Sometimes I get cocky and forget that I’ve only really been knitting for less than a year. And with that, I forget that each new knitting project I pick up teaches me something new.
Cables aren’t new, I learned cables with my Hermione sweater. But the blackberry stitch was new. And the idea of alternating skeins when working with hand-dyed yarns. And (I feel sort of stupid about this one) the importance of gauge. That was new too.
I’m not exactly sure how I’ve been getting away with it, but up until now I’ve never knitted a swatch, nor have I ever consistently checked my gauge on a project. I would pretty much just buy the correct weight of yarn and use the recommended needle size and run with it.
When you spend $19.20 per skein though, it’s a little hard to just “run with” anything. When I had gotten to about the eighth row, I checked my gauge and realized I was knitting waaay too loosely and was going to end up with a behemoth sweater. So I ripped it and now I’m checking like a maniac every few rows and for once my gauge is perfect.
My only question is, how the hell is anyone getting gauge on this sweater with size 7 needles?? I’m knitting super tightly on size 5’s and it’s perfect. I could probably even go down to a size 4 and knit normally.
In other news, I really love this pattern. And this yarn. And the color.
*drool*
i automatically drop a needle size or two…or I’ll NEVER get gauge. Beautiful project!
Thank you!
And yeah, I’m realizing that I should probably do the same. Apparently most of the world knits super tightly? Or maybe it’s an English vs Continental difference? Hmm.
Ah, yes, the mysteries of gauge. Don’t question it, seriously. It’s not worth your time, because there legitimately are no answers. I swear it has something to do with the position of the planets in relation to your date of birth or somesuch.
I’ve never checked my gauge either and things usually work out…. usually. lol. I haven’t tried sweaters yet though. hats, fingerless gloves and scarves are all pretty forgiving. That really is a beautiful pattern. After the holidays, I really should tackle a sweater.