A Summer FO, and a Gauge Mystery

Part of going whole-hog on the Trellis Scarf was that a couple nearly-finished projects were set aside. Here's one that was attended to the day after Trellis saw the way of the blocking pin:



pattern: Bamboozled by Cyn, free online.
yarn: SWTC Twize (100% bamboo, 110m, color: "Twellow")
made for: me
needles: size 6 bamboo circs
notes: The pattern said not to worry too much about gauge. I didn't, and now I have an FO that is about two inches too long. Gah!

I may have to frog the whole durned thing, but first I'm experimenting with button placement to see if this can be saved. In the picture, it's cute. Now can it be cute in motion?

I also spent all my limited knitting time last night swatching three times for this shawl-collared top from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer '06. To my surprise, it calls for the ultra-cheap Lion Brand Microspun. I'm no acrylic-lover, but why get a substitute when the designated yarn is about $12.50 total?

But I've never had so much trouble with gauge. I'm tellin' ya, this is a worsted yarn masquerading as sport. The label says 6 sts/in on size 6 needles. The pattern says 6 sts/in on size 6 needles over the lace. Not so much! Try 4.5 sts.

I went down to size 4 needles. I got to 5 sts/in. I'm tellin' ya, this is not sport.

Finally, I tried some size 2 needles, and pardon me, but the fabric is about as pliable as a steel breastplate. The yarn no longer feels silky-smooth, but stubborn and grumpy and stiff. That is how I will feel if I try to knit this top on size 2 needles.

I may defect and try some Knit Picks Shine Sport. Also inexpensive, and hopefully more workable! What a girl does for fashion...