A Few FO's

I finished up a couple of things recently!

First up, is Mike's Manly Socks.

Pattern: Manly Socks by Hannah Six
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock - Pioneer colorway
Needles: Size 2 (2.75mm) Kollage Yarn's square dpn's
Cast on: March 17, 2009
Completed: June 22, 2009
Deviations from Pattern: I cast on only 66 stitches as my gauge was a little bit looser and my husband has a smaller than average foot. (He wears a size 8. Aren't all of you ladies with husbands who wear a size 13 jealous?) Everything else was the same, including the eye of partridge heel, which I did not get a picture of.

Mike's thoughts: He likes the way the socks look and feel - except for how they feel when rubbing the two together! He says they are "scratchy" - not on the skin, but sock against sock. It's like, "fingernails on a chalkboard".

I guess it's the nylon in the Lorna's Laces. I'm hoping they will soften up when washed because right now, that is a little annoying for him. I made his other pair of handknit socks out of Mountain Colors Bearfoot and I think the different content has spoiled him, in a way. No big deal though! They are comparable in price and I certainly don't mind knitting with Bearfoot.


My other FO is the Fern Fitted Shell.

Pattern: Fern Fitted Shell by Angela Hahn
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy - 5 skeins in Pomogranate
Needles: Size 7 Knit Picks Options Circulars
Cast On: May 29, 2009
Finished: June 18, 2009
Deviations from pattern: None...well, I did bind off all neckline stitches before picking up and working the icord. I was having trouble with the neckline laying nicely and looking smooth and I think this did the trick.
Thoughts: I really like the final product, but even though this is 75% cotton/25% acrylic, it's still too warm to wear in the heat OKC is getting right now. Temps are nearing 100 degrees with heat indexes over 100. The high for tomorrow is 102. Yikes! I think I'll stay inside at a comfortable 72 degrees. Maybe when it cools down a little, I'll be able to wear the top.