Another complete cop out on the blog today. I’m trying to get ready to leave on Thursday and I have to un-explode my life before that. It’s not going well. It would seem that the natural state of my life is exploded, and any attempts to get it to fit into the confines of a spreadsheet that dictates when/where/how things happen when I am not here is sheer folly doomed to fail. (The chart detailing dinner, shopping and teen activities was multi-coloured and deeply flawed.) I am also burdened by the knowledge that I need to buy a new pair of pants before I leave, and this pains me. Does anyone care if I’m wearing the same pants as the last tour? Haven’t we established that my goal should be to be wearing pants at all? In any event…You get a short form blog today.
Update #1.
New socks on the needles: Trekking XXL, colour 90.
(Bonus, proof that spring has finally come to my front yard.)
Update #2: Susanna has found out how to get in touch with the mitten people. Should you be burning with a desire to possess this kit….check here.
Update #3:
I tossed the stash (by “tossed” I mean “pillaged” not “tossed” like “threw out”. I can’t believe any of you think that I would throw out yarn. At the very least I would yell “scrambles” first.) and came up with my neglected Garter Vine Cardi. It only needs a sleeve, so I’m thinking that if the pants excursion goes well (stop that laughing. There has to be one company in North America that can produce a pair of pants that fits me.) that I can finish it before I leave on tour.
Update #3:
My brother Ian and my sister-in-law Ali have left for an extended trip through Thailand and Cambodia. Think safe travel thoughts for them. They are experienced travellers, but we still worry when they are far from home. (You may also send them wooly thoughts, since they have promised to find and mail back yarn.) They are holding all of their luggage. Five weeks away…and everything that the two of them need to live is in those two backpacks. I can’t tell you how shocking I find this.
Update #4: Kelli-the-new-wonder-publicist has added two new thingies to the tour. I’ll be at Loop in Philadelphia on the 10th of April, and WEBS in Northampton on the 22nd.
Details on the tour page.
Note that I will be taking way, way more luggage with me for one week away, than Ian and Alison trucked to a five week trip on another continent. I thought this was odd until I remembered that I would only need a big purse if I didn’t take yarn.
I like that green sweater and was wondering if you’d finished it long ago and I just missed it. I bet it’ll be just great for those few weeks of spring coming soon.
Way to go – you have two projects on needles again! My daffodils aren’t up nearly as far – but I do have crocuses!!
It seems wholly appropriate the this sweater should herald the beginning of this tour. Did it not perform the same duty at this time last year?
What is up with being so far east of my area? (What if I offered you pants that fit? Would you travel to the middle of the states for such an opportunity? How could you resist?!)
At least you offer the mitten kit as a distraction.
oh the daffs and socks are an amazing photo :o) gonna go and look again!
ha! i need little in the way of clothing – why pack a sweater when I’m *sure* I’ll finish one by the time we’re done in Cape Breton and camping in Gross Morne…
Wear the same pants…unless there is a hole. Land’ s End seems to do ok by me in the short person pant department, check them out (they will hem up to the quarter inch!!!)
If you’re wearing handknits then I doubt anyone will even notice your pants. I’m just saying.
And, one backpack for 5 weeks away? I need a backpack for just a day at work.
Yay for travel to Thailand and Cambodia! I’ve got Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos (but not Thailand) on the docket for 2008. I hope they have a good time — and at least they’re not going to Burma / Myanmar, which is currently being ruled by a military junta.
Woo-hoo! I’ll see you at WEBS! And if I have time, maybe I’ll bring a gift for the yarn hare-lot….Hmmm.
Good luck with the pants thing. Whenever I go shopping for pants, I end up cursing the fact that I hate skirts. Sigh.
First – wear the same pants. I’m a lawyer and i wear the same pants to work every day. Jeans, in fact. In an office. I swear. No one cares.
Second – can i get Kelli the wonder publicists’ number? No stops in NYC yet? Although I’m sure the shops are all fighting over you……
Can’t wait to see the finished sweater. No one will notice the pants anyway. And you did’nt flash your stash for us!http://www.zibibboisgood.com/archives/2006/03/flash_your_stas_1.html/
Oh, the crocuses are like a little golden smile!
Good luck with the pants. I commiserate. I hate shopping for anything that isn’t craft-related.
I got your new book over the weekened, and I’m really enjoying it. I have one comment, though – you don’t technically need a darning needle to graft sock toes. I once did it with a crochet hook, using it like a big needle, putting it through the stitches blunt end first and dragging the yarn through. Couldn’t find my needles and all the yarn shops were closed.
Try wearing a skirt instead, they are much more comfortable! It’s always difficult to find pants that feel comfortable and also look nice.
Let me know where you find the pants. I too am in desparate need. And it sounds like I hate shopping (for clothes) as much as you do.
Nice socks. The remind me of heather.
I vote for a stop in the Chicago area!!! And I love to see the crocuses! We moved and now I have to start over with my bulbs. I have flower envy!
You need to hit the Quad Cities in Iowa! Our Yarn Shoppe would be a GREAT place to come visit!
Your flowers are gorgeous, as is the knitting!
You are one of the unquantifiable elements of the universe.
