I spent the day knitting away on the Mystery Project and I’m already on the 3rd skein. I’m using size 5US or 3.75mm needles and Swish Superwash yarn. There was a scary moment while I was on the phone with Wendy when she mentioned that superwash grows. You see, I had swatched like a good girl, but I didn’t wash my swatch.
I hurried to the sink with my swatch, alternately muttering curses and prayers. I submerged the swatch in some soapy water. As I took it out I noticed that, yes indeed, superwash grows. My only hope was that there would be shrinkage in the drier.
I spent the next 15-20 minutes pacing and sitting in dumbfounded silence as my swatch tumbled about in the drier, alternately muttering curses and prayers.
Finally, the moment had arrived and with my heart pounding I took the swatch out of the drier. I carefully measured the swatch. And then I measured again. I was saved.
I got gauge.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:28 pm
close call - i know what you went through, i washed my son’s swish mittens and it did seem to grow, must be because it’s so cushy soft, but it grew back to its intended size….
January 3rd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Whew! glad it worked out! How do you like the yarn? I keep on looking at it for a project….love the color, by the way.
January 4th, 2007 at 3:47 am
I have been there so many times! I panicked a little as I read your post because I knitted 2 hats for my coworkers with the Swish. Thank you for documenting that it does come back to gauge. What a relief!
January 4th, 2007 at 4:07 am
I am notorious for getting perfect gauge on a swatch, washing and blocking and everything, then somehow on the garment, the gauge is off. Is it any wonder that I like shawls so much. Exact gauge not necessary. (And I’ve gotten socks down to a science.)
January 4th, 2007 at 4:25 am
Whoo Hooo! Can’t get any better than that!
January 4th, 2007 at 6:05 am
Yee haw! Hooray for gauge, getting it, that is. But how the heck are we supposed to figure out what you are making? :)
I *was* rather proud of resolution #2. :) Now I just have to see how far I can make quinoa and lentils and beans go, while still trying to eat a healthy, balanced diet. But I can’t give up my organic milk, oh no. And, oh yeah, the dragon socks? Divine. :)
January 4th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Cool beans! I would have been in a stomach knotted panic - I’m so glad it worked out for you :)
January 4th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Okay - I’ll give the obvious guess… a sweater? Or do I need to be more specific???