When I was flipping out on Friday, thinking about how it was that if I arsed it up in my hometown I wouldn’t ever be able to live it down, I forgot to look at the flipside. If I didn’t arse it up, speaking in front of friends and family was going to be awesome. At 7:00 on Friday, I found out what everyone else knew. There ain’t nothing like a hometown crowd. The requisite sock pictures….
Dudes. There were so many knitters.
We all know that Toronto is a mecca for the kniterati, but wow. Seeing it is pretty wonderful thing.
(Actually, I think whether or not a bookstore full of hundreds of knitters is a good thing depends on who you are. If you are the knitters, who keep warning bookstores how many of you there are, and what a significant portion of their business you represent and asking for chairs, you might find this sort of thing very, very satisfying. If you are the bookstore that just figured it out the hard way…perhaps you would think otherwise.)
Martha has a fantastic recounting ( love the labels on her pictures. There’s a few I would add to if I could) and Meredith’s husband played brilliant paparazzi for her story here. It was a blast, and once I realized I wasn’t going to die, it was sort of fun looking out there and seeing my mum and Joe’s mum and dad, my kids, Joe, my nieces and brother-in-law, my friends, my knitter buddies, Yarn shop owners….all people I knew, although there were really lots of new faces too. I didn’t take a lot of pictures because it was all happening sort of fast (and the panic thing the Indigo people had going on was really contagious…I hear that they were really fun to watch over the course of the evening.) and if I told you everything we would be here all day…but here are some highlights.
This is Jamie’s beautiful baby. (A beautiful baby wearing wool soakers.)
Aven brought me one too.
Adrienne,
and Cathy
both brought their first sock mojo. (Have you ever noticed that these first socks people bring always look way better than your first sock looked? I mean, are the people with the sucky fist socks just not showing me, or was my first sock especially horrendous)
A thousand thanks to Chris and Marsha, who still have me laughing by supplying not just this years bacopa basket, but all the proof I needed that I’m not the only one who thinks it’s freakin hilarious. Bacopa Cabana. Snork.
This is Jasmine and Derek from Edmonton…
Holidaying after renewing their vows and taking a little time out for knit-action.
Danny donated a wonderful hat to the hat collection…
and the hat collection was incredible. Since I was the hat lady for Toronto I got to have a really good long look at them before I donated them to Streetknit, and I was really impressed.
They are all really, really good hats. When we were done messing with Indigo, (Post in the comments if you have a story about Friday) I sallied down to The Spotted Dick (stop that giggling) and I have to tell you. Filling a whole pub up with knitters?
Bigtime fun. Bigtime.
Megan stayed long enough to get called home…
Rachel H, Joe and Ken (aka: The Dream Team who make all things possible.)
Partied it desperately hard.
Joe thanked Ken for his perpetual support.
(I said I wouldn’t post that, but it’s too damn cute.)
And me? I had a wonderful time. I’ll say it again. Ain’t nothing like a hometown crowd….
and a finished baby sweater.
Tomorrow we answer that burning question:
How many knitters can you fit in a bus shelter?
(PS. I should have known you would ask. Justin and Colin had an estimated 30 attendees. I think that counts as a trouncing.)
Fantastic. Glad it went well, and that you discovered the flip side of the hometown crowd.
Congratulations! I will be missing you on Weds. in Northampton, after all, but will continue to live vicariously through the blog. Well done, Stephanie!
I knew it would be fabulous, and now I get to feel badly for missing it all over again.
So happy you freaked out the muggles yet again.
Bacopa cabana. snork. I still think that’s hilarious…
It was a great time. I had the best seat (ok, standing room) in the house. Right at the bottom of the stairs where the Indigo folks were FREAKING OUT the whole time! I loved every second of it. There’s a story on my blog (www.froggiemeanie.blogspot.com). I’m too lazy to type it out again.
On Friday, I was standing next to a male employee who snickered and rolled his eyes everytime he had to tell a knitter to stand behind the velvet ropes. The he turned to me and try to make conversation by asking “Do you knit?”. I turned to him and give him my most convincing smile and said, “No I don’t but I heard that the author does” He walked away shaking his head!
It was such an honour and thrill to be part of this book launch. Met so many fabulous people, had so much fun in line, and so enjoyed hearing you speak. You did ROCK!!! – as I knew you would.
Congratulations again!
For more pics from the day – go to http://www.yarnaholicinto.blogspot.com.
Stephanie, my muggle friend and I had an awesome time! She kept asking me if we were going to be the youngest one’s there (we’re mid 40’s !!) and I kept assuring there would be so many people there from all age groups. She didn’t believe me. Once there and standing in line, looking around she couldn’t get over (a list for you..)
a)how MANY people there were
b)how many YOUNG people there were
c) WE WERE ALL KNITTING!.