I can’t get over the Trekking. Everytime I come across a picture of it knit up I reference the color back to the shots of it in the ball and it always surprises me. I’ve knit up 3 different colors of it and there’s more in the stash and more in the mail. I just loves me some Trekking.
But doesn’t it drive you nuts that it’s impossible to make a matching pair? I mean, I like it like that, but you are particular. How do you cope?
Second the vote to wear the same pants. No one will notice. If you like really like this particular pair of pants, look at the tag and get more exactly the same.
Or post the details, and we’ll all bring pants to the book signing. You’ll get a new pair to wear the next day – then mail the used ones’ home and have more space for yarn in your suitcase.
Please, please tell Kelli that you need to come to Minneapolis/St. Paul. There are many yarn shops to keep you entertained. Maybe a little later in the spring, though — we are slightly north of Toronto (!) and we don’t have any crocuses yet.
YAY, you’re coming back to Philly! I didn’t get to see you last time. Boo, you’re coming during the film festival–of course, I choose you over foreign films, but I’d rather not have to choose.
Good luck with the pants, and please know that I would never laugh about such a serious situation. My advice to finding pants that fit well, however, has more to do with a good tailor than any North American pants manufacturers. Tailors are truly worth every penny they charge. And also, cropped pants are the greatest invention and finest style ever invented for us short girls. Long live the crop!
You’re coming to Loop! Oh Boyohboyohboy – this means that I have to try to find a babysitter!!!
Wear the same pants and finish the sweater….I loved it’s debut last year and I’m hoping you’ll share the recipe. Nobody will care if you’re wearing the same pants, no one would even have known given there are probably not many groupies who follow you around to each appearance. Have a great trip!
Lovely crocuses (croci??). Mine are purple – I think I like the yellow better.
Thinking good thoughts for Ian and Ali – and I have a bigger bag than hers just for going to work… and it’s mostly yarn…
I’m 5 foot nothing and have a rotten time in the clothes department but can’t say enough nice things about Pendleton. The actually have normal clothes for people without monkey limbs.
http://www.pendleton-usa.com/
The colors kind of suck now, being as it is spring, but they always have standard colors on the staple clothes.
Love the Trekking!
Stephanie, I remember the difficulties in purchasing pants for last year’s tour. I say wear the same ones. No one will notice. And sending lots of safe & wooly travel thoughts for Ian and Alli. Could they please teach my daughters to pack light? We’re going backpacking again this year and could use the lesson. Good luck with the spread sheet and organization. If only you could bottle that … you’d be rich!
I too think it’s fine to wear the same pants. If you find a good source, however, for heaven’s sake let me know. My favorite kind are AFAIK available only at this little store in Rangeley, Maine, where we vacation every August, and I am seriously low on pants at the moment. Or at least pants that fit my, er, ever-growing presence.
Grafton is a heckuva lot closer to me than Northampton. Rationalizing wildly.
I don’t think I’ve seen that shade of Trekking before… wow. Oh, and I officially have the evening of the 21st off, so I’ll be in Grafton. I’ll try (try!) to finish Birch and bring it with me, as that’s the yarn you exorcised last year.
See, I was going to say-they aren’t knitters. You know as well as anybody we need extra luggage just for yarn.
Good luck with the pants search-I feel for you.
According to their website, there’s an Old Navy in Eaton Centre. Love it there. Don’t be fooled by what you see in the windows, they have clothes appropriate for work/tour.
This comment has nothing to do with today’s post, except maybe as a tangent to the globe-trekking and Stephanie’s relatives angle, but one of the readings under discussion today in my course on Russia and the environment had the following sentence about MSF, and I thought it was worth sharing with Stephanie…and then I thought I might as well just post it for all the other TSFers to see:
“…MSF provides medical aid for people in crisis situations all over the globe, and it is well-known that of all the international convocations to stare the basilisk of the Aral Sea disaster in the eye only MSF has not turned to stone.”
Bissell, Tom. “Eternal Winter: Lessons of the Aral Sea Disaster.” Harper’s Magazine. New York: Apr 2002. Vol. 304, Iss. 1823, p. 41. [this quotation appears on p.5 of sixteen electronic pages]
This pants issue just keeps rearing (!) it’s ugly head, doesn’t it? I have often thought that the best thing to do was get a professional to custom make a pattern and then make a few pairs. I never actually do this, though.
By all means wear the same ones. No one will notice your lower half anyways; it’s what your hands and head are doing that counts. Easy for me to say…. oh, and have fun!
Your brother and sister-in-law sound like they’re doing what my daughter and her husband are doing. They’ve been gone since last September, touring and trekking through Nepal, Cambodia, Malaysia, etc. etc. They love Thailand! They also planted trees in Australia. They are also backpacking, and took 5 outfits for the entire time. They’ll be home in a few weeks. I hope your relatives have as much fun as mine! Happy knitting. Joanne
I didn’t see you on your last tour, so I would have no idea if you were wearing the same pants. No need to shop for me…for pants, that is. 🙂
Lovely the trekking socks. I finished my first pair a few weeks ago and I’m longing for another skein. A good reason to visit my parents in MI, since I haven’t been able to find any in the yarn shops here.
