Gauge is not needed. Knit on size 6 needles with cotton yarn (or any worsted weight yarn).

Enjoy the freedom of tying knots, NOT weaving in ends, making one arm longer than the other, making seams unseemly, etc!
Make mistakes and DON’T rip them out! (YIKES!!)
Show your knots, and be proud!
Have fun with the colors! Make them coordinate – or not – as much as you’d like.
And I can’t say this enough – be creative!