I very carefully knitted and blocked a swatch. Truly; I did:
I measured it very carefully. I cast on and knitted like mad. I was using a 3mm needle, and the only one I had was very short – 60cm/24inches. Thus, I was not able to get a good sense of width. (This is my excuse and I am sticking to it!) Meantime, I ordered a longer needle. It arrived in the post yesterday. I tried on the sweater:
EPIC FAIL! (And pretty damned funny!)
This reminds me of a post I wrote in 2015 called The gauge swatch lies! I ended that post with two morals, which still hold true today. “Moral number one: you are never so expert a knitter that you can’t make spectacular screw-ups. Moral number two: the gauge swatch lies!”
The trials and tribulations of knitting. Well, the good news is that it looks like you discovered this somewhat early in the project but that doesn’t make it easy to face. So sorry that this has happened. Gauge and the resulting garment fit IMHO is the top stressor in knitting. Even when I use the yarn specified in a pattern, getting gauge is often difficult. I highly recommend the Chiaogoo interchangeable needles. By adding longer length cables to the tips, a garment can be tried on to assess fit. I have purchased additional cables in different lengths that can be used for both of my Chiaogoo Lace (metal) and Bamboo interchangeable sets; love the Chiaogoo flexible cords. Thinking of you, Kelly and wishing you success as you decide next steps on this project!
I am actually not very upset about this. It is about a weeks worth of knitting that I will need to rip. I have tons of Chiagoo, and so many extra cables; the problem is that I couldn’t find any tips in that size. I have been spending today trying to organise some of my knitting stuff – I will probably find multiple sets of the size I want. 🙂
Perfect! Finding the right needle is definitely an issue, at times. Good luck reorganizing! I have decided I will keep a record in my needle cases of what needle is located where and I am generally a monogamous knitter! Of course, haven’t done this yet!
I totally agree with the swatches lie part. Are you going to start again? Your swatch looks so beautiful.
I’m pretty sure I will start again, Deb. But first, I am very nearly done with my Dyemonds tee, so will finish that first and then see what takes my fancy.
Hey, that’s a valid excuse! Can’t try on an in-the-round wip if the needle circumference is smaller than you are . . .
Exactly!
oh dear! Well now you know..lol
Now I do. However, I am almost certain that I will repeat this mistake again some day. Because, you know, swatches lie….
Those dang gauge swatches and the lying lies they tell! Well, at least you weren’t really far along.
I can’t believe this, but I cast it on again, and made another mistake. I can’t face it right now. And I think I have hit a snag on Dyemonds too. Today is not my day. (Although I quite enjoyed watching the tennis, and there is still the football final this evening.)
There’s always tomorrow to pick it back up again! And there is tennis and football to watch in the meantime 🙂
Phew! Thank goodness that needle arrived before you had done half the body. I find gauge swatches lie. I read that it’s because they are a hassle no one likes and so people are stressed…want to get through them asap…so aren’t the same…hang on was it you earlier post that told me this? Haha good luck on version 2.
Ha ha! I have definitely written about stress affecting your gauge, but maybe not specifically with the swatch?
This is too funny! At least you didn’t get too far.
On another note…what type of shrub is that behind you? I love it.
You are stretching my dismal horticultural skills here, but I think it is St. John’s Wort. It has exploded in that corner of the garden and I rather like it.
I like it very much, too. Something about an explosion of yellow. Maybe that is part of the reason St. John’s Wort helps with the blues…