I hate buying pants. But if you finish that sweater no one will even notice. What about knitting an extra long sweater and some really long socks instead? How much of that Trekking XXL have you got left???
I *almost* got to meet you at Lettuce Knit this weekend. I think I totally geeked out on Megan (who is sooo nice), but it was my first time to this gorgeous store, and I’d just come from the One of a Kind show, and I apparently JUST missed you.
Sorry. I’m geeking out again. In summary: Everyone go to Lettuce Knit. And, Steph, forget the pants and just knit.
YAY! YOU IS FINDING PANTS! THAT MEANS YOU WILL LEAVE TORONTO AND COME TO DOYLESTOWN! THAT MEANS I WILL SEES YOU!
YAYYAYYAYYAY! I GET TO SEES YOU! YAYYAYYAYYAY!
While in Northampton, could you go over to “La Veracruzana” and have one of their yummy quesadillas for me?? I miss living there and being able to have those whenever i want. Pout!
Of course you’ll have the time to visit Northampton Wool? I think that’s on Pearl Street near the Theater that shows Indie Films, if i remember correctly…it’s been several years.
~Suz~
So excited about your coming to Loop. You are going to love it!
See you Monday.
um… when i went to Seattle for three weeks i took a suitcase full of yarn and needles. (i had to check it ) so believe me i understand!
Hi,
Two of my friends and I are going on a road trip from Columbus OHio to see you in Pittsburg this Friday, so be sure to wear new pants. We couldn’t have any old frunpy ones now could we?
Looking forward to meeting ya.
It makes perfect sense…neither of them is a Knitter. How much luggage does a non-Knitter need, really?
So I guess you’re off to sign books for people in New York. Know that I am pea green with envy, and I don’t mean in a good way! About the book: mine came Friday and I finished reading it last night. LOVE IT! What good information! Love the lists, the quizes, the recipes, your humor. Love it all! The chapter name curved over the page number is also way cool and perfect for thumbing through the book to find something specific. My husband thinks I’ve taken up some new kind of yoga measuring my forearm against my foot, but what a day of freedom to learn that I don’t need a measuring tape! Just a fantastic, original book. I know of nothing else like it. Really, everyone should own a copy. Thanks for being a writing knitter.
First of all, I love that you so often show us the WIP next to flowers! It communicates in a subtle way the knitterly value of your work. The sock is very harlot, sophisticated and earthy ( in the nicest way ) at the same time. I work in a clothing store and I have learned that just about everyone has trouble getting fitted in pants, including those lovely women in the enviable sizes that look perfect. Yes, way. You just have to try on a lot, and when you find a fit, buy every color they have that works for you. Taking Tamara’s comment one step further, maybe there is a tailor in Toronto who loves and desires hand knits and would be willing to barter with you. I’m just thinking for the future, I know time is an issue right now.
That should either be “Lovely trekking socks” or “Love the trekking socks”.
When I edit my writing I should be sure to read the entire sentence…sigh.
I’ll be seeing you in Doylestown this Saturday. I am new to the Philadelphia area, and Loop is the next stop on my “Knitters’ Orientation to Philly” tour. Subway Knitter Colleen told me yesterdat to, “drop everything and just go. Right. Now.”) but can’t quite manage to drag the kids down there on a Monday. Even for you. Even for you AND yarn. But I will be there in Doylestown and I can’t wait!
Hi Stephanie, I am fairly new to your blog, having found it only a month ago. I’ve read all of it. Absolutely wonderful and completely addictive. I now check it daily. I realize the mitten pattern is copywritten but for those who buy the pattern would it be possible to get a copy in English of how you made them? Maybe provide a copy of the receipt? The mittens are gorgeous. I’d never figure out the directions on my own if you couldn’t. Enjoy your tour and I hope you find some new pants. 🙂
I’m counting down the days for you to sign my book(s) in MA on April 21! ..and I can never find pants either !!
Please, please, please remind ‘Kelli-the-new-wonder-publicist’ that knitters in Minneapolis/St.Paul haven’t experienced the joy of Harlot on Tour yet, and we’d love to see you.
If your knitting is as wonderful as usual no one will notice if you leave your pants at home. I think one could walk the streets of ‘Hamp pantless and not get a second look…amazing place, that.
Northampton wools is on Pleasant St, Suz, Pearl (purl) ST? Easy mistake for a knitter!
Ahhh, the restaurants… too many great ones to mention!
Hey…I have yellow crocuses (and purple) on my blog from my post of April 1. Aren’t they so pretty? Didn’t dare trying to put any knitting project near them because there were a ton of bees swarming around them!
I rarely comment because generally there are already about a hundred comments when I come here. But do you hontestly think anyone will even look at your pants? Just wear a handknit sweater and people won’t even notice you’re in your underpants. Good luck for the tour! I’ll be waiting patiently until you’ll tour internationally (only a matter of time, I guess).
Cheers, Julia
p.s. could’nt put my url because apparently it is ‘questionable content’
I am sooooo bummed! You’re going to be speaking right around the corner from my favorite LYS and I can’t get there. This is one of the few times in the past 30+ years that I have regretted deciding not to drive a car.
Enjoy Skaneateles, there are lots of nice people out that way, and the town itself is delightful.
