I have the same problem with my chunky footed hub. I feel your pain.

As the wife of a man with seriously clunky/meaty feet (and thank you for putting that perfect description into words, I shall be quoting you later), you have my full sympathy. I would make him darn well wear them, it's not your fault his feet are wrong!

Oh that stinks. so sorry to hear about the unfortunate foot fitting.

Any chance they'll fit you instead? ;-)

Oh, what a shame - it had happened to me & I refused to frog it. I just got more yarn & knit another pair.

Can't you get Mr.O to alter his feet? Bind them or something?

Somewhere, a long time ago, I read that one could "relax" wool yarn (recycled from knitted garments) by boiling the yarn in a vinegar solution. Perhaps that might work with a newly knitted sock? It might take some of the springiness out of the socks' yarn and "stretch" the overall dimensions. Worth trying?

My hubby has long thin feet....
But I'm guessing that it would be better to fix the ankle than to ship them here...
They are a lovely color.

They'll stretch! My jaywalkers fit me now after a couple of times wearing them with a struggle.

I take it your feet are *much* smaller than his? If I gave my other half socks that fit like that, they'd probably be spot on for me. :) The colour is superb, and I'd hate to have to rip them. I like Dawn's suggestion, too, if it'd work...

Darn it all!

Been there. Done that. Had to have the socks handed back to me with a tear in my eye (and the recipient's).
The pain eases with time!

Another idea Polly.
Didn't you say that they were too narrow at the ankle, because you'd decreased down? What about cutting them above the ankle, wripping back to the start of the leg decreases and just knitting straight back down to the ankle, and grafting foot and leg together? It sounds fiddly, but a lot quicker than re-knitting it (presuming the foot is ok)

D:)

How about blocking them? Hmm, you could persuade/force him to wear them wet with plastic bags on his feet ;-)