Some years back I started working on a cardi of my own design. Had the back and sleeves done (for some reason I frogged the sleeves). Decided I’d resume this project when I ran across the back piece (along with a few notes on gauge but nothing to say what sz ndl I used). :gah: I’ve worked up a few swatches in diff ndl szs that appear to be very close but nothing’s an exact match (which, given the time elapsed, my tension at the time vs now, etc isn’t surprising).
No plans to frog the back so any suggestions so I don’t end up with fronts (yet to be designed) or sleeves that are waaaaay off?
BTW, the piece is worked in pillar st (pic in this thread)
TIA,
cam
I think a little time travel would be in order. I know the only way I could get the same gauge easily, even if I knew what size needle I used, would be to go back to that time to discover the frame of mind and mood and the “feel” in my hands that I had the day it was done.
If it was me facing this issue, I think I would forget trying to figure what size needle I used then but look to more recent projects on similar yarn for clues, make some educated guesses and swatch until I was blue in the face. 
Then when I got close, I’d try it and see[U] on the project[/U] how it went and go up or down as needed.
You may find that no needle will give you the size you need without also adjusting the feel of the work in your hands to something a little different than what you do now. It can be a nightmare. If that is any encouragement. LOL
Thanks, Merigold.
The piece is done in TLC Cotton Plus…and I work almost exclusively in recycled cotton or acrylic…so the ability to grasp the ‘feel’ has been difficult but I see your point. (I’ve even gone so far as to speculate on what sz ndls I owned back then as I know it was worked on circs and I’ve purchased some of the ones I used for swatching around that time frame…and since.) I’m also assuming the back piece has ‘settled’ over time so it may gauge differently today than it did when first made.
If I opt to incorporate some other st pattern into the fronts, it may just turn out that the pillar st will just be part of it…thereby visually breaking it up… and hitting the gauge won’t be super crucial.
cam
A good idea to use some other stitches so you can basically start figuring your gauge anew. Having these design puzzles puts our creative genius in high gear I think. You’ll figure out something that works and looks good with what you have already finished.
You might try using something that’s close on the swatch and knit several rows with it. You may find that actually knitting on the piece would give you a different gauge than the swatch and closer to what you used before. Or if it’s just the sleeves you have to do on it, use the needle that’s closest and you may be able to match up the pieces.
Then when I got close, I’d try it and see[U] on the project[/U] how it went and go up or down as needed.