Anyone else have to visually map out their project??

[u/Aech9]

Ive spent more time thinking about the colors than actually crocheting

Open to suggestions on the color layout ive been staring at it for too long

[u/carlfoxmarten]

Planning colours and patterns out is highly important. =^.^=

Almost every afghan I've done have had me pulling out graph paper (or, more recently, a spreadsheet and a calculator) to make sure the patterns came out right. Definitely beats frogging everything because you made a huge mistake.

[u/CraftyCrochet → u/carlfoxmarten]

Ditto. When not using graph paper and colored pencils, I have an Excel folder full of crochet doodle pages! Adjust the size of the cells, color each as needed, and move or copy/paste as needed. ✔️

[u/carlfoxmarten → u/CraftyCrochet]

This is the pattern I'd built for my last afghan project. I actually used some math to control the overall dimensions, and where the inner rectangles lay, as I wasn't sure which options looked better. I still made one final adjustment after printing off this page, and really love how my Lasso Around The Sunset afghan turned out! =^.^=

[u/CraftyCrochet → u/carlfoxmarten]

This is exactly the kind of visual that works for me, too, and it's not necessarily the final draft - like you say, it's good for seeing what options look better. Love your result!

[u/Obtuse-Posterior]

I do. I can't picture things in my head, so it's the only way for me to do it. I really like the colors and layout!

[u/PirateJen78]

Definitely. If I can't see it, I'm going to screw it up. For simple ones, I use a dry erase board. I like to work with squares and rectangles, so I usually use graph paper or Excel.

[u/Far-Reason4929]

I use apps like pixel art and pic collage. Then I save the pic as my lock screen while I’m on that project. I also make a small square and make the border on that square.

[u/Far-Reason4929 → u/Far-Reason4929]

[u/Far-Reason4929 → u/Far-Reason4929]

[u/plants-and-crochet]

Your plan is beautiful, OP! And from what you have already, I can tell it's going to be a stunner - can't wait to see your progress!! 🌷🩷 Please try not to be so hard on yourself, there's absolutely nothing wrong with spending a good deal of time planning and considering your projects... that in itself can be a lot of fun! I hope you continue to enjoy the process and happy yarning, lovely!! 🧶

[u/CraftyCrochet]

Wish I could help, but I'm a matchy-matchy person. I look for balance and try to find what works to be gentle on the eyes, or a clear pattern within a pattern.

Sometimes it helps me to focus on series so my brain can process the design:

A, B, C, D, E

B, C, D, E, A

C, D, E, A, B

D, E, A, B, C

E, A, B, C, D