Always check gauge

I've been working on a sweater design and when I checked the gauge I did it after washing and blocking, and boy am I glad I did. Sometime I just knit a few rows, check the gauge while it's still on the needles and call it good, but this time I had a feeling it would be better to go all the way.

I'm making a simple lightweight cardigan and I've just finished the back. As you can see from the photos below the piece drastically changes shape after it's been washed and pinned. Before blocking it measured about 14 inches from top to bottom.

After blocking it was up to 24 inches. A little longer than I expected, but I believe that once it's un-pinned it will relax a little and shrink back down to 21 or 22 inches, which will be about right. Although I don't mind long sweaters.

Next are the front pieces, then the sleeves, which are making me nervous, the shaping that is.

If this sweater turns out like planned I hope to write it out and share it. If it doesn't turn out as planned you might find a big red wine stain on it and me in the corner crying...