Patching and Plastering - Failing at patching knockdown texture

So I'm an idiot and punched a whole in a wall one fine evening. Since then, I have learned my lesson by having lots of trouble matching up the texture when patching. Being the amateur I am, I first paid a "professional" to come and do it. I wanted it to look perfect and had no problem shelling out the cash for it. However, this guy turned out to be a joke. $70 and the texture was utter crap. I ended up sanding it down and trying to do it myself. After several tries, this is what I came up with:

Few feet back:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/Special_K68/IMG_1026.jpg

Up close:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/Special_K68/IMG_1027.jpg

Up close of an untouched area for comparison:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/Special_K68/IMG_1028.jpg

I don't think its terrible, but I wish it was better. I've been using

I've been using this:
http://images.quickblogcast.com/88234-77204/spray.gif

I just can't seem to get a coarse enough texture using this spray can. The stuff just isn't thick enough.

So, any thoughts? Any other products I can try? I'm hesitant to try another "pro" with my last experience, but is this my only option for success?

Thanks for any help.

I use 20 minute or 40 minute mud depending on the size of the patch. I dip my dash brush into the mud and then flick the mud from the brush with my hand. If you don't have a dash brush use a whisk broom. Just as it sets knock it down. My patches are pretty near invisible to everyone but myself and the owner. I tell them that someone walking in off the street should not be able to find them and that is about as good as one can hope for.

When I am doing an orange peel or a little heavier spatter texture that is not knocked down I've had pretty good luck with the can texture. Not so for knockdown.
Reply With Quote

I use 20 minute or 40 minute mud depending on the size of the patch. I dip my dash brush into the mud and then flick the mud from the brush with my hand. If you don't have a dash brush use a whisk broom. Just as it sets knock it down. My patches are pretty near invisible to everyone but myself and the owner. I tell them that someone walking in off the street should not be able to find them and that is about as good as one can hope for.

When I am doing an orange peel or a little heavier spatter texture that is not knocked down I've had pretty good luck with the can texture. Not so for knockdown.
Reply With Quote

I saw you mentioned this technique in another thread. It seems like there would be a difficult learning curve with this (the type of thing that takes lots of practice to get right). I'm not going to lie, with no wall-patching experience prior to this, that technique sounds over my head.

You might try spraying the knockdown, letting it dry then shaving off the points. I haven't done it this way but it might work.