12/19/08: When I got this yarn in the mail, my mom gasped and practically ripped it out of my hands to run off and snuggle with it. I think that means she likes it. Really, the yarn’s beautiful… my pictures don’t do it justice.

So, these will be Christmas socks for her. Since she lives with me, I’ll have to stealth knit… which means holing myself up in my room without being suspicious. It took me forever to decide on a pattern but, after auditioning more than a few, this is the one I think the yarn wants to be.

I’m casting-on 64 on size 1 needles (mom has big ankles). Then I’ll switch to size 0 needles for the heel and foot (she also has skinny feet). My mom likes short socks, so the cuff and leg together will be just a bit over 2 inches.

I hope I can finish in time… curses on my indecisive nature!

12/21/08: Aaargh! I was working on these late last night and my mom opened the door to my room twice without knocking! I need a lock on my door.

Luckily, I covered my work up quickly, so I don’t think she saw anything… but she might be suspicious. Stealth knitting sucks!

Anyway, I’m past the heel flap and onto the gusset decreases. I decided not to carry the design around the whole foot because, while it’s pretty, I don’t think it will be comfortable.

12/22/08: I’ve been worried these will be too tight in the ankle. Since it’s unlikely these will be done by Christmas (what was I thinking?), I decided to show them to her so she could try them on. They fit fine so, thankfully, I don’t have to start over. Now I can quit stressing.

12/27/08: Sock one is finished! I did a regular stockinette toe instead of continuing the pattern. Mom tried it on and it fits well, which is always a relief.

12/31/08: Second sock finished… yay!

The pattern on these looks harder than it is… lots of bang for your buck. Since I didn’t carry the pattern around the foot, I had to wing it a bit at the outside edges of the instep. And if I were to do these again in the same way, I’d do a garter or slip stitch edge on the heel flap to make it easier to pick up the stitches.

Overall, I’m happy with these. I think mom will like them.