Hello my lovelies. As I have mentioned before in this post, my Granny Cardigan project has not been as successful and easy going as I wished it to be. I started this project with such great excitement and really really loved the yarn and the colors I chose for it. The fact that some of my closest and dearest blog buddies, Sandra from Cherry Heart and Maaike from CreJJtion, jumped on the Granny Cardigan train made it even more exciting. We talked about getting together in our finished Granny Cardigans in Real Life one day... How cool wouldn't that be?
I had some Ideal yarn from Bergere De France in my stash that was my perfect choice for this project. It is one of my favorite yarns to work with and I adore the colors. I imagined myself wearing my cardigan this summer in Sweden, but... It was clearly not meant to be. No matter how hard I tried, I kept on bumping into one problem after another. Not because of the pattern, I should add. No, I made some mistakes and I only have myself to blame.
Bergere de France Ideal 5ply (50g/125m) is heavier than the recommended King Cole Merino Blend 4ply (50g/180m), however, it wouldn't be as heavy as a DK weight... I would just adjust the pattern to it. I ordered some extra Ideal yarn to be on the safe side of not running out and I was ready to go!
Mistake number two was that I didn't swatch before starting, bad idea! I went for a size 12-14 regarding to the pattern and it turned out waaay too big. And of course I didn't measure or pay attention in all the excitement of starting this project (duuuuh!) and frogging it was the only way to go. This time I was going to do it right...
I took out my favorite cardigan, measured it and used those numbers as a guide. Then I made swatches and after some brain twisting calculations (see all facts at the end of the post) I came up with a winning formula to get the size I wanted. It seemed to work and I was hooking away once more (in excitement), but I didn't have a color theme in mind (mistake number three) and 20 rows in I didn't like the random color way... I unraveled again.
Mistake number four was me using a 3,5 mm hook for both the border/edging and the clusters. I guess I did so out of convenience (I have no other excuse I'm afraid...) and of course I shouldn't have. I realized I wanted the border/edging to be slightly more snug than the body... Ok. What did I do? I frogged it of course.
At this point, after frogging this project three times, I was ready to give up, but encouraged by pictures on Instagram and with that excitement in the back of my head of accomplishing this, I gave it another go. I started a foundation chain for the fourth time... with hook 3mm. And so finally I got it right! YES!!! I got the flow. I added a few extra rows to the border as I wanted it to be wider and it all felt so good. How beautiful it all evolved in my hands. I was in heaven. I really got it right. The measurement was right, the color theme felt great. Up until mistake number five appeared...
I ran out of the figue color and went to my newly ordered parcel of extras and took out a new ball... And the dye lot was completely different! I mean, I'm talking pickled red beets v. darkest almost black aubergine here... I was crushed. 30+ rows in, almost at the stage of starting the shaping...
I would not, could not frog it one more time. I could not, would not start over with this cardigan of mine... I do not like my Granny Cardigan no more, I do not like it... yes I'm sure!
So, right there and then I quit. I'm sorry, but when you start a project that cause you so much frustration and problems, I just don't think it is meant to be. I'm frogging it one last time and turning it into something as far away as possible from a cardigan. Something simple and beautiful. Straight without and need of gauge. A blanket, shawl or cushion cover. Stripes or blocks. I have some great ideas. And although this has been a bit of a disappointing crochet journey for me, I've learned my lessons well.
.............................................................................................................................................
GRANNY CARDIGAN PROJECT FACTS
COLOURS: Persan (greyish blue), lilas (lilac beige), figue (red wine), danseuse (light pink), cendre (light grey), pinede (teal), olivine (olive green), everest (white), linaire (light blue).
HOOK: 3mm for start rows (border/edging) and 3,5 mm for cluster rows
GAUGE:17 tr (dc US) x 8 rows ≈ 10cm/4inch square
FOUNDATION: 166 + 2 +1. (56 clusters across incl. the 2tr-clusters at the beginning and end of row)
SIZE: Approx. 94cm/37inches across
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
You certainly gave it your best shot xx Lovely colours, I am sure you will make something just as beautiful xx
ReplyDeleteoh dear! I so understand your frustration. Your patience is much more I would have had in this case. Maybe that's why I dont do much garments. You are such a creative mind, so now you are free to do your own patterns and creations.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience with a project where I asked a friend of mine to choose a pattern for a blanket and I will make if for her birthday. I find myself ordering yarn for it for the 4th time now - as I did not use the yarn that was suggestes in the pattern. I did not like the colors or the stichdefinition of the yarns I ordert or bought first - Now I will follow as the pattern suggests. Good luck with your fun project - I love the colors you have chosen.
Hi Sonja
DeleteNot all projects are meant to be. But all projects we learn from, and that is a good thing. Good luck with your blanket pattern.
Xx
Oh no, I was looking forward to sharing your progress as it's my first garment too! (I'm not counting crochet rabbit and fox clothes)! I'm still on the first bit up to the armholes and hoping it will be OK. I did use the same hook for the border and main as I thought it looked better. It's really annoying about a different dye number, Wool Warehouse where I got my yarn give you the option of choosing what dye number you want which could be helpful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'll have another go sometime with some other yarn once it's a distance memory as it is a nice pattern. Will look forward to seeing what it turns into!
