Remember, this is just my opinion. Others will surely have different opinions. Although I have been knitting for 40 years, I did not even attempt socks until a few years ago. I don't why, but I was just so intimidated by the mere thought. I started out by using a pattern that was a sock pattern, but using worsted weight, so they were more like a slipper or bed sock. That way they got done faster and I got to try all the techniques used in sock making. And guess what I found out? They aren't as hard as I thought they would be! I'm sure you can find a pattern online for this type of sock, but if you like, I will share the one I used if you send me an email with sock pattern in the subject line. I'll be home sometime this evening and will get it to you then. Good luck. You CAN do it.

My mother had a sock basket; she made us sort them. Either we had to pick out our own pair when we needed one, or periodically she'd decide it was too full, and make one of us sort them, and then we'd put our own away. She had a marking system for all the white socks & underwear (eventually other clothes too)--lines for boys, circles for girls. The oldest boy (dad) was one line; add a line as you move down the row. Theoretically, if dad outgrew socks, mom could add a line and pass them on to older brother, etc. I think that sorting socks helped me develop a "noticing eye." My DH couldn't sort out 3 brands of white socks if his life depended on it. I also do that "buy all one brand" for each person, except for DD (we haven't found one she likes; so she's the one w/ the weird socks--easy enough, actually). And I put the stray socks in the drawer, and when its made shows up, they get back together. Since they're all ,the same brand eventually it gets "married" again, even if it marries a "widower."

DH just called me to say he got a text message from BM to 'please gather up all SD's clothes that she bought and send them back.' She said she's got a bag of 'our' clothes that she will trade him on Sunday. (at least I can nix the idea of mailing them back) I just counted and we have exactly four pair of socks, two pair of torn up shorts, and two tank tops. THAT's IT. DH says she's probably trying to get clothes for summer by saying we have her clothes here. Maybe she's just looking for something to start more crap, because I can see her throwing a fit when he hands her the bag with four pair of socks and two outfits. LOL, of course we do have two big bags of yard sale stuff that doesn't fit her anymore. I guess we could be asses and send that over there. (Nah!) I don't even have to buy SD any new summer clothes. She has all her shorts from the beginning of school (she hardly wore them to school) and she got a bunch for her Birthday, so I don't have to go shopping until 'back to school' time. Fortunately, we don't have a community sock basket. My kids all do their own laundry & have hampers in their rooms. My husband keeps his hamper in his closet & I use the one in the bathroom. SD has her hamper in her room too so her stuff isn't washed with anyone else's. When the kids were small, I used to wash everyone's together and I HATED sorting the socks. I'd rather toss them & go buy new ones than waste an afternoon sorting out whose is who? That drove me crazy and I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore.

So many good suggestions! So many new socks to try! Thanks everyone!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes mad over those dumb toe seams. I think I get it from my nana--she was always looking for socks without toe seams. Funny thing is, her feet were double-narrows, and I got duck feet. I have occasionally tried turning socks inside-out, but if that seam gets between my pinkie toe and the shoe, it's murder--inside-out or not! Dances, you're the only knitter I know. Don't worry, I know you're busy. And I think the fluffery, intricate bits on the edge are very, very, very, very pretty, and the color's just perfect. Chemocurl, that seems (seams? HA!) like a really good price on Ebay. I'll have to check those out. Yeah yeah, Liz, rub it in that you don't hafta wear socks! I love socks, but I LOVE going sockless. *sigh* Why do I hear an echo of someone saying "You'll catch your death of cold if you don't put some socks on!" Oh crud, I've got to get back to work! Sorry if I didn't have time to reply to you directly! THANK YOU for the input! One last thing--Moni, I DO have power now! Everything has thawed out now but my feet! I saw your tree damage (poor tree!); want to see mine? The 2nd and 3rd posts down on my blog are about my very very sad sycamore: My blog