Got Gauge?

Is gauge really that important? I've never been one to let myself get all caught up in measurements and numbers and the math associated with a lot of crafts. That might be why I suck at so many. But ok. I started the LA 63 Squares Crochet Afghan:

63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Heirloom Afghan By Leisure Arts - Crochet

Or rather I should say I restarted it. I've started it on three different occaisons and my colors were never what I expected. You think they look good and in your mind they do but when you crochet a couple of squares, lay them out together they look sick and not in the cool, hip definition of the word "sick" but in the these colors make me want to hurl definition of the word "sick". The oldest son told me what colors he wanted and I played around with several shades of green, blue and yellow before settling on Red Heart Spring Green, Bright Yellow and Royal, with a splash of Bananaberry thrown in for good measure.

The picture above shows the first five of seven squares for Row 1. I decided to crochet it row by row instead of 1-63. Don't look too closely to the square on the end. I crocheted five different times and never got gauge. I had trouble with the E hook, it was too small for the worsted weight, or maybe it was just me not liking that small hook, but this was crocheted with the F hook and it's still bigger than the other squares. I'm hoping I can block the others out a little bigger because I'm really sick of that block. Actually looking at the picture right now, I want to vomit. That's how sick I am of the Bushy Stitch. I liked crocheting it, it was a fun block, but the whole gauge thing is a pain in the ass.

So let's just look at the squares in a pile. They all look to be around the same size in this picture.

See I feel better already.