Well, it's finished! The pattern is actually called "Cameo", but I've called it mystery because... well, the upshot of this project saga is I am no closer to an answer to why it took over 200 more yards than the pattern called for than I was while knitting it. It's a mystery...
By the time it was off my needles, it was ginormous. All that extra yarn would certainly make an extra large shawl. I got it.
But then I wet finished it, hand washed in mild soap, spun out excess water and put in low heat dryer until slightly damp. Laid it flat to finish drying.
Now for the big shocker... it measures exactly, and I mean EXACTLY the dimensions written in the pattern, 19.5" x 88".
So, same gauge, same yarn type/size, same needles, but used 30% more yarn. And still measures the same as in the pattern... So how does one explain that?
Lael
August 10, 2015
I just had that happen to me. I made a baby blanket (my own pattern made up out of my head). I took a gauge check and did the math, and it seemed the blanket kept getting bigger and bigger. By the time I was done I had used two more skeins of yarn than I had counted on and the thing would almost fit my twin day bed. However, one washing, and voila! Toddler blanket size. Perfect for a May baby who would not need a blankie until this December or so.