12/12/14 - I cannot believe it took nearly two years to complete this sweater. I gave it to my friend a week ago. I look forward to seeing her wear it in public.

2/26/13 - After getting the colorwork laid out, I’m fast and furious into the knitting. This will be so cool.

I’m appreciating the EnvisionKnit software more and more. I sat down with a pen and straight edge to highlight a 10 x 10 grid to assist with the knitting. then I relized I could highlight the rows and columns and re-print the pattern. Magnifico!

2/23/13 - I haven’t done anything with this project in a while. My computer was in the shop, so I couldn’t finish ‘fleshing out’ the design. But I now have my computer back and running again. I spent much of today working on the pattern using the EnvisioKnit software. I’ve posted images of the front and back of the sweater. The (raglan) sleeves are not included in the picture and will be unadorned.

I’m planning to add some little twinklers (stars) by overstitching, once the body of the sweater is knit.

There will be no fasteners, but just a simple wrap, with a shawl collar and “kangaroo” pouch pockets on the front.

1/23/13 - I’ve found a tool (“EnvisioKnit”) and now need to draft out my design. (Meanwhile, I’ve gotten distracted my Noro ribbed sweater. Fortunately, it’s almost done.)

1/7/13 - Haven’t done anything with this sweater lately. I’m looking at different software options to help me plot out the color work I’m planning. A spreadsheet is great for simple, smaller patterns. Larger, more intricate designs would benefit from the appropriate tool.

12/16/2012 - After considering that the design was straying from the original conservative design, I explained the design changes to Doris when I saw her this weekend. She loved the idea and, of course, had
opinions/suggestions about some of the details.

1) No Jupiter or Saturn on the back. A sunburst is best and centered over her heart.

2) the disk of the sun should have little triangular rays - twelve total.

3) the sunburst should be yellow & orange - no red.

4) the two “planets” on the front will be Venus-like (blues & greens) and Mars-like (reds & oranges and possibly a polar ice cap)

5) she agrees the body would be better with a darker purple instead of the current lavender. I have a couple days to frog the work and rewind before the purple yarn arrives.

6) she would also like small 5-pointed stars scattered over the body of the sweater. I think I’ll double-stitch those after knitting the sweater.

I now need to break out the graph paper (Excel spreadsheet) and plot out my sunburst. I had to suggest the little rays. Using a hexagon base would be the easiest to knit in intarsia. Using squares or equilateral triangles will be more challenging as I’ll little tips of the rays starting in multiple places.

I have thoughts about turned hems on the sleeves and body with contrasting/complimentary colors and possibly a message like - “With Love to Doris from Tim”

12/13/2012 - Cast on this evening after slightly changing my concept for the sweater. My friend (for whom I’m making this sweater) is an astrologer. I decided to make the body a dark sky (navy & purple mix) and add planets - a sun (yellow & orange) on the back, and an earth-like (greens & blues) and a mars-like (red & orange) planets on the front. Haven’t decided if I’ll put little twinkly stars.

12/10/2012 - Adapting this pattern to make a cropped cardigan sweater for my friend Doris.

To knit up faster and provide a bulkier sweater, I’m planning to knit this sweater with three strands of yarn (to get the effect of a variegated bulky).