First gauge swatch

I'm starting a new project: the Anouk pinafore/dress/tunic that was posted in the Knitty.com spring 2004 issue. I decided to use the yarn called for the pattern, and since it was unavailable from my local yarn shop I ordered it online from One Fine Yarn, who delievered it in just a few days. (Hooray!)

This is something that Sylvia will be wearing for a long time. It starts as a pinafore/dress, and as she gets taller it can be worn more like a shirt or tunic by adjusting the side tabs. So I figured I should get this right from the beginning...which means knitting my first gauge swatch ever.

Using size 6 needles, I cast on 18 stitches and knit 27 rows...only to end up far, far short of the 4 inches I needed. D'oh!