The Ide(a)s of Socktober

So we are midway through Socktober - what have I done so far? Found an online page that calculates a sock type slipper pattern to fit any foot, started working on a pair for DH... ...didn't get around to printing out a copy of the webpage, computer had a wee little fit, needed to be rebooted - sock calculations gone. Will restart as Shaker Knit slippers. Ankle socks for a Secret Pal I initially thought that I could get away with the single skein if I made ankle socks - not so. This is a skein of DK yarn {Lana Grossa Fresh colour #301 - cotton/microfibre} that I picked up as potential sock wars ammo {sock wars pattern}. As you can see, using contrasting yarn for the heels and toes {ON line season #001 cotton/merino} made it barely possible. I'm not cheap - it's just that the LYS doesn't have any more of the yarn in that colour. This was the first time I used contrasting colours, and after turning the heel, I realized that I had no clue how to join the contrast yarn with the main colour. I stumbled along, threw in a few kfbs and k2togs, and the result is a heel with convenient air vents Big hint as to the identity of my Secret Pal - someone who has a shoe size less than Eur 42/US 11! You know, before I started knitting socks (and taking photos of the SIPs), I had never before realized that ankle length socks make me look like I have chunky ankles and flat feet. Oh dear, maybe it isn't an optical illusion after all...