Practice Socks

I've been working on socks for my granddaughter, who seems have been cursed blessed with feet shaped like mine.  Somewhat short through the heel and arch and really long toes.  I knit a couple pair that were too small, before I managed to capture her long enough to trace her feet, after which I launched into my third pair.

I can knit socks.  I enjoy knitting socks.  For the life of me, I cannot get a pair to match.  However, I know that it is more a matter of environment rather than ability.  I knit to keep myself calm and focused on things other than what I'm knitting, and therein lies the rub.

This pair looks really nice,  and I'm kind of proud of the fact that I MacGyvered a needle out of a paperclip to graft the toe shut and you can't tell.   The problem?

One is noticeably bigger than the other, and they are too small.

And then there's this:

See the sock on the right?  That's what I'm talking about.  I can tell you that day was not a good day.  I can also tell you that if I'm going to mess up a sock, it is usually in the gusset or the toe, as I have a tendency to leave out the round of knitting between decreases.

And the MacGyvered needle I was so proud of?

Didn't work so well this time.

I still have orange yarn left, and I will knit another sock in hopes that it will match the sock on the left.  With any luck, they will still fit her, and yes, I did just hear the universe laugh.