I did, I did not and I do.

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I did finish the book. (Or very much close enough. It’s gone to the Editor and I feel an ethereal lightness. I don’t think Joe could be any happier either.)

Didntmakit

I did not finish the shawl before our event on Saturday.

Ganswynot309

Nor did I finish its companion, Joe’s gansey. These two projects were intended for greatness this weekend, and sadly…the limits on this knitters time were too much. It’s quite funny though…that out of all of the times that I have pulled off a completely wild amount of knitting on an insane deadline, it strikes me as hilarious (and perhaps a smidge ironic) that these are the two projects that didn’t make their intended event. The event?

Hint130-1

Any Guesses?

Totallymarried-1

How about now?

1,177 thoughts on “I did, I did not and I do.”

  2. Congratulations!!!!
    I’m sure the knitted goods were the last things on your minds that day!
    I hope the weather cooperated for you this weekend!
    Congrats, Stephanie!
    The shawl and gansey will look lovely on your anniversary!

  3. there truly *are* no events to which knitwear will not be appropriate and wonderful. congratulations!

  4. Congratulations!!! I am a long time reader but never have commented and am so VERY happy for you! Best wishes!!

  5. Congratulations Stephanie! I love LOVE love the flowers you chose… so beautiful….
    please do show more pics…
    Heidi

  6. Well congratualtions! A wedding! how lovely! Am I am the first to offer blessings? Many many happy years to you both!!

  9. Oh my goodness! Congratulations! And may you continue to have much happiness always!

  16. Yet again the knitting muse offers proof that life is a work in progress.
    Congratulations and joy to all of you.

  20. Nuh-UH!!!!!!!!!!! How awesome! Congratulations to you both. I too love your flowers – and laugh at the irony of the WIPs That Almost Were. (I already have grand schemes for knitting my own garter, shawls for each of my bridesmaids, pocket squares for my groom and his attendants, plus a fabulous reception shawl for myself. Any guesses on how all that might turn out?)

  24. Congratulations! And may I say – what a lovely manicure. That must have been a hell of an event to make you go to the nail salon during a deadline week 🙂

  27. Congratulations and all…. but ARE YOU NUTS?!?!?
    Not about the wedding of course, but the combination of wedding, book, gransey and shawl.
    Reminds me of when we moved from NY to VA – I was 8 months pregnant with 2 small children, building a new house and living in a 2 bedroom apartment with just about everything we owned in storage until the house was ready. Any one of those would be enough for a sane woman, but we had all of it. It’s a wonder we are still married!

  29. Congratulations! Can we have a moment of silence to mourn the passing of the Godless Heathen Union?

  33. Wow! Congratulations!! You have been way busier than I suspected! I wish you much happiness and all the best for the many long and contented years of your lives together!
    And…we need pictures!

  34. Eeeekkkkk!!!!! Congratulations to both of you!!!! Just too cool!! More pictures please!!!

  38. No now this is a state recognised heathen union? and a book. Sweet. I’ll bet you both are floating 3 feet off the ground

  40. OMG! Congratulations and good on ya, and what a fabulous thing, and not enough words to convey – Very, very cool. Very cool.

  41. Congratulations! We’d love to see more pictures if you feel you could share. The flowers are beautiful! With all the pressure you had, you seem to have held up very well.

  43. Woohoo! All the best to the two of you – how fantastically fun, to be married to your best friend! Where’s the honeymoon going to be? 😉

  44. Oh Stephanie, I am so happy for you and Joe! May you have many, many more wonderful years together. Congratulations on finishing book 4 too. Can’t wait to read it. M. Gail

  46. The best part about this? You get a SECOND HONEYMOON! At least, I hope so…. maybe the girls won’t let you get away, but you at LEAST deserve a night in a hotel together. 😉

  47. Holy crap! That’s one hell of a secret to keep! I can’t believe you had a deadline for a book, a shawl, a sweater….and you made it official. Congratulations!!!!

  49. ZOMG! *beams and bounces!* Congrats! I spontaneously squealed in a range normally heard only by dogs and possibly small children, and actually burst into applause.
    And here all that without any coffee yet this morning. YAY!

  52. You already had it going for you – this is just icing on the cake – er… (sorry – couldn’t resist) –
    Congratulations, happy happy joy joy, and all the best forever.

  55. Congratulations!! I even got teary-eyed 🙂 What a WONDERFUL way to spend a Saturday!!! (And that is a nice manicure 😉

  56. WWWWHHHHHEEEE! Heartfelt congratulations! Now that you’ve tied the knot (three teenage daughters later), whom did you get off your back? Mother, mother-in-law, kids??? Do tell! 🙂 Enjoy the honeymoon you newlyweds!

  57. It took me a few seconds of looking at the picture, rereading the title to understand! Congratulations, I hope the day was as beautiful as possible and I can’t stop myself from saying it (I have a flower obsession) that the bouquet is absolutly beautiful! the mis of the dark reds and shiny green is perfect for automn!

  59. The end of the GHU!
    I’ve been busting a gut not to say anything, but now I can finally say I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for you and Joe and the girls. What a great family.

  60. Holy cow! I hope we’re right in assuming the hands belong to you and Joe, and not to one of your daughters and a scurrilous suitor? COngratulations!! (Do they call them french manicures in Canada? Fancy!)

  68. To MTB, it did rain, but it didn’t matter.It was an indoor wedding,it did stop later in the evening.
    Stephanie and Joe, it was a stunning wedding, and your whole combined families are so talented.
    You guys rock……..hard
    I hope you showed Joe how good you are……..at ordering room service. hugs and kisses

  69. Congratulations on your public announcement of your deep and enduring private commitment!
    My worldview includes a Christian outlook, and so I wish you this:
    May God continue to bless you both as He has already so richly done!
    And I’m with Meghan; the shawl and gansey will look marvelous on your anniversary.

  71. Congratulations on your government sanctioned but presumably still somewhat godless heathen union. Happiness and health to both of you.

  72. Purr-fect there, grrl! The sweater and shawl will make wonderful 1st anniversary gifts…not a year from now. Maybe your 1 week anniversary or 1 month….something like that!

  73. Ha Ha! Sorry, I’m glad you’re finally married, but it just cracks me up that you would plan a wedding for the same weekend as a book deadline, and then try to finish two massive knitting projects at the same time. Best wishes to you both. I’m sure the gansey and the shawl will be adequately appreciated whenever they are done!

  74. I’m guessing that you having finished the book is not the only reason Joe couldn’t be any happier! Congratulations!

  75. WOW!!! Congratulations! That’s so exciting! I don’t know how you could possibly concentrate on the book, let alone the knitting with so much going on. And you’re blogging about it on Monday? You are a better blogger than I! Again, congratulations, and best wishes for much happiness!

  76. A hundred thousand blessing on you both. I’m going to go eat some cake in your honor. (Thanks for giving me the excuse, by the way…)
    You know what? I haven’t been this happy to be sniffling into a hankie since my Fourth-n-Final baby was put into my arms. 🙂

  77. Dear Stephanie,
    At his 40th anniversary celebration (many years ago) our minister said: “A happy mariage is a long falling in love.” We’ve been married 38 years now, and I always remember that. You and Joe have had a long falling in love already… and long may you continue. My cheeks ache from smiling for you!

  82. Girl: what else can I add except YAHOOOZIE! as me and my girlfriends say. I also send along my congrats as another recent bride, who married her long-time, living together love this summer. My unfinished lace ended up being ‘table-runner’ under a vase of flowers.
    Blessings and joy to you and Joe.

  83. Holy frijoles! A book, a shawl, a gansey, _and_ a wedding? You are certifiably bonkers. The beautiful bouquet at least shows that not all of your faculties have disintegated in the face of such extreme pressure.
    Blessings and wishes for many years of loud guitar and handknits together!

  87. Oh! I got the goosebumps reading this!!! Congratulations! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness (and yarn)!

  90. Yay, Stephanie and Joe! I have tears in my eyes for you! Weddings always do that to me. Congratulations on everything – book, wedding, life. I want to hear more if you’re willing to share.
    Yay!

  93. That is SO STEPHANIE!!!
    Really, congratulations, and may you CONTINUE to have a long, happy life together!
    You brought a big smile to my face today.

  95. Congratulations Stephanie, Wow, what a wonderful thing…. no wonder you didn’t get your knitting done. And a wedding so soon after the book was due?… you are a brave woman. I, too, want to see more photos.

  98. Congrats!!! You should think of it as a good thing that you didn’t finish the sweater… it could have invoked the curse.

  99. Congratulations! The shawl made a lovely backdrop for the beautiful flowers, and will look amazing on your anniversary! 🙂

  101. Wow-Congratulations! So happy for you all! The flowers are beautiful. Wear the gansey and shall on your 1st non-heathen anniversary (plenty of time to finish them by then). More pictures please! What a Happy, Happy Day!

  104. Holy Cow! If I ever need someone to keep a secret for me, I’ll let you know. Congratulations! And, you are completely nuts to have all those deadlines plus a wedding at once. Which is why we all adore you so.

  105. You definitely threw me off with the nails! Mostly because I couldn’t figure out when you would have had time to get them done. Anyway, congratulations on EVERYTHING and I second the motion for more pictures, if you are willing to share. 🙂

  111. Oh, congratulations! Not that you needed the government sanction to be happy, you obviously already were…but still, congratulations!! May you have many more happy years together!

  113. A book deadline… two major knitting projects… and a wedding? You really DO thrive on stress, don’t you?
    My sweetie finished his PhD, got married, moved to a new state (in the process, becoming a first-time homeowner), and started a new job… granted, not all on the same day, but in about ten days. A very, very memorable ten days. (I did all that, too, minus the degree and the job).
    Congrats, and welcome to domestic bliss!

  117. Congratulations! I can’t believe you got married after all that insanity! May you have many years of happiness and health together. Blessed be.

  118. Oh, and there must have been dancing, it being your family and all.
    So, we need pictures!
    Congrats, again!

  119. Now the world knows your full madness.
    I said it before and I’ll say it again – congratulations to you both and all my love forever.
    The flowers, verra nice. And the tablecloths were EXCELLENT. Great job 😉

  120. Congratulations!!!!!!!! As a bride you are entitled not to think about completing 3 simultaneous projects!

  125. Congratulations!!!! My heartfelt wishes to you and Joe. May you have many blessed years together.
    (I was a little slow on the uptake – I thought, “Good G_d, she is now making brides and grooms pose with her WIP.” Upgrading from socks touring.)
    I can not even fathom all of your yarn balls in the air! Wow – amazing as always 🙂

  126. Blessings and congratulations! OMG, your wedding on top of book, tour, shawl, gansey and girls!?! You truly are an amazing woman.
    Now, promise us that, despite the passing of the wonderful heathen union, you shall not cease to be known as the Yarn Harlot?

