And Bend ... and Stretch ...

I'm busy practicing up for the Ravelympics. I made a gauge swatch for #222 Chevron Tunic (ravelink) from WEBS. I am making this v-neck top for the woman who invited me to live with her and her family this year while Luke and I are apart. I figured it was the least I could do! Plus, she purchased the yarn. I've made 2 trips to the yarn store in the last month to help other people buy yarn, which has stopped me from buying any new yarn for myself. (Score!) She picked out a gorgeous Silk/Bamboo blend from Ella Rae called Bamboo Silk. It's 70% Bamboo and 30% Silk. I rarely make gauge swatches, but this thing had better fit her so I decided to "warm-up" before the opening ceremonies. I started with US 6 needles and knit up a much larger gauge swatch than I normally make (if I make one at all). Too small. I was getting 24 sts and 32 rows instead of 20 sts and 28 rows. Then I checked the ball band. Don't ask why I waited until then to check out the recommended needle size for the yarn. US 7's. Sounded right given the gauge I got on Us 6s. So, gauge swatch part II is now complete and I am getting the recommended gauge. I actually like the look of the US 6's better, but I'll use the US 7s.
I'm trying to decide what to do about my second Ravelympics project (because one project was just not enough!). I want to make the Puff Sleeved Feminine Cardigan (ravelink) from Fitted Knits. I bought the yarn in desperation after I'd already moved all of my yarn here but I was still living in Baltimore. The pattern calls for 5 balls of Merino Style from Knit Picks. That's what I bought. But I spent some of this afternoon reading comments from people who made the top using Merino Style and almost all of them needed more yarn than what was called for. BUT several people also complained about the tops growing after blocking and being too big in general. So, it seems like somewhere in between those two problems there should be a compromise where it just fits, right? Either this project is doomed from the beginning with those two issues or I sort something out. Option B is to take the 5 skeins and make a baby sweater for Claire (my niece) ... or two.