Hi Grace,

I'm so excited the KAL has started !!!!   I made one Olga's Vest and now I get your wisdom.  Yay! 

First, I have a suggestion.  *You might consider dual posting in Raverly in your "KAL schedule" thread.*   After I checked the Ravelry KAL schedule all morning and afternoon, it finally dawned on me to check your blog and here it is!  

Would you be willing to elaborate on *How To Swatch" and "How to count gauge"?   For instance: 

What is your suggested swatch size? 
What's the best size swatch to evaluate "drape"?
Any suggestions for measuring/counting our stitches in the linen lace stitch pattern?  That was hard for me. 
Eventually, I cast on 21 stitches until my cast on was 4" wide and then I knit a 4" x 4" swatch. 
I ended up on 10.5 needles which made me wonder about the affect of an 11 or 12 needle on the buttonholes and buttonband.  I thought needles that large would make the buttonholes too big.  Honestly, I think my holes are a bit roomy.  
 
I usually only concern myself with stitch gauge rather than row gauge.  What are your thoughts? 
Since  we're knitting Olga's Vest "left front to right front" rather than "top down" or "bottom up" does that mean we're supposed to turn our swatch and measuring gauge in that direction? 

I really appreciate you guiding us through your pattern.