From sketch to finished piece

It still mystifies me when I can actually sketch my thoughts onto paper and then actually have those thoughts perfectly translate into a finished piece ----as I envisioned it!  I can not sketch, I have no idea how to show texture on a sketch pad and I am horrible with proportions and I don't even know how to show "variegated" color.
I'm not even sure how I even find the right colors with my limited colored pens collection.

Swatches and sketches

 

A snippet of my submission letter

 

Might I also add that this Chullo hat was submitted in September 2011, accepted and knit by November 2011 and was just released November 2012.  My last worry is that it may no longer be in style!