The tale of an impatient knitter

To swatch or not to swatch? That is the question.
In my case the answer is more often than not, NOT. Which is probably a big mistake given I rarely use the yarn specified in the pattern. Something to do with the fact that most knitting mags and books are published in the northern hemisphere and I live in the southern hemisphere. And yarn shops down under only stock a limited number of northern hemisphere yarns. Oh, the fact that I'm an impatient knitter (blame it on being Taurean!) probably has something to do with it. Once I have the yarn, pattern and time to knit I can't be bothered wasting it doing a swatch to check my tension. However, after too many too big/long/wide projects I might be learning an important lesson: Do a swatch to check the gauge.
There was Mr greenolive's Jo Sharp jumper of 2001/2002. It's now been unravelled and awaiting a second attempt. On closer inspection of the photo I can now see the jumper was big anyway...
There was Rose's Wrap, with attempt number one ending up over two metres long. Attempt two was much better...
So, in the desire not to waste any precious knitting time, I've decided to do a swatch from now on. (Those of you who swatch without fail will be nodding your head in a knowing manner.)
In the last week I've fallen in love with a dusky pink 100% bamboo yarn. And I managed to secure it at a 20% discount. (I know my holiday list said sort the stash, not buy more stash!) I found the perfect pattern, a singlet from Vogue's Simple Knitting, Spring/Summer 2006 issue. It's got a V-neck, ideal for those of us with cleavage, and is fairly fitted, perfect for those of us with a waist.

As the yarn I was using was a bit thicker than the specificed yarn, and I wasn't sure of the sizing, I decided to swatch. The ideal: 5mm needles, 20 stitches, 24 rows. My swatch: 5mm needles, 19.5 stitches, 23 rows. I decided to chance it. Let the knitting commence...

After knitting about 10 rows I measured my width against the pattern's width. Ooops! A bit too wide. Okay, I'll just knit a size smaller, that make's sense doesn't it?
Again, about 15 rows in, I checked the width. Still too wide. Bugger. I decided to check my tension. Instead of the original 19.5 stitches in my swatch, I managed to knit 18 stitches in the garment. Double bugger!
Determined not to be deterred (another Taurean trait) I did another swatch. This time with 4.5mm needles. My tension was almost perfect! Attempt number three commenced...
Bugger! About six rows in, when everything was going swimmingly, I discovered a big and very messy knot about 6/8ths of my way through the row. Maybe I could make it to the end of the row and then rejoin the yarn at the side I thought. No such luck!
So, attempt three abandoned. And I've unravelled all eight balls of yarn looking for knots. About half of the balls had them.
By now my knitting inspiration had worn off. I just hope this dusky pink bamboo yarn doesn't get relegated to the "some day" drawer. I really need a dusky pink singlet to round out my summer wardrobe!