Not Again!

Would you believe that my gauge has changed yet again?? I checked it on row 8 of the hem, again, and for the third time, it's completely different than it was the last time. The first time I checked, I was getting 5.25 stitches to an inch (using, again, Fingering weight yarn). The second time, 4.8 to an inch. And now, 4.4 stitches to an inch. With almost 20 fewer stitches than the last attempt, the width of the sweater is the same. Argh! I don't want to give up on this sweater, but . . . how can I make a sweater when the gauge keeps changing on me? (grin)