I went over my deadline goal of knitting this in under 2 weeks, but I think I still made really good time considering the gauge and all the special sizing considerations I made in the pattern-writing. I ended up grading it for 12 sizes with 8 different bust sizes. That’s 96 size combinations!!

This will be debuting at Sock Summit 2011 at the Anzula Yarn booth. The pdf pattern release will occur about 1 week after Sock Summit.

Below is my “diary” of this project.

7.1.11 - The yarn just arrived on my doorstep this afternoon. Sabrina of Anzula talked about doing this about 1.5 weeks ago, whereupon she immediately dyed the yarn. I need to get this thing done before I leave for Sock Summit on the 26th, which actually means I have less than 2 weeks to design and knit it, because I’ll also need to do photography, tech editing and pattern layout. This afternoon, I’ll be sketching and planning. Tonight, I hope to start swatching…but let’s hope my tendonitis cooperates. I’m trying to take care of it right now by sporting a sexy brace.

7.2.11 I did the first swatch on US3 and forgot to measure it before I blocked, but I guess it doesn’t matter since I don’t like the way the fabric looks on that after blocking. Swatching on US2 now.

7.3.11 I started the grading and partial pattern writing already, up until the armhole shaping. Right now, I’ve graded for 12 sizes…don’t know if I’ll end up writing if for that many sizes. It depends on the trim detail and how easy or hard that is to write in that many sizes. Today I casted on and worked about 1” while hanging out on some friends’ boat in Marina del Rey.

7.5.11 I haven’t done much knitting the past 2 days. I did a bit while hanging out with some friends on their boat on the 4th. Today there wasn’t much knitting. I am however, tinkering with the numbers again since I think I’m going to work this pattern with bust darts for different cup sizes. Can’t decide on vertical or horizontal darts right now. I’ve been wanting to write a pattern like this for a while, since I’d like to write and make something that me and my 32Gs can actually fit in! The downside and barrier that’s kept me from writing something formally in this manner is that it can get a bit complicated to write and do the math.

7.12.2001 I didn’t work on this for several days. Life got in the way. Also, I could not make a decision on the bust shaping for this pattern so I kept procrastinating. I finally decided and am back on track with writing the bust dart shaping.

7.14.2011 I did all the bust shaping for the sample that I’m making. Now I need to decide how I want to do the neckline and edging design, which is worked before and during the armhole shaping. Again, I’m waivering and can’t decide what to do. Compromise a bit on look and go for more simplicity for knitters? Or just go all the way with my original concept? hmmm.

7.21.2011 Finito! After another setback a few days ago, I finally finished last night. I had to rip out all the right front bust and front neckline shaping because I decided that it really bothered me that the lace was not symmetrical. That set me back by 2 days. However, it’s done!! I had a photoshoot today with my friend and photog TwirlGirlFibers.

7.22.2011 Pattern layout all day and photo editing all night. It was sent off to a tech editor today.

7.25.2011 Really under the wire today. I’ll be reviewing the tech editor notes this afternoon. It’s a long pattern…I couldn’t get it in less pages without sacrificing ease of use and readability. sigh. oh well.