An update on yesterday's projects

So, let's see what has developed in the last 24 hours on the projects from yesterday.

Matt's Summer Cotton Sampler Pullover did shrink in the wash (cold, delicate, laid flat to dry). Good thing I did add the extra length and worked flat. I didn't measure it until this morning (as I was comparing the front to the back). Glad I decided to wash the back before I tackled the sleeves (or the sleeves would be too short), as I had assumed that it was the dryer that was going to shrink it. This is good to know for future projects with this yarn (and it's wonderful yarn... wish I could wear the natural colors). So the project is moving forward as intended.

The project NOT moving forward as intended is the short sleeved Mr. Greenjeans. This project is a perfect example of how swatching doesn't tell you the whole story. I am on gauge. Trust me I've laid it out, measured it. I measured the number of stitches. I measured the overall back width. When it's flat on the floor, it's perfectly on gauge.

However, when it's hanging (like when I'm wearing it), the fabric loosens up and grows. It grows in length (as I would expect from a bamboo/cotton blend yarn), but also in width. So I do think I'll go down a needle size and try again. I'm not thrilled with the stitches and I think the smaller needles will help that as well.

This is why I never believe my swatches for gauge... things change between swatch and project. Whether it's how I knit, how the weight of the garmet changes the gauge, if it's laying flat (which is NOT how we wear sweaters). I'm always willing to frog projects if they're not working... and this one is definitely a do over. Eventually.

However, right now, I think I'll have an other cup of coffee and cast on something new.