On the Mend?

Yesterday, Friday, wasn't too bad. Still problems with the right knee, gets worse as the day goes on. I put the Ace Bandage knee support on; it basically looks like a corset (waist cincher) that slips on over the knee. Kind of helps. Better if I don't bend my knee when I work, but then it looks like I have a wooden leg. No gym for awhile.
Today is the "Tour de Palm Springs" which is a charity bike-a-thon. The Caballeros performed the "Star Spangled Banner" at the start of the two durations. I just missed getting there to sing the first one, and then was able to sing the second one at 0800. I put on the knee brace and my leg functioned just fine. Got some complimentary coffee on the walk back to my car (which was parked all the way over behind the parking garage by the movie theater).
I can't get the gauge right for the new afghan I'm trying to knit. I keep using smaller and smaller needles, but the test swatch keeps coming out too long. It has to be exactly 8 1/4" by 8 1/4" since they are sewn together at angles. I could cast on less stitches and that would take care of it. Can't understand why I can't get it closer to what the instructions say. Of course, that could explain why that sweater I made for Don came out so big. I'm just a big knitter. ">