Tension

As a relatively new knitter, I have not worked on a project where gauge was a serious issue.  However, I am planning a sweater set this year.  So I have been paying attention to what my gauge ends up as compared to what it is supposed to be.  And it turns out, I’m loose.  My stitches per inch are consistently a much lower number than what the label suggests you should achieve given the needle size.  It’s not a matter of dropping down a size, more like dropping down 3-4 sizes.  For instance, this Berroco Love It yarn claims you will achieve 4½ stitches per inch on a size 8 needle.  I’m on a size 7 and getting 4 stitches per inch.  My pattern is gauged for 5 stitches per inch.  My blanket is going to be 7 inches wider and longer than the pattern sizes it.  So if I were knitting a sweater, it would be doubling as a car cozy.   I find this to be something of a cosmic joke, because in all other areas of my life I’m one of those people who are considered chronically tense.