Grieving the loss of my hand-knit vest

Yes, it's true. I, Janna Vallee, am a compulsive felter.

When I was finally finished my vest, I tried it on and it wasn't quite right: too big, the v-neck was much too long....I'm assuming I should have checked the gauge before I started (you know, like they recommend). But, Like the stubborn knitter I am, I neglected to follow the rules of the pattern. THEN, I had this fabulous Idea that I would just simply felt it to fit me. Yes, just like they said in felting class.....'You can always fix felted things, shape them into desired shapes.' So, off I went to felt.

Actually it went more like this:
I had worked all day then spent about 2 1/2 hours finishing my vest, and I needed a major break. So, off to the bath I went for my evening soak before bed. In the corner of my eye was the over-sized vest, taunting me....'felt me, felt me'. So I drained the bath a bunch, added some fine fabric soap and had a bath with my sweater. Before I knew it, it was stretching out to be about twice the size. It seemed the wool was felting but the holes between each stitch were getting bigger. I panicked and pulled it out. As it lay to on a towel to dry I felt sad that it wasn't my nice fluffy sweater anymore. So, I thought I'd give felting another try (don't ask).  I stuck it in the washer (that always worked well for me with thrift store sweaters that I wanted to felt). But as it swished around I remembered the many hours I had spent knitting it. This wasn't just another thrift store sweater!  So, I pulled the sweater out and stuck it in the kitchen sink.......and continued to hand felt it in hot water and soap (I was a mad woman on a mission). The more I felted the shorter it got. It wasn't shrinking width wise! Why God, Why?

So I gave up. I am officially grieving the loss of by vest sweater. The saddest part is that I could have gotten away with wearing it. It wasn't awful by any means.

I am a compulsive felter and I need not felt.

Too bad my felting project is due next week.

J