A Vicennial Event

Yes it's a word - refers to something that recurs every twenty years. Like me casting on for a sweater! Actually, a cardigan, The Dollar-and-a-half cardigan from Interweave Knits, Spring 2007, to be precise. I saw one of the Columbia Sip and Knitters wear hers (I really must introduce myself) and it looked so good I decided I'd go for it. Have vacillated back and forth between this and many, many other patterns since, but I like this. Plus - I already bought the yarn for it. Dale of Norway Svale: a cotton/viscose/silk blend in brightest purple. Fourteen balls of this have been looking accusingly at me since November, and so yesterday I cast on for something larger than a scarf for the first time in years (crocheted items do not count: crocheting is much faster).
You'd think I'd have a picture to show you. You'll just have to trust me that I did make a gauge swatch that came out quite close, and I've done the back rib plus six rows. And yes, I am very proud of myself.

The three little bears syndrome...

I have a problem with gauge. I usually knit smallish things like socks/scarves/hats that work out well when I use the needles specified. But this is starting to come back to haunt me...

I already catalogued the debacle that was my first clapotis, an item that I did complete but will never wear (unless homeless-lady chic comes back in style) as it's too blanket-like.

Anyhoo, I bought "Not just socks" by Sandi Rosner, a book I really like (and what's the first thing I made from it? Socks) and decided to use some stashed sock yarn for a beanie for my brother (age 34). Cast on (120 stitches or so), with more than a month to go till his birthday. Gauge shmage I don't need no stinkin' gauge... Knitted happily away on my wee size 2 circular needles.

"But it was too small"

Long story short - it just about fits my 3-year-old. And of course he won't wear anything on his head - the 5 milliseconds it took to get this picture were the height of it...

Last week I decided to give the pattern another go. And this time - yes! - made 2 gauge swatches. I have size 2, size 4 and size 9 16 in' circular needles, forget the size 2, they already let me down, but the size 9 seemed close. Maybe a small bit larger than a 4 in' square swatch but that's ok right? I used Bernat Naturals "Cashmere" blend (5% cashmere...) in black and in white, and some red wool from a frogged pair of mittens (darn Twiceknit and her influence ;) ). Ah yes, I thought, as I knitted my way through a fuzzy cold, this'll be great, a hat for my FIL for when he goes skiing in the New Year.

"But it was too big"

Here I am modeling the hat..comes way down over my ears - I flipped up the bottom rib for the top picture, but even still, pretty goofy. I mean, lookit that bottom picture. Stick a couple holes in it and you have a tea-cosy...I actually wore it to work on Monday (I know...), and two non-knitting friends said to me "did you make that?" not "You didn't make that did you?" (Lyn!). So unless any of you know of a giant-headed person who needs a hat...

Ah, but never deterred, I've started on "just right." An inch or two to go, pictures tomorrow.