Is gauge really THAT important?

I'm dragging my feet starting my next project...this capelet:Yes, a capelet. Not a poncho. You tell me otherwise or I'll...I'll cry? I refused to buy, wear, or knit myself a poncho when they were the "in" thing a year or two ago. Why? I don't know...it got to be too trendy that I started to not like them.

But anyway...I'm using beautiful yarn, Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in Mineshaft.

It has been in my stash since I bought it at Stitches West earlier in the year. It was intended for a 2nd Clapotis but decided I'll never knit another one again. My problem is that it's a slightly different weight than what the pattern calls for. I'm not getting the correct gauge or anywhere close to it. BAH! It's so frustrating. So here I go...off to make my 3rd swatch.

Stitch N' Pitch: IN OAKLAND!!!

Oakland A's finally got a clue that knitters love baseball too. It just got added to the promotion schedule! I found out about it through Ravelry (best site ever!!!). What's even more awesome is that Stitch N' Pitch in Oakland will be on my birthday! YAY! You don't have to guess where I'll be that day.

Save the Planet Market Tote

I found this pattern through Ravelry.com which led me to The Purl Bee website. It's was a great way of using up an almost full skein of Cotton Fleece that was used for Rusted Root. This is my first bag. It was also my first time making an i-cord in a project.The pattern introduced me to the kitchener's stitch which is used to seam the i-cord together to make the handles of the tote. I royally screwed up the seaming. I looked up tutorials but didn't have the patience to figure it out correctly. I just wanted to finish knitting. As you can see, it stretches a lot so you can fit a good amount of groceries (or whatever) in there. The only problem I see using this is that I can only fit things that are as wide as the top of the tote. In other words, I don't think I'd be able to squeeze a full sized box of cereal through the top. I rushed through attaching the i-cord to the top of the bag and didn't space each stitch enough (does that even make sense?). Ugh. I'll know what not to do next time.

Rusted Root Completed

Started Re-knitting: April 28, 2007
Finished: July 14, 2007
Materials: A little over 4 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, Size 6 ciruclars for body, Size 4 circulars for finishing

I actually finished it weeks ago in June, but didn't weave in the ends until today. It's a bit fitted for my "curvy" body. When I block it I hope I can stretch out some parts where I need it. I've never worked with cotton before so I'm not sure if it will work.

I'm trying to figure out what to make to use up that last skein. I looked up some projects in Ravelry.com and I think I'm going to make a grocery tote bag...doing my part to help the environment.

Speaking of Ravelry.com, check it out. I was invited to the community a month ago and you can see other knitter's projects and get ideas on one site. Pretty neat.