I could also title this post Clown Socks, but First Socks seems nicer! I finished my first pair of socks last night. I had finished the first sock in August, but the second sock waited patiently until I finished my chevron scarf. These were a learning experience, and mistakes and all I still love them.
I used sock yarn I won from Whip Up 2 years ago (!), and a #2 40 inch long circular needle. I was going to do two at once, but needed baby steps with the long circ. I actually knit the leg inside out for both socks by accident, but was able to right everything before I knit the heel. The only major problem I had was on the first sock, which is on my left foot in the photos.
The instructions told me to pick up and knit 16 stitches, but that more may be necessary due to the length of the heel. I took that to mean I should pick up every single stitch. Whoops; that made the gusset area huge! You can see in this photo the floppy bottom of the sock farthest away. I realized what I did wrong so I was able to fix everything when it came time for the second gusset. I am still happy with them though, and have already started a new pair!
And I'm trying two at a time! With this reference of course. I got mine from the library, but it's pretty inexpensive at Amazon.