  129. Much love to you both and the rest of the family. I’m off to celebrate with a large glass of red and an unfinished sock 🙂

  130. Congratulations! Well, you’ll just have to have them done for your “first” anniversary. 😉

  131. Squeeee!!! I hope you two had a lovely Un-Heathening Day!
    I do hope you’ll treat us to more pictures from your big event soon enough, even if the shawl and the gansey had to send their regrets.
    Congratulations!!

  133. I love the fact that your wedding pictures are posed in front of your (Unfinished)knitting. You really do have it all.

  135. So, you are no longer a heathen, godless couple? well, congrats. wow a book deadline on top of a marriage ceromony. Boy you just gotta make it hard huh? No really, congrats.

  137. Ohhh…you’re not Godless Heathens anymore… I’m so happy for both of you… (My dad and stepmom had us all stand up with them when they ended their 8 years of Godless Heathen-dom…you will have to give us more pictures.) The gansey and the shawl can be belated gifts–after all, the wedding took it’s time and the gifts can too.
    Congratulations…

  138. I see, so that’s what you meant by “all the way” on your anniversary. You must have been crazy to plan a wedding and a book deadline in the same week…..j/k! Congratulations & many happy years ahead!!

  141. OMG! I always cry at weddings, and this is no exception. Tears of joy are streaming down my face. I am sooo happy for you and Joe! I had sensed that you were being less than your usual “no-holds barred, my life is entirely open for your entertainment, enlightenment, whatever” self. Now I know why. Talk about keeping a secret. I am blissfully happy for both of you
    (( :-)))

  144. Seems odd to congratulate a couple who have already been truly married for so long. So congrats instead for already having a great marriage, and hurray for the public celebration of said union!
    (and the legal bit really does come in handy)

  146. Joe’s not happy about the book, he’s happy to be legal! Seriously, this is what comes from calling him your husband so much in the last few books. Be careful what you wish for. Best wishes for even more happy years!

  147. Hearty congratulations to both of you, and to the whole family as you enter this next chapter.
    Vicky

  149. CONGRATULATIONS!
    interesting.. i’m not a long time reader and for some reason assumed you were already married 🙂 this makes the surprise even better for someone like me!
    many more happy years for you two!

  150. Congratulations Stephanie and Joe!
    I wish you all the best in your next however many years it is together, and then some!

  154. Fantastic news. Mazel tov and good on ya!
    The shawl, by the way, is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

  155. Wow! Congratulations, best wishes, many happy returns, and how in the world did you manage to keep all of this a secret?
    Or was the purpose of the gansey and the shawl to provide distraction to we readers out here?
    Best wishes always, and many more happy years together!

  156. I was so stunned and happy for you when I first commented, that I totally forgot that Saturday was MY ANNIVERSARY! May we have Many, Many more!

  157. Wow! I was going to say congratulations on finishing the book (and still do mean it) but bigger congratulations on the wedding! I wish nothing but many many more happy years for your family!

  159. Wowzers! My heart sank at the thought of the unfinished projects, then rose again when I realized the more important event that took place. (What incredibly gorgeous flowers.) Congratulations to both of you!

  162. I must admit to wondering if that was the driving force behind Joe’s gansey.
    Congratulations to you on finishing the book, and to you both on making your heathen union official.
    ALSO? WTF were you thinking stacking those deadlines? 😉

  167. I too am delurking to say congratulations, much happiness, I can’t believe you did it at the same time your book was due, and I had tears in my eyes while reading this. What a wonderful, wonderful, thing.

  169. I’m with Ewe-niss, I was thinking “Wow, that’s some good knitting when you’ve got newlyweds wanting to pose with it…OHHHHHHHHH!!!!” Congratulations to you and your entire family!!!!

  172. Congratulations on getting “all the way” married! Saturday was my birthday – can’t think of a better event to share it with than your wedding. 🙂

  173. OMG…Congratulations!!!! I couldn’t be happier for you two. Come on now…show us some more pictures of the event. Don’t worry about the knitting. You have many more years of happiness and great events to wear them too. After all you have three daughters to marry off.

  174. Book done – check.
    Hitched for eternity – check.
    Sanity returning to Chez Harlot – check.
    Congratulations all around!
    (Why do I picture your sanity just standing on the front stoop with a hobo stick/bandana pouch wondering whether it should come in or go back to riding the rails?)

  175. So. . . does this mean the “godless heathen union” is now an official union? What made you guys decide to formalize things? (okay–that was a nosey question and none of my business) You two obviously have a special relationship so all I can wish you are many healthy, happy years. (and astronomical book sales)

  178. Equinox having just passed I’ll throw my studio cat over the bonfire for youse both at the next full moon. All Happiness with no end

  180. Oh my gosh! How exciting for you! A big congratulations and I second everyone else – more pictures, please!
    The gansey SO needs to be a Christmas gift. That way, you can tell everyone that of course you have started your holiday knitting already…. 🙂

  183. I can’t believe you finally did it. But, what were you thinking having these two big deadlines at once? Congratulations. Best wishes. More happy years. A triple toast to both of you and your girls too.

  185. A wedding! Wow! How could you have even been thinking of anything else?? Many blessings and best wishes for a future even brighter than the past.

  187. Oh!! Congratulations!!!!!! I never thought you’d give up your heathen union, and become legally obligated to each other. That’s so awesome, this knitters heart is warmed.

  188. Congratulations!
    Funny, I’ll never forget your wedding day as it’s exactly two weeks after mine. So, in twenty years I’ll be thinking, hey, it’s the Yarn Harlot’s wedding anniversary. [g]
    All the best!!

  189. My heart is smiling so much.
    Pretty rings, and I bet you are a beautiful bride. I also bet Joe is the happiest guy in the world, and the girls? Did they let you have some of the cake?

  190. Congratulations!
    The realization of that you were saying dawned so slowly, then I yelped out loud. I wish you and your family all the best.

  193. OK.. It should be official.. You are the supreme in showing that dedlines motivate you… To finish so much.. and to have to plan so much,, and to accomplish so much.. just WOW… Congrats. Take a break and enjoy the knitting,,lol now that the deadlines are a bit subsided….

  194. Congratulations!
    And I shall now commence feeling smug about getting my shawl done in time for my wedding this upcoming weekend. 😉

  195. Oh, Steph, fantastic! Congratulations and big hugs to you and Joe and the girls! Beautiful picture of your hands with your rings…gorgeous bouquet… And hey – the gansey and shawl aren’t ‘unfinished’, they’re ‘symbols of how two beautiful and intricate works come together as partners in the process of knitting together a union’. (Or something like that. [g]) Which togetherness I hope will last for years and years and years. Blessings!! I hope you had a magnificent party and honeymoon. And yes, if you can share, we’d love to see more pix.
    (Ok, now *I’m* sniffling, ’cause Mike and I had our own little GHU, then eloped to Reno on a Labor Day weekend, and simply had a big party for a reception in October. It was great. Only we compressed the whole thing into about 5 months before our wedding, LOL. And no one was writing a book under deadline. Wonderful memories. May you have equally wonderful ones.)

  196. I must say that your nails look TERRIFIC in those pictures. If I was under the amount of stress that you’ve been in the last few weeks, er, months, er, years…my nails would probably be sad jagged stumps.
    Congratulations Steph and Joe – many, many, many more happy years to come.
    xo,
    Elisa

  197. WOW! I can’t believe you kept quiet about it this whole time. I juat got married 5 weeks ago and I’m very happy that I wasn’t writing a book while planning my wedding! Congratulations!

  198. OH! How thrilling! Congratulations to you, and I hope the onlookers all threw Kidsilk Haze and hand-beaded stitch markers.

  201. Well, congratulations! This was quite the month for you 🙂 you were already an honest woman, so I’m not sure what being legally married will get you…However, Nora Ephron was right when she said “married is better.” Enjoy!

  203. Congratulations!! Way to keep a secret. I guess you have been a little busy lately. How DO you do it? Best wishes!

  208. Was it just me? It didn’t even occur to me until I reached the comments that the hands were yours and Joe’s. Mazel tov and many happy returns!

  209. Congratulations! May you have a fabulous marriage. Always happy is a little too much to ask for and would be a little creepy, but I hope you have more ups than downs and that the downs are not very far down or very long.

  210. Wow, how beautiful…a gathering with family and friends to declare the love you have for each other…sweet….and making it legal and all that…but I’m hoping yours is still the blessed godless heathen union that it has always been and always will be. The flowers are beautiful as are the Bride and Groom.

  215. Wow! You absolutely DID take my breath away with this post. I sat here like a stunned bunny! Congratulations! As with a previous commenter, I thought that you seemed to be holding back about something, but I have to admit, I would never have suspected this!
    HAPPY, HAPPY DAYS to you both!!!
    Sheila in Boston

  216. WOW!!!
    Congratulations! The moment I saw the flowers and the shawl I knew what you were refering to as the “event” No more Godless Heathen Union?
    LOL!! How terrific for you. You can wear the shawl and the gansey on your first anniversary dinner out
    We did same thing Sept 11 (after 17 years of GHU)

  218. Congratulations, beautiful knitting, beautiful flowers. Can’t believe you were working under so many deadlines.
    Best wishes to all of you.

  220. I bet you’re the only woman in history who had a BOOK DEADLINE the day before she got married.
    I mean, think about it. At least not someone who was planning on getting married that is.
    Congratulations Steph, I’m really happy for you and I hope that you had a kick ass party afterwards. 🙂

  226. Congratulations! May you have a long and happy life together. I’m sure it was a splendid wedding with much dancing, but…. planning it for the same weekend as the book deadline???? Takes the whole bridezilla thing to a new level, doesn’t it? 🙂

  228. CONGRATULATIONS! How wonderful! What a sly one you are, not giving us a hint. A book tour, a new book, a shawl, a gansey and a wedding… you’re amazing! Blessings on both of you (and the girls) — and many, MANY more happy years together.

