Sockapalooza update: It's not too late....

I have the yarn, I have a pattern selected, I have a sockpal's preferences firmly in mind, and I think I am (finally) ready to go. I know it seems like it took a while for me to get started, but there seemed like there were sooooo many decisions this time. I love Sockapalooza, really, but I always feel so much more pressure when knitting for someone I don't know. I want everything to be perfect! Well, I think I did find perfect yarn; this absolutely gorgeous yarn called "Thoroughbred" from an Etsy Shop called Fearless Fibers. It's the most beautiful, subtle mix of browns and other subtle colors; a technique called "rainbow dyeing"; I can't wait to knit with it! And I have a pattern selected "Gentlemen's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern" from Knitting Vintage Socks (thanks to all who pointed me in this direction for men's patterns in my last lamenting post). Even though this skein of yarn has a whopping 550 yards; I am a little worried about having enough (see recent experiences) I plan to increase the number of stitches used for the sock; the last few pairs of socks I've made have come out too narrow; I think I must be knitting more tightly these days (can't imagine why!). I might shorten them a bit; not sure (have to have something to wonder about as I go, right) I will cast on for these this week and knit away--nothing like a deadline to get my needles smokin'!