‘scuse me while I go sniffle and whine…
This is directed at commentor Julia at 3:58pm
Julia ~ don’t, repeat don’t give Steph permission to wear underpants alone in public. She’ll do it anyway, but we’re trying to make sure she gets dressed each day…
Please, please come to California! I’ve looked at your tour schedule and we are nowhere to be found. There is lots of love for the Harlot and yarn out here so we’d love to have you. My LYS Full Thread Ahead in Los Altos, CA has hosted many visiting speakers soo maybe???? I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Have a great trip.
As a 4’10” shorty, may I suggest Gap ankle-length or Ann Taylor (or Ann Taylor Loft) petites? Those are the only places where I can get pants I don’t have to hem.
If they see my brother – say hi! He’s a peace corps volunteer in Nam Phong (Thailand) 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing you at Webs. The sales clerks made sure they told me on Friday. 🙂
Unless Lene is creating the Spreadsheet-of-life-while-Mum’s-away for you, give up now, petal. You’re giving up knitting time you may well need should the pant search not go well and quite possibly teaching your children phrases you’d rather they not repeat.
A good friend of mine and I share the quest for the perfect pants. Every time we find something close, we get excited. There have been a few finds. Personally, I like the fit of J.Jill pants (I also like the fact that they run a size bigger than marked so I get to believe that I’m a size 8 when I’m really a 10 in every other pair. Unless there’s spandex involved.
Got my three copies of your book on Friday, and gave two of them to good knitting friends/family. I’m now dividing my time between reading it, reading Mason-Dixon’s, and knitting several socks! It’s wonderful!
I’m with you on the luggage thing – but YAAAY, You’re coming to WEBS!! I haven’t even been there yet (hush, I’ve been planning it for YEARS, truly!), but I think it’s time for a SnB Field Trip!!!! YEEEHAAAAAW…! Can’t WAIT to meetcha, and see the place, n’ all that good stuff…maybe even buy a book, or two. 😉 Know of any good ones?
Gah! You have more flowers than we do here in Victoria! It is freezing out here compared to the balmy weather you all are getting in Toronto. Good luck with the pants on the tour – maybe this time I can catch you on tour instead of sending a lacket to get my book signed!
Steph – try Lands’ End. I really hate shopping for pants, too. I have a really short inseam, but Lands’ End has a vast array of inseam choices and are reasonably priced. Plus, if you hate to shop in public you can just buy them online:)
I live in fear of the day that Levis changes the jeans I always wear. Black jeans, every day. I don’t even have to try them on, just the usual 501s……..
I’m sending you good pants-finding vibes (and good grief, if anyone even *remembers* what pants you wore the last time, I’m astonished — unless of course it was tiger-striped polar fleece ones….).
When are you going to include Kelowna BC in one of your book tours? Huh, Huh? I’m sure there are lots of knitters here who’d love to meet you – including me!
You need to come to NYC. You’ll love the craft museum. Seriously, Philly gets Tut and we don’t. Philly get’s the Yarn Harlot and we don’t. We’re supposed to be the center of the universe. Philly is supposed to sort of like our not-too-distant moon. Something is not right around here.
I’d be very worried if someone remembered the exact pair of pants you wore last tour. You’re safe with a repeat.
Steph–I took a two month trip to Australia, Tahiti and New Zealand with only a daypack and a little carry-on wheelie bag. It can be done, darlin’, it just takes absolute ruthlessness about what you pack and a committment to hit a pay laundry place every eighth day. So I’m in NZ and find a lovely yarn shop in Queenstown with loads of beautiful laceweight at oh-mygod-can-you-believe-it low prices. Hmm. Yarn or extra underwear?
Girl, I didn’t even have to think about it.
Stephanie, you mentioned not finding plastic bags large enough to store stash. Ziplock makes a 60cm x 82 cm (2ft x 2.7ft) Heavy Duty size XXL bags with handles. Each one can hold a lot of stash. They may be easier to find than pants that fit. I am on the tall side with a little too much round the middle and have difficulty finding pants that fit, also. If you were coming to south Georgia I could give you some but…
Naomi
Oh my goodness, as long as Ian and Ali send you yarn, and not fleece. We cannot go through that again.
Good luck on the pants! I am large but petite, and I sure hate pants-shopping, so I feel for ya.
YAY! See you at Loop, instead! Oy, the parking.
Does your pair from the last tour have holes? If not, they’re fine. We’re all looking at your knitting anyway. 😉
Wear the same pants. If anyone notices they aren’t knitting enough.
My daughter’s friend is currently in Thailand. She communicated by way of instant messaging, that the current temp in Thailand is 100*. This could help explain the lack of necessary clothing.
I’ll be at Webs! Last time I made the trek to Northampton (I’m on the Boston side of MA) I didn’t get to buy anything at either of the yarn stores, so now I’ll get to see you and do some necessary splurging as well.
Woodstar has excellent homemade pastries if you just happen to need some that day.
Your book came today and I found out that I cannot read it and knit on the second sock in a twining pattern at the same time. My goal was to allow myself to read a chapter every time I knit 12 rounds on the sock. I messed up on the pattern and went two rows too far and had to tink back. So, do the two rows that I put in wrong, plus the two rows that I had to pull out plus the two rows to get back to the same place count as 6 rows??, and I only need to complete 6 more before I read the next chapter in the book?