  230. Wow – that sure was quite a deadline.
    Congratulations to the whole family.
    I’m dying to know how many times the phrase “it’s about time” was uttered the day of the event 😉 I know my parents heard it A LOT when they finally made things all official like.

  231. CONGRATULATIONS!
    Wow, a book and a marriage all in one weekend! You ARE superwoman!
    A loooooong life of love and happiness to you both!

  233. Congradulations – on the book – the wedding and the almost shawl & gansey. Many more happy years to you both!

  234. Congratulations!! WOW!! This is a really good excuse to go to Belize! 😀

  235. Wow – congratulations! and beautiful flowers! So, a wedding, a book deadline and two knitting deadlines the same weekend; the knitter’s ‘alternative relationship with time’ strikes again… Best wishes for many years of happiness…

  236. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and this has just made my day. I am stunned that you managed to fit in ‘planning a wedding’ amongst everything else you had a deadline for. I swear, you are an inspiration in the time management department.
    Many, many congratulations and love to you both. May you and Joe have many, many happy years together.
    Claire (who met you in Brooklyn but was too shy to be as effusive as she wanted to be!)

  237. Congratulations and many more adventures together. I am a long-admirer-non-poster, but this deserves interaction. I am thinking, which deadline was set first…book or the ‘event’? Much happiness.

  238. Mazel tov!
    Hey, did you find any sparkly Birks to wear? 😉 If I’d known this was coming, I might have considered loaning them to you. (MIGHT.)

  239. wonderful news, almost as good as mine. After 10 years of trying my hubbie and I are shocked to find out were are pregnant. What a wonderful world. Cheers Louise

  241. Decided that if the gays could get married in Canada, so would you? KIDDING!! Thanks for helping to prove once again that equality is only dangerous to small minds (and godless heathen unions.)

  242. You know, I have this terrible feeling that after ~200 comments you’re going to say “That’s not Joe and me, that’s [insert name of blogger / family member here].”
    Congratulations! I wish you both the very best.

  243. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
    May you have many wonderful blessings, loads of fun, and a long and happy life with your hubby!!! : )

  245. you know, there are easier ways to get into the guiness book of world records than having the longest engagement on earth………..hehehe
    good on ya for makin in legal, but would it be okay if i still think of you as a heathen?
    congratulations on finally gettin a fancy ring!

  246. Congratulations & best wishes. What a surprise! Do you stop becoming a Harlot now that you’re a respectable woman? Yeah, I know: Yarn Harlot, but work with me on this 🙂

  249. Congratulations to both of you! (and the girls) Best wishes for many more happy years together!

  250. Best Wishes, congratulations, and many More years to come. What a wonderful surprise for us this morning. Catch up on your sleep, unwind, relax,….(VBG), and knit.
    Love, Sarah

  252. Not only is that hilarious, but I couldn’t imagine it working out any other way.
    Mr. Washie was best man, I presume?
    Congrats! All the best!

  254. Holy Cow! Mega-CONGRATS!!!!! Hurray for the wedding and horray for the finished book! Who cares if knitting got finished! May you be as happily married 50 years from now as you are today (and to each other! ;))
    PS – the shawl and sweater are both going to be stunning once finished. Can’t wait to see!

  256. I may be the first to say this, but HEY…just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s not still a godless heathen union! Only the “union” part has been (slightly) redefined…but if the members are still godless heathens… 🙂
    In all seriousness, mazel tov to both of you! What beautiful flowers…what beautiful knitting…and what a beautiful life you have together. Many general-purpose blessings as you enter the new phase of ring-wearing!

  257. Lots and lots of congratulations are in order, right in line with what everyone else is squealing.
    I have a sneaking suspicion Joe’s happiness isn’t entirely due to the book being finished. It seems you two are stuck with one another all official-like now. He’s a lucky man…and as a side note, I’ll never know where you manage to generate the extra hours in a day to do all that you do.

  258. All the best! As a former GHU club member whose wedding anniversary also is in the fall (Oct. 2), I can tell you that either way is pretty excellent.
    Did you keep it a secret just so you could post that short, cryptic blog entry and have us all falling off our chairs in amazement?
    Hope the event was a blast; best wishes for your futures and for adding another anniversary (otherwise known as a “reason to party”) to your life.
    Karen

  259. I think this has been said before: Holy shit!
    Wonderful, wonderful! Congratulations and best wishes for more wonderful years together than you’ll ever be able to count (sort of like the bindoff of a pi shawl).

  261. Congratulations! As a bride-to-be myself (1 month, 2 days…..I’m not counting 😀 ), I’m very impressed with your ability to keep this secret, finish a book, work on two knitting projects AND get married. 🙂

  262. Best wishes on a whole new chapter in your love story. (A love story beats a fairy tale anyday.)
    P.S. You’ll find that new ring of yours is very handy for holding a cable needle…

  263. Am I the only person in the free (knitting) world who didn’t know you and Joe weren’t already married? Many, many congratulations and blessing so the two of you!

  264. Congratulations and Best Wishes! And what a relief it must have been to ship the book off as well. Talk about a weight off your shoulders. Whew! I can’t imagine how much pressure you were under leading up to the weekend. My head would have exploded.

  266. I bow to the Goddess of the Insanely Huge To Do List. We’ve long known you are amazing but, wow! All the best to you both.

  267. Sneaky, sneaky!
    You pulled the wool over our eyes with THAT!
    All of my wishes (I’m pulling lots of kamrma on this one) for the best conjoined life EVER!
    Tell Joe that he’s to be congratulated, as WE all know he got a REAL gem (and not the ones on y’alls fingers, either!)

  268. Holy crap, woman. I thought I was nuts trying to write my thesis and plan my wedding (THIS SATURDAY OH MY GO!!!)at the same time. but I still have a few months on the thesis. You had a BOOK AND TWO KNITTING DEADLINES???
    You so crazy.
    But CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so happy for you both!!!

  269. What ambitious plans you had!
    Many, many congratulations to the whole harlot family.

  271. Does this mean that you and Joe have been living in sin all this time?! No wonder you call yourself a Harlot!
    Mega-congratulations and best wishes.
    And I can’t wait to read the book.

  275. Congrats…
    on celebrating some very important chapters
    in your life. Raise your glass, sit back,
    take a deep breath and relax!
    hugs
    Sally Black
    PS…Your “Rules” book saved me this past weekend and yes I am one of those strange individuals who did need to make a pointy hat God forbid but I had a good reason…Halloween!

  281. congratulations and all the warmest wishes for a delightful marriage! making it legal is a funny thing… there’s much to be said for “livin’ in sin” (as they said in louisiana) and much to be said for marriage! on this side of the border, they do give us an excellent tax break 🙂
    those flowers are stunningly beautiful too!
    (hey, does this mean that the gansey would have been subject to the boyfriend curse?)

  283. Congratulations!! You made an honest man out of him.
    I’ve been married for twenty years; with the right man, it’s good stuff. I wish you all the happiness I’ve had and more.

  284. “a family thing i’d like to wear it to” ?! I was imagining some school recital or something. i went AWWW! when i saw the picture. its true. congratulations!!!

  286. Congratulations!!!! I’m so happy for you. And I think you’ve just redefined insane… 😉

  288. I am dizzy thinking about book, shawl, gansey, wedding all at once…so I will leave it at congratulations! Peace and joy to your family always.

  289. [huge jawdrop]
    Congratulations! I hope we will be regaled with details sooner or later.
    (And what bee-yew-tifully manicured nails you have, too.)

  292. Congratulations! You are insane! Book, wedding, complex knitting projects, children, laundry, and whatever else. Some of us cannot hold down a job and stock the fridge.

  293. Congradulations to you and your entire family! I love the orchids in your bouquet! I had some in mine as well (as I am the orchid lady, tattoo and all). Again, may many blessings and wonderful years follow you both.

  296. Getting married and finishing a book–two great reasons to add to your stash (as if you needed a reason!)

  297. Congratulations! Many more happy years together! I’m looking forward to pictures of the sock with the participants :-).

  299. Mabrook! Kul sina wa anta tayyib. Translation: Congratulations! Each year and you be well. (something along the lines of “A blessing on your head; mazel tov, mazel tov!”)
    I guess you can’t really use the term “heathen union” anymore, which is a shame. Comedic gold.

  302. Oh, Stephanie! Huge congratulations to you both. May you and Joe see many, many more happy years together 🙂

  307. Congratulations and all the most wonderful wishes for a continued life of love and laughter! Michael and I got married by a J.O.P let’s see … it’ll be twelve, no, thirteen, no, twelve years ago this December, and then had a “church” wedding eight years to the day later. We still don’t have rings. 🙂

  308. WOW! Steph and Joe……Congratulations on your wedding and the book…………Hope to see sock pics at the wedding soon…….Cant wait for the book too!

  311. Oh. my. Gosh!
    You got married! And you had a manicure! I’m so happy for you! Congrats Stephanie and Joe!!!!
    You will still be the Yarn Harlot won’t you?

  313. A huge congratulations, and many blessings.
    But who on earth plans to knit their own wedding attire, for the weekend their book is due?
    Oh, yeah. Stephanie does! That’s why we love you.

  315. Well you love birds, the gansey/shawl story will be a good one for decades to come!! And just think, your girls can use the shawl for their weddings and you can use it for anniversaries,and everyone will live happily ever after.

  320. Stephanie you were very wise not to risk the curse of the boyfriend sweater on a man with a 48 inch chest. Jokes aside, you, Joe, the shawl and the gansey are all together and WsIP; as it all should be. All the very best. Grace

  321. Congrats–If you can get all that stuff done (or almost done) then I better get off my haunches and get something done too! Blessings for many more years to come.

  323. Holy moly! A book deadline, an EVENT and not one, but two knitting deadlines layered on top? That seems a bit much even for you! Congratulations and best wishes!

  325. WTF were you thinkin mate? You couldn’t think of anything else to do so you stacked all the important things together at the same time?
    I hope you were able to really enjoy the moment as a bride should. How very romantic to have your daughters enjoy the moment with you. I’m all misty here.
    Many more happy years to you and Joe.

  326. Congratulations and very best wishes. That’s a gorgeous wonderfully meaningful picture of your hands.

  327. What, no more Godless heathen union? How on Earth will you scandalize the neighbors now?
    Congrats and best wishes for many (more) years of happiness.

  328. Congratulations to you both. I also love your flowers -what beautiful colors. Many more happy years to all of you.

  330. I am so happy for you Stephanie. I am sure the love between you and Joe is forever and the commitment you two made last weekend is just the finishing touch to a great pair of people that God “KNIT” together!
    Congrats and God Bless!

