I Got Gauge!

Woot! I finally got gauge for the Broadripple pattern. To recap, I was having problems with the gauge for this pattern using my sockpal's STR yarn. I tried the following needle sizes: US 1 (2.25 mm), US 1 (2.5 mm), and US 2 (3.0 mm). The gauge was too tight, then too loose. Did you notice the missing needle size? US 2 (2.75 mm). The conundrum -- I didn't own a pair of circular knitting needles in that size.

I tried a few other things before I was able to find a US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needle. I had dpns, but I didn't want to use those. I tried decreasing the number of stitches in the pattern (altering that first K2 to K1) on the larger needles. Nope, didn't like the look of that ripple. So, I tried using smaller needles and more stockinette stitches (increase K2 to K3), but I didn't like the look of that ripple either. Are you seeing a pattern here? The next step would be to increase the central ripple pattern's stockinette stitch count and drop down needle sizes to US 1 (2.25 mm). The catch, I didn't want to use more yarn, and I didn't like my gauge on those needles, too tight. Check out BNC's website, she did use a smaller needle size and upped her stockinette stitch count in the central ripple to get a great looking pattern.

But, before dropping down to a smaller needle and working with a gauge I thought too tight, I wanted to try to find a needle in that 2.75 mm size. And, after calling three local stores, I finally found a pair at Yarns Etc, a LYS that is a bit further away. They are Crystal Palace bamboo needles. My gauge is perfect on them, but . . . I hate the join on these needles, especially when I use the magic loop method. My loops keep getting stuck at the joins. OH well, I have gauge! Say it with me . . . GAUGE! Yippee!

I'll have pictures soon, I hope. I'm almost up to where I left off before unraveling the first time -- the heel.

Happy fibering!