Advice re novelty/loopy yarn and gauge

[Think of Winter]

I usually knit to gauge, but when I did my gauge square last night using a bulky, loopy yarn (Karabella Verona), it came out at almost 5" instead of 4". I've only done a few inches, and I haven't used anything but straight-up wool in ages. Should I keep going to see if it tightens up as I get used to it? The band says 3 spi on US 13s, and the pattern says 3 1/2 spi on US 11s using this yarn. By my calculation, it looks like I need sz 10 1/2. Wwyd?

[flapjack]

What pattern? Do you like the fabric you're getting? Are you using metal needles?
I hate to ask this, but have you washed and blocked your swatch?

[Think of Winter]

The pattern is Plymouth Yarn Design Studio Furlauro Cropped Jacket. This is not the yarn recommended by the pattern. I bought the yarn and pattern after seeing it made up in my lys, and the gauge and needle size was given on a tag on the fo.

The fabric actually looks a bit loose to me, but I'm already getting more spi than the yarn suggests. I think it would be good it it were tightened up a bit.

Nope, didn't wash it and block it. I've never done that w/ a swatch before. It's 75% mohair, 20% wool, and 5% nylon, and the band says handwash. Do you think it's likely to shrink in hand wash?

I think I need to go back to the lys, but their hours are difficult w/ dc, and Sat is their last day of business!

[Think of Winter]

I just wanted to post that I finished the jacket, and loved it. The color was so rich and the fabric was squishy and wonderful. But my mom loved it, too, and it went home to Canada with her. Now I really need some more yarn to make another one for myself!