The Importance of a Gauge Swatch

When I first started knitting, every book, article or pattern stressed the importance of making a gauge swatch before you begin your project. I remember thinking to myself "Is this really necessary"? Well I want to say that I have learned that it is very important to make a gauge swatch. My time and the cost of the yarn is too expensive to waive this task to just luck. I also learned something in addition to just checking gauge and that is; getting a feel for the yarn. There have been times where I really thought a particular yarn was going to be perfect for my pattern, only to discover that after knitting my swatch I didn't care for the yarn, and the yarn was not going to compliment the pattern. This was a valuable lesson learned. I'm getting ready to start a new pattern, a vest, and this is my swatch of the chosen yarn. I made up my swatch, then decided to do a swatch of another yarn that I thought might work, and I'm glad I did. I like my first swatch better. It feels good and will work with the pattern well. The photo of the vest looks like it was done in a cotton blend yarn so I wanted that cotton look. My swatch is an acrylic yarn, but when knitted takes on a cotton feel and look. So you never know what yarn will do once you make a swatch. I am now in favor of making several swatches in different yarns to see which one is best. Now I do have to say, that sometimes I do not make a swatch, like if I'm just doing a simple scarf or shawl, fit is not as serious as making a sweater or something that needs to have a good fit.