Good luck on the pants hunt, and please figure out how you can get to someplace near Chicago. I will round up many of my knitting friends and even do a pants hunt if that would help.
Speaking of foreign yarn, whatever happened to that stinky goat yarn? I’ve been wondering whether you gave up on it and *gasp* threw away yarn or just stuck it in a ziplock and tried to forget it? Or have you actually de-stinked it?
Wouldn’t it save you time and much hassle if you were to knit yourself a pair of pants? Say in a nice linen for spring? Surely I can’t be the only one thinking this.
I’m so excited to see that you will be coming to Webs in a few weeks!
Lovely socks! I’m so excited about your tour though, as I am not yet independently mobile (I get my permit this summer)I keep hoping you’ll move further south to NC so I can convince one of my friends to take me. (I’m bribing them with knitted things, so it might work)
pants. blech. finding ones that fit without killing me is torture. I love skirts. can’t wait for the weather to get warmer so I can wear them again.
enjoy Skaneateles. dh’s uncle owns some hotel/restaurant sort of thing there. wish it weren’t so far. any chance of you getting to more of the Midwest? the Twin Cities have beaucoup de yarn shops. I’d be happy with something in Chicago/Wisconsin/Iowa though too.
oh, and I love the newest book! got it this weekend. it’s taking time away from knitting…
I’ll gladly make some pants for you in return for a pair of socks.
Oh my goodness–you are living in a dream world Steph if you think you can leave a LIST to go by for the girls and hubby. My bet is they won’t even read it so relax don’t fret they will be fine . I also have had a hard time finding pants till I wandered into MarksWork Warehouse one day. Since then No more problemoes and they do have slacks that look dressy.Are they the socks that get to travel with you ? The sweater colour is lovely but I don’t know where you are going to get the time to finish it before soaring like an eagle That is how you are going isn’t it ? OMG here we go again with the airport security haha Last but not least –Ian &Ali are going to have a great time and ALL will be fine with them too.Don’t forget you have a gazillion knitters all saying prayers for you all. Enjoy your trip
I just received two skirts — yes, you heard me correctly — skirts — from a company called The Travel Smith. I have high hopes for them. They arrived today and I have not yet opened the package. I’m afraid my hopes will be dashed. But everything from this company is lightweight, packable without wrinkles (supposedly) and most importantly of all — washable. All this is because I have all but given up hope that ANYbody is capable of making a pair of pants that fit me. It’s just so discouraging.
I would LOVE to see that sweater completed and on tour, where it was meant to be. 😉
Good luck on finding pants for the tour, though I honestly doubt anyone would care. I couldn’t go anywhere with just a backpack full for 5 weeks, well I could, but I’d miss my yarn so much.
Honestly, i don’t think anyone cares if you even wear pants, as long as you just show up. Speaking of showing up, we New Yorkers are still keeping our fingers crossed that you make it to our city. BTW, I owe you a big debt of gratitude: thanks to your sock recipe, i can now actually knit a sock without a pattern. Perhaps I’m dense, but I just couldn’t get my head around it until reading your explanation, and I suddenly had my “Eureka!” moment. Bless your heart. Safe travels to you, and hope to see you in our part of the world SOON.
I wasn’t thinking about Stephanie being able to knit herself a pair of pants at all, Barbara.
I was remembering when she didn’t need pants on her last bookbook tour – when she locked herself out her hotel room. She managed OK then with only a towel.
Unfortunately, to hold yarn and needles and a towel and possibly speaking notes, one needs three or four hands.
If you come to WI, specifically lake side, I know a great little shop right up your alley. Their called Ecology Outfitters (Sheboygan)and you can find Gramicci, Patagonia, Columbia, and other very cool things there. Even better yet, it’s attached to a candy shop called Chocolate Fantasies. You can kill two birds with one stone.
And if you spend too much time on the chocolates side of the store you can always head back over to the clothing side and buy new pants!
Happy dance, happy dance! I get to see you on Thursday!! You were supposed to come earlier, but you’re coming now!! (Can’t say the weather will be very good, we’re supposed to take a turn for the worse! But I have crocuses too.) Shall I bring chocolate?
…and I don’t care what pants you’re wearing…I’ve never seen any of them before except in photos…who cares!!
Woo-hoo! The Harlot will be in St. Louis. I am *SO* there.
I gave up on the perfect pants. Instead, I found the perfect seamstress to alter ones that almost (but not quite) fit. 🙂
Stephanie,
I am sincerely hoping you are planning to visit your fans on the western side of the United States! Stop anywhere in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, even southwestern Canada! Keep us posted. Best wishes on your trip!
PS. Much love from the Pacific Northwest!
If only we could get you out to Denver!! Aww, come on, lots of knitters out here. Tell Kelli (the wonder publicist, we said come on out!). There’s a great fiber festival in June, Estes Wool Festival and Market and you could sell lots of books, there, eh?
Where did you find your pants for the last tour? Perhaps you can go back there and look for the same brand? If so, maybe pick up 2-3 pairs, so you have variety? Wait, don’t chop my head off, I’m just saying and then you might not have to go shopping for the next book tour! 🙂
P.S. Or just find a seamstress and get a few pairs made.
