Yesterday I managed to knit the heel flap and turn the heel for my first sock, and I also started shaping the gusset. When I got it out to show my hubby last night he was glowing with pride! It turns out that the pattern is going to be way too small for him but they're great practice. He informed me that he would love to have all handknitted socks to wear to work. The problem? This is only my first sock ever, and while I think I may be addicted, he wears heavy steel-toed boots to work. I can't seem to find a good pattern that I can be sure won't sneak down his leg into the boot. Does that make sense? The last thing I want is to painstakingly (because of my lack of experience) knit him pairs of "quitters" (that's what he calls the socks whose elastic has quit. hehehe that still cracks me up). So, any suggestions on a pattern? I was thinking that if I use ribbing for the entire leg it might grip enough but as I type this I envision it twisting and sliding around and him having to stop and hike up his pants leg to pull 'em up. I am a little frustrated by not having the experience to be able to figure this out for myself, and I so desperately want to make his first pair usable and sturdy enough for his boots, yet comfortable. I think I'll go to the library today and see if they have any sock knitting books. In the meantime, if anyone happens to stumble across this blog and has a suggetion, please leave it!