I am a good person. I will surely go to heaven when I die. For I have swatched. I have swatched and gotten gauge. Not only did I knit the full number of stitches called for, surrounded by a garter stitch border, I blocked my swatch after it was complete. Yes, surely I will go to heaven.
Even if I don't make it to heaven, I have high hopes that Ellie's fall sweater (the Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan, knit in Madeline Tosh's Vintage Merino) will fit because my gauge is perfect. It's perfect after blocking. And this must be a good omen from the knitting gods that all is well.
I am fascinated by this yarn. I don't think anyone does single color variations as well as Madeline Tosh. I adore her yarns. This one is a superwash merino, and it has an odd texture, almost coarse but not unpleasant. The surprise came when I washed my swatch and it softened up nicely into something you would want to rub against your face. Hopefully I'll get to spend some time with Tiny Tea Leaves this week. I can't wait to get started, now that the swatching is done.