Swatching: Belmullet by Andrea Gaughan

The Belmullet Pullover released today (wahoo!) and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the pattern last month. Of course, it was a no brainer to swatch in the recommended yarn, Lucky, but as there already are 2 Lucky sweaters in my closet, I wanted to see what it would look like in one of my favorites, Erin, and the new-to-us BC Garn Hamelton Tweed.

Belmullet calls for a gauge of 17 sts and 24 rows = 4” / 10 cm in double moss stitch on US 7 needles. All of my gauges were taken after wet blocking (I use soak, obvs), as that is how I plan to treat my finished garment.

Swatches: US 8 Needles

Lucky Tweed: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
I started swatching on US 8 needles because I just finished a sweater with 2 strands of Cricket (more on that once I get some decent pics). While I really like the fabric and achieved row gauge, the stitch gauge is too loose.

Hamelton Tweed: 16 sts and 25 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Another lovely fabric, but both too loose stitch and too tight row gauge. This was also my first ever experience with the Hamelton Tweed, so I know I need a little more getting used to the yarn. (Though it is lovely to work with!)

Erin: 15 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Being bulky weight, I knew there was a chance that Erin wouldn't work, and while the fabric on US 8 needles is lovely and dense, the gauge is much too loose and going down to a US 7 would make a too-stiff fabric that would be brutal to knit and wear.

Swatches: US 7 needles

Lucky Tweed: 17 sts and 25 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Wahoo! Stitch gauge achieved. While my row gauge is off, I always count rows to determine length, so I'm confident I can make whatever minor adjustments I need to make this work. It is also very uncommon to match both row and stitch gauge, so this slight difference doesn't phase me.

Hamelton Tweed: 17 sts and 26 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Stitch gauge achieved with the Hamelton as well, but row gauge is ever so slightly denser. I'm definitely participating in the KAL so deciding on which yarn to use - the Hamelton or Lucky - is going to be super tough!

One point in Lucky's favor is the three new colors we just added to the line, including the deepest, darkest green, Kelp. But Katelyn is knitting a hat in the Hamelton Tweed and it is delightful.....decisions, decisions!