The new fall knitting magazines are out and very exciting. Lots of great cabley sweaters. I think my favorite new magazine was Rowan 44. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Amazing classic styles with a 40s glamour, as well as plenty of amazing colorwork for which Rowan is known.

Besides these print magazines, the new online magazines Twist Collective and Knotions are out. There's so much out there, an abundance of talent, making choosing what to knit a little more difficult. My "must knit"list so far:

• Oolong and Livia Socks from Twist Collective
• Knotty or Knice Socks from Interweave Knits
• Forestry Cardigan from Vogue Knitting
• Bergman Cardigan and Harlow from Rowan
• Oak Leaf Socks from Knotions

As if all these new patterns weren't enough, I also picked up a copy of A Fine Fleece. This book is designed for knitting with handspun yarn, but all patterns were also knit in commercial yarns as a counterpoint. There's a discussion of "designing" yarn to knit the sweaters. Spinning....slippery slope here. I am excited to maybe try knitting with handspun yarn and maybe even "just try" spinning a little myself. I love all the patterns in this book. I can't decide what I want knit yet. My favorites may be the Portland and St. Patrick sweaters, but they are all very classic and wearable.

In the realm of actual knitting, I'm in the middle of projects and trying to keep myself from starting a ton of new things, as usual.

I'm nearly done with a handsome pair of socks for Walker. The yarn is Louet Gems Fingering weight in Indigo.

This is the Gentleman's Socks in Railway Stitch from Knitting Vintage Socks. Nancy Bush is my go-to source for great, wearable patterns for men's socks.

For some reason, I am totally into modular projects right now. I suppose it's a way to get around the mid-project boredom, having a project made of small parts. I started down the primrose path and made a handful of little squares from leftover sock yarn. They are knitting hors d'ouevres. Nothing too involved, and totally addictive. I just need to knit more socks so that I have more leftovers to use up.

Random Thoughts:

"Limited Edition" soda cans. I had a Diet Dr. Pepper the other day, which had a "limited edition" promotional design for the new Indiana Jones movie. What exactly is the idea behind this? There are collectors who would keep the cans? Are these Indy fans, or just soda enthusiasts? The idea of anyone collecting the cans for any reason besides recycling really disturbs me.

Why can I never remember to charge my cell phone? I hardly use it, but if it's left on for a week, it still needs to be charged. I ALWAYS forget, and then I pull it out and it's stone-cold DEAD. D'oh.

I have been using a fountain pen at work with blue-black ink, which I really like. I got a new pen and I brought some black ink to use with it. Maybe it's the paper, but I like blue-black better. Black just seems too boring; I could just use an ordinary pen. I think what I like is the variation of color I get with blue or lighter color inks, and with BLACK black black ink, that subtle shading is missing.