Let me tell you you don't understand how deep my sympathy for you can be! Gauge is a freaking monster to me too! It is because of my wonky gauge that kept me from buying knitting kit ... my gauge would never match the yarn so what's the point of getting the yarns specified?
However, I do wish that 3.75 would work for you ... keep my fingers crossed.

The only consolation I can offer is that I often knit quite a bit tighter on metal needles than wood/birch/bamboo varieties so perhaps that was why your two swatches ended up the same?

Here's hoping the next one will be spot on for you!

Hope the 3.75mm work but perhaps you should just have a glass of wine and relax.

I just got the kit for Butterfly a couple of weeks ago, and I was wondering if there was enough extra yarn for swatching. I knit really tightly, so I'll be sure to start out with larger needles. Good luck with your next swatch!

My guess is the needle material. The yarn is likely sliding along smoothly on the Addis while hugging slightly on the Ebony ones. This would result in differing gauges.

If possible, I would pick whatever needle material you prefered knitting with and stick with that needle material for swatching or you'll go in a bit of a circle. :)

Hope that helps.

I'm with you on gauge though, it's the biggest bitch in my knitting life sometimes. That and picking up stitches. ;0)

Hoping for good gauge mojo for you. Given all the cursing, perhaps you're a little tense and thats why they're the same? ;-)

I've got some spare yarn if you do end up needing it, even if its the wrong dye lot, it might work for button bands and such.

It's beautiful though! It will work out. Third times the charm. Ask me how I know. ;-)

Golly, how nerve-wracking! Could you go down to 3mm on the needles? Also, I hear addi turbos are just ever so slightly thicker than the same numbered counterparts in non-addi turbos. So if you use a skacel/addi needlegauge, the same numbered holes will be slightly larger than on say the Susan Bates gauges. Good luck!

I'm sorry you're off to a slow start! I've had that happen to me before, too, and it sucks! I hope you don't run of yarn.

Isn't the Hebridean lovely? I'm just loving it........your swatches look great! You can do it.......cheering from Chicago.........

i agree with the few commenters who mentioned needle material. the slickness of the addis will unintentionally make you knit tighter.

good luck with finding a needle that works for the gauge. how frustrating when all you really want to do is cast on!

Hey if you're going to put that put work into a project, this gauge headache will totaly be worth it.

Kristi is very right about the needles. I find Addi's to be best with the sticky yarn but I do need to go up a size. AS does say there is enough yarn to swatch, so you should be fine and you can always pull out the swatches if you need...kidding;-)

Sounds like wood v metal needles. Good luck getting it to work for you. The swatches are really beautiful! :)

Gooooo Ombre! Is it done?

Agh! Gauge is no fun. I hope your third try works out for you.

Gauge is a bitch. At this point, I would (if it were me) stop gauge swatching and I would cast on with needles one size up from the last gauge swatch. I'd then constantly measure gauge and would be prepared to rip out if the gauge was too f'ed up. See, the little gauge swatches will continue to lie to you, no matter how many of them you make.

But, that is just what I'd do.

Oh how frustrating... But I've heard that different needle types in the same sizes(wood, metal, plastic, etc.) will result in different gauges. That might have happened with you. Good luck and be patient (maybe call the store to see if they've got some more yarn in the same dyelot just in case).

I feel your pain. I have often changed needles a few times and get the same gauge. I think it's mental for me - knit tighter/looser depending on what I'm trying to get. Eventually after much cursing and crying, I eventually triumph over the gauge swatch....My fingers, toes and needles are crossed for you....

I hate gauge. But I love knitting - how can that be? It is a beautiful swatch nonetheless. I was looking in my book just last night of the Ombre and thinking of you. I hope this next gauge works out and you can get going on your Butterfly. It will be beautiful!

i hate gauge swatches! they a pesky little fibbing b*stards in my opinion. i would do what others have already suggested and try and knit on 3.5mm bamboo needles. i know virtual yarns say that they provide enough yarn for a swatch - but like you i would be stressed!

ombre on the other hand just looks gorgeous! well done.

Dude, that sucks. I've got nothing more to offer other than what everyone else has said, but you have my sympathy.

Okay, I completely feel your pain too - and have absolutely no new advice on the gauge problem. But - I also thought I'd add that I think they look beautiful. You should trim the ends and block them into fringed bookmarks as gifts.

The swatches are really pretty, at least! Stranded knitting is a funny thing - slick metal will make the floats squeeze up, and consequently tighten your gauge, no matter how hard you try to keep them loose. Swatch on larger wooden needles, if you have them - it should make a difference.

I get trapped in the black hole of gauge more than I like to admit. All of my swatches lately are: too big, go down a needle, same gauge, go down another, same gauge, repeat. I think the yarn picks it's own gauge and I am at it's mercy. This is why I still feel like a beginner.
Best of luck.

I've done that before. I don't know if this helps or not, but the one on the bottom is a tiny bit wider. Hopefully that's swatch number 2 =) You may be a little more tense than usual, that's what gets my knitting tight. lol