Gauge talk, and why I'm not fussing about it
Every pattern book makes a big deal about gauge before you've even picked up a hook. For your washcloth, I'm not going to pretend it matters much. If it comes out bigger than mine, congratulations, you have a bigger washcloth. Don't let gauge scare you off before we've even started the pattern.
Bigger washcloth, congratulations, made me laugh for real. Mine's comign out kind of trapezoid shaped honestly but it still wipes counters fine.
Carly, a trapezoid washcloth is practically the official first project! My very first project ever was a scarf that did the same thing, I kept adding stitches without noticing and wore that trapezoid all winter calling it "modern." Nobody argued with me.
If it wipes counters, it's a success, full stop! Count your stitches at the start of the next couple rows so it stops spreading, but honestly, keep going. It's a washcloth, not a wedding dress.