as odd as it sounds…
OK so My first swatch was off my 2 stitches. Not sure if I did it in the right way…i just threw it in thr delicates cycle at the temp the yarn ball stated. i then took it out of the machine and let it dry flat. But reading some thing of a search said I should wet block it? I thought you wash a swatch how you would wash the FO…im left a bit confuzzled with what to do for swatch 2 now 
What fiber is your yarn and what are you making? If you plan to dry it in the dryer after it’s made then I think that’s what you should do.
Hi Grams 
I like calling you grams lol.
Yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. Fibre content: 55% wool, 33% microfibre, 12% cashmere. Aran weight. Apparently.
I’m making this Ribbed Baby Jacket
Baby shower is next week so I have one week to make it eeek!
You sure do like allowing lots of time to make things! I’m glad I amuse you; my sinus pain was a big hit as I recall. Fortunately for me I’m over that finally.
I didn’t say you amused me…I just said i like calling you grams
Yeah this was supposed to be started over a week ago…but other things got in the way…like…life…and making the cowl lol - which i love by the way.
So…what do I do?
Because of the wool content and because wool has memory, pin the damp swatch out to the size suggested and let it dry completely. Do the same for the blanket after you finish knitting and washing it (wash in a laundry bag). From then on, the recipient should be able to wash it as needed and just lay it flat to dry.
Ok so do i wash it like i did the other swatch? Just throw it in the delicate cycle?
I’m sorry if i sound a bit repetitive I just want to make sure I get this all right. I have one week (good thing i’m off work) to finish this jacket! pressure is on…that or i’m going to have to buy something and give the jacket after the baby is born…but that’s…boring lol
If what you did with the swatch worked it should be fine for the jacket. Wash it and lay it flat to dry. Pin it out as Salmonmac suggested. If you feel it’s not damp enough then use a spray bottle to get it a little wetter.
Be sure to include a tag with washing instructions when gifting it!! People tend to machine wash and dry baby stuff.
Thanks guys
OK i’ll try swatch 2 out…dn’t think i did it right with swatch one…but then we’ll see what my stitch gauge comes out with.
I just laid it flat to dry the last time, I did measure it when i laiid it out and it was the size suggested…well we’ll see. I’ll update y’all over the weekend when its done! the swatch - not the jacket lol
Sorry if i’ve been sounding a bit stupid, i just want to get this right. even if it is swatching!
Ok…washed n dried swatch 2 overnight. This morning measured swatch 2! gauge is still off!! And I used smaller needles! 5 mm got 16 stitches. 4.5mm got 15 stitches…I should have more right? Now what? Should I try a larger needle - but that makes no sense…?
Can’t speak for everyone else. But… I’ve had this happen before. For me it was that the fabric felt too stiff and uncomfortable to work on the smaller needles, so my hands automatically relaxed my tension, and I got a larger gauge.
For me the fix was to go to a smaller yarn that I could knit to gauge on smaller needles and be comfortable working at the same time.
As you’re on a deadline and likely have all of your yarn already, the only things I can think of are:
to try to knit more tightly to get gauge or
figure out your comfortable gauge and rework the pattern or
find another pattern you like that is knit at the gauge you get on that yummy yarn…
Wish I had better suggestions…:sad:
My 2 cents… Babies grow fast so when I make baby sweaters I don’t worry about gauge much as long as it’s not going to be small enough for a doll or big enough for anyone over the age of 3. As long as I like the fabric I go for it.
I tried to find another pattern with that gauge…no luck so far. Ok Im going to do swatch 3 with smaller needles…and If that doesnt work Im winging it and pray it fits baby at some point in her life
I made a sweater with Cashmerino Aran, and when I washed it and laid it flat to dry it grew tremendously! I wore it for a while, but it was just too big, even though it fit when I first knitted it.
I don’t know if this helps, but that’s my experience with this yarn. It’s lovely, soft stuff, but it did grow before my eyes.:pout: