My guess is as always: problems with the non-Euclidean space. Or perhaps you accidentally folded too many dimensions together... Nevertheless I am sorry you had to rip back, as the form looked (at the photo) very cool. I have no idea what you are now trying, as my knitting is not evolved enough, but I cross my fingers for you.
And all the best to your mother in law!!! Hopefully she recovers fast. The wonderful quilt will surely help (after sewing my puzzle sweater, I have no idea how someone could make a quilt... it must be so complicated)