Pants are a huge problem, no pun intended, and I just wanted to add my two cents worth that I learned when I was travelling a lot. If you don’t have a second pair of pants with you, the pants you plan on wearing for your presentation(s) will split right up the center rear. This will not, naturally, happen if you do have a back-up pair…
I am just under 6 feet tall, weight: way too much and I sew. Everything from quilts to drapes to jeans for the boys (when they were younger and it was “cool” to wear MomKosh). I do not have one pair of trousers that fit properly. Wear the same ones and distract us (not that I am going to be able to get to see you in the east so far) with your wonderful personality and skill.
For the pants, have you tried Mark’s Work Warehouse? They sell womens’ pants in inseam lengths down to almost short enough for me at 5-foot-nuthin. My current favorites are the “Women’s Denver Hayes L-Pocket Stretch Twill Pants” (Style# D645095W). They’re like buttah.
As I recall the first tour pants were Gap… classic styling, so keep on wearing them… I cannot recall what pants I was wearing, btw! Anyhow, got BBB3 and am really enjoying it. I do wish it came with a spiral binding to lay flat so I could read and knit at the same time, but maybe that would be just toooo much of a good thing?
Enjoy the crawl 8~]
Glad to see that sweater again. I have been wondering about it. Also wanting the stitch pattern 😉
You could wear the same pants…we won’t mind!! The big deal is YOU ARE ON TOUR! YOU ARE COMING TO PITTSBURGH!! (And Philly and other wonderful locales). Cannot wait to meet you in person!
unless those pants are knitted, no one is even going to see them…
Great, now I have to figure out how to get to Northampton from Somerville.
Why not Boston proper?
Dear Ms. Harlot,
Why oh why are you not visiting Los Angeles on this book tour? I’m prepared to bribe you with a trip to Disneyland if you come (I know all the good secrets, too).
FYI: stading in lines for rides is prime sock knitting time. Just putting it out there.
Man, i just LOVE this blog, and all the funnies and smilies and all the cool posters and just this bright spot in my weekly Monday hell.
Just. . . . thanks. *sigh*
Sounds like we all want you to visit. Would you ever consider a book signing in Salt Lake? My sister and I met you in San Diego at TNNA and talked to you about Salt Lake. (Come on, you remember everyone you talk to, right?) We would love to host you at our store, The Wool Cabin.
Diane has a point. Come out west. After Los Angeles, just head north (specifically Sacramento or nearby). We would be thrilled to see you.
Diane has a point. Come out west. After Los Angeles, just head north (Sacramento or nearby). We would be thrilled to see you.
Please excuse my comment in triplicate. I’m not too swift on a computer. But, I make a good point.
No one sells Regular Pants anymore. I’m not asking for pants to come up to my bra, but I’d like them somewhere near my waist. Around here, they sell low rise, lower rise, and indecent.
Don’t they know that crack kills?
Come to Texas. I’ll buy you lots of Mexican beer (or your drink of choice) and I cook like a demon.
My daughter and her husband left for Thailand on Feb. 5 with just two backpacks. All was well until they found the store that custom made suits. For the last two weeks of their trip, they carried a third rather large duffle bag. Their original plan was good but they just didn’t consider shopping in it.
Is the tour coming to Calgary eventually? We don’t care what you wear!
Don’t you know that an anti-pants stance just gives the ‘no sweaters’ people room for argument??
I wish your handlers would remember the rest of the country. What about the middle? What about the West? What about TEXAS???? Please come to Texas? Pretty please with Alpaca on top???
Oh. I thought you meant “tossed” as in salad…
Wear whatever you want, but know that it’s still not exactly summer, even in Philly, so just skipping the pants probably isn’t the best option. 🙂
Oh and did you know you made two #3 updates?
Just sayin.
BTW: To everyone in NYC who’s upset at not seeing YH? Rutherford,NJ has a direct train line from NYC, and the library’s about 5 minute’s walk from the train station. I’m also informed that they have some nice restaurants along this walk. Cheers!
What are the odds?
I’m currently knittings socks in Trekking XXL (color 100).
I’ve shown the vine sweater to my husband more than once, commenting, “I wish she’d post her pattern or at least identify the sources she cobbled together to create it. I really, really like that one.”
I might just make it to Lexington, KY; it’s “only” two hours from my LYS-less town. (Yes, that’s right – a LYS-less town!)
May you enjoy safe travels, exciting adventures, and much knitterly joy.
Steph- if you find the pants, buy two or more pair. In the same or different colors. Stop the madness.
Come to Tucson. Everyone’s wearing shorts.
I see no-one else has mentioned this, but since this is an international blog read by international types then I`ve got to point out that here in the UK, PANTS are UNDERWEAR. Knickers, panties, that sort of thing. The top layer visible things are called trousers, jeans, slacks etc.
Which is why I`ve reread your entire post and all the comments above with deeply juvenile tears of laughter running down my face, so sorry.
I have more luggage just to be in a car for 2 hours…that also disturbs me.
