Do the Math (Before You Knit)

I lost some time on my Honeycomb Socks because I had to unknit back a row. Unknitting an entire row of two-sock-at-the-same-time-Magic Loop is not a good time. The pattern is not multi-sized and of course I am not using the same yarn as the pattern so all numbers have been modified. I also changed the heel. So why do I expect this pattern to work? Because I just have to "do the math". Since this is a toe-up sock I can try it on as a knit. No problem. No problem if you don't get to comfortable to stop before you increase. I reached the part where I have to increase for the Honeycomb pattern stitch. I wasn't starting with the same number of stitches as the pattern so I knew I couldn't end up with the same number either. Somehow I made myself believe that I could still end up with the multiple of 12 stitches needed for the Honeycomb pattern, by randomly increasing as I knit. I did my two rows of increasing. I had too many stitches and they were not a multiple of 12. Surprise!! How could I have such misplaced faith? I took a deep breath and admitted to myself that I would have to rip back my increases. How many? I had no idea and was thankfully now convinced that improvising would not work. I got a pencil and paper and drew a diagram and started calculating. I unknit a row of increases. I recounted my stitches. I was so lucky. I could stop unknitting and proceed to knit following my calculations. Lesson learned? I could improvise one row of increases but not two? Maybe, but in the future I'll just do the math before I increase at all. Especially if I am knitting two-socks-at-the-same-time-magic-loop.