For some reason, I really struggled with these. Every section is different, but the designer has included numerous charts and written instructions so I can’t blame any of it on lack of clarity. I think I just wasn’t in the right headspace for it? I started them when I was overseas caring for a family member, and I just couldn’t ever get into a rhythm with the pattern.

It didn’t help that I first started knitting the biggest size before realising they were way too big and starting over. Then I learned about a “princess sole” and decided I wanted to try that out, which meant frogging again. And I ended up redoing the heel three or four times, because I just couldn’t get the number of stitches right. Again, not the pattern’s fault; just me dealing with a lot of stress and brain fog.

In a way, it’s appropriate for a pattern inspired by The Odyssey. I was blown off course and encountered obstacle after obstacle, and the project took me way longer than it should have. But I eventually emerged victorious, and they are lovely socks.