Unknitting

Knitting and reknitting and unknitting and making a general knitting nuisance in an attempt to make one darn hat - while the kids swim. I made one whole hat but it was too big but too short and too bunchy- not at all like the pattern. So I half ripped it and was trying to modify the crown before giving up because it was still too large around. Ripped completely. Recast on with smaller needles and smallest cast on numbers and after the whole twisted rubbing was done, it's now too small. 🙄🙄🙄🙄😭😭😭😭 So I'm putting this crown on waste yarn to maybe finish for my son while I cast on again. Should I use smaller needles and medium cast on number or called for needles and smallest cast on or smaller needles and largest cast on 🤔🤔🤔? 🤯🥴