Friday, July 06, 2007

Gauge is driving me crazy...

Here I am with another gauge question...at this rate, I'll never get this thing cast on. :)

I re-swatched flat (again) with the size 8's instead of the size 7's and my stitch gauge was dead on. The row gauge is closer (34 rows = 4") but still off by quite a bit. Rather than go down again and end up with less stitches per inch than necessary, I think I'm going to just say good enough and start casting on with the size 8's. Now I just have to decide which size to cast on. I've seen a lot of debate about sizes to C.O. My bust is 38" so it seems that I should go with the 37.5 but I'm not sure if that's enough negative ease. It seems like the small size (33.5) might be too much negative ease. I told you guys that this is my very first garment; I have no clue what I'm doing. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

5 comments:

Chantel said...

I had to go up to size 8 needles too. My bust size is 38.5. I am casting on the size medium. I am casting on the 140 b/c I want my neck line to be rounded. I'll let you know how it goes.

french girl said...

shannon...just a quick word of encouragement here...since you are using the larger needles, check your swatch and see how much it stretches widthwise---if you gain 3-4 inches i would rec starting with the 33.5....you can always add rows as needed...that is also why i wouldn't be too concerned at this point about row gauge...
adjustments can be made after the join and at the bust area--at first, try it on a lot--even more than the directions say, just to get the lay of the land and see how it is fitting you around the neck...good luck and i will check back periodically, xo, kristeen

Anonymous said...

Depending on the day I am between a 38 and a 40 bust measurement and I have learned that the best fitting patterns are knit at approx 34 bust. I used to make the 38 busts but would be unhappy with the baggy appearance.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions and the encouragement! It means so much to me; more than I can tell you guys. I will try casting on for the small and see how it goes. Thanks again; I'll keep you all updated.

bobi1218 said...

I'm a 38, too, and I was concerned about the negative ease, and thought about casting on for a size S. But, I'm fairly broad-shouldered as well, so I stuck with the 140 st CO. I figured since I could try it on as I go, I can adjust it later.