Coming up with patterns? How do you do that?

Dear users and authors,
How does the process of creating patterns and models work?
Tell me about it.

I often try out new patterns using leftover yarn or even as I’m knitting. I like to let myself be surprised.

I have a rough idea of the finished project and sketch it out first. Then I pick out the yarn in the right colors and just get started. The details usually come together as I knit, and I always find that really exciting.

A notebook, needles, and yarn—and off I go.
I write down each row (round), and as I knit
the ideas come.
If I don’t like it, I start over from the beginning.
Often, I take the best from several attempts
and just like that, I have my pattern :-)

Best regards,
Birgit

When I’m crocheting, the patterns usually come together as I work on them.

When I’m knitting, I at least think through a rough idea of what the pattern might look like beforehand.
For my current project, I’ve already created a knitting chart.
Once I’m happy with it, I’ll write up the patterns.

I find inspiration everywhere: architecture in the city, fashion photos, applied art in museums, colors in nature, etc. Then I start experimenting, knitting small sample pieces, and so on. In the process, the initial idea usually changes quite a bit.
Once I have a clear idea of how to put the idea into practice, I make a plan, draw a chart, and calculate the number of stitches and yarn requirements in advance; I usually do that in Excel.

And then the knitting finally begins... even then, there are sometimes still changes because something doesn’t work out or doesn’t look as good as planned. Then I simply start over as many times as necessary until I’m satisfied...

I also record all the important information and steps in the Excel file, so that I then have all the information I need to write the actual pattern.

Then the pattern goes to test knitters (usually about 6–10 test knitters) and into English translation. Then comes the photo shoot (my husband takes the photos) and then the pattern is published.
The whole process takes about 1–3 months for me, from the initial idea to publication.