A lesson in gauge

Gauge is a four lettered word to knitters.  Except it's 5 letters and really it's more of a love/hate relationship with the word.  I learned this the hard way recently.  In a break from my normal KAL ideas, I decided that the next KAL at PAY (Park Avenue Yarns) would be a cardigan/vest.  I know what you are thinking - "But Kate, what about finishing your Einstein coat or your Rocky Coast Cardigan??!?!" - and I know!  My track record for finishing garments is not good.  It's just down right bad.  I have yet to finish one!  

Okay, let me explain myself.  I've been ogling the beautiful wall of Weekend yarn we have hanging in the shop and then I happened across a pattern booklet full of great designs knit in Weekend.  It didn't take long to convince myself that this is what the next KAL needed to be for the shop.  I am worried that I might not finish it, but I think that the KAL is going to keep me accountable.  I'm knitting mine using color #5907 aka mouse.  This happens to be the same yarn the sample in the booklet was knit in, which wasn't intentional.  Oh!  The booklet is Weekend booklet #297.  The pattern is the cover pattern, Aon.  You can also find Aon on ravelry here: Aon.

My first attempt; soon to be ripped out.

This pattern starts with a US 5 (3.75 mm) for the ribbing and then switches to a US 7 (4.5 mm) for the stockinette body.  I know that I should have checked my gauge, but I figured this isn't really a fitted item so I would probably be okay.  Well, I'm knitting away and then I start to hear comments along the lines that mine looks small.  Now, this give me some alarm and I did a quick check on my gauge and I was off, but it didn't seem like I was off by that much - at least that is what I told myself.  Then someone else said it looked small....and then someone else.  

Yeah, there is quite a difference!

Okay, it was time to face reality, stop knitting and restart.  Saturday night I  went home and did a gauge swatch on size US 8 (5.0 mm) needles and low and behold, it was very nearly on gauge OR at least close enough.   Before I was knitting between the 32" size & the 36" size.  I am definitely not between those sizes.  Now I'm knitting between the 36" size & the 40" size.  I still haven't ripped out my original yet, but I will soon.  At least I keep telling myself that I'm going to rip it out soon ;o)