gauge tension

what a witty little play on words for a post title.

seriously tho i have, as promised, knitted a tension square of the bendigo for the wrap project. the pattern calls for 21 st and 26 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in stocking stitch on 3.75mm needles. i cast on 27 stitches so i could do the little border to stop it curling up and knitted three rows then did the 26 rows of stst, then 3 rows plain. so for my tension i am just measuring the stst part in between the borders. i dont know if this is the right way to do a tension square, the yarn harlot has another method in 'rules' but i wanted to see what would happen if i knitted exactly what the pattern called for, and i wanted to knit enough to see what the yarn looked and felt like.

here is my first attempt:


so not even close. then i read the bit about washing and blocking your tension squares and i got a better result stitch wise:


row wise it is about 1cm short:


but patterns are always too long for me anyway as i am about 5 foot nothing and its easier to add a row or two as i go. it seems to me to be more important to get stitch gauge.

what do you think? should i try again on smaller needles and go for row gauge as well?

here is a pic of it outside so you can see the colours.


its a little more purpley than this and it blocks lovely and soft with lots of drape in it and everyone says its a good colour for me. perfect.

unless anyone thinks i should knit another square im going to start it today. i have to start with a provisional cast on. this meant purchasing a c****et hook this morning. ick.

k xx