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You hear a lot about gauge; every pattern tells you to “save time by checking your gauge”. What does it mean? Well, they want you to crochet (or knit) up a decent sized square (usually) using a stitch pattern used in the pattern. You measure it, and count your stitches. Or you wash it, block it, then measure it an count your stitches. If you match what the pattern says, then you might end up with a finished project in the size you’re expecting. Well, maybe.

I’ve talked about gauge before. I hope we all know now that even if you get gauge with one dye lot, you might not with the next. Different colours of yarn sometimes have different gauges, even if they are otherwise the same yarns… even in variegated and self-striping yarns (I’m looking at you, Bernat Baby Coordinates White)

The other day I made this:

It’s for my cousin; she likes handmade dishcloths and her kitchen colours are blue, green, and yellow.

I also made this for her:

(it’s actually more blue than grey in person… it’s supposed to look like denim)

And then this green-and-cream one:

I finished that last one on the commute home and it wasn’t until I stacked it on top of the other two that I noticed this:

All three dishcloths were made using Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, each with a 6mm hook, each exactly the same pattern.

Luckily, gauge doesn’t always matter. ^_^

(P.S. this post documents the first finished Christmas gifts for 2010. That’s right, you heard me!)