Hi, my name is Specs.

And this is the first time I've done this. I mean, I've thought about it before, but it always seemed like something other people did. Something that other people talked about while I silently felt smug. "That'll never be me," I'd think with a smile. "I don't need those things to have a good time. I can get by on my own." I always had an excuse: too expensive, not enough time, enough free stuff on the internet, etc. But, my friends, today I bought the Fall 2006 Interweave Knits. And I fell in love. Her name is Coral Crossing and she's designed by Jennifer L. Appleby. She has cables! And a wide scooped neck! And little pockets! Whee! Of course, I'm going to make it in a more sensible color like grey, but that won't diminish the cuteness of this sweater at all. After I plow through my Christmas knitting, Coral Crossing is definitely on the needles. (Although, if I knit everything I've said is "definitely on the needles," I'll be busy through the summer. Damn you, Eunny.) Oh, and I also bought some yarn for Sock Wars, which kicks off on September 22nd. I got IK and the yarn at the other yarn store in town, and I had a much better experience there than at the first place I visited. I wasn't pressured into buying anything -- in fact, the owner sold me on some of the cheap(er) sock yarn and answered some ridiculous questions I had about patterned/fair isle sock yarn. And to top it off, this place has adorable bags: This has been a fantastic weekend. I visited with TB, went on a lovely hike along the Tennessee River, bought yarn, and found a pattern I love in a great new store. To top things off, my dad and my sister are coming to visit me on Thursday! While this is wonderful for me (I'm solitary by nature but get lonely very easily), it's bad for my schedule and means that I'll be reading every free minute between now and Thursday night. So no knitting for a while, but I'll be thinking about socks and cabled sweaters. Progress on the Jamesey with the next update.