  331. …and yet another almost complete stranger (we did meet at bookbookbook1 Los Angeles/Hollywood signing; you had to sign my sock pettern since I had forgotten my book) sending you congrats and love! Hooray for making your godless heathen union more ‘official’!!!
    Love and hugs, and I canNOT believe that you tried to finish a book, a lace shawl, a gansey, AND get married all in the same week!

  332. Congratulations and many many blessings for you both and your family in the coming years.
    Definately a nice manicure and I hope you enjoyed the day to the utmost!

  333. I just had to also congratulate you. The book behind you and the rest of your lives together in front of you, you must be elated!

  334. Congratulations! Gorgeous flowers there, girl! I guess that’s a good reason for not finishing your projects! *giggle, giggle!*

  335. Best Wishes! You’re finally REALLY married! Not that you ever needed to be, but every girl wants a princess day and I’m glad you got yours. Boy can you keep a secret! I hope we get to see a few more pics – especially of your now so-much-more-legit daughters. Did they cry? Did you cry? I bet you did. Maybe it’s a good thing the shawl wasn’t done – it would have been too easy to get it all wet and salty.

  336. OMIGOSH . . . all the best to both of you!!
    (Why am I crying?!)
    I think it’s neat to have a knitting WIP you can work on after your big day — a blessed union is truly one of the best UFO’s out there.

  338. Wow! This is gonna be one for the record books, girl (I mean the number of comments, that is).
    Big time congrats on finally making an honest man out of Joe. Much love to, from, with and around you both.
    (Did part of the nervous deadline anything to do with writing your vows?)
    I’m sure it was a classy event with much dancing in the McPhee style. Cheers.

  339. Well, let no one say that you don’t know how to pile up the significant events. Congratulations to both of you – what a lovely thing to do. 🙂

  340. When you wrote that you wanted to wear your shawl for a special event last Saturday, I guessed right that it was for a wedding. But I NEVER suspected that you were talking about YOUR wedding!!! Congratulations to you and Joe and many happy moments in your future. May you always have a knack at doing things your very own way! 😉

  341. Aww, congrats – I hope the books looming deadline kept your mind off the pre-wedding things that are craziness and that it was a fantastic day for all of you and your families!!
    Best Fishes 🙂

  342. wow! i am a long time reader, and never commented until now. i have goose bumps! hooray!!!!!!!
    congrats!!!

  343. WOW! Congratulations! My anniversary is this week (one year) and I’m happy to share happy times with my favourite writer. Big hugs 🙂

  345. Oh good, the book is finished. 😉 Kidding, kidding. Congratulations on the wedding, and the shawl looks amazing! Maybe you can wear it on your honeymoon, even if it’s one of those overnight honeymoons.

  347. Wow. I mean, wow. I’m very happy for you. The flowers are stunning.
    Marriage to Nate has brought me more happiness, contentment, and constructive personal growth than has anything else in my life, and continues to. May your union be made all the more wonderful by the new “officialness” of it.
    I hope it was a glorious time for all of you.

  348. Oh good, the book is finished. 😉 Kidding, kidding. Congratulations on the wedding, and the shawl looks amazing! Maybe you can wear it on your honeymoon, even if it’s only going away overnight.

  349. Congratulations! But you’ll have to tell us — why now, after all these years? (But congratulations, nonetheless!)

  350. Wow, so let me get this straight. A book, a book tour, a shawl, a gansey, a WEDDING (and a honeymoon too, I hope). Congratulations to both of you, and may you have many more years of happiness. And now, dear Harlot, go and put your feet up–you more than deserve to be spoiled and pampered. Sit back and enjoy the success of Book 4, which we are all dying to get our copies of.

  351. I’m a long-time reader and a huge fan and a stranger to you–and I just wish you so much happiness! Congratulations!! (And about time you made Joe an honest man!!) Married is different. ENJOY it.

  352. Wow. Congratulations. What a wonderful, wonderful weekend you must have had, and may the rest of your days together be filled with love, laughter, and prosperity.

  354. Congratulations! My 6th anniversary was on Saturday and I think it’s pretty cool that we chose the same day. 🙂 Many blessings on you both.

  356. No wonder you wanted to finish both — congratulations! I hope you are going on a honeymoon and that you produce a few more of those lovely children. May blessings always rain down on all of you.

  360. Congratulations on everything, wedding and book. I cannot believe you finished a book and got married all in the same week. Many blessings!

  369. Congratulations! May you and Joe have a marriage filled with much love and happiness all the rest of your days.

  370. Of course, if we’re all wrong…many many blessings and gorgeous flowers. take some time off 😉

  371. In a strange coincidence, my husband and I just last Friday attended a reception for two friends who were celebrating their own “Godless Heathen” union, just as you were ending yours and beginning a new one. It was a lovely celebration, complete with blessings performed by friends and an ancient Celtic handfasting ritual. Stephanie, I hope your “official” ceremony was just as beautiful. I wish you many more years of happiness.

  373. It took me a little while to figure out what you did this weekend. (Flowers, rings, I do… uh… Oh, I know!) Congratulations to both of you!

  376. You got a manicure and you bought rings. I think I see a knot that’s been tied somewhere, eh?
    Congratulations and many years of wedded bliss to follow you and your family.

  377. Oh my goodness. How wonderful! Many, many congratulations and all the happiness in the world.

  379. And you kept it a secret from your 10,000 closest friends who read about your life every day! Best wishes for long life, long love, and great happiness.

  381. Mazel Tov! And Blessed Be! And any and all congratulations, regardless of the denomination.
    There is *such* a story here, isn’t there?

  382. OMG I am so happy for you two. It really does feel good to celebrate it with your whole families doesn’t it? CONGRATULATIONS! and best wishes for a wonderful life together.

  383. Congratulations!!!! Both the shawl and the gansey will be worn with much happiness, I’m sure!!!

  385. My needles and yarn balls are jumping for joy…three cheers for you and your dear family!
    xo Mimi

  387. Mazeltov! Hope your married years are every bit as wonderful as your “heathen” years. Le Chiam. Leslie

  388. oh my goodness! my stars! what a happy event for you!
    um…how’s Mr. Washie taking it?

  389. What a lovely way of sharing the news. Continued congratulations, and much love to you both.

  390. Oh my! My wedding was the best day of my life (and I sewed right through my finger the night before) I hope yours was the best day of your life. It’s good to be the princess!

  395. BTW, it rained on my wedding day and the minister told us that there is an Italian proverb that says that rain on the wedding day means no tears in the marriage. I wouldn’t say we’ve had no tears, but we’ve had 8 years of very, very few tears.

  397. Whoa. Congratulations! And yes that is quite ironic. I love how you picked the moment your book was due to get married. Nothing like packing it all in. Way to go.

  403. Congrats Steph and Joe! Now all those “husband” references in your latest book make sense!

  405. Super huge congratulations to Steph, Joe and your girls. How wonderful for your family to celebrate your legal union together. 😉
    Wishing you a lifetime of bliss.

  406. May you have many many more happy years together! And, I hope you had one bodacious party while you were at it.

  407. *sniff* (I always cry at a wedding.) All of my best to you and Joe and your family. May you always be at least as happy as you are today.

  408. Well, congratulations to you both! May you continue to be as happy together as you have been and may all good things continue for you.

  413. Best Wishes for many more wonderful years together. I’m impressed by all that you do (not neccessarily in this oreder, write books, awesome knitting, thoughtful Children, ethical life, a respectful union (heathen or otherwise, etc) but to do it all at once and get the manicure. Many blessings for you all.
    Char

  414. Wow, and a manicure, too! Did the girls do it for you? I hope they had big parts in the ceremony and manicures, also. Best wishes as always, and many happy returns.

  415. Congratulations! May you be blessed beyond your wildest expectations! And thank you for thnking of us,your blogging world during your first week of married bliss. Or are we joining you on your honeymoon? 🙂

  416. Congratulations. I don’t know how you kept that secret!!! I know we all wish the best for you, as I know we all appreciate you sharing your fun outlook on life.

  419. Wow, you kept that a good secret! Congrats!
    Also, you are INSANE! Getting married right after your book deadline???

  423. Hi!
    Never commented (on anyone’s blog) before, but this deserves a de-lurking!
    Congratulations!
    All the best for you and yours 🙂

  426. Congrats!
    We just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary, then mused that our first date was 23 years ago and love zinged well before that, back in high school.
    Many, many [more] years of joy to you both, and to the girls (what do they think of all this?).

  427. I just want to know what day you got married — Sat 9/30 was our 28th anniversary – did you pick that same great day …. Congratulations and don’t you just feel the love from everyone here.
    But seriously do you think you could have found one more thing to squeeze in last week 😉

  429. Ah, but the picture of the shawl in progress with those gorgeous flowers and the beautiful hands in beautiful rings…perfect. The shawl did its duty, I think, finished or not, and the unfinished gansey emphasizes the continuity of marriage – the wedding *shouldn’t* feel like it’s over all at once, should it? 🙂

  430. Holy Toledo! The heathen union is now a marriage! The shawl and gansey will be beautiful anniversary gifts for you and Joe. I don’t know how you kept it all together, Steph.

  432. i’m about the billionth knitter to wish you congrats on your nuptials – many congrats! now then, will babies be springing from this union? hmmmm?

  435. Congratulations and best wishes to you both! I don’t know what you’re going to do to top this.

  437. Congratulations! You sure picked a great day to make it official – my husband and I celebrated our 17th. wedding anniversary on 9/30! Our best wishes to you for many, many years of health and happiness together.

  438. Felicitations and best wishes!! (What is it the etiquette books say? You congratulate the groom and wish the bride good luck? Sounds about right to me.)

  439. I, too, had assumed you were already married. So much for assumptions! And no wonder you were so hot to finish the lace. But, the others are so right…it, and the gansey, will be a wonderful first anniversary gift for you both.
    Best blessings and congratulations to you all!
    Kelle

  440. While I’m sad that you’re no longer in a godless heathen union (I’m in one myself), I’m very happy for you! I can’t believe you had a wedding AND finished a book in such close proximity. You must be exhausted (but very happy), and kind of insane. The good kind though.

  441. CONGRATULATIONS and best to you both.
    I didn’t finish knitting my shawl or my husband’s aran vest for our wedding either! I guess it’s a knitter’s curse (or blessing) to always get things done for others first…
    Congrats once again!

