In Memory of my Bullseye Blanket

This was my beautiful first and only finished crocheted blanket. The Bullseye pattern was super fun to do and I loved the finished product. In my earlier post about it I talked about the need to block it.

" It has not been blocked and desperately needs to be, but I'm showing it (and using it!) anyway."

I also talked about the need to be able to wash it...

 "I used Cascade 220 Superwash Wool because it will be used and I really wanted to be able to wash and dry it easily. It is an affordable version of wool so that also helped. I haven't actually washed it yet so we will see..."


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what I said when I pulled it from the washer.

Well I now know this:
1. The gentle cycle is not actually  GENTLE
2. Cascade 220 Superwash yarn is not actually WASHABLE
3. I STINK at tying in the ends!

There were about 5 squares that survived, but they have their tails coming out.

I'm heartbroken that my Bullseye blanket has fallen apart. At this point I don't think I can revive it. I may try to convert the surviving squares into pillow cushions so they don't go to waste. The only thing I think I could or should have done differently is to leave much longer tails for weaving in and/or tie tighter knots. Well, that and to NEVER PUT ANYTHING I CROCHET INTO A WASHING MACHINE!

I'll survive this little setback, but I admit it's quite a blow to my ego. Life is like that, right? This isn't world hunger, poverty, disease, etc. It is art, and art is a learning process! I will pick myself up, dust myself off and NOT start all over again. ;-)

Have you had any crafting disasters?
Did you start again?
Did you learn something from the experience?

I'm leaving you with a smile and  the reality that life in blogland is not always pretty! Here IS a pretty picture until next time.

Have a great day!

Bullseye!

While I was taking pictures on Easter Sunday of our family lunch I realized I haven't done a "TaDaaah" for my Bullseye Blanket by Brittany Tyler. It has not been blocked and desperately needs to be, but I'm showing it (and using it!) anyway. I have  to say I am IN LOVE with this blanket for several reasons... One being, it is the FIRST blanket I have FINISHED and that is such an accomplishment for me! I really never thought I would make something this large and I'm really pleased as punch. Secondly, I love the colors. It's a tricky thing picking colors for a project like this. It involves so much work that you really want to get it right. I stayed fairly true to the pallette that Brittany used since that is what drew me to it in the first place. Lastly, the yarn is very soft and not too heavy. I love a warm blanket and sit under one year round (hubs loves to crank up the air conditioner in the summer, ugh), but I can't stand a heavy wool blanket. I used Cascade 220 Superwash Wool because it will be used and I really wanted to be able to wash and dry it easily. It is an affordable verion of wool so that also helped. I haven't actually washed it yet so we will see...

Here are a few more pictures and a few snaps from Easter.

Yes, we had a fire at Easter. No warm spring here!

My contribution to lunch was green beans, mashed potatoes, and sweet tea.

Sis in law brought broccolli casserole and cheesy pineapple casserole,YUM

Pork tenderloin with cranberry glaze, Honeybaked Ham, and deviled eggs.

 

T's parents on the left and mine on the right

A mix of candy, crochet and handpainted eggs

Watching basketball after lunch

I am so thankful that both of our families live here in town (and they really LIKE each other) and so we are able to spend the Holidays together without traveling. We were missing a few LOVED ones this year, but we will have many future Easters to share.


I hope you had a blessed Easter!