Hooks 'n Needles

I'm still working on the Autumn Sock. It was flying along, then I messed up when I turned the heel. It fell in the frog pond and is being re-knit. No problems really, I like to consider it good practice! There will be a photo update soon.

I've been wanting to learn to crochet for the longest time, because I want to make this cat pattern.  I think its adorable! I was telling my friend/co-worker about it, and she offered to teach me to crochet. Cool huh - she didn't even care that I'm left-handed. And she was right - its not hard at all! My beginner project is a baby afghan. (this is what my friend likes to make)
This will be worked in alternating stripes of the variegated yarn and some soft white baby yarn. I think it will be really pretty, and it is soooo easy. I'm already understanding the stitches and shouldn't have any trouble when I decide to start crocheting my Amineko cat.

I recently saw some sock yarn I ABSOLUTELY HAD to have. See:

Its Great Adirondack "Soxie" in the "Tropicana" colorway. When I saw it on Crafty Pancakes' blog (that girl has some faboo sock yarn!) I began searching high and low for a skein of it. I finally found one skein at Flying Fingers Yarn Shop, which happened to be hosting a Great Adirondack yarn trunk show. Was that good karma or what? I bet I sent out 30 e-mails searching for this yarn. I adore this color and will be knitting some Monkeys with it - its one of the most popular sock patterns available.  I have seen a zillion great pairs of Monkey socks on Ravelry. (oh, how I love me some Ravelry)

We had some great rain yesterday - nearly a half-inch. We need the moisture so desperately, and we were extra fortunate to not have stormy weather with it. Now, if my allergies would calm down, life would be perfect!