  443. Congratulations! My husband and I got married after living together for 10 years. I was fine with just living together, but I kinda like being married too.
    Now we just have the “years together” issue. If I tell someone next May that I’ve been married 3 years, I have to add “but we were together for 10 years before that!” and it gets a little cumbersome sometimes. 🙂
    Best wishes for many more happy and healthy years together.

  445. This has to have been the best kept secret in blogland. 🙂 Congratulations Stephanie! Much continued happiness to you both.

  446. This boggles my mind that during the constant blogging, finishing a manuscript and everyday life, you also were planning a wedding. I can’t blame you for not mentioning it on the blog while trying to finish everything else. That is just so crazy! Congratulations to you and Joe. That is wonderful. Many more years of togetherness to you both!

  449. Congrats to you both. I have no clue how you kept your sanity (if you did) finishing up the book, trying to finish the shawl and gansey, AND planning a wedding.

  451. WOW Steph, congrats to the both of you! I sigh a little tho at the loss of the godless heathen union. But Love is love, and that’s the important part.

  455. if more people would learn to knit before they married, there would be more succesful marriages. i think the skills really translate.
    congratulations!!!

  456. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!
    the HARLOT IS HITCHED?!
    the HARLOT is losing her heathenous ways?!!!
    i’m so happy for you and your hubby!
    you guys have already been together for so long, this only means that now, you have another symbol of your love for each other!
    many congrats to you and your family! :o)

  457. Congratulations to both of you! Everyone here at bookland central sends you and Joe hugs and best wishes (and we send our thanks for the manuscript, too). Joyful, Joyful times!

  458. Hi Stephanie –
    Congratulations! I love your site but never respond because you get so many…but I have to respond today – what a surprise! Congratulations and everything!

  461. CONGRATULATIONS! HOW WONDERFUL!
    My goodness.. a book deadline and your wedding the same weekend? Ouch!

  462. You naughty person! You never let on a peep about it!
    Congratulations! Wishing you many more happy years together with yarn and electronic doo-dads mingling on the dining room table 🙂

  464. LOOK! You wore nail polish! 🙂
    Best wishes and congratulations all around. I’m sure that the family are STILL dancing!

  465. Congrats on the book and the wedding. Love the flowers, the (almost) shawl, and the ROCK!

  469. Like the 441 commenters before me said, CONGRATULATIONS!!! To your whole family!
    You are my hero, juggling all of the balls the way you do. Without dropping any! 😀
    And what a way to keep a secret……

  470. In the immortal words of Emeril Lagasse:
    “Oh YEAH, babe!” Sending you a special weddingy tune on the harp from Indiana, and best wishes for many more happy years together.

  471. Me too! Long-time reader of your blog . . . since bookbookbook and before. And never a comment. You get so many, it’s already been said, you have a deadline and no bizness reading repeats, blah, blah, blah. But omigosh, you never cease to surprise, amuse, amaze. Hearty congrats & keep up the good work. (And tell me really, could you have worn such knits at this time of year??? We have just cooled to the mid 80s F and just imagining those makes me sweat.)

  474. As they say in Vermont, “No frickin’ way!!!” Woo-hoo!!!!
    (It will take you several days just to wade through all your emails, assuming you respond to none of them.)

  478. Holy crap!! Congrats. Very pretty flowers. I had grand visions of making myself a shawl for my wedding as well, but 2 years later it still hasn’t happened. But yours will be good for the anniversary.

  479. I’d planned on de-lurking/posting after I saw that the bookbookbookbook was finished to congratulate you… and then… well, you know what you did.
    Many, many good wishes for you and your family, and may you continue to be showered with all things lovely and glorious! You are amazing!

  481. Congratulations Stephanie (and Joe!) on making your union official, though I am certain you will do your best to still be a heathen couple! 😉
    Nothing like a little Yarn Harlot outlandish planning for an upcoming deadline. 🙂
    I eagerly await your new book!
    ~Your #2 California Dishcloth Knitter 🙂

  483. One more Congratulations!!! from a long-time, but quiet, reader. You are so amazing…

  484. I am speechless (this takes something, just ask anyone who has met me). Congratulations does not do the sentiment justice. May you and Joe have many more happy years together.

  486. Congratulations! (And wouldn’t you just be the one to schedule such a wedding on TOP of having to finish a book!) May you have many more years of sweaters, shawls, and happiness. Some of us will miss the Godless heathen union just a little…but NO MATTER!- very best wishes to you both and to your whole family.

  488. Wow…I barely managed to hold down a 9-5 job and plan my wedding this year. You put me to shame! (As you do in many other ways, but I digress…) Many congratulations to you and your Joe.

  489. September 30th is a wonderful day for an anniversary! Just so happens to be the day my DH and I picked 6 years ago! Congrats! A thousand blessings upon you and yours.
    Cate

  491. Congratulations and all the very best to you both, from another long-time fan but first-time commenter!

  493. I think even the lurkers will come out to comment on this post! I know–I’m one of them. You are truly an inspiration for fiber artists (i’m a tatter, not a knitter), writers, and people who have chosen to take a slightly different path. A million congratulations, and if the good thoughts of others raise you up (as I believe they do), you and yours will be floating for quite a while!!

  494. ahhh! you did! congratulations Mr and Mrs Harlot
    (I’ve already had my “changing your name” rant – I won’t start again here!)

  496. Blimey! You have a deadline while planning a wedding AND you’ve been touring during the writing time AND you knit shawls and ganseys AND you kept this a secret!!! Do you ever sleep?
    What next? Are you going to leap tall buildings in a single bound?
    I REALLY hope you took a photo with the sock. Many, many congratulations to you both from those of us still in GHUs. There’s only one thing I love more than weddings, and that’s babies. Would you consider delighting us all with one of those too?
    By the way, New Zealand is a really lovely place for a honeymoon…
    Just suggesting.

  497. I don’t even know you, but I got misty-eyed anyway…congratulations to you both!!

  500. WOW!!!
    I nearly fell out of my chair at that last picture. Many legal heathen blessings your way!!
    Heather S

  501. Congratulations. The flowers are just gorgeous as are the knitted items and the rings.

  502. Congratulations! Though I don’t know you personally, you both seem like wonderful people that I want to see live long and happy lives together. Aww. I have the picture in mind you posted a couple of weeks ago of Joe kissing you goodbye – now that picture, to my mind, is a picture of love. All the best.

  503. I may be comment 502, but dammit, congratulations to you and Joe. That is just simply fantastic (the vows and the lace and the gainsey – wow). Love, love, love the flowers – btw.

  505. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww…
    A state-recognised union can still be godless and heathen.
    Congratulations to you both. The love you feel is obvious and heartwarming.

  506. How Wonderful! Congratulations! I don’t know how you did it..such an eventful September..you are amazing! Wishing you both many years of happiness and knitting enjoyment.

  507. Schmoly!!! Yay! Congratulations! Many years of peaceful married bliss…er….as much of that as you can possibly have 😉

  508. WAAAAAIT a minute… you aren’t finally trying to set an example for the girls, are you? ‘Cause, um, if you’re trying to convince them that the GHU is a bad thing, I think that you two failed miserably. But congratulations, still, on making the union even more perfect. I can’t wait to see more pics!

  510. Oh, Steph and Joe
    Congratulations! And, even if you are/were godless heathens, I really hope you used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer for the service. The one that has:
    “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship…”
    In my estimation, that is the most romantic line in any wedding ceremony I’ve ever heard. I blame my Puritan ancestors for the fact that it was removed when the American Episcopal church wrote its first BCP in 1792, or thereabouts. Leave it to the Puritans to take all the fun out of *everything*.
    That said, may you so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that your home may be a haven of blessing and of peace.

  512. Way to stack up the deadlines! Best wishes to both of you for a wonderful future together. And congratulations on getting the book done–you know we all can’t wait to read it.

  513. Good thing there were 500 comments ahead of me, or I’d have made a fool of myself and said…happy 20th anniversary???
    Nice bling, nice flowers, nice nails and best wishes to you both.

  517. WOW! May I add my congratulations to the long, long list and wish you and Joe all the happiness in the world.

  518. Chica, it’s been a helluva year, eh? so what do you plan on doing for an encore??? heh. Much love and happiness to you and Joe. I’ll kinda miss the GHU but am so sure you’ll come up with some other way to raise a bit of discreet Canadian hell…mwah!

  519. Congratulations! I just became a Mrs. after living in sin for 7 years, and I can’t imagine trying to write a book and plan a wedding at the same time. Plus undertaking 2 major projects. People keep telling me that this is the beginning of journey, hope yours is full of smiles and tangle free knitting.

  520. Best wishes for many more years of happiness together for you and Joe and the rest of the Harlot clan.

  522. Oh, what a smile you have brought to my face today! Congratulations, blessings, and many wishes for many happy years to come.

  524. Oh, what a smile you have brought to my face today! Congratulations, blessings, and many wishes for many happy years to come.

  525. Congratulations!!! Although I have the utmost admiration for those who resist convention. ( I did the same thing, living together then marrying. ) Best wishes to you and to all your house!

  527. Wow! These comments add up to one huge virtual wedding reception! Many, many wishes for happiness for you, Joe and your girls!!!
    P.S. Joe is one great guy to marry you even after he has full disclosure about your stash.

  528. Aw, you got hitched! Such a lovely time of year for it. Congratulations all around–on the book and the wedding. And keeping it a secret! No more heathenism, hmm?
    Btw, that last photo is really well-composed and just beautiful. Joy to you both.

  529. Congrats on your wedding! (and on finishing the book! I can’t wait to read it)
    Emily

  530. Congratulations to you both, may you have a long and happy union. Love the picture of your hands.

  533. Married? Really? You two?
    Awwwww……
    You should have told us this was coming up, we all could have knit you an afghan or twenty. In classic green wool, of course.

  534. I dunno – this is all so sudden. Are you sure you two know each other well enough? Maybe you should have taken a little more time to get to know each other….
    🙂

  535. Congratulations!
    Many happy returns and we won’t make you turn in your Birks…you law-abiding person. 😉

  536. HOLY CRAP!!!! Tears just wanted to squirt out of my eyes, and I have never even met you two. I have loved reading your blog for lo these many moons, though.
    So very many blessings and joy to you all!
    {{{{{{{{{hugs!}}}}}}}}}

  537. Wow! Congratulations. That’s wonderful. Now how do you celebrate both the godless heathen union and the official, legal celebration? 🙂
    Congrats to you both!