I think I might get a little tinsy more respect now.
Thanks for a wonderful talk. I managed to get two of your books signed. Awesome!
Denise in Caledon
I arrived at 6:30 p.m. and sure enough, all seats were already gone. I actually mumbled to one of the staff that there weren’t enough chairs, and she retorted: “But we put out a lot!”, to which I answered: “Obviously not enough”. After that, deciding that knitters were going to create a mob scene, they roped us off away from the seated crowd. Guess we can get pretty threatening with our needles.
I loved your talk, it was a pleasure to finally see you launching your book in your hometown. Oh, and I really liked your daughter’s haircut (I was standing just next to her, so I saw the back of the head details). I shuddered and was thankful my own 14 year old daughter did not see it. But were your children ever PROUD of you!!! Isn’t it great to feel that you can actually be thought of as “cool” by your own teenage children? Congratulations and so sorry I couldn’t stay for the book signing, my husband was leaving for Ireland to visit his mom and I wanted to get home before he left!
Woo Hoo!
Sounds like you totally rocked and the knitters of the greater Toronto area showed the bookstore what’s what!
Cannot wait till Petaluma even if I am going to have to crochet (I know – the blasphemy) like a fiend to finish a gift for a friend that gets into town on the same day. But I’ll be knitting at Copperfield’s that night.
Maybe you should email copies of this post to bookstore owners across the continent – If they saw how many and how accomplished they are perhaps they’d be willing to stock more knitting titles (and not the beginner ones)? Looks like great fun, can’t wait to see you back in Oklahoma.
It was a fantastic time, thank you! Wish I could have been at the Dick, it looks like it was a wonderful time (I’m the one who had to catch the bus back to Guelph)!
It was so much fun! We were talking about it at home all weekend. My dad had a great time too. I wish I could have made it for the afterparty but all was still well. It was so great watching the Indigo people not knowing what hit them.
That is so cool! And that baby sweater at the end in all those happy spring colors just tops it off. Thank you (and loved the laugh on Ken’s face)!
Congratulations for not making a fool of yourself by throwing up, peeing yourself or falling on your arse. It looks like a good time was had by all. Great hat and hats and baby sweater. Great book, too, by the way. The next time you make it to Memphis I’ll get my second, third and fourth (and fifth, perhaps?) signed.
Glad you rocked at home! We rocked at the MSWF, but have recuperated sufficiently to keep our reservation to see you at WEBS on Wednesday. Did you know they had to move the event to the Calvin? I believe there will be screaming hordes attending! Almost like when the Beatles first came to America. But we’ll be friendly, I promise.
I can say with absolute conviction that my first sock did not look that good and also that I would not likely have let you see it in person. I did put photos of it on my blog, but in the photos you can’t see all the really wonky bits. I had not mastered the finer points of ssk (or reading instructions, but I’ve come to accept that I’m never really going to be good at reading instructions) when I did the first sock.
Glad you rocked at home! We rocked at the MSWF, but have recuperated sufficiently to keep our reservation to see you at WEBS on Wednesday. Did you know they had to move the event to the Calvin? I believe there will be screaming hordes attending! Almost like when the Beatles first came to America. But we’ll be friendly, I promise.
Congrats to you (and Rachel H and all the representers and the family and friends and so on and so on.) Home town crowds totally rock!
Someone at Copperfields in Petaluma better go out and start buying as many chairs as possible – I know people are actually coming up from Southern California for your appearance (and probably from Hawaii and Japan, this being the closest you’re getting to them), and I’m only driving 2 hours to get there. It will be jammed!
Now I’m only hoping I can bring my first sock to get mojo from The Sock – and yes, my first sock looks like crap, but dagnab it, it IS footwear. OK, footwear for a clubfooted Yeti, but still…
Good Times!!!
Woohoo! I’m so glad you had a good time. See you at Webs!
Steph, I wish I could have joined the party! So thrilled that it rocked and it went fabulous. Everyone there, have a drink or two, or three, or….for me please!
Congrats to you (and Rachel H and all the representers and the family and friends and so on and so on.) Home town crowds totally rock!
Someone at Copperfields in Petaluma better go out and start buying as many chairs as possible – I know people are actually coming up from Southern California for your appearance (and probably from Hawaii and Japan, this being the closest you’re getting to them), and I’m only driving 2 hours to get there. It will be jammed!
Now I’m only hoping I can bring my first sock to get mojo from The Sock – and yes, my first sock looks like crap, but dagnab it, it IS footwear. OK, footwear for a clubfooted Yeti, but still…
Woohoo! I’m so glad you had a good time. See you at Webs!
