Winging it

Why is it that when I find the pattern of something I want to make, I don't have enough yarn in the stash? I know. Why don't I just go out and buy yarn? Well, that would make it too simple, and the purpose is, after all, to use the yarn in the stash.  I would like to graduate from scarves and shawls to a little shrug or a cropped cardi. I should have enough yarn to make either, if only I can find a pattern I like that is compatible with the recommended needle size for the yarn I have. So I've taken up a course of action that is so not me. I am making it up as I go along. It's risky, but I'm so used to ripping and restarting again and again ... and again. I have taken up the advice of K.D., who has done this before and recommends careful measuring along the way. Okay. Here's the bottom/back in Noro Hotaru. When done it'll be a cropped cardi knitted in one piece. Reminds me of Zimmerman's surprise baby jacket. I can see already that no baby will fit in this one....