Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

It's my gauge that's lying. Two sweaters have been half-knit and then frogged due to gauge issues.

Now, I'm a super relaxed knitter. Loosey-goosey, according to some. I knit my socks on 0s and generally don't even bother to swatch with the needle size given in a pattern (I go down at least one to start, and often end up two down!)

But lately, my swatches are lying. I do it the "right way": knit at least a 4" by 4" swatch, wash it, block it, all of what I should be doing, and yet somehow, SOMEHOW... I've twice ended up with a sweater at least two sizes too big.

I ended up knitting the Contrasting Wrap Sweater on US 7s, TWO sizes smaller than what my measurements called for after a horrific failure on the needles I'd used to get gauge (size US 8). When I went back to check gauge... somehow my gauge on the 7s was STILL bigger than what the pattern called for. I would've needed another size or two smaller to come even close.

And now it's Gemini's turn. Attempt one ended in a much too floppy neckline and a body that drooped, and a gauge a full stitch per inch bigger than it should've been according to my swatch.

What's going on with my swatches?!