Glad you rocked at home! We rocked at the MSWF, but have recuperated sufficiently to see you at WEBS on Wednesday. Did you know they moved the event to the Calvin? I believe there will be screaming hordes. Almost like when the Beatles first came to America! But we’ll be nice, I promise.
You Rock My Dear Girl and the bookstore Muggles just were a treat to watch. I am so glad to have been part of the great group of knitters and spinners. http://www.flickr.com/photos/miz-cat/ these are my pics and click on my blog to read the account. Once again thanks for a great evening WHO HOO
We KW folk had big fun at the talk and the afterparty. I was the one anemically waving at you on our way out of the Spotted Dick, because I was too shy to actually say hi. Sigh. Nevertheless, what larks to be among so many knitters chatting and drinking it up! Best Friday night in a long time, even if I was out way past my bedtime.
Beth
You Rock My Dear Girl and the bookstore Muggles just were a treat to watch. I am so glad to have been part of the great group of knitters and spinners. http://www.flickr.com/photos/miz-cat/ these are my pics and click on my blog to read the account. Once again thanks for a great evening WHO HOO
HOOORAY for les canadiens et canadiennes! wonderful pictures, and if anyone noticed: every picture of every appearance shows a huge mob of ecstatically delighted laughing merry folks (emphasis on the “huge”). We represent! I’m so proud to be a member of that Community, and I say “Three Cheers for the Mayor!” (That would be you, YH.)
Wish I could have been there! Love the book. I think the number of knitters in a bus shelter depends on whether they’re knitting at the time!
Yes, but did we kick the British Nancy-boys to the curb?
Looks like a really good time and love the picture of Joe saying thanks to Ken.
Woohoo! I’m so glad you had a good time. See you at Webs!
We KW folk had big fun at the talk and the afterparty. I was the one anemically waving at you on our way out of the Spotted Dick, because I was too shy to actually say hi. Sigh. Nevertheless, what larks to be among so many knitters chatting and drinking it up! Best Friday night in a long time, even if I was out way past my bedtime.
Beth
I may have freaked the staff out somewhat when I started dismantling their book displays so that we could see you…
It was so much fun! The Indigo staff was indeed amusing to watch as the knitters kept on coming, and coming… You are a fantastic speaker (very good at covering the stagefright!), and a really cool woman. I hope I didn’t babble too horridly at you, but you encouraged my to come to knitnights regardless, and no matter what, I had a great night! It’s so good to hear that you did too.
Oh dear – I heard from someone who saw Henry earlier in the week. She said something about him hitch-hiking on the side of the road to Kingston on Friday. I think he got his dates mixed up.
Well, I’m glad that he was spared the humiliation of making a pass at you in front of Joe!
I’m so glad the whole event went well. The question remains: More knitters or More J&C fans?
Oh dear – I heard from someone who saw Henry earlier in the week. She said something about him hitch-hiking on the side of the road to Kingston on Friday. I think he got his dates mixed up.
Well, I’m glad that he was spared the humiliation of making a pass at you in front of Joe!
I’m so glad the whole event went well. One question remains: More knitters or More J&C fans?
Stephanie, you totally rocked. And I’m still recovering from the yarn crawl….my MasterCard may never be the same – I think it has skid marks! LOL
Stephanie, you totally rocked. And I’m still recovering from the yarn crawl….my MasterCard may never be the same – I think it has skid marks! LOL
Aw, the baby pictures you post are always so darned cute. That sweater is adorable, too. I wonder if it would be “too much” as an adult version.
Don’t know if you’ll ever make it to Florida so I can bask in your glow in person, but it’s great fun living vicariously through your posts. 🙂
HOOORAY for les canadiens et canadiennes! wonderful pictures, and if anyone noticed: every picture of every appearance shows a huge mob of ecstatically delighted laughing merry folks (emphasis on the “huge”). We represent! I’m so proud to be a member of that Community, and I say “Three Cheers for the Mayor!” (That would be you, YH.)
That’s wonderful! Glad you had a nice time. It looks like everyone except the Indigo staff had a good time too.
I had a blast at the talk. I made fast friends, and laughed more than I thought possible.
Rochelle, sitting next to me, laughed harder than I think is really healthy, and it was absolutely infectious.
The only thing better than a room full (and I mean FULL) of knitters is a room full of knitters being gawked at by every passer-by, while we are busy laughing our arses off, cheering at the top of our lungs, and still managing to keep our stitches straight (mostly).
Thank you for the fun.
Sounds like a fabulous night and is making me even more excited about Wednesday at Webs. I’ll be the one madly finishing a log cabin afghan on deadline instead of a sane project like a sock. I had hoped to have some first sock mojo for you but remain a sock virgin for now.
It was so much fun! The Indigo staff was indeed amusing to watch as the knitters kept on coming, and coming… You are a fantastic speaker (very good at covering the stagefright!), and a really cool woman. I hope I didn’t babble too horridly at you, but you encouraged my to come to knitnights regardless, and no matter what, I had a great night! It’s so good to hear that you did too.
