Wow, that really sucks. I mean really! The Squid and I discussed it and decided you need to rip it all out (it's ok, Squid will hold your hand the whole way) and make it your own! Whip out a can of whoop-ass on that bag and show it who's boss! Rewrite that pattern the correct way and flog the LYS pal that led you astray! We love you!

Yep, the gift was a doozy! Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much your gifts lifted my spirits while I have been going through so much crap at work.

I'm really sorry that this bag is such a pissant. I agree that you should rip it out and do it in a way that makes sense. How about holding one of the light colored strands with one of the darker strands to reduce the difference in colors? Maybe knit the bottom in two strands of the darker color where you won't notice the difference so much and is more prone to getting dirty anyway.

Isn't it funny how we don't listen to ourselves even when things are clearly going wrong? I hate it when I do that. What a pain!

I agree with the above. Rip, reorganize (one strand of each color together, to minimize the difference), and rewrite the pattern. It shouldn't be that hard with such a simple shape, and then it's YOUR design! I've got some ideas how it could be done with minimal headache. And I would give some feedback to your LYS pal (no, not the sack-full-of-doorknobs kind, but the constructive kind) about the pattern and the yarn requirements.

I'm sorry...I have to agree with the good advice that you have already been given. Take it slow...unweave ends one day. Rip out next day. Figure out pattern on the day after. Start to knit. It will be done and beautiful before you know it.

Hugs.

having watched you go through this i send my sympathies but agree with all the above-it is a beautiful yarn and it would be a shame to let it languish in a project you don't like