Maybe it *was* the thought that I only had a few rows left to do on my first Having Hope sock that made me wake up at 4am the other morning. Mr B regularly gets up a stupid o’clock to go travelling all over the country to avoid me for work, but normally I never even stir when the alarm goes off. But for some reason I was awake and chirpy and after deciding that no, I wasn’t going to be able to nod off again, I switched on the radio and picked up my knitting. By 6.30 the sock was finished.
With not a peep from the small people, I decided to cast on for #2 in the vain hope that I can avoid Second Sock Syndrome. I didn’t think I’d actually be *able* to cast on because I had only done a Turkish cast on once before (for the first sock) and figured I’d have to get up and come down to the pc to look up the directions once again. But somehow, with the needles and yarn in my hands, it all came together. My dodgy brain, which can’t even furnish me with the correct names for my children at times (fortunately “darling” is multi-purpose!) had somehow stored the cast on somewhere in a spare brain cell and I managed to knit the entire toe before I was disturbed with demands requests for breakfast. 
This is the most intricate sock I’ve knitted for Mr B and seeing as how he has size 11 feet (that’s a US shoe size 11½), it was both intricate *and* time consuming. I should say, it’s a gorgeous pattern. I would have bought it if it was crap, of course, because it’s for a good cause, but being Diane’s design, it’s most definitely not crap at all and is rather beautiful and lovely. I love the cables (and learning to cable without a cable needle definitely helps!), the nifty little braid below the ribbing, and the heel flap which doesn’t require picking up stitches.
I also really enjoyed using Magic Loop. I didn’t see the appeal at all before I tried it, but having to only fiddle around changing needles once per round compared to two or three times when using dpns is a good thing. Also, I have never accidentally slid the needle out of the stitches..!
As I mentioned earlier, my only worry is SSS because the cuff was a bugger to knit. Not complicated, but knitting a sock from the top down means that once you’re past the heel, there’s only patterning on half of the foot. Going toe up means the “light relief” comes first. It was definitely a labour of love not to stop knitting sooner and make them girly ankle socks, though knowing that Mr B probably wouldn’t wear them if they were spurred me on!
I was vaguely hoping that I’d get the pair done for our wedding anniversary, but it’s only five days away now. Plain socks are doable. Intricate cabled socks, not so much. 
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Looking good! I so need to cast on these soon.
Your sock is gorgeous! I love magic loop and do two at a time!
Lovely sock! It looks really good in that yarn.
I found magic loop to a little more fiddly than magic loop. All that pulling the cord round! But it’s very useful to know! Do you think you’ll do magic loop all the time now, or stick with DPNs?
BTW, the new inside loop is fab! Lots of lovely patterns, great as always!
oooooh lovely sock! Magic loop has me converted I swore blind I wouldnt but it is good isnt it, I now have a small brood of knitpicks circs just for this
I am in awe of somebody who can knit at that time though, theres NO way I would have the brain function, and add to that you did that cast on without having the instructions….these my dear are the reasons your my knitting heroine!