Yarn 101 and then some!

My wonderful LYS and second home, had a wonderful class today, Yarn 101, for those of us who need to know what we are doing with all our wonderful yarn and what all that strange writing is on the yarn label. Yes, we tend to ignore these things, but they are the things that will make or break a project. I took alot away from that class and one of the BIG things was GAUGE and how crucial it is. Swatching is NEVER a waste of time or yarn (that is what always bothered me, wasting yarn and forget the details, I just want to get knitting). Swatching is the difference between making something that fits you and something that might fit a cow. Gauge matters!!! Better to swatch and see how you like the pattern and yarn before you make a big investment and possibly a big mistake because we have all "been there and done that".