Notes: c.o. 36 sts; inc. e.o. row to 60 sts; {m1, k5} across row to achieve 72 sts; work decorative striping (1 row white, 1 row blue, 1 row white); begin chart; started heel turn at dotted line on foot template; begin calf shaping where leg begins to widen inc. 1 st/side of back seam e.o row to 110 sts (per sock); cont. in patt. to knee; knit 1 row blue; knit 1x1 rib ~2”; bind off per suggested b.o. in Hudson (which uses Kitchener Stitch)

Dec 21/14: okay. Here we go again. I’ve got the first toe box done.

Dec 29/14: both heels are complete! I think I’ll run a lifeline through both socks before I begin the calf shaping this time. So far, it’s going well, ‘though. Update: these fit beautifully so far.

Jan 1/15: O.M.G., I’ve made it this far without any glaring errors! That, in and of itself, is cause for celebration!

Jan 5/15: just one repeat left, and so far it fits!

Jan 9/15: the colourwork is done! I just have the ribbing and bind-off left to work!

Jan 10/15: I’m in the bind-off! Update: bound off, ends woven in! Hope to take photos tomorrow.

Jan 11/15: No exaggeration, I could not love a human baby more than I love these socks.

Notes for Attempt the Third: work decorative striping after toe box; knit to dotted line on FLK template; work calf increases 2/row until final stitch count (108 sts) is achieved

Notes for failed versions: c.o. 36 sts; inc. e.o. row to 60 sts; work one round {m1, k5} across row (72 sts total); begin chart; heel turn in 2nd repeat of chart @ row 29; @ calves, work two inc. @ back seam e.o. round in patt. for # rounds; work two inc. e.o. round in pattern to 108 sts

The last 3 photos for this project show what my first, aborted attempt looked like -- I had my yarn dominance wrong by knitting the blue from underneath

Oct 23/14: cast on last night, working these two-at-a-time (again, insanely!). This time I’m hopeful that they fit properly, as I’m using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel again, but used the “extended gauge swatch” of my Pink Elephants to get the sizing correct.

Oct 24/14: Agh! I realized last night, 25 rows into a 30 row chart, that I’ve been getting my yarn dominance wrong for the entirety of this project, so it’s time for a massive frogging. Boo! At least I’ll be able to work the toe so it’s deeper this time…

Oct 26/14: I started remaking the toes on the 24th and was able to begin colourwork last night. The first two rounds had me wrapping the blue from underneath again, but I sorted it out after that point.

Oct 27/14: almost done a full repeat and have made it past the ripping point.

Oct 29/14: almost ready to start turning the heels.

Oct 30/14: heels are turned! I’ll check the fit and start the legs!

Nov 3/14: the feet are currently a tad too long, but I’m trusting that a trip through a washer/dryer cycle will firm things up a bit, as is consistently the case with my hand-knit socks. Barring all else, I can re-knit the toes after some minor sock surgery. I’m just about ready to begin the increases for the calves and hope that the yarn feed for blue ball being used on the first sock doesn’t get too tangled on itself…

Nov 4/14: I had to snip, untangle and re-wind the ball for the first foot last night. Things were thus able to proceed in a much more orderly fashion today. I’ve started the increases for the calves, currently working two per round, but I’ll scale it back to two every other round after another round or two.

Nov 6/14: finally had the chance to take a new picture. The calves are underway.

Nov 9/14: ripped this out today. Each of the “errors” I made were minor, but I just couldn’t continue, knowing that I made these so they’d fit properly and missing the mark as much as I was. Update: posted a photo of the socks as they looked before I began frogging.