22 Dec
Caked the yarn. I’ll start this pair when I finish Dan’s Christmas socks. Planning on using a new-to-me toe that I think looks pretty.

27 Dec
Started the toe. I needed more length and fewer increases towards the end of the toe so I repeated the last three rounds instead of the ones the toe pattern said to repeat. I like how it ended up - nice looking toe.
72 stitches.

30 Dec
Ready to turn the heel on both socks!

31 Dec
First heel has been turned. I love how the heel is made! And according to Dan, it fits perfectly! Yay!

3 Jan
Both socks are blocking now!

The heel is amazing. Of course, they are the husband’s socks so they are a tad too long and a squidgy loose in the toe for me, but the heel fits like a glove. It’s amazing. I cannot say that enough. AMAZING. And it’s beautifully simplistic to do. I love this heel.

I have determined (based on how Dan’s socks fit me) that if I’m using a plain stockinette or lacy pattern, I don’t think I’d need a gusset but just to increase the heel stitches right before beginning the heel to make it a tad deeper, as the designer has mentioned in her group. For slipped stitches or cables, a mini gusset would likely be needed. I can’t wait to make some of my own!

From CO to BO, it took me one week to knit up these socks. And Dan is pleased as punch with them. A week well spent!

Gauge: 9 sts per inch