Swatching saga

Unwashed swatch:
5: 22sts x 41rows = 4 inches sq
4: 22 sts x 36 rows = 3.75 inches sq

Blocked swatch:
5: 21sts x 25 rows = 3 in sq = 7 x 8.3
4: 19.5sts x 29 rows = 3 in sq = 6.5x9.6

21x37 = 5.25 x 9.25

3:
unblocked: 25x40
Washed : 27x37

Wait…. way off. So now to actually measure the 6’s in the original swatch:

6: 22x34

Close. But not quite. My brain is swimming. This swatch is so loosey goosey! Doesn’t seem to resemble the pictures of the finished item at all. The smaller sizes do that, but are way off size wise. oy.

Soooooo…… tried wet blocking the 6’s to measurements. Oof. Felt like I was coaxing, squeezing it into place.

Then I tried steam blocking the 3’s to measurements…..

The 3’s steamblocked fine. The end product has a sort of sheer quality to it. Now to decide……

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3’s.

Back:

22 ridges of garter

8 rows of stockinette before body shaping

93 rows stockinette to armhole binding

.. .. .

Guage, guage, guage.

After knitting the front and the back, and blocking them, I gave them a quick seam and tried it on.

Well.

I like the bit up on the shoulders that didn’t get stretched to smithereens best.

I think I want it longer.

While the seaming on the sides went ok, it was thickness visible (probably because I have such difficulty seaming in the outside stitch, I insist on seaming one stitch further in).

My shoulder seaming was AWFUL.

Alors…… Restart. Casting on the numbers for two sizes larger to gain width without stretching. Working in the round to avoid the side seams, though I’m going to do an EZ faux seam for structure. We’ll see how it goes from here.

…..

Then I decided to do my own thing with the short rows to make up for my gauge differences.

First try was awful.

Second try was just as bad.

Decided I was being an idjit and followed the pattern.

Turns out I only thought I was following the pattern.

Fourth try: succesful following of pattern.

On to the waist shaping!

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Whatever guage woes I had, they seem to have been solved. Just lay it down to block, and it practically fell into the proper measurements! Minimum patting and straightening, no pins required.

I’m getting SO excited!!!

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Then it took me forever to sew the buttons on…..but I’m wearing it now!

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Je suis une idiotte!!!!

I wore it twice, maybe thrice, then, wanting to wear it again, tossed it in the wash. (I hadn’t had breakfast yet.).

It now fits my seven year old beautifully.