Okay, maybe the socks didn't actually speed up the healing, but there's something inherently soothing about knitting a pair of socks. At the moment I'm knitting a pair of stripey red socks in Zauberball from Schoppel Wolle for the lovely Sue.
Knitting socks for someone is a labour of love. A fine pair of socks has as many stitches as a jumper (sweater), but there is no Boyfriend Sock Curse. Socks are forgiving. It's easier to hide ugly socks than an ugly jumper, and if you have a gauge disaster and end up with massive stockings, you can just rename them bedsocks. Socks are also easy to adjust to perfectly fit a person's feet and there's nothing more comfortable than well-fitting homemade socks. Yarn Harlot's Stephanie Pearl McPhee has a great personalised sock pattern in her book Knitting Rules, just choose any yarn, take your measurements, plug them into the pattern and you'll have perfectly fitting socks.
Shop bought socks are almost a disposable item, making some people think knitting socks is a waste of time. A good pair of hand knit socks is an investment though, they are warmer and much longer lasting than machine knit ones. To make sure your handmade socks don't wear out too soon, be sure to knit them on smaller needles than you usually would for your yarn. Small, tight stitches reduce friction and lead to longer lasting socks. Also make sure that your yarn has some nylon or other synthetic content. Pure wool socks will start to felt the minute your feet get hot and sweaty.
I'll leave the last word on the joy of socks to an anonymous knitter from the American Civil War, who slipped this poem into a pair of socks bound for soldiers on the frontline:
Brave sentry, on you lonely heart
May these blue stockings warm your feet
And when from wars and camps you part
May some fair knitter warm your heart.