That bay sweater is absolutely gorgeous. I need one in my size! 😉
That bay sweater is absolutely gorgeous. I need one in my size! 😉
You Rock My Dear Girl and the bookstore Muggles just were a treat to watch. I am so glad to have been part of the great group of knitters and spinners. http://www.flickr.com/photos/miz-cat/ these are my pics and click on my blog to read the account. Once again thanks for a great evening WHO HOO
29. If you have a standard bus shelter, the normal city type. But the projects in progress would all have to be small needled ones, as this is a very poky situation… Love that baby sweater. Really, really awesome!
(I hope this doesn’t post twice, got an error the first time.)
I can say with absolute conviction that my first sock did not look that good and also that I would not likely have let you see it in person. I did put photos of it on my blog, but in the photos you can’t see all the really wonky bits. I had not mastered the finer points of ssk (or reading instructions, but I’ve come to accept that I’m never really going to be good at reading instructions) when I did the first sock.
Baby Clara and I were lucky enough to get a seat (thanks, Elizabeth!) Our out-of-town (non-knitter) friends, who did not get seats, seemed a bit wigged out by the whole affair. The Indigo guy I talked to afterwards was a little stunned, and mentioned several times that he was surprised you’d talked for so long. I must confess a great deal of amusement about their lack of preparedness, especially after they’d been warned so many times.
The moral: do not meddle in the affairs of knitters, for thou art tasty and good with ketchup.
Nothing like coming out on the other side and breathing. Sounds like a fabulous time; has me ready to SEE you at Webs on Wednesday. Along with a few (over 450 at last count) other excited knitters. I shall be the one madly trying to finish a log cabin afghan on deadline. I had hoped to have a first sock ready to share but alas I remain a sock virgin for now.
It depends, are you stacking the knitters…in the bus shelter?
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the photo of Joe and Ken, seriously.
My first sock looked pretty good. Then I knit the second one and I was not in the same spot of the self patterning yarn as the first one. So my first pair of socks were fraternal. Looks like a good crowd. It’s always good to perform in front of the hometown crowd.
You Rock My Dear Girl and the bookstore Muggles just were a treat to watch. I am so glad to have been part of the great group of knitters and spinners. http://www.flickr.com/photos/miz-cat/ these are my pics and click on my blog to read the account. Once again thanks for a great evening
Would you please cut it out with the yummy baby sweater pictures already? I’m on the verge of begging my LYS owner on bended knee to make up some kits for it, once they have the worsted in stock.
Oh, that is just so incredibly pretty . . . and I’ve got a munchkin to wear it, even. ;o)
And about the hometown crowd–I’m glad you had a grand time. :o)
First posting ever: I just have to say that my husband and I WERE scheduled to make our four-cities in seven days visit to Canada (his home and native land) this week but it was postponed just around the time the Toronto talk was scheduled. He’s had to hear me moan ever since about missing actually SEEING the Yarn Harlot in person in her home town. Oh, well… I’m still hoping to sneak in a pilgrimage to Lettuce Knits on our brief layover in Toronto.
And, no, Stephanie, you aren’t the only one hiding your first sock. I made mine a month or so ago (after reading your blog archives and books and realizing there were no babies to knit for and it was too hot for big projects) They are wearable, but definitely not for public and certainly not for bringing to show off to the knitterati! My second pair was beautifully shaped but so big I had to give them to my husband. Pairs three, four, and five, are on needles set up for the road trip. SMALLER needles! Also a few scarves in case it all becomes overwhelming.
I’ve got that song stuck in my head, you are one nasty woman!
Glad to see the hat arrived, wish I had ditched the art show & come.
I knew you’d trounce ’em.
See? I told you you’d do fine. But I guess part of the process is worrying your arse off about it. It must be wonderful to live in a town with an active knitting community. I think there are knitters in my town, but they are stealth knitters. Or perhaps wannabe knitters… Have a great week!
Baby Clara and I were lucky enough to get a seat (thanks, Elizabeth!) Our out-of-town (non-knitter) friends, who did not get seats, seemed a bit wigged out by the whole affair. The Indigo guy I talked to afterwards was a little stunned, and mentioned several times that he was surprised you’d talked for so long. I must confess a great deal of amusement about their lack of preparedness, especially after they’d been warned so many times.
The moral: do not meddle in the affairs of knitters, for thou art tasty and good with ketchup.
What a great talk and wonderful evening. You were so right about knitting bringing people together who otherwise have nothing in common. I made a bunch of wonderful new friends while standing in line. I had so much fun that I nearly missed my train home; I got to the station with 3 minutes to spare.
