Breaking All the Rules

I made some good progress on my St. Patrick's Day Socks yesterday. I'm past the heel flap, heel turn, and the Great Time Sucking Vortex of Socks - I mean the gusset, and now its just a straight shot to the toe. I can't wait to see what these look like blocked - right now the lace and ribs are pulling into themselves so much the sock doesn't look like much. Something new I've learned: You can use 33 stitches for a heel flap, still only work 32 rows and get a recognizable heel without The Sock Knitting Committee (Board of Don't Mess With the Traditional Techniques) breaking down the door. Of course, they could be busy with the two-socks-at-once-on-two-circular-needles people too. The design repeat wouldn't break down into 32 stitches with both sides even, so I would have had to make the second sock a mirror image. Knowing myself and knowing I'd never be able to remember that - even with copious notes on the subject - I chose to make the heel 33 stitches and the top of the foot (instep?) 31 stitches. Now the design is centered over the top of the foot and the socks will be identical and I don't have to think too much to get the second one done. All is well at the Pink Lemon Twist...