Gauge victim needs help

[bellybean]

I started knitting at Christmas. I started with a scarf, of course. I knit a few, knit two hats: one that fit, one that didn't. I read lots of knitting books and web sites. I know about how important gauge is.

I was ready for my first "real" garment. I found a tank I liked at Yarnco. The pattern came with the yarn. It is ribbed (K1P1) on the bottom and st st on top, v-neck. I tried to get gauge. It took several tries, but I got it. Or so I thought.

After a few weeks of knitting (I am not very quick and don't have a lot of time) I started measuring to see if it was long enough to switch to st st. Ah, just another inch. Then I thought, I should really measure across, shouldn't I. Well, I did. And instead of being 18 in. it is 14. FOUR WHOLE INCHES too narrow!

I suppose I COULD rip it out. But if I do that, I know that I will never go back to it. I am not that crazy about the yarn. But it cost a lot of money, so I don't want to just forget about it.

I don't think I could complete it as is and give it to someone, because it would still be too small (although there is a lot of stretch to it).

Could I possibly salvage it by using this part for the back and making the front wider? Is that crazy? I know it would take a lot of math (ugh!) but is it a good idea?

Any other suggestions?

[Ingrid]

Could it be that the measurement is meant to be when the ribbing is stretched out? It could have a negative ease--that is what it's smaller off than on, basically.

If you make the front larger, you might have a problem with where the seams lie, and that, I would think, would be a problem with a tank, especially.

Maybe you could make the back and front the same size and then knit a panel to go between the front and back on each side? I've never done this, but it sounds feasible.

[MrsWildchild]

The other thing is: When you say, "tried to get gauge," do you mean you were changing needle sizes, or trying to adjust your tension to match what the pattern says? 'Cause I think it's probably best to knit naturally however you are comfortable and use whichever needle gives you gauge.

[Knitting_Guy]

Gauges? We don't need no steenkin gauges!

Just figure out the basics of the pattern, calculate the math of the size you want, and make the thing.

Piece of cake.

Or pie if you prefer.

[Ingrid]

Gauges? We don't need no steenkin gauges!

Just figure out the basics of the pattern, calculate the math of the size you want, and make the thing.

Piece of cake.

Or pie if you prefer.

Made many tank tops, Mason?

[Knitting_Guy]

Made many tank tops, Mason?

A couple.

[Ingrid]

A couple.

Wanna model 'em?

[auntcrafty]

Wanna model 'em?

Yes, Mason, care to model them or did you gift them?

[KnittingNat]

Wanna model 'em?

[bellybean]

Gauges? We don't need no steenkin gauges!

Just figure out the basics of the pattern, calculate the math of the size you want, and make the thing.

Piece of cake.

Or pie if you prefer.

Since I am a pretty new knitter, I do not feel up to that. However, if you are offering to do this for me, I will be happy to send you the pattern and my measurements!

MrsWildchild, I was unclear: I changed needles 3 or 4 times to get gauge. I really don't know what happened, but I probably miscounted because of the ribbing.

Ingrid, thanks for the panel suggestion. That is a great idea! I think that is really my only viable option. My problem now will be figuring out the armhole shaping. I might have to rethink the v-neck shaping also. Which is really scary since it is the first time I've ever tried shaping anything! I almost want to knit the top in another yarn for the practice and then come to this later. Like next spring!