Best day trip to Toronto ever.
I love the baby sweater! So much cooler than dainty pastels!
Thanks for posting the photos! I can see myself, a blurry little person waving. I’m saving it, even if I am a blur! I posted the other day to say how much I enjoyed your talk, and being with all those knitters. It has given me a real boost! I now know that I am truly a KNITTER!!!!! And that I always will be. :O) And all the people where I was standing were yakking and knitting and getting to know each other, comparing notes and laughing while we waited for you to arrive. The whole evening was just perfect. The hats are wonderful, all of them, and I was glad to be able to contribute some. Watching the Indigo staff was hilarious, for sure, and I’m wondering if we managed to have more people there than Tracy Ulman!??? I was sorry to have to leave before getting my book signed, but the little city ones who had escorted their small town grandma to Indigo via streetcar and subway had to get home. Next time I hope I’ll be able to stay over and join the shop crawl. I’d love to do that! I’m still remembering and chuckling and trying to explain to muggles what was so special about Friday evening. Thanks so much, Stephanie. I hope someday to be part of another knitters’ gathering as wonderful as this one was. With you there, of course! samm, in a little town near Niagara
Yo, trouncing!! We all knew you could do it.
I’m REALLY sorry I missed the party.. all parts of it but so glad you all had a good time.
Love the picture of Joe and Ken. Yes, it is too good not to include.
The colours in the baby sweater are gorgeous. Worth the price just to knit and enjoy that.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love your “knitters representing” stories. They are so fab because I STILL have people staring at me like I have 3 heads when I pull out my knitting in public. Sheesh! It’s only gotten worse since moving to North Carolina. Oh well, we shall just continue to slowly take over the world – mwhahahahha – hrmpph, hrmpph – I mean, we’ll just have to continue our quest to educate the muggles about the wonders of knitting. (tee hee).
Oh, that is priceless! WTG! And the photo of Joe and Ken is pretty darn cute, too.
My first socks were for my son, a rather large foot. They swam on him. Green and big enough for the jolly green giant! Still he said thanks mom. Maybe he will wear them in the winter with another pair for extra warmth or to make a large pair of shoes fit. Now I know that I must use tiny needles and way less stitches! Never cast on more than 56 stitches…
Comment virgin here!
So glad it went well 🙂 When I first found your blog (I’ve been reading it for over a year now) I couldn’t believe how funny you were and how clever with your pointy sticks. I kept thinking there should be many books – then I finally got one ordered and now I have the full set. Whenever I want to feel like a ‘real’ knitter I pick the first two up – the stories and anecdotes that link all of us from the brand new knitter to the confirmed stash-aholic always make me laught out loud.
I loved the Tulip baby sweater too…So much so, I’m ordering a kit. Luckily I know someone with a baby due for delivery in July. How much knitting time did it take to make? It seemed like you whizzed through it. Do you think it will suit a boy? Unfortunately, I’m not sure what will pop out yet!
Nic xx
Ok, every bookstore you appear at should get a copy of Martha’s video she has up in her report. Grief, woman, I’m surprised you didn’t run like a deer at the wall of sound arising! Boy, we knitters can make a *lot* of noise. [vbg] Brilliant report. Brilliant pix. (*Love* Joe and Ken.) Brilliant baby sweater. So. Much. Fun. And thanks to all the commenters with equally brilliant reports and pix and all – what a way to spend a holiday afternoon, reading about such a great time and snickering at the muggle stories. Congrats, Stephanie, and thanks everyone!
(Counting down to Portland…I may be bouncing off the walls as much as you were Friday by the 8th, LOL.)
See, you were less nervous than you thought, did you notice your hometown knitters weren’t blurry at all?
Sounds like a great time!!
Now, can you please come to Southwest Virginia?
I had so much fun! Both on Saturday and on Friday night.
Thanks for posting a pic of my babe… my parents are going to think she’s famous now!
((and can you believe the way she grabbed those needles?? Oh yah, a knitter have I!))
See, you were less nervous than you thought, did you notice your hometown knitters weren’t blurry at all?
Sounds like a great time!!
Now, can you please come to Southwest Virginia?
Is it wrong to laugh, just a little bit, at the staff that didn’t believe? Because I think chortling is a definite must right now. Also, you survived, and thrived! Excellent!
Hmm, I’m thinking that a knitting themed pub would be a fantastic idea! It’d be so much fun to have a permanent place to go drink some beers and screw up some stitches with other people! Now if I could only convince some investors of this idea…
Glad to see all the support of your hometown knitters, it sounds like a very great evening!
Congratulations! It sounds like it was a blast! I totally wish I could have been there!
A great evening all round. My non-kinitting partner loved it too (although maybe not-currently knitting is more hopeful – she has been known to answer other customers’ knitting questions while waiting for me at the Naked Sheep).
