Yesterday, I knit two swatches in hopes of being able to cast on a cardigan. I need more cardigans in my wardrobe, but I keep casting on pullovers.
Frustratingly, my gauge was similar with different yarns and different needles, and not close enough to cast on either cardigan pattern. Boo. (I may throw caution to the wind and cast one on, anyway. If it’s a little big, that may work out okay. Right?)
Instead, I cast on my Hansel Hap with the Ramsay Farms Shetland. This pattern is fingering weight yarn knit on a size 8 needle. I’m hoping it’s supposed to be a very loose gauge, but I’m worried it’s too loose. It’s a shawl, though, so I’ll try to relax.
Snakes & Cranes 
Yes, Please relax. Pretty shawls can be a bit more drapey without losing their looks.
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All those samples look fabulous. I usually knit shawls in 4 ply (fingering) on a size 4mm needle (not sure how that converts to American!) and it works well. Another size up would just make it even lighter and drapier. If something is going to come up big, and you’re happy with that, then just do it! In my head at least, gauge samples are only a little bit to match the pattern, and mostly to see how the yarn will knit up, and then you can decide what size to knit. If you see what I mean.
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Neat!
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I am loving your socks from the last post. I think gauge is part of a good sweater fit…..ha! I rarely knit sweaters. You are a very impressive knitter!!!!
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I’ve been gauge swatching for reals in the past. I can understand your eagerness to want to zoom off and roll the dice.
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What gauge were you aiming for? On both swatches, it looks like it wouldn’t hurt to go up a needle size; they both look very dense. But what do I know – I certainly can’t feel them from here! And maybe you prefer a more structured feel. That being said, I’ve now cast on the current sweater for the third time, even after knitting a large swatch in pattern. The first try was clearly too small. The second was clearly too large! I’m hoping try #3 will be just right.
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My gauge is .5 – .75 stitches per inch too big. Enough to make a difference, but I agree that I wouldn’t want to go down a needle size.
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Those are lovely yarns! I think if cardigans are a little bit it doesn’t hurt anything. Just out of curiosity though, how big?
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.5 – .75 stitches per inch too big. Enough to make a difference. I need to do some math to see if I could knit a size down.
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I was thinking, maybe using the UK mm sizes when doing your calculations would really help with the maths on gauge.
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I have only knit one cardigan and it is one of my most favorite sweaters. It does not have a button band or anything like that, but the construction was unique and fun. I am definitely due for another one for my wardrobe but I gravitate to pullovers as well.
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I need to knit more pullovers, I have knit too many cardigans. I’m curious what you think of Frangipani, as I almost bought some today on a whim.
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I enjoy knitting with it. I heard Corinne say it is worsted spun, but I couldn’t really tell the difference knitting it up.
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The way she described it made me want to buy it.
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