I admit that I asked myself the question of posting yes or no this cardigan, knitted but not successful. It is never simple for an ego to recognize a failure, moreover to post it on a blog. And then I thought it was equally important to show that the creative process is not just a road full of successes.

As soon as my summer Miette finished, I wanted to knit a new cotton cardi. This time I wanted it white. So I chose Myrna, from Andi Satterlund, and opted for size M.

Confession Moment : yes, I never knit gauge. I know, it’s bad, it’s really bad, and if I crash I just have to blame myself. Wine helps. 😀

For Myrna I was therefore on the wool Paris from Drops, and BIIIIM, bad idea. It is not at all adapted to this model, and besides the comparison of the gauges confirms it: Andi recommends a wool whose gauge is 18×28 (or 18×24 because the explanations are available on 2 different gauges), and The Paris’ gauge is 17×22. And even knitting with explanations for the 18×24 gauge, it does not work at all.

I started to have doubts by finishing the back and the fronts: the armholes were HUGES. I told myself that by knitting the sleeves the problem would be resolved by itself (yes I am very optimistic by nature), but nothing to do, the cardi was too wide. I then tried to reduce the length of the ribs of the bottom of the body and the sleeves: aesthetically it is a little better, but it’s not a miracle solution.

As you can see in this picture I did not knit the keyhole in the upper back: honestly I was not a fan of this stylistic detail. I also made the mistake of not picking up enough stitches on the neckline: I never got the right number. At the sixth attempt I gave up. : D

(Sorry) (You can see here a Butterfly with zero motivation. 😀 )

WELL, I asked myself the question of unknotting it: but what will I do with the wool? To put it right : yes but how? I’m not a knitting master. In the end I decided to keep it as it is: it will not be my favorite cardi, for sure, but I know I will wear it all the same. After the beach, when night falls and you eat an ice cream under the moonlight, it will be perfect. 😉 (Optimistic I tell you: D)

Or I keep constantly my arms crossed, it works pretty well. : D

Verdict: You know one of my favorite mantra in sewing: “I never lose. I either win or learn.” (Nelson Mandela). And it also works with knitting: this cardi has taught me to make gauges, to choose with more care my wool. Indeed, the creative path is not a road full of successes. And as Woody Allen says: “If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.” 😉

Wish you a good Week-end Girls ! ❤