  540. I gasped! Congratulations!
    Only you would stack up deadlines like that. ROFL.
    May the years to come be even happier than the years you have already shared.

  541. Congratulations! May you both be as happy as my husband and I have been for the last 37 years. And always remember, joyious godless heathen unions are in the mind and that won’t change, paper or not.

  543. Well….knock me over with a feather. You got me! I was so surprised, I had an audible intake of air into my lungs. Best Wishes to you and Joe and may you have many happy years together.

  544. I just wanted to say congrats on the book!!!! I am so excited for you. I am sorry you did not make the deadline for the event… but congrats anyway! I also feel the need to shout to the heavens that I finished my thesis today and sent it off to the advisor! May we celebrate together!
    You Rock!

  545. What were you thinking? You just formalized one of your most important WIPs!
    Heartfelt congratulations. I’m not a big fan of weddings (though I’m sure you and Joe had a GREAT party), but I love marriages. And, though you already had all the most important ingredients, there is something wonderful about actually being married. I’m raising a Shiner to wish you two many many more happy years together.

  546. WOW–you must love the stress, huh? Congratulations to you both–we need to hear more about this once you’ve recovered!

  547. Very hearty congratulations!
    Thanks for sharing your celebration with the blogosphere (and yes I vote for more photos please)!
    Lisa R-R in Toronto

  548. Upon rereading your post… I want to say CONGRATS on “your” event! Wahoo!

  549. Congrats.
    And perhaps the symbolism is actually perfect. I tend to think of relationships as the ultimate and ideal UFOs–full of potential, but always needing a little more work.
    I hope you had a lovely day.

  550. Congrats to both you two and the girls. May the married bliss be as good as the unmarried bliss!

  551. Hey, wait just a minute here. Did you KNOW the gansey was for your wedding ages and ages ago when you were spinning the wool and people were razzing you for not finishing? You haven’t, by chance, been keeping this little secret for THAT LONG have you? The possibilities boggle the mind.
    🙂

  553. Well congratulations, girl! Best wishes to you both. I’m going to go drink a glass of screech in your honor to toast the occasion.
    And I like that unfinished shawl in the traditional “married hands” photo!

  554. You are truely amazing! And so sneaky! Congratulations and much joy to you both. My only question is…will you add another hyphen to your name??!!??

  556. What a GREAT secret to keep!!!
    I’ve not commented, but… CONGRATS!!!!!
    I cannot believe that you had ALL that, and kept your sanity!

  557. AAAACCKKKK! OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG! I can NOT believe you were able to keep that from us. OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG!!!
    I am so tickled I can’t STAND it. TEE HEE!
    Yeah for all of you (You, Joe, the girls). Do we get to see more pix? Where the girls in awe? Details woman, we want details.
    OK, so maybe that was a bit much and your private life is, well, private. I am soooooo happy for you though. And, yes, the irony that the knitting muses cast on (pun FULLY intended) you was pretty funny considering the occasion. . . .

  559. oh..blessed two ply….may you knit together the rest of your lives in beauty and grace…much love, kath

  560. I can only echo the congrats and best wishes. You continue to re-define what is wonderful…your writing, your knitting and your family…with or without a ceremony. I’m thrilled for you, Joe and those fabulous girls. May the happiness continue.
    What a woman you are.

  561. Oh! Congratulations! I hope you two have many more years. Also looking forward to the new book.

  563. Just think, you’ll still have plenty of time to finish the knitting before next year.
    Enjoy your finished the book time!
    Yippee!!
    And blessings on confirming what we all knew, that you and Joe are perfect together, heathen, government sanctioned, or just blessed by the gods!

  564. Congratulations! You finally made Joe an honest man! :o)
    I’ll bet you guys are the only couple with a registry at the Yarn Barn!

  565. Well, you sure do like to do the whole last-minute deadline plus, don’t you? I am extremely impressed and very happy for you both. Blessings and happiness to you, be as happy as my husband and I – and that’s saying some. But since you’ve been doing it already, I’m not worried. Congratulations! 🙂

  566. Congratulations to you both!! Great news! Couldn’t be happier for you and your kids!

  567. Congratulations Stephanie! The flowers are so beautiful and the rings are lovely! Congrats on finishing (nearly finishing?) the new book as well I look forward to it.

  569. Congratulations!!!! May you have many happy years ahead of you. It is so wonderful to marry your Best Friend.

  570. You continue to re-define what is “wonderful” with your knitting, your writing and your wonderful family…with or without a ceremony. Happiness abounds and is directed to you, Joe, the girls.
    What a woman you are!

  572. Congratulations, Steph. Many happy returns, many happy stitches, and may the fabric of your life be woven together in a way that makes you both blessed. Kathleen

  573. Mazel Tov!! May you have many continued years of happiness and blessings. oh and lots and fun with the writing and knitting. 🙂

  574. AbsoLUTEly fanTAStic!!! Way to go, Harlot! Beautiful pictures, I hope there will be more.

  576. I too am a long time reader who has never posted but I GASPED outloud when I saw the rings! Congratulations from Whitehorse, YT

  579. Congratulations! Life is full of unexpected twists and turns,for your readers at least, thank you for sharing. Many, many happy years together.
    Wanda

  581. Only you would plan such an event in close conjunction with finishing a book. And manage to pull it off. As for the knitting, there’ll be plenty of time for that. Best wishes to you both!

  582. Sigh. I guess I’m the last to know…slow to read your blog today, and for that I’m kind of glad–I got your wonderful news right at the end of my long day/night, and now I can drive home thinking happy thoughts of you and Joe and your (inevitably) beautiful wedding.
    Congratulations to you and your family!

  583. Many blessings to you all. I will silently mourn the passing of the GHU… but rejoice in the next breath of your nuptuials. And didn’t I hear the 1st anniversary gift is yarn.. ?

  586. Congratulations, both on the book finishing and the felicitous event. Blessings and good wishes to you, your gentleman, and the rest of the family!

  588. OMG! Congratulations on finally formalizing your heathen union!
    Oh, yeah, and the book thing, too!
    Yay!
    Blessings and good wishes and all that. 🙂

  589. What? No longer a godless heathen union? Well, congratulations and many best wishes to you all!

  590. Wow! How did you manage all of that?? Amazing! Congratulations and Many Blessings to both of you!
    Julie

  593. Blessing for the rest of your years together. I’m silly and suprised at the romantic side of me, it brought tears to my eyes, the sight of your flowers and the rings. A lovely ending to what has shaped up to be a great day. Thank you.

  598. Congratulations! Raising my drink in a toast to you – here’s to many (more) happy years together for you and Joe.

  599. I hate to break it to Mr. Washie, but if Joe really did put up with a book deadline, insane deadline knitting, and a ending the godless heathen union ceremony, he truly is the best man for you. Good thing that you officially snatched him up off the market as your husband! 😉
    Congratulations!!!

  606. Way! Stephanie!! This year is my 10th anniversary, I’m happy this year is your first! Congratulations, best wishes. The best advice I received … “breathe” and “pick your fights.” From me…. There’s nothing you can’t laugh at or through!

  610. I’d like to be the first to offer my aww’s and congratulations, but I’ll settle with being the five thousandth. Many more blessings on the happy couple; it’s definitely worth a missed knitting deadline or two…

  611. Congratulations! (I’m picturing you, registering for yarn, and Joe, registering for miscellaneous electronics equipment.) I would say “best wishes,” but from what you write about your partnership, it seems like they all have already been granted. 🙂

  612. Wow! That was a shock. Congratulations and all the best to the both of you!
    But, let me get this straight, now. You were facing a book deadline, traipsing around the U.S. visiting with all these crazy knitters, trying to complete your wedding attire, raising three daughters AND planning a wedding. And you still managed to post up until the last week. You’re either the most amazing multitasker in the world or completely insane.
    Maybe a little of both.
    Again, congratulations and we must see pictures of the whole family on the special day.

  613. How wonderful!!! Now we’ll have to call you The Yarn Matron!!!
    How was the wedding night??? (just kidding)
    Sending lots of love and congratulations!!

  614. Well…this posting will surely exceed all others for comments!!! CONGRATULATIONS and may you continue to have all the very best that life has to offer. I don’t know how you managed everything (one deadline sends me into a spin)…I continue to admire your spirit.
    Just Fabulous!!!

  616. Deadlines, dealines, wedding plans and more deadlines! Stress?!? Did anyone think to add all the exhausting touring on top of it all?? Geez, molleez!! So, uh…are you going to start touring all over again for this new book? Now I want another meeting just to look into the face of She Who Can Do This. Truly amazing, Stephanie. All the best to your entire family. Wow.

  618. Boy I can’t wait to see what you do when you are close to your deadline on your next book!!!! Seriously, I was at work, sneeking a peek at your blog and let out a squeal that had people rushing over to my desk to see if there was a mouse!!!..Told them it was a spider….Congrats…you got married on my 55th birthday! A date I will happily share, and will think of the 2 of you and the girls every Sept. 30th from now on…all the best….I too was talked into marrying my partner in Heathen Wickness…and 35 years later we are still Rockin”!!! (a tad slower, but rockin’ none the less)…Congrats to you all!!!

  619. Congratulations!!! Wishing you many years of wedded bliss! Maybe you can wear the shawl on your first anniversary.

  623. Congratulations! Wow. Continued joy to the “new” couple! I guess you’ll have to have a new baby now?

  624. Congratulations!!!!
    What a beautiful shawl, will this pattern be available someday? I love it!!! Great books!

  627. Obviously it’s stress that fuels your happy life. May you never run out of gas.
    Get off the computer, for heaven’s sake. You’re on your honeymoon.

  629. WOWZA! I wish you and Joe many more years of joy. You really know how to keep a secret, eh?

  630. Mazel tov! You know, I completely understand your desire to finish the shawl and the gansey for the day itself… but at the same time, considering that you have three teenage kids together, the sense of knitting pressure is pretty funny.
    (So– what do you have planned for next month? Political takeover? Yarn apocalypse?)

  634. Let me add my warm congratulations to the hundreds and hundreds and probably thousands that will come to you, and you deserve it all and more! Many more love years to you both and your lovely daughters.

  637. I, too, was shocked to see the end of the GHU, but I speak highly of marriage, having been hitched almost for 10 years myself. We can’t wait to see photos of the happy family. Congratulations.

