...I tried to make my kids mittens and hats. I always made Afghans, which I assumed were just supposed to be smaller like throw blankets. I only began trying my hand at wearables this year and wow. I had no idea. No, I've never bothered with gauge swatches (don't yell at me). It's just always seemed pointless because I thought it was all determined by the hook size no matter what. I made my 8yo a set and used the pattern for teen/adult small since he's a little on they're bigger side (he could pass as a 10-11yo easily and I wanted them to last a couple years). The hat doesn't even fit his 5yo sister! ???? And the mittens are so tight that the thumb is already ripping off. No advice needed, I just think it's crazy how different this is. I started a new pair and tried to ease the tension. I held the hook farther back and lightened up and holy cow, these new ones are the child size pattern (for the sister) and they're almost the same size as the "adult" ones I made. Guys, don't make my same mistake. ???? Ease up that tension.