Facing up to frogging

It had all been going so well...
I spoke briefly of Liesl a few posts ago and I was trying to get it finished ready for a family party. It really was one of the fastest knits that I have done recently, and I think that therein lies the problem.
Problem #1: I didn't have a 7mm circular needle. But I had a 6.5mm one - near enough...
Problem #2: I didn't do a gauge swatch - why break the habit of a lifetime?
Problem #3: When I started to think "Hmmm, this might be a little bit small", I didn't stop to slip it on to waste yarn and try it on.
Problem #4: When I started to think "Never mind, I can always block it to be a little larger", I forgot that there isn't much give in Manos silk blend.

The outcome is of course, a too tight bolero jacket which could only be worn for short periods without risking the loss of circulation to my arms. To make matters worse, even though I love the yarn, love the pattern and love the stitch pattern, when I was wearing the finished item it just kept shouting BEDJACKET to me.

What can I say, it just wasn't me. Even if I did re-knit it in a larger size I just don't feel the love for it anymore. Ive seen some lovely examples on Ravelry which are just beautiful but I'm just not happy with mine.
So it has been unceremoniously frogged and the Manos is sitting awaiting another project.

In the meantime I cast on for the Gathered Pullover from Interweave Knits, using some bargain Rowan felted tweed in Bilberry (lovely heathery purple colour) that I scored from ebay. Ive never used felted tweed before and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It is much softer than I thought it would be and it works up into a beautiful light fabric. Very nice... and it makes the 8" of stocking stitch before the cable section starts easier to bear.

The Posy crochet project is plodding on. I do love it but find that crochet isn't nearly as relaxing as knitting. It is fun, interesting and absorbing but it doesn't relax and sooth my mind as much as knitting. When I crave some quiet time with just me and some yarn, I reach for my knitting needles every time!