Hi Louise
DeleteThat sounds so exciting. Keep going and stay focused. You can do it. Just because I gave up doesn't mean it is a bad pattern. No, this has been brought on by myself... I have just been sloppy in my preparations for this project. No other excuse. Please share yours when you're done. I would love to see.
Xx
Oh no!! After all your hard work to get it right, I can't believe you were let down by the yarn! That's so annoying! Argh! I don't blame you for not being able to face yet another frogging after that, it's a tough project to have to frog once or twice in my opinion, let alone more times. Still, it would make a fab blanket or cushion, I did think the same myself before the shaping, so silver linings... 😀
ReplyDeleteS x
HI Sandra
DeleteYOU ARE MY HERO! I know you will show off yours soon. I'm in ave of your patience and determination. I'm leaning towards blanket... or shawl... Haven't made up my mind yet. Lets start something new!
Xx
Omg, sub different yarn and no swatch?! you just set up for classic fail. So sorry. I like making garments and gauge is so #1. Try again sometime.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Like... What was I thinking? Seriously??? I should have known better... I'm not proud of myself. Or, well, I am... I learned from it. And I did persevere. For a while. I'll try again one day in the future and then I'll do it the right way. ;)
Deletexx
Oh Annette! I'm so sorry to read about your struggle with the cardigan... Too bad, your colours were looking so great together. I do understand though. I would have been already completely frustrated after mistake number three... You have been pretty resistant! A smart choice probably in the end, crochet should be relaxing and soothing. Have a nice day, Judith
ReplyDeleteHi Judith
DeleteI know... I did good, didn't I? I tried really hard... Well well, its not the end of the world. Something new and fun and pretty is waiting to be made by my crochet hook I'm sure. Bring on a new project I say.
Xx
Some things are just not meant to be.... best to move on and forget about it. You have give this cardigan every chance. I have never made a crochet garment, I always think there is less design freedom than with a knitted garment. I am am almost certainly wrong of course. I am working on your happy scrappy blanket, it makes me very happy indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Annette, I feel for you! ❤ all these mistakes you won't make again. Try another garment another time, I am sure you will love it.
ReplyDeleteIn my basic knitting workshop I teach the three most important things before starting:
Get all your yarn in the same dyelot ( it will never match otherwise)
Swatch, swatch and swatch - the most important thing to do
Try not to change the pattern unless you are an experienced garment maker.
Good thing is that we never stop learning and at least with crochet it's a quick thing...!
Better luck next time.
Big hugs xxx
Dear Heike
DeleteYou are right... I should have done all those things... I didn't. I was like an eager young horse jumping right in and just doing it without reflection or training. So silly. Next time I definitely will follow your great advice and do it the right way.
Hugs
Xx
Such a shame but hats off to you for all the attempts. I'm almost finished one sleeve to go...using Drops baby merino which works up a dream x
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous. Can you share it with me? I would love to see... Email me or tag me in Instagram.
DeleteXx
Oh dear, sorry it's been such a trial. I hope you find something else for all of those beautiful colours. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteOh Dear! I can not blame you! A project should be non-frustrating, challenging is okay but when it makes me want to pull my hair out and start on fire I frog. I have had my eye on this cardi, but I believe it is beyond my skill set at this time. I so appreciate your sharing your experience with this project and all your making life Annette, thank you.
ReplyDeleteBethe
Hi Bethe
DeleteWell, if you do everything right, use the yarn recommended, swatch and follow the pattern it shouldn't be a problem... It just wasn't for me though. I guess I'm to impatient and to be honest I'm not the greatest about following patterns... My own fault completely. Looking forward to staring something new now. :)
Xx
ReplyDeleteMany of your mistakes are like mine!You are very nice and your cardigan is so beautiful!!!
Oh nooooo Annette - and your colours were really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnnette, in your reply to Bethe you described me exactly! So I understand your frustration! I'm crazy about your colors and see a blanket in my future thanks to you! Keep on keeping on! You always do beautiful worlk my friend!
ReplyDeleteArf, maybe one day you will think about it and give it another try. But, for sure, today you have to quit before the frustration is too big. Crochet is pleasure ! ^^
ReplyDeleteWell a blanket in those colors will certainly be pretty. sometimes when something is that frustrating, it takes the joy out of the project. I don't blame you for quitting. Too bad you couldn't order another skein in the same dye lot. I kind of blame the place you ordered the yarn from for that mistake. A bag would be cute out of that yarn too. Good luck with whatever you make out of it.
ReplyDeleteCindy
Det är då man går på HM o köper en kofta för 99SEK bara för att trösta sig. Sen kommer man hem, pillar lite på sina garner och vips är nålen igång på ett nytt projekt!
ReplyDeleteDet kommer nog ett nytt projekt i din väg snart!
Glad Påsk!
Aww I'm sorry that it didn't work. How very frustrating for you. Still, I think you're amazing even attempting that. Hope you have a lovely Easter Annette. Mel x
ReplyDeleteI gave up on exactly the same pattern after my 3rd attempt. Used a 3.5mm hook with dk yarn and its was wayyyyy to big :( I frogged half of it n it still lying on my spare bed as I speak, that was 2yrs ago. I'd love a video tutorial as I'm only a self taut beginner and found it hard to follow the pattern. I love the colours you've chosen, I did my 1st ever shawl with ur Nordic Shawl pattern and it turned out beautiful. Thanks for your inspiration 😊 xxx
ReplyDelete