Gauging is the Worst

[atherleisure]

I don't understand why I am incapable of gauging knitting. I tried the bathing suit pattern on size 2 needles, which is one size down from what the pattern is written for, and it ended up about 7.5 st/in. I tried it again on size 1 needles, and it ended up about 7.5 st/in. Since the pattern is written for a 32"-34" bust, and I'm a 35" bust, I figured that would be fine so I cast on with the size 1 needles and started knitting.

I measured after 18 rows, and it was 8 st/in. I ripped it out and cast back on with size 2 needles, knit about eight rows, and it was 8 st/in but didn't look as good as it did with the size 1 needles. I ripped it out again and cast back on with size 1 needles but added four stitches to each side to account for an extra couple of inches through the hips.

Now I've knit thirty rows, and I decided to see how long it was so I'd have some idea of how many rows I need to get to the 19" I need before doing anything differently. And it's 9 st/in!

You would think this would be a simple thing to do, but not for me.

Anyway, I'll just glare at it and hope it all comes out right in the end because who knows what would happen if I tried to start over again?