I've started over a few times using a diff size hook (both smaller and larger) and it still ends up floppy by the 4th and 5th rounds and getting worse if I continue to stitch.
This typically happens when either there are more increases than required in each round or your gauge is changing (stitches not as tight) as you go. Is it possible that there is an error in the printed pattern? IIRC, the number of increases for a flat piece equal the number of original stitches in the first round evenly spaced as the rounds increase. Or something like that.
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