Not every project works out and my Mom and Dad.........

Some projects are just not meant to be, it is just a simple fact of knitting/crocheting life.  So let me introduce you to my latest major flop, readers meet the poncho that was not to be made, at least not with this yarn.

The ridiculous mess above is supposed to be Helena's V-Stitch Poncho a project that I have started at least six times in the past.  I love this pattern, I can picture myself throwing this on, like a light weight sweater and dashing off to someplace fabulous.  Now in my real life I probably won't wear it at all but I can dream can't I?  Dreaming seems to be about all I can do with this pattern because I just can't seem to get it right.

I am using beautiful silk yarn from Oasis Yarn, Icelandic Silk Seduction, bought way back in October 2009, when I was last at Rhinebeck with my sister Claudia.  How can it be almost seven years since I was at that amazing festival?   Anyway getting back on track here, I have always thought this yarn would be perfect for this pattern, and I have tried my friends, I have tried.  The thing is that no matter how easy the pattern is I just can't get the right count for the first row.  I am either making it too tight, or in this instance way, way too big!

I think in my dreamworld I have a bigger chest instead of just really wide shoulders.  I made this neckline big anticipating it would be just fine.  I kept trying it on convincing myself it would all work out, I would just make a few smaller rounds around the neck to finish the piece.  What I did not take into account, or better yet what I seemed to ignore, was that fact that this gorgeous silk yarn is heavy and it pulls the fabric down with it making the neckline expand at a scary rate.  The piece above is UGLY, the pooling of the yarn looks horrible, the size is a disaster and well there was just nothing nice to say about it with the exception that it was soft.

So after 500 yards of crocheting I finally had to have a good talk with myself and acknowledge it was not meant to be..........again!  The poncho that was not to be and I spent several hours on Sunday, frogging and wrapping into balls while watching the Rays finally get a win.  Frogging silk is just about as bad as frogging mohair, the tiny little legs of the yarn attach to everything around it making you have to tug on it to get it loose.  This tugging of course compromises the yarn on the next row, so you have a harder time the more you frog.  It seems to get worse at a exponentially fast rate until you want to just throw it all into the bin while screaming and running away.  I kept myself in check until the last three rows when I just could not take it anymore, off into the garbage bin it went.

I really do love this yarn, you can't see the real beauty of it above, but  believe me it is soft as, well.......silk!.  I am determined to make it into something else, maybe a new South Bay Shawlette?  If you know me by now you know I can't just make one of anything.  I might just get that started today.

Now that I am mentioning disasters I have to include my garden.  Yup, once again I am not happy.  When will I learn?  It starts off beautifully and then I get cutworms, or in this case a powdery fungus.  I have tried the oil/dish soap remedy with no luck at all.   I have to say the zucchini flowers are beautiful but there will be no produce happening here.  Out of my three tomato plants only one looks like it has a chance of producing anything at all.  My herbs are doing well, I am using my rosemary tonight making that yummy honey mustard chicken recipe I mentioned a few weeks ago.

Sunday was the second anniversary of my Mom passing away.  Not the easiest day, I am not sure why an anniversary day is harder but it just is.  I miss her, she was the best, always being there, telling you like she saw it but usually with a bit of humor.  Boy of boy could she make me sweat, I did not want to disappoint her.  She was proud of all of us, even if we weren't our best, and she loved us fiercely.  My Father's six month anniversary is on the 29th of this month.  I miss him, too.  I still think I am catching a glimpse of him at the grocery store.  Or when the phone rings early in the morning I think he is calling because he needs help.  I am still working on his estate (which sounds a whole lot bigger than it is).  I have spent the last month trying to get his homeowners insurance canceled, they have been ridiculous in all the documents they have requested.  Each person I talk to has something different to request or say. It has been much harder to cancel this policy than to sell his actual condo.   I have not been happy with them, and actually have lost my patience many times on the phone.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that after yet another 40 minutes on the phone today it has all gone through at last.

I have a busy week ahead of me, I will check in when I can.  Wishing you all the best week.