gauge question

[yuyay]

I know about switching needle sizes to increase or decrease stitch gauge, but how do I fix a row gauge? The pattern calls for 12sts/20rows in a 4" square. I get 12sts/15rows. I know row gauge is not always important, but much of this sweater is done by number of rows, not actual measurement, so I'm a bit worried. Will I be able to fix such a discrepancy when I block the sweater? Should I be adjusting the pattern to match? Should I be stretching out the gauge swatch until I get the right count? How can you fix the height of a stitch? I don't mind a longer sweater, but I don't want the waist shaping to be on my hips!

Help!

[suzeeq]

It's likely your row gauge will be a little closer once you start making the sweater. After you've done about 6 inches, measure again. If not, what you can do is convert their row count into inches (you know they want 5 rows per inch), then into your row gauge. Or know that your row gauge is .75 of theirs, so whenever it tells you X number rows, yours is 3/4 of that.