I'm knitting a sampler type of afghan with 6" squares. I had to drop down a needle size (6 to 5) to get the first two patterns to knit out at 6". Fine.

Working on the 3rd pattern now: the first one I made was ok in width but is about 1" too tall. I did a second one knitting tighter and it's 1/2" too tall.

I know I can ease in and make the squares fit, but I'd rather have them all as close to 6" as possible.

Shall I drop down another needle size to a 4 to see if it will come out a nice 6"?

Shall I stick with my size 5's and stop as close to 6" as possible and still finish the pattern repeat?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Susan