I should not be telling you this. I will lose all credibility as a decent crocheter. But, here we are, talking about my BIGGEST crochet failure.
Let’s be clear. When someone is starting out, they make mistakes. A lot of them. They should make them! And I have made my share, don’t you worry! But my skills have advanced at least somewhat over the last year or two, and a loss like this is pretty much devastating. Had I messed up this badly when I was learning years ago, I would never pick up a hook again.
Luckily, thats not how we do things. 💪 But before we get too cocky, we put it on social media, to prove it happened. 🤦♀️ *sigh*
So. I’m making blankets, right? For the kids. Don’t tell them. Its a surprise. Anyway, Laela’s blanket was easily the longest process. The biggest blanket. The most labour intensive. It contained 240 squares. I worked on them constantly, for weeks, and then I attached them.
As soon as I attached them, I knew I didn’t like how I’d done it. It was seamless, but the seam was too tight and the blanket was uncomfortable. It sucked. But it was SUCH a huge job. I packed it up without any borders and decided I’d reevaluate over time. This was months ago already.
A couple of weeks ago, out came the blanket and the deconstruction began. It was a long process but it got done, and soon I was left with a big heap of squares.
I began reattaching them in a way I like WAY more! It leaves a little braid behind, which is a nice simple detail, but its completely flat. No ridges. WAY comfier to cuddle with.
Pretty, right? Right.
Once or twice, I came across a casualty, where it was clear something went wrong, whether in the original job or in the dismantling of the assembly.
It wasn’t a concern. Accidents happen. I kept plugging along, replacing a couple along the way.
Except, guys, suddenly they were everywhere 💔
The blanket basically disintegrated in my hands. I could’ve screamed. I did cry, no lie there. But goodness, I was SO upset.
Laela’s gift was beyond saving. And I can’t even fathom going near that pattern again. So I’ve picked an entirely new pattern to make for her. And by “pattern” I mean I made a graph and I’m just going for it. Its a bit of a free for all but I’m hopeful for it.
What a waste of time.
Not a waste of yarn, though.
I couldn’t imagine just throwing it in the trash. Yarn costs a decent amount. Even the cheap stuff is costly because you need a good amount to make a blanket. So, it is now all rolled up, and it will live in shoe boxes until I decide what to do with it. I like the colors a lot, and I imagine it will eventually be a blanket again. Just a different pattern.
No. More. Squares.
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Once I finish Laela’s blanket up, I’ll show you all of the kids blankets 🙂
Aw, I’m so sorry. Those squares were really cute if that makes you feel better.
I’ve messed up a TON in my knitting. I’m just learning to crochet and it’s like learning a whole new language, I have no idea how to hold my hands properly. But just this week I messed up a toque I was knitting for my niece. About halfway through I realized I’d dropped a stitch and I had no idea where and just thinking about back tracking to try and fix it overwhelmed me. So I just scrapped it and started over. It wasn’t a blanket but I have made blankets and I can imagine how sucky that would be and I would definitely ugly cry about it.
Deanne, the HONEST truth is that the hardest part of crocheting is learning how to hold your hands properly. Easily the worst part and the most frustrating learning curve. Once you have that down, learn the foundationless stitches. After that, you’re golden.
Thank you for relating to my ugly cry :/ It is HARD to pull out an entire project.