Cast on with 3mm and then switched to 2.5mm for the cuff. Colorwork is in 3mm.

The 56 stitch size will be too small on my foot around the heel/instep. Plan is to increase to 60 sts right before the heel (after colorwork chart IV) and do 30 rows for the heel.

8/11/22: the duplicate stitch and embroidery takes so long it’s killing me! I’ve completed through the heel and need to finish Stinky before going further. A quick try-on shows it fits but I could have kept with the 3mm needles on the cuff. I’ll need to decide whether to knit the second sock to match or with the slightly larger cuff size. 2.75mm would probably be ideal if I had it.

8/13: starting chart V as soon as I reached 60 sts (no final “plain” row without decreases). Will juts add 2 bonus stitches at each side to match up with the pattern’s 56 st instructions. I am doing this by doubling whatever color stitch is on either side of the midway point between the sole and instep. Holding blue dominant for this chart. Chart VI conveniently divides into 60 sts.

8/14: 12 rows white stockinette before toe decreases. I felt it makes more sense and would be cute to have stinky on one sock and Moomin on the other, rather than each character appearing twice. So I will close up the first sock (and could always duplicate stitch moomin later if I change my mind).