As for the pants, I sell womens clothing for a living. I train people, sometimes staff sometimes customers on how to find a pant that works. Somewhere in Toronto there is a clerk that can help you find pants, ask for help. That (ispite what some may think) is what they are there to do.
Send some of those pants people to other cities too! Desperately needed.
Can you knit pants? [The possible ‘sag’ factor of a well-loved pair would seem to be too scary to contemplate.] Probably even harder to face than the second-sleeve-second-sock-second-mitt syndrome if one is staring at a second leg….
They saying leggings are coming back [though NOT to this body!!]. These might be possible.
Why not send out the people who can go to far continents with only minuscule amounts of luggage to buy you pants as well as yarn? They must know some devious and wonderful things about clothes if they can manage that packing feat.
[Thinking good thoughts about safe travel and good yarns…]
Oh…My…God! I may have a heart attack. You cannot believe how ecstatic I am that you will be in Lexington, Ky at the end of this month! I will definitely, come hell or high water, be there to see you! Thank you! Thank you! Kelli! (oh, and btw, I don’t care what pants you wear! 🙂
…going somewhere for five weeks and only needing a backpack of stuff. I’m jealous…i’d never be able to do that as i tend to overpack for stuff. (I went to Germany once and i had one suitcase for my clothes and a whole another one to just carry a few knitting projects and yarn and some presents for the people that i was visiting…which included an afaghan, so yet more yarn.)
I can just hear it now: “like, omigawd, is she like wearing the same pants as the last tour? Thats like so totally uncool!” 🙂
I’ll see you at WEBS!
WOW on the packing light thing! I just went to NYC for two days last week and had 2 carry on bags and thought I had done great. Oh, but I left ALL knitting at home so as to personally show hubbo that
he was all I could think of for two days. Didn’t have time to knit anyway. Good luck on your packing. Then again you’re speaking at knit shops, right? No need to take yarn (just needles) since they’ll supply you with new stash.
I am sure they will have an amazing time. I went to Cambodia and Thailand over my Christmas/New Year break and loved every moment. Especially Cambodia. They are some of the nicest, friendliest, most wonderful people I have ever met. Plus Angkor Wat is beyond incredible. Stunning. No good words to properly explain it.
I hope you do another book tour next year when I am back in Canada because I would LOVE to see you speak.
Good luck with the pants quest.
Hey Steph – Don’t stress over the pants. We don’t care about those. Just go for comfort & wear a pretty shawl 😉 & it won’t matter to us. I do hope you’ll make it out to the West again – Seattle or Vancouver B.C. I can hardly wait to get my hands on bookbookbook #3.
p.s. I finished my Knitting Olympics project. After frogging x2 I’m just happy that it fits. 🙂
Someone suggested that you wear a skirt instead of pants. If you do that, Sally will have to take you shoe shopping! *L* Two words: sweat pants!
No Chicago stops on the tour yet? Boo, hiss. When in the Philly area I highly recommend The White Dog Cafe. Not vegetarian (there are good options, though), but a cool restaurant with a commitment to organic food and a great social consciousness. I go every time I am back east. I also love the Reading Terminal Market. (There is a similar indoor farmers’ market in Toronto.) There is a great knitting store in the Chestnut Hill section of the city but I can’t remember the name. Doylestown has its charm, too. Hope all goes well.
I would strongly argue for pants in Pittsburgh, especially this week. And a heavy sweater, and coat, and scarf, and hat. Despite the fact that we’ve just had several gorgeous spring days, the forecast for tomorrow is SNOW and who knows what it’ll be like by Friday.
yes, well….when I travel to Europe for 4-6 weeks I seem to carry less than when I go away for a week in the States. I have no idea why! It is, perhaps, the luxury of emptying all the concoction bottles by the time I have to come home and trying to fill those spaces with all the treasures that I find when there!
I feel your pants pain. I, too, have lots of trouble finding pants that fit. I’ve had the best luck lately at Old Navy.
I wish you were coming to Vancouver! I know a few people who’d come to see you, that’s for sure. Happy travels!
I just had to comment again. Seriously, if you had a friend or aquaintance who wore only a few of the same things over and over, would you care? Well, neither would I and neither would all your loving knitting public.
Check out the Lands End website. They offer custom-made pants from the measurements you submit online. It won’t help you for this trip, as it takes several weeks to receive them, but it might help you in the future. I ordered three pairs of the jeans and pants, and they all fit.
You mean “tossed” as in “salad.” 😉
BTW, come to Georgia, come to Georgia, come to Georgia!!!!
New reader here, now totally addicted. *Fantastic*, Stephanie! Managed to catch-up from the beginning, when I got around to putting in a couple YH-devoted days. Even when interrupted by major tantrum at discovering yes, I *had* missed last year’s appearance at Powell’s in Portland. Argh! I live in hope for later segments of this tour. And who cares about pants? If you must, grab 5 or so of the many who’ve volunteered; send ’em your measurements; let them deliver a new pair when you hit their city. Pay with extra copies of books. Problem solved. Plus new PR opp: “Will tour for pants.” 😉
To Noreen in PDX, who commented on the 31st she couldn’t find bookbookbook3 in Portland yet – hey, Noreen, Powell’s has it! I ordered all 3 via their website last week. 😉 Looking forward to total immersion in a day or two. Anticipating muchly, Steph. And thanks for all the enjoyment I’ve had already from the blog. (Why is my vision so blurry??)
