my gauge was off - what now?

[veebee]

I am working on a cardigan-type sweater. It's not exactly a cardigan because it only has one button - at the base of the collar. It's a soft, feminine thing, described in the pattern as "based on a lingerie jacket".

Anyway, my gauge was dead on with the recommended needles - 10.5 (This has never been the case before. I usually need 1-2 sizes larger to get the gauge). I finished the back piece and lo and behold, the width, which should be 18 3/4 measures 18. The top-to-bottom measurement, which should be 24 measures 23.

If I keep going, the sweater will fit but it will be on the tighter side. This didn't take me very long, though so I'm leaning towards one of the next two choices. One is to redo it with size 11 needles. The second would be to redo it in the next larger size of pattern (with the back measurement being 20 3/4 across). This size seems like it would be rather large on me, though, but if I'm knitting tightly, maybe it wouldn't be too large.

I would love to hear a good suggestion. Thank you.

[Knitting292009]

Hello. I would actually go up a size on your needles. I wouldn't knit tighter because as your knitting you kind of go back to your natural knitting habits, meaning if u knit tightly versus loosely you would go back to whatever it is you usually do. don't increase the pattern because it seems as though it would be too big unless your able to wash and dry to shrink but might shrink too much, not worth the chance. good luck