2 Questions

[anarchistinde.livejournal.com]

Some (hopefully) simple questions I just can't seem to find the answers to:
1) I'm making a nice sweater with Manos del Uruguay wool. This stuff is really nice, but since it's dyed in a kettle it has a marbled effect where some strands are lighter than others. The little tag on the skeins says to alternate 2 rows from one skein and then 2 rows from another to get a blended effect. I personally think that'll leave too many ends to weave in. Has anyone used Manos del Uruguay? If so, which method did you use and was the finished look nice? (please keep in mind I'm not felting the sweater in the end)
2) The guage for my sweater is 4in=16 sts. on size 9 needles. I cast my stitches really close together and I keep coming up 1/2in short in my guage! Should I switch to larger or smaller needles to get the desired guage?
Thanks! (x-posted to knitting, punk_knitters and craftgrrl)