Re-knitting

Remember the Telemark Sweater from before Christmas? It was way too big because even though I swatched, I swatched for the ribbing instead of the body of the sweater (oops!). The pattern calls for US 5 needles (what I used) for a gauge of 7 stitches/inch, in the Telemark yarn from KnitPicks (also what I used). I checked my sweater, and I got a gauge of 5 stitches/inch – which explains why it came out so big! I swatched again last night with US 3 needles, and got 6 stitches/inch and a much tighter (but OK) fabric. I would have to use at least US 2’s to get the “recommended” gauge! I really like the sweater and I would like it to actually fit, so after a lot of thought I decided I’m going to rip out the sweater and do it over. I learned a lot doing it the first time, and I’m going to take my time and do it the right way this time. I just can’t stand the thought of all this time and work going into a sweater I’ll never wear or use! Plus, since I made a tiny neck on the massive sweater so it would fit, I can’t gift it to anyone else. Its a little heartbreaking to tear all that out, but I think it’ll be for the best.