Monday, July 02, 2007

So, like, how important is gauge, anyway??

Just kidding...sort of. :) I started swatching for Fifi tonight (my yarn came today, yay!! Calmer in chiffon), and I cannot get gauge to save my life. I'm at about 6 to 6.5 spi on 7s, and a little over 5 spi on 8s. I'm afraid if I knit on 8s, the fabric will end up too loose. I like the look of the fabric from the 7s better, too. I'm thinking of casting on using size 7s, seeing how it goes, then maybe switching to 8s a few rows in if I need to.... Any thoughts/words of wisdom?

I'm thinking I like the yarn. It took me a while to get used to it - it is really super stretchy. I'm anticipating troubles with my tension as I go. Hopefully I'll work it all out.

And so I don't double post - any opinions on this as a sub for the RCC? I'm not positive I'll even get to it, I'm like the world's slowest knitter and it looks way advanced for me, but I donated and downloaded the pattern, and am thinking about subs that won't eat into our grocery budget. I'll knit it corset length, if I do knit it, so I'm not super worried about weight.

2 comments:

Kozy Kitty said...

My gauge was off as well. When I swatched, it was right, but it came out 7 spi in the actual sweater. Because the sweater was so much smaller, I knit the lnext larger size. As it turns out, I am frogging about 25 rows to bring it back to the smaller size. I would start knitting the size you originally planned. When you get to the point where you would try on for fit, pin the front and back together under the arm with a large safety pin and try it on. You will be amazed at how stretchy this stuff is. I've never used a yarn like this. Good luck!

mary_me_a_little said...

My gauge was off, too (see my post below...25 st/4 inches rather than 20 st/4 inches). I cast on the 140 stitches for a medium but separated the sleeves as for the XS.