Sadly, I forgot to bring my hats, but I’ll drop them off at a Streetknit site.
You’re not alone. My first sock… well, let’s not go there, ok? It was for my Barbie, and one was short enough to be a slipper, the other was lacy (like fishnet) and reached to her navel.
Ya, I was an interesting child…
Okay, I’ve taken the problem of the Muggles into my own hands, and made a web page (well, really a Squidoo Lens) where you can send the bookstore owners so they’ll have the opportunity to not makes fools of themselves, nor annoy knitters in the process.
http://www.squidoo.com/knittingculture/
It’s a work in progress, but I thought that you might like to see it. The general idea is that bloggers can submit the links to their blog posts about going to see you speak, or photos they have online. I’ve linked some of the posts you’ve made from the places you’ve been recently as a start. I’m hoping, with knitters being as helpful and willing to rally around you as they are, that there will be a lot of content submitted.
Hopefully if there’s a clearinghouse with massive amounts of photographic and anecdotal evidence, the Muggles can wise up, and make things go smoothly for a change. (Imagine all the knitters, sitting in peace . . . )
The degree to which you continuously are greeted with amazement by bookstores is astounding! Perhaps a little bit of business explanation would work, though I suppose that Jamie the wonder publicist cites these numbers regularly on the phone to deaf ears. The primary demographic of knitters active in knitting communities are women in their 30’s and 40’s (and 50’s, too). These women are rapidly approaching middle age. 80% of bookstore book sales are made to guess which demographic? Middle aged women. It strikes me that a bookstore with a manager that had passed a high school business course would understand that providing an excellent service to hundreds of immediate and near future customers, free of charge, is outrageously profitable.
Stephanie, you rocked! It was a fabulous and hilarious evening. . I was there with my 9-year old, indoctinating…er, sharing with her the sense of knitterly community. (Why did she get all your stash jokes? I thought that was mommy’s little secret.) Get ’em while they’re young …knitting koolaid-dyed green yarn square+ exposure to funny kitting stories+roomful of laughing knitters=future happy knitter
love it! especially the u-tube flick of your rousing welcome on the link you made to someone’s blog. Way to go!
Looks like you knocked their socks off.
Maybe now everybody’s first socks look so great because they use *your* recipe to learn like I did! See the blog for proof http://www.knitintensity.wordpress.com
Third try:
The closet door seems to be banging in the wind tonight — some blue shirts not making it in at all, others whirling past again and again…
Or maybe it just wants to keep me from commenting that the Dream Team is exactly that — something for [nearly] every proclivity.
(Let’s see if it posts this time…)
That baby sweater is absolutely precious!!
Love that they estimated 30 and you got over 300! LOL I guess next time they might listen a little better.
When I got to Indigo Friday night I was dismayed to see that there were no chairs left – in fact, there weren’t nearly enough chairs. I had a nice sales “boy” telling me I couldn’t stand on the steps and I said – do you not know who Stephanie Pearl McPhee is? Why aren’t there more chairs? He responded that they had limited space. Limited space? In a book store that’s two floors? Hmmm! If only they moved some of those monstrous displays with books that were no interest to knitters. Seems like they lost out too though – they could have filled displays around the speaking area with lots of knitting books and probably sold lots of knitting books. Their loss! Our gain to hear Stephanie – you did a fantastic job! We enjoyed every second of it!
Yay! I wish I could have been there!! I would love to check out the knitting scene in Toronto some time. It would be cool if, in all your free time, you drafted a list of great knitterly places in Toronto — a Must See list — a Knitter’s Guide to Toronto. Heck, come to think of it, I think there really should be one for EVERY city! 🙂
Congrats to you (and Rachel H and all the representers and the family and friends and so on and so on.) Home town crowds totally rock!
Someone at Copperfields in Petaluma better go out and start buying as many chairs as possible – I know people are actually coming up from Southern California for your appearance (and probably from Hawaii and Japan, this being the closest you’re getting to them), and I’m only driving 2 hours to get there. It will be jammed!
Now I’m only hoping I can bring my first sock to get mojo from The Sock – and yes, my first sock looks like crap, but dagnab it, it IS footwear. OK, footwear for a clubfooted Yeti, but still…
I arrived at Indigo at 6, and stopped to talk to my friend Sandi, who works there.
“I’m here with the knitters,” I said.
“Oh right, you would be…” she said, then continued suspiciously – “There are a lot of them already… they’re all sitting on the floor… knitting…”
Add one more to the Muggle freak-out count.
My first sock? I had to rip it out because it was about 1 1/2 times too big. Once I got it the right size it was pretty good.