  640. That’s hilarious! You were getting married and you decided to do this at about the same time as a book was due, do extensive touring for previous books as well as knitting the festive garments. Steph, you totally crack me up!
    Congratulations, you completely mad knitter, author, mother and spouse (not necessarily in order of precedence : ))

  641. Wonderful!!! Congrats to you both- a fall wedding – how romantic- how great!!!! The girls must be so happy!!! Can’t wait to see more pictures!!!

  642. Traditionally, one congratulates the groom, and gives the bride best wishes. In this case, congratulations to both of you. God’s blessings for many happy years!
    Now, cough up the pictures! Curious knitters want to KNOW!

  643. Best wishes for continued joy and happiness. Hmmm, and you thought your last name was long before … now you are a double hyphen.

  645. you’ve made an honest man out of him
    also, i wonder if you’re rushing into this whole ‘marriage’ thing
    also also, did you guys *have* to get married?
    haha
    seriously, congratulations!

  646. Congratulations Stephanie!! Truth to tell though, I’m a bit concerned about how quickly the two of you got married (snicker). I hope no one was too surprised by the wedding. 😉

  647. This brought big, hearty tears of joy to my eyes. So your godless, heathen union is now blessed by god, or just by the state? Much jubilation on all levels, and in every which way! 🙂

  648. Allow me to add my congratulations, best wishes, and doubts as to your sanity to the list!
    May you enjoy many, many more years of the same. *grin*

  649. Congrats Steph and Joe!
    God(s), Goddess(s), or any other combination of spirital creatures Bless your Union. As if it wasn’t blessed already! I think a great guy, three beautiful daughters and a job that involves something you love pretty much proves that. May your lives together grow and grow in happiness!

  652. Can I say…finally!!!!!!!! Wishing you all the best. Were the girls bridesmaids? Will there be more photos of the happy event?

  654. Mazel Tov!!!! What a wonderful surprise for everyone. You will probably never get to the end of all the good wishes, but then again, may all the good wishes follow you both forever!

  655. Congratulations & Best Wishes!! Beautiful pictures, please post more when you get a chance. 🙂

  656. Awwww.
    Congratulations and here’s lifting a glass of wine to your continued happiness.
    Good job on finishing the book, though… …taking a laptop to the cermony would not have been ok (although I do need to know: did you KNIT during?)

  657. A book deadline, 2 huge knitting projects, 3 daughters, a tour, and a wedding. I bow to your magnificence oh goddess of supreme multi-tasking.
    Laugh with each other every day, it’s the best thing my love and I have done for our relationship for the past 20 years. Best wishes to you and your lovely family.

  658. A wedding? Maybe you renewing your vows?
    If it’s a wedding, who got married? Never mind,
    you’ll probly explain tomorrow. (P.S. The flowers:very tasteful The rings:very classy

  659. Adding my congratulations to the humongous list above! Our 43rd anniv. is Oct. 5 and we’ve been planning a trip to Victoria, B.C. We’ll lift a glass to the two of you 🙂

  661. So who was the genius that said, “September looks a little slow. Let’s see, how about we get married, and Steph schedules a book deadline, and oh, yeah, Steph will be touring for the month before that. Yeah, that sounds doable. Steph, maybe you could, ya know, knit a little something special for the occasion?” What’s the matter, Steph, didn’t you knit bridesmaid dresses for all three girls? and maybe some tuxes for the guys?
    You are truly amazing. Crazy, but amazing. My very, very, very best wishes to you both. May the sun shine on you forever and the wind be at your backs.

  665. I love it. I wish I could knit for a living, but no. Classes and education and other stuff get in the way. Feck reality! I wanna knit!
    I have a small confession that I should make to you: I’ve read every single post on this blog, from the very beginning to now, and I have crocheted every minute of it. I’m sorry. Forgive me?

  666. Your blog brightens my day and improves my knitting. Thank you for allowing us to share in this celebration with you. Congratulations!

  667. So it’s official then! Congratulations! Warmest, wooliest congratulations to you both, and the girls. What wonderful news. Your flowers are stunning too, btw.
    I would love to be close enough to give you a great big hug! Hooray!! 🙂

  669. Congratulations!!!! I was in Toronto this past weekend and went to my favorite little yarn shop, Lettuce Knits… three times!

  670. Congratulations to the both of you! Love is in the air! Your flowers look amazing! Beautiful pictures….please share more!

  671. Goddess bless!!! Your news made the hour and a half I spent waiting for my computer to function worth the effort, and miraculously erased all the aggravation I experienced getting there. I trust your day released all the tension you’ve been under. If not the day, perhaps the night!?!

  673. SQUEAL! And I am NOT a squealy girl. Really. I echo all the good will wishes stated by 600+ other readers! Many, many happy years together.

  674. Oh Wow!!! My eyes are misty and I’m grinning like a bloomin’ idget! You and Joe have been blessed and been blessings through out your Heathan union. This is a continuation of that love and thoughtfulness and insanity that you both are. God bless all your families, aunts and uncles and miscellaneous whoevers whom you love! Paula

  676. Let me add my congratulations to the many hundreds already sent your way! I wondered if this was in the works when you started knitting Joe’s Gansey…

  678. Stephanie, Joe, & Girls — I am so very happy for you all. I hope a wonderful honeymoon is planned (no cleaning, little cooking, lots of R&R). I just hope this wedding isn’t too soon… are you really sure? No, what am I saying. Young love is the best ;~}

  679. Wow–what a testament to love. Still willing to marry you after going through the finishing of a book! Of course he loves you. We all love you. Congratulations.

  680. Isn’t it funny how, just when you think life can’t get any better, it suddenly does? Best wishes for your continued happiness!

  682. Oh my god! Congratulations and many many wishes of happiness to you both! I’m so excited for you! What a whirlwind of a month it’s been, eh?

  686. Wow – Congratulations! We want details! (Well, not those kind of details…) So you didn’t finish your knitting, but did anyone have something knitted for you to commemorate such a wonderful event? What did your girls think of all this?! Crazy to have planned it so near your book deadline, but then again why not? BTW, my new baby girl is here – Yay!

  688. Whoa baby–I think you’ve gotten more responses to this post than to any other…
    You really know how to get our attention!! All the very best for all the years to come…

  689. Holy Freakin’ Cow! I figured you were making the shawl for to wear to your parents anniversery party or somthin’!
    Congratulations on your wedding! So, will you be celebrating both of your anniversery’s now? GHU and GSU?

  690. Wow! Congratulations are indeed in order (although it seems everyone’s taking care of that point nicely). I must also say that what you’ve shown of the shawl is just lovely and I can’t wait to see what it looks like blocked and draped artistically.

  691. My-oh-my, Stephanie. That’s a whole lotta big stuff condensed into a pretty short period of time. Tour, book, amazing knitting, computer meltdown, getting married. Whew!
    May the rest of your lives together be filled with much love, joy & laughter. All the best to you both!

  693. Best Wishes and Congratulations, Best of Luck, Health, and Happiness to you both!
    I’ve always been of the opinion that marriages are important, and weddings are a gut-wrenching, tense, necessary evil necessary to achieve the end result of the marriage. But I guess not, eh? You guys had the marriage already, and stuck the wedding in the middle! Good on ya!
    (You know your wedding with its many deadlines (!) was just practice for the BIG events coming up in your life, right? I’m talking the GRADUATIONS!!! (EEEEEEEKKKK!!) )

  694. I am thrilled to hear about your surprise wedding. You must have had an army of helpers sworn to secrecy to pull this off. We are all dying to see the pics, so please don’t be stingy. Much love and happiness to you both.

  696. HOLY BAT, COW-MAN!
    Does this mean you are NOT A HARLOT anymore?
    I am happy for your happiness.
    My Irish Grandmother once told me … there is an old belief from the fishing communities in the Aran Isles … the belief is that the bride’s wedding shawl and the groom’s wedding sweater must be started before the wedding, but not finished until the first anniversary of the wedding, in order to assure a long and happy marriage. Traditionally, and to ensure good luck, the bride borrows her mother’s shawl, and the groom borrows his father’s sweater for the actual wedding, and then the young couple’s mothers finish knitting the wedding garments while the couple is on their honeymoon. Upon their return, there is a ceremony in the village church where the bride and groom are presented with their wedding garments. The last yarn-ends are left unfinished on each garment, for the bride to weave in herself on the day of her first anniversary. Then, in an even more ancient ritual (upon which the Church frowns) the bride ties the last snippet of yarn from her own shawl, and the last snippet of yarn from the groom’s sweater, together into a “Knot of Bodaceia,” which she buries (along with a red rose and a four-leaf clover) at the foot of a standing stone by moonlight, to ensure a happy union.
    Actually that’s a load of crap.
    But you deserve an Ancient Irish Wedding Tradition of your very own, so I made one up for you.
    Really, congratulations! What smashing flowers, and fingernails, even.
    Hugs and best wishes to you and your Big Man Of Canada.
    Laissez les bon temps roulez!
    Now get off the computer and go do what you’re supposed to be doing on your honeymoon.
    Dez

  697. Mazel Tov!! But what kind of crazy person are you to have a book deadline and a wedding converge on one another?????
    Best wishes to you and Joe for “Happily ever after..”

  698. Yarn Harlot + Mr. Joe Cool = Fantabolousness ^ (chocolate+coffee+warm fuzzies+luxury yarn+fantastic music+great booze+family)
    Magnificent. Best Wishes and Happy Thoughts!

  700. An Oh, Congratulations on finishing another book! (Can’t ignore the painful birth of another book just because you distracted me with gansey, lace, flowers, and rings)

  702. Ooohh, I knew it as soon as I saw the first picture! Endless congratulations and happiness to you both!!! Now, how do I convince my fiance that we need to get married too?

  703. Tillykke med Brylluppet!
    That was “congratulations” in my native tongue, danish 🙂
    May your wedding give the two of you many good years together and cement the love you both feel 🙂

  704. Excellent! Congratulations to the lovely couple, and best wishes for many future anniversaries of this lucky day.

  705. Congratulations and best wishes to you both. I cannot believe that you can plan so much and still knit like a demon.
    How did you manage to keep it all a secret?

  708. A wedding to plan, a book to write, 3 kids and all that knitting. I’m moving to Canada, they obviously have 50 hour days (although v. short summers, perhaps that’s the payoff).

