Something else just occurred to me as well. I wonder if that darn hat pattern I was working on ages ago was in fact NOT an American pattern, but a NZ one. That would explain why it was so off in size. LOL
I mean.. I always knew there was a difference. I just never knew what the difference was (ie what each term meant in each region). So when it calls for a SC in a pattern from HERE, it actually means a slip stitch, which is the American term. *slaps forehead* I feel silly now!