A Right Proper Swatch

It's not 4x4, but it's as big a swatch as I think you'll ever get out of me. Real math is important when you don't want to spend a month on something that will make you look like a cow. It's for the February Lady Sweater & I have lots of Silky Wool to use! Mmmmmm.....

Swatch Details
KnitPicks US6 circs, cast on 50, knit 40-ish rows

Before Washing: 6 sts per inch with ruler (6.25" by math), 8" long by 3.5" wide

After Hand Washing (30 minutes in lukewarm water & SOAK): 5.5 sts per inch with ruler (5.6 by math), 8.875 long by 3.5" wide. Ooooohhhh, growth!


February Lady Sweater gauge is 4.5 sts/inch, so I will knit the large size at my 5.5 sts/inch and come out with something that should fit just right! Is it okay to keep my fingers crossed (assuming I can still knit that way)?


Other things not swatch related--

• The Herringbone socks might be too small! Grrrrr..... Measurements being obtained on the sly by SIL. The suspense is tangible.
• My current standby knit is the bathmat based on EZ's Garter Stitch Blanket. Jared at Brooklyntweed did a gorgeous blanket you can see here. But I need a bathmat and have lots o' cotton, so that's what this one will be. I am already imagining how cushy it will feel under my toes! (after I wrote that, I had to toss the first piece on the floor and walk on it--it's really nice.)

• I am so sad at the death of CRAFT Magazine. I had finally convinced myself that it was worth subscribing to--only to have my first issue be their last. *sigh*
  

EDIT: After knitting the first 10 rows of the sweater, I have come to terms with the fact that I need to be true to myself and my gauge and knit the XL. It should come out at 40.5 inches which would be just right. The L would have been a 38 and I'm scared it would be a tad snug.