> I'm hoping to embroider a simple pattern on a pair of socks as a gift
> (just a pair of letters, basically). It doesn't need to be done by
> Christmas, but I'd like to finish it within the coming week.
Fastest way to do it would probably be by hand. Two simple stitches that would work for this would be stem stitch/outline stitch, or chain stitch... the first pair are just worked with the twist going opposite directions, and can be a bit of a pain to work around a "round" letter like an O or an R.
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Chainstitch has a natural elasticity that could be useful with a sock:
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You'll need to hold the fabric steady while you're stitching on it -- a small embroidery hoop is one possibility, but I think stick-on embroidery stabilizer might be easier. Or you can boil up a tablespoon of corn starch in a cup of water, paint it on the sock, and iron it dry -- it'll be cardboardy stiff.
Two chainstitch letters on a sock... I dunno, maybe 15-20 minutes for me. A little longer for you if you've never embroidered before.
Kay