guage question

[alleusion]

Yet another question out there on gauge. I have a pattern that calls for a worsted weight yarn, and the gauge listed is 20 sts / 32 rows over 4 inches, and calls for size 7 needles. But, it has a note about yarn substitution, saying that if you choose to use a different yarn then they have listed, pick something with a gauge of 16 or 18 sts over 4 inches and use smaller needles.

Is this only if I decide to use a different weight of yarn, or a different yarn altogether? I would think that with the same weight, I wouldn't need to fiddle with the gauge.

*confession time*
I've never knit a gauge swatch. I know it's important, but I'm impatient and I've just never done it. It's not that I don't want to, okay maybe a little bit because I don't want to....I just want to get to the pattern and not do a swatch.

So, back to the original question, if I use the same weight of yarn, but a different brand then they ask for, do I need to fiddle with needle and stitch count to obtain the substitution gauge?

[Ingrid]

It's possible that the yarn they list stretches a lot when washed.
What kind to they call for?

[alleusion]

This one. I hadn't thought of the stretch factor. I was thinking of using SWS in it's place....

[remclave]

Make sure and use a smaller needle to achieve gauge.

[nstssj]

In my humble experience, as long as you substitute yarn with the same weight it should be okay. I haven't had a situation with one yarn being stretchy and the other not.

Also, congratulations on the impending arrival of your little girl!

[Ingrid]

I have no experience with that yarn, but the only reason I thought about the stretch is that I made a sweater with Debbie Bliss Merino Aran and didn't really swatch. I started the sleeves, measured, and said 'good enough.'

When I washed it, though, it grew tremendously (it's a superwash wool.) I dried it and rewashed it, but it didn't get significantly smaller. I wore it a couple of times but it really was enormous, so I ended up frogging it.