, and organizing two test knits.
At the moment, the Lounge Sweater Mini and Coffee Sweater Mini are being tested. The Lounge Sweater Mini is soon finished being tested and I'm excited to release this pattern.
Adjustments and changes in the design process
Yesterday, I ended up unraveling quite a bit... It's never fun to undo hours of work, but I don't want this pattern to be halfway. This pattern is a new step for me, where I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to design while also wanting to make the pattern simple. I of course try to do this with all my patterns, but at least I don't want the construction and fit to be halfway just for the sake of making a simple pattern!
The reason I unravelled was the sleeves. They became extremely wide. Wide sleeves are nice to have, but not that wide! So now I'm testing sleeves with a new stitch count and I think it will be good.
Other adjustments
Another change I've already made is how long the double garter should go before the ribbing and split begin. Initially, I had it set from the waist down, but I changed this to start halfway out from the length of the sweater. That means it starts a little higher than at the waist initially, but since the structure is very stretchy and stretches in use, it will most likely "sink" downwards. I don't want the sweater to be so long that it's half the length at the waist. And why don't I want that?
More factors to consider
The main reason I don't want an oversized sweater that is very long is actually yarn costs. You risk getting a pattern that is very expensive to knit, and that affects the desire to knit the garment. And the more people who want to knit the garment and share it on Instagram, the bigger the chance that more people want to buy the pattern.
There's a lot that goes together and a lot to think about. But I still hold on to my vision of focusing on developing designs and patterns that I want. A very non-traditional vision, but because I do this as a hobby alongside work and family life, it's important to maintain the joy and motivation.
Thank you for following my journey! I am incredibly grateful for everyone who buys my patterns and who is on the team and test knits for me.