The bookstores and chairs thing just reminded me… There are a couple of knitting groups in town, and I used to go to one that met in a bookstore. We used to meet in the cafe section, but after a while they told us we couldn’t meet there anymore, that they needed the space for “customers.” Uh, hello? Most of us bought something to eat or drink every time we were there. Many of us bought a book or magazine (or 2 or 3 or 4…). How are we not customers? But they moved us to another section of the store and put out a limited number of chairs for us. And it was never enough chairs for the number of knitters that showed up.
I got there one night and there was nowhere left to sit, so I asked the manager for some more chairs. They scrounged up two more chairs from the back of the store and said that’s all they had, and of course by the time they got those out, more knitters had come. After that I decided I knew when my money and I weren’t wanted and started going to a group that meets in a cafe on the other side of town where there’s ample seating. The food’s better too!
Sounds like you had a great time. I’m glad. The pic of Joe and Ken is adorable.
Friday night was just such a good time. I don’t often congregate with other knitters, and that was a real treat. I was the person with the friend who took several small movies of both of us saying “hold down the button!” Good times. My first sock was honoured to visit with its much better-travelled cousin.
Gee…a hit in your own hometown. That totally puts you one up on Jesus. Way to go, dude!
Lisa, I saw you rearranging the books and thought Oh no, she’s gonna catch it! 🙂
The yellow-jacketed security guards appeared a tad bewildered and greatly outnumbered. We were armed!
Ahh, muggles. You’ve gotta love ’em.
Steph, you did anything but arse it up. Let them Choke on CHOKE!
I’m still recovering from the yarn crawl – not sure my MasterCard ever will 😉
Our merry ship of knitters rolled down the highway from Waterloo (and there were other ships from that port, too) while WIPping three socks and a warshcloth – a fourth sock was contemplated only briefly by the driver. We five didn’t even all know each other, so the friend-making began straight away. Julia brought first-sock mojo, but none of us were clever enough to remember our picture-taking machines. Amy did hemp lace without a net. Jen worked on her lovely socks (and threw in a two-circs workshop somewhen in the evening). And Beth gets all the kudos for making it back to knitting after a terrible broken elbow AND having her washcloth earn the only FO of the night in our vicinity.
Princess parking got us to the venue at a few minutes after 7pm. Late enough that we got the full aural force of the welcome as we entered and tried to find space to stand. Yee-freakin-haw. My heart still feels full at the sight.
You, as usual, gave everybody their yarn budget’s worth.
I’d speak to the off-putting-ness of the stanchions and the ropes and the unseemly number of disapproving (and maybe quivering?) staff members assigned to keep us all orderly, but I think the message was well and truly received. Books flew, lines snaked, and everywhere people were not ill-tempered or pushy because they had their knitting to do, their knitting to show, their knitting to talk about.
Our band picked up some more friends (Tara and Barbara) and headed to the pub.
Princess parking, in a way, again as we were late enough to be only able to get chairs at the bar right next to the exit, but they turned out to be the only seats with an oxygen supply ;-).
I had the best, long visit with Rachel (and I’m going to enter dangerous crazy-stalker-laydee territory here by saying that Rachel, you rock seriously hard, and I will be jumping the geography gap a bit more frequently to enjoy more of your company), and a lovely chat with Joe.
Every time I looked around the bar, I saw groups of people with their heads together – learning from each other. Oh, and the laughing and the drinking and eating didn’t hurt either.
A marvellous evening all round. I think we all felt a bit of withdrawl (and an excess of muggles) the next day.
Thank-you, m’am, for doing what you do. You make us all feel a little more sane, while celebrating the completely mad habits we all share.
I had so much fun at Indigo and on Sat for the yarn crawl. Explaining the concept to my muggle sister went something like this, “It’s like a pub crawl, only without the pub and with yarn instead.” Her response — silence. Then, “I think I’d need the pub to be able to do the yarn.” lol I’m enjoying doing the blog crawl of the yarn crawl. 🙂
Yowza! That’s a lotta knitters. Looks like a frabjous time. Tell Ken I think he’s a cutie. Especially when he’s being kissed by Joe.
Collin and Friend: 30
Harlot and Company: 300
I’m still laughing uncontrollably….and they thought (!!!! what do THEY know) that Collin and friend would win?!!!
Too cool!
My first socks? Definitely not “good” heck, 8-10 pairs later I’m still working on getting them right ! As I only had two finished pairs this past winter I wore them almost every other day (and washed them in the evenings). I still don’t care that the toes look like crap. [current: 4 pairs + 3 waiting for their mates]
To have your teenage children proud of you is the best blessing to have. While my mum embarrassed me oodles when I was a teen, I was (and still am) really proud of all that she did for me and even more how she had her own life as well (and even more now, she’s never home when I call for her!).
Much happiness and glad all was quite well.
I’d be there, too, if you came to Florida. So, you have two confirmed and lots more who would show up.