  709. Congratulations!!!! Amazing!!! Just Amazing! You make the rest of us look like slackers LOL! I would have needed to have a guest blogger for 6 months to pull all this off. You are just a trifle insane to schedule all those things at once, but I think that’s one of the things we love about you. Your flowers were absolutely stunning! I hope you’ll be kind enough to share more pictures with us because we’re such a nosy bunch. Many blessing to you all. Congratulations again!

  710. Congratulations on tying the knot! With that many well wishers from around the globe this will be neverending harmony.
    Best wishes from Germany
    Petra

  717. Wow! You actually made it legally difficult for him to run away from the fiber. Good for you!
    Many congrats to you both!

  718. Congratulations on the wedding, the book and also on the ability to not-finish when necessary. Also, congratulations on dveloping a readership that results in well over 700 comments (and counting) for a single post. Okay, a pretty significant post, but I’m just saying. This bodes well for the success of all your endeavours!

  720. Oh, Steph – congratulations. I’m sure nobody guessed the event was your wedding because no one but you would try to plan a wedding and finish a book, all in the same timeframe. May your zest for life and your delightful giddiness bring you joy and happiness for the rest of your now-legally-wedded life!

  721. Way to go on the book. I hope the wedding was lovely. The Gansey and the shawl will get done…sorry they didn’t make their intended event, but you are only human. Right? lol.

  722. I’m a long time reader from Scotland just delurking to wish you both very very happy. Congratulations!

  723. Congratulations!! Hubby and I are celebrating our 26th today. He built me a yarn corner!

  724. I can’t fathom you having time to wade through 700 plus messages, but I’d like to echo all of the above sentiments. And the beautiful picture speaks volumes.

  729. Stephaine and Joe: Wishing you a lifetime of JOY and HAPPINESS together. Hope you will post more pics of the happy event.

  730. Congratulations and God Bless! I want to go back and reread all your struggles with the shawl and gansey. No WONDER you were so stressed.
    As another said, you will look fabulous when you wear them for your first anniversary.

  731. Congratulations!!
    In 2002 my parents finally got married after being together for 27 years. Since their wedding they have been happier and more in love than ever. I wish the same for you and Joe.

  732. Congratulations Joe & Stephanie!!
    I wish you an Irish blessing…
    Walls for the wind,
    And a roof for the rain,
    And drinks beside the fire –
    Laughter to cheer you
    And those you love near you,
    And all that your heart may desire!
    Cherish

  734. I am glad you didn’t rush into this, but from what you say about him, you have someone pretty neat, and from what I know of you, he got someone pretty neat. Wishing you many years of happiness.
    Will LeeAnn make him a bunny with a gansey?

  738. Mazel Tov and what a way to start a new year (well, it’s a new year for some of us anyway!) The shawl and gansey can wait.
    The flowers are simply stunning by the way!

  741. Congratulations!! You couldn’t have picked a more perfect day. Saturday was my wedding anniversary.

  742. Congratulations.
    Talk about all the planets aligning at once–the book, the tour, the marriage. Wonderful. And what will you do as an encore?
    Marlyce in Windsor

  743. Congradulations. You can always finish the items for your first wedding aniversary or save them for the 25th or 50th. Just think of them as another type if ufo or fond (finished object not delivered).

  744. Wow … how wonderful … and I just love the clever way you got round to telling us all the news.
    Then that’s why there are so many of us that read your blog religeously.

  745. How lovely. Many felicitations and best wishes – may the road always rise to meet you on your journey together.
    Cheers and regards, Karen

  746. Yesterday I was too verklempt to comment. Today I came back to see how many comments you had. Then I took another look at the absolutely beautiful photographs. You had a French manicure!! Can’t wait to see what you did to your hair.
    Seriously, congratulations to you and Joe.

  751. You are the queen of stress, and I bow down to you. Two huge knitting deadlines, a writing deadline and planning a wedding?
    You’re nuts.
    Congratulations to the both of you.
    (18 days to my daughters wedding and her dress is in pieces in my sewing room… no stress there.)

  752. Congratulations- on everything!! Now is the time to forget all the wonderful things your Mother taught you about thank you responses. Since we are only able to send a short note, our present to you is to PLEASE not respond to all of this! Now would be a good time for a simple, general note in your blog. I have just finished reading and it took me 2 days!!

  754. [jaw agape in amazement at your ability to multitask]
    Congratulations, Stephanie, and all joy to you & Joe and the girls.
    (I had to re-read your post three times to get the light to turn on — that’s you and Joe you’re talking about!)

  755. The best of wishes to you and your man. May you enjoy a long, happy, healthy, fiber-filled life together.

  758. Congratulations to you both & many more happy years together!
    I must say, you raise tight schedule knitting to a whole new level.

  759. Congratulations! My parents didn’t get married until I graduated high school and I loved being able to be a part of the ceremony. I’m sure it’s a memory your girls will cherish forever.

  761. Any sock pictures? I hope they turned out. You guys are crazy and lovely and destined to enjoy each other forever. Congratulations!

  764. Congrats! After so long do ya feel any different? 🙂 The shawl would have been beautiful for the event but that’s not the most important thing! Have a happily ever after!

  765. Stephanie,
    I can’t say anything that hasn’t been said before, but I’ll say it again to second, third, or 760th the sentiments above. You’re a crazy, knitterly woman for stacking your deadlines so close, you sure can keep a secret, many blessings, godless, government-sanctioned, or otherwise, and I too would love to see more pictures.

  768. Yup, I’m probably 768, but I just had to say How lovely. Somehow no matter how many years there are together, those rings make a difference and I’m wishing you and Joe all the best in this step. I hope you had a wonderful glorious occasion. Daryl

  769. Holy comments batman…I suppose mine will get lost in the shuffle. How cool is this?! I just got married myself and am still kinda high off the experience. No wonder you were coming a little unglued! Congrats and a thousand best wishes. Definitely more pics though, if you feel like sharing.

  771. a book deadline,and a wedding within the same week?. Yee gaads girl- someone should have been knitting FOR you 🙂 Congratulations…. and may all the joy in the world head your way.

  772. CONGRATULATIONS!
    I hope we get more pictures later!
    (And you are absolutely NUTS to do so much at once, but it must feel great now!)
    I bet there was GREAT music!

  775. Now you will feel no rain,
    For each of you will be shelter to the other.
    Now you will feel no cold,
    For each of you will be warmth to the other.
    Now there is no more loneliness,
    For each of you will be companion to the other.
    Now you are two bodies,
    But there is one life before you.
    Go now to your dwelling place,
    To enter into the days of your togetherness.
    And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
    ~ Apache Wedding Prayer Blessing
    OK, so you already are all that to each other…but here’s reinforcing the idea! Many warm congratulations to both of you, and your lovely daughters!

  776. Adding my best wishes to the pile! More pictures, please! What did you wear? Did your hair cooperate?

  779. “And the two shall be as one”
    May the knit and purl in your lives be as delicate as a beautiful shawl and as sturdy as a warm gansey that are not finished, but a work in progress.

  780. Congratulations and best wishes! I’ve read your blog for a very long time and am constantly amazed at the intricacy of the things you knit, and the fact that you apparently knit at light-speed. Thanks for letting all of us share in your life!

  783. Please tell me you did not knit the dress. Or, for that matter, the wedding Birkenstock straps.
    Much love to both of you…I’m kind of hoping you did this on an anniversary date that is different from the Heathen one, because boys need all the chances at remembering anniversary dates that they can get. We have three. It helps.

  787. No WAY! I’m getting married this Saturday! And I too have Black Magic roses in my boquet with Hypericum berries. *spoooooky*
    Congratulations Stephanie, you and your honey deserve every happiness. 🙂

  789. Though not a regular commenter, I had to delurk to say:
    Congratulations!
    And a silly part of me wants to see how high your comments for this one entry will go!

  790. Like you’re going to read this after 800-odd comments, but hats off to both of you! I’m curious, though, why now? What made you decide to get married at this point in the game?

  792. Holy mackeral, you did have a busy weekend. No wonder you were so stressed out this past month! Congratulations to both of you.

  793. Congrats!!! I hope it was a lovely day and I wish you both all the best.
    I was hoping if I waited long enough to comment I could put it over a 1000 but 800 or so will have to do.

  795. congratulations! it’s almost enough to make me run right out and make official my own heathen union. maybe if i start a shawl and a gansey the knitting will finally push us into it…

  796. Well, happy anniversary (I’m guessing) and the photos are lovely. Finished or not, that lace shawl is scrumptious.
    Have such a good one!
    firefly

  797. Gosh, you’ve got me de-lurking for the second time this month, but I HAVE to share the joy… very best wishes to you and your absolutely special family, all of them (even Mr. W in the basement)… what a lovely surprise.

  799. Thanks for thinking of us on your honeymoon! I was picturing you stressed and writing, no time to knit or write a blog. What a wonderful surprise! Congratulations to you both, and many, many good wishes for all the happy years ahead.

  803. Steph! You and Joe tied the knot the weekend AFTER HWSRN and I did the same thing! Congratulations! I can’t believe you stuck a wedding in between the start of the school year and a book deadline…I thought I was the only person crazy enough to plan a Sept. wedding! Blessings on you both and much happiness, too!

  804. Best wishes for continued happiness! I don’t know how you managed to keep this a secret from all of us…
    And by the way, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing the book!!!! woo hoooooooo!!!

  810. WOW – way to go. And way to keep a secret! Now you must spill all.
    I don’t think we need to mourn the ending of the GHU (godless heathen union). You don’t seem any more god-full, any less heathen (if you take that word in its broader sense to mean somewhat less than well-mannered and civilized), and you’re certainly only MORE unified.

  811. Stephanie–
    Guess what? I got married on Saturday also!
    Wishing you all the happiness!

  812. wonderful..joyfull.. wow..
    last year I joined the knitting olympics..through you blog..but could not finish my project.. today.. I came for a veryyy late re-visit.. and what do I find out..
    be happy very happy together.. bless you..

  813. Congrats! So is this still a Godless Heathen Union with the governments blessing or did some religious person put their blessing on this legal union. Congrats either way. I have been trying to think what the shawl was for (I figured it had to be for something special) but all I could think of was for someones baby – your wedding never crossed my mind.

  814. Oh, I just know there is a great story behind those pictures! I wish you much happiness in this new incarnation of your union. And I think you are still perfectly entitled to call it a GHU if it wasn’t a church ceremony. 😉