Get thee to the Gap young Harlot! (I haven’t had my coffee yet this morning sorry) They do ankle length, regular, long, and tall! Plus they now have “curvy” cut pants for women who are not built like some strangely blonde hotel heiress. So the hips fit and the waist actually fits too!
Steph, you are on a book tour, not a pants tour. Wear the same pants. Wear them over and over. If you want to wash them, stop in New Orleans or Baton Rouge and use our machine. Just tour, soon, and come our way!
Best,
Dez, who also hateshateshates buying pants. Try L.L. Bean, where women are allowed to be shaped like women.
Rewarding and fun trip wishes to Ian and Ali. I will admit to lightheadedness when I read that was all their luggage. I take more than that to take the kids to school every day as “you just never know.” I would think the tiny luggage would be very liberating but know it’s not in this soul to give it a try.
Good luck on the pants. If I ever find a pair that fits well I rush back and buy as many as I can find, then wear them until they are not socially acceptable anymore. Your light at the end of the pants buying trouble is a nice trip to visit knit shops and knitters so at least there is a reward dangling at the end of it. Have a great trip and hope you make it to NC soon.
Love the Trekking sock. That is a great colorway. So pretty next to the *yellow* blossoms as well.
Sending safe travel thoughts to your brother and sil. That is truly amazing about the luggage…
Make sure your travelling family gives Cambodia a hug and kiss from us (our son was born in Cambodia and adopted by us a year or so later and we think of it often).
My husband has resigned himself to our adjusted anniversary celebrating plans, so that I can go to the signing when you’re in Mass. Safe journeys!
Yeah, my project got delayed until next week, so I get to visit on Thursday in Skaneateles. I’ve called to get a chair, have a trekking sock on the needles and all 3 of your books to be signed.
Try Old Navy for pants, they often have something that will do for a reasonable price (at least on this side of the lake).
One backpack each, eh?… That might last me the plane trip… one way…
Message for Kelli-the-new-wonder-publicist:
OHIO! Bring the Yarn Harlot to OHIO!!
WOW! How cool – and ironic? – but we are planning a trip (my first!) out to Webs on April 22nd and look who will be there!! I’m so excited. I’m a big fan of ordering from Webs online, but have been very much looking forward to getting out to the store and TOUCHING… and I’ve been hoping you’d make it somewhere in New England on this tour… woo hoo, what a day!
Oh wow, Thailand, that means they’re coming my way!
Don’t give too high hopes for yarns from Thailand or Cambodia. So far, I’ve tried hunting down nice yarns here but couldn’t find even one I want to touch. *urgh*
Ian and Ali didn’t take yarn?
come west! it’s like travelling far and we don’t get a lot of book tours in the mountains of colorado!
I’ve just read an article in the local rag of how women knitted 2 socks at once during WW1. The socks end up one inside the other as the knitting progresses. Mind-boggling. Twocatsandgirl (and apparently Tolstoy!) explain it at http://www.twocatsandagirl.com/archives/000792.html
Whew, I’m glad you explained the “tossing the stash” comment. I basically figured out what you meant, but my heart stopped when I first read that the other day. As far as book tour, we’d love to have you here in Idaho, but Portland, Oregon would be great as well. I could always use the excuse of going to visit my sister. But really, she would have nothing to do with it. It’d be all about you, dear Harlot.
I sure hope you’re coming further south in the US than just Kentucky! There’s a whole lot of us here in Atlanta that want to see you, so please come visit us. Its perfect right now: dogwoods, azaleas, pollen…
My brother and his girlfriend are backpacking/touring through Thailand for a month! And they promised to mail me yarn, too! Mmmmmmm, Thai silk!
Just had to share. Always enjoy the blog
Robin
When, oh when, oh when is Kelly the wonder publicist getting you down to Houston though??? Philly 2 times within a year, and yet no trip to the 4th largest city in the US. So sad. We have several fabulous yarn shops, one of the largest knitting guilds in the US, and many people that are just in love with your books. I hope that you make it down to Houston sometime SOON! (Hint. Hint. Oh, and Twisted Yarns in Spring, Texas. The perfect shop for you to visit here!)
Would you at least consider coming to the Correct Coast? As in California?
Pout. Why won’t you come to see us in Maryland? It is nice this time of year. Truly! Being a misplaced New Englander of Canadian descent, I’m telling you, you don’t know what you are missing!! I’d so love to see you in these parts.
PLease come to Wisconsin!! Madison has some neat yarn stores Like the Knitting Tree and Lakeside fiber. We are finally having some nice weather and would love to see you!
Your relatives are backpacking through Cambodia? I thought only the Marines had to do that.
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bloggertips.net: http://www.bloggertips.net
bloggerville.org: http://www.bloggerville.org
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The twocatsandagirl.com site is down.
I would love to see a copy of the explanation fo the 2 socks at once if anyone happens to have one.
I tried the internet archive and it doesn’t have a copy either.
chair comfortable most office – http://www.lactatingbabe.info/chair-comfortable-most-office.html