My first sock went okay, though a bit wonky. It’s the second, when I got a bit overconfident, that is not going well. I posted about it on my blog earlier this month, but I will NOT be rehashing the horror here.
Horrah! Is it Wednesday yet?
“Bacopa cabana. snork. ” –Ha!
Knitters Rule!
Now that is why you go through the stress beforehand! What a great turnout.
Justin and Colin had how few attend?!? How is that possible? Yipes. Trounced. Soundly.
Babies in wool soakers – too precious.
Seeing all of this is getting me excited for Victoria, it’s getting closer! I feel like I’m the only blogger who hasn’t heard you speak, but not for long.
Hurray! I knew it would go great! Still waiting to hear about where we’re going after WEBS! 🙂
It looks like so much fun. I’d like so much to come to one of your events. A question – the hat by Danny is gorgeous. I’m hoping he reads this. Is that from a pattern or just made up? I could make it up but a pattern would but a pattern would make the process even simpler. Stephanie, I’ve enjoyed reading about all of your event and look forward to reading your lastest book.
I am so GLAD this was a great event (Australia isn’t any closer to Canada than it is to the USA in the whole scheme, so I missed it!) I was offline yesterday travelling so missed the last minute panic thing, but here it is: I lecture at a university to big crowds and after 14 years or so, I still get nervous, though not as paralytic as I used to. So do lots of my co-workers. And then speaking to an audience of my peers is still very scary to me and I also read my notes and fret and twitch and pee a lot of times!! Watching others doing it yesterday I have to admit I noticed that quite a few had breakfast or lunch on their clothes somewhere and I was till impressed by what they said… and really, can I just say those people who think you should be over being nervous beforehand have never tried doing what you do? You can get better at pep talking yourself, and you can get clearer about what makes it go well, and you build up a sense that it almost always goes well and when it isn’t everything you dreamed of no-one dies. And you can get better and better at remembering that feeling scared is not the same thing as facing a threat to your life and loved ones. But the people who make those comments would never *dream* of volunteering for the job, so their opinions don’t count for much!! Congratulations! Mary
ooooooooooooo! i couldn’t wait to read the “hometown post” and yet i didn’t want to read it and see all the fun i missed out on when it was actually close enough for me to attend! drat those parental responsibilities that keep me from fun events! and while it is unbearably adorable to see pics of a wide-eyed infant boy happily ensconced on mother’s knee at the event, it is definitely NOT adorable by any stretch of the imagination to witness a pair of 10 and 13 year old brothers wrestling each other to the ground in public out of boredom and frustration while their mother TRIES to enjoy a delightful evening devoted to knitting!!! so hence, our friday evening was spent waiting for said-teenager to return (2 hours late) from a school trip to Ottawa.But at least my thoughts were with all of you lucky ones! …….. sigh
ps: definitely want the pattern to danny’s red, cable brim tuque of exceptional length!
The baby sweater is GORGEOUS!! And I’m totally loving Danny’s hat!!
Since I cannot be in two places at once, and had no chance to be at Indigo anyway, I spent the week-end knitting and camping with my family, knowing I could come back here and read about what I missed. Thanks to all the postings and pictures, I felt like I was there with you all. Congratulations, Stephanie! You definitely hit a home run! ~ Dar
All I can say is
Bill Clinton
Leonard Cohen
and you!
Indigo’s three biggest draws of all time, dude. I’m so proud.
OMG, there I am on your blog! Holy cow!
That had to be the most muggle-baiting fun yet. And meeting all the wonderful knitters I hung out with in line and at the pub was even better. I so wanted to go yarn-crawling, but perhaps it was better that way. Not saying it might not happen later (like on the TTC knit-along)…
Looks like it was a great party complete with adorable babies!! Stephanie, you have overlooked the obious (to me anyway) explanation for the knitters who show up at your readings with the amazing first socks. They have had the advantage of your chapter on socks in Knitting Rules! That chapter alone is so brilliant that it would be worth the price of the book if all the other pages were blank! It would’ve shortened the learning curve on socks for me if I’d had it when I first started knitting them.
Looks like it was a great party complete with adorable babies!! Stephanie, you have overlooked the obious (to me anyway) explanation for the knitters who show up at your readings with the amazing first socks. They have had the advantage of your chapter on socks in Knitting Rules! That chapter alone is so brilliant that it would be worth the price of the book if all the other pages were blank! It would’ve shortened the learning curve on socks for me if I’d had it when I first started knitting them.
Completely and thoroughly enjoyed your muggle-thumping event on Friday night! I came with Andrea and Chris, whom I had met for the first time on Friday (I had corresponded with Chris after seeing her post on this blog) and we bussed, trained and subwayed our way to Bay and Bloor all the