Gauge is a Cruel Mistress

My Rhinebeck sweater is too small.

And before you ask .... yes, I swatched. I soaked and blocked the swatch. The swatch told me that the knitting would bloom and gauge would be mine, so I should go ahead and cast on. Knit! the swatch told me. Enjoy!

That swatch was a big, stinking liar.

The Worrywort who lives in my head never trusted the swatch, and has been warning me about her all along. "This sweater really looks too small," the Worrywort whispered as I finished the body. "I don't think it's going to fit."

To shut her up I took Flyingdales off the needles and stretched it out on my blocking board. It was close, but I got measurements. "See?" I said defiantly to the Worrywort, "It'll be fine."

The Worrywort was unconvinced and continued to fret, even as I soaked and pinned out the finished sweater. "Will you hush?" I snapped. "It's fine! Look! Measuring right on the money!"

"I have a very bad feeling about this," the Worrywort replied.

"Settle down," I said. "Look. It's beautiful."

pattern: Flyingdales cardigan by Lisa Lloyd
yarn: Steadfast Fibers Wonderful Wool ("Athena")

According to my tape measure, some time after I took the sweater off the blocking board it bounced back about to the tune of half a stitch per inch. This left me with a sweater that doesn't quite meet in the front, instead of one that is comfortably oversized, which is what I was aiming for. This is literally killing me, as in every other way, I think this sweater is close to perfect. I love the pattern, love the color, love the drape of the fabric ... click on the picture for a better look, you'll see what I mean.

To add insult to injury, it seems that SOMEONE in my house has been watching me knit Flyingdales with a covetous eye.


Well. I've been meaning to knit her a sweater anyway.