Saga of the Tiger Socks

A story in pictures. There once was a Mom who had hopes of "orange kitty" socks for 2 boys before Christmas. She knit, measured, and calculated 40 hours knitting time. Not so unreasonable since there isn't other gift knitting to be done. She decided that these socks couldn't be a surprise...because she would need the boys feet to try on the socks. Here is sock 1 knit with US#2's on 6. It seemed a bit loose.

This Mom decided to knit a bit farther before deciding. After the heel, it became obvious that this would be just too loose. And this Mom remembered something that the knit instructor told her while in the LYS.

For a sturdy sock, the stitches should be tight. When the stitches have less room to rub against each other...the don't wear out as fast. The stitches on the #2's were loose and so were the socks. So the answer must be smaller needles. This mom drove to a new LYS to find metal DPN's. Here she bought Addi's 2.25mm. They didn't have the 2.5mm. She knit a few rows on the sock in progress. (compare the orange stitches US#2's, and the white stitches 2.25mm)

The tighter stitches seemed nicer, so she let 6 Frog the entire sock. She CO with the new needles. They're not as pointy as this mom might have liked. Blue BOYE needles from Gram, and Shiny Silver Addi's from Velona's.

Ribbing with a needle that isn't pointy enough isn't fun...but at least the ribbing is only for 1" of the sock. While the kids slept, and the Dad played pool with some men from the Sunday School class...the Mom knit this. She went to bed happy about the sock.

In the morning, the Mom wanted 6 to try the sock on again. It wouldn't go over his toes. Notice something different about the feet in this photo...they're from 4! The new sock is even a bit snug on him.

So, this Mom has some choices to make. But no mater the decisions that follow, these "orange kitty" socks won't be ready for Christmas.

1. Continue with the socks, and maybe they'll fit 2.
2. Stick with the 2.25mm but CO more stitches (these start with 52)
3. Go back to the US#2's, but CO fewer stitches.
4. Go back to the US#2's, but continue the ribbing except for the sole of the foot.
5. If this Mom knits that much ribbing there won't be 4 socks.

Any suggestions?!