Knitting Zen

Seems like I can't make anything lately without ripping it out two or three times. I'd like to think it's because I'm doing more complicated things, but generally it's because I fail to either a) swatch or b) measure.

I tried on the sock (with the needles in--I should have taken a picture) and it was just way too big, well, it fit, but it was sloppy. My fault, totally, because since I have somewhat fat ankles, I added four stitches to the CO, and didn't swatch it. I was just slightly off on the gauge (it was supposed to be 7-1/2 stitches to the inch, and I was at 6), but I guess on a sock, it makes more difference than it would on something larger. So between the stitch and a half off on the gauge, and the added four stitches, even though the pattern says it's for a Women's Small, and at Size 8-1/2 shoes, I'm definitely not a Small, well, oh well, I ripped it out and started over on smaller needles (Size 3) and following the pattern (CO 60). I didn't do a gauge swatch, figuring I'd just do an inch or so of the sock and then measure, and if I'm still off, I'll just rip it out again.

I'm going to keep trying until I get it right, because I really want some cotton Fixation socks.