I'm terrible about knitting gauge swatches! Mostly I have made patterns where it doesn't really matter-scarves, baby blankets, etc. Sometimes too I find a pattern I like but the yarn I want to use it totally different from what's called for so I have to "wing it."
I just made a couple of knitted baby headbands and the first one fit my 3 y/o granddaughter! I did go by a pattern and directions on that one and it was supposed to fit a 6-12 month old. However, they didn't really specify yarn in the pattern.
I finally got a newborn headband by using the gauge on the yarn. 4 stitches per inch and I wanted 12 inches circumference so I cast on 48 stitches. It actually worked out.
If I were knitting a sweater or socks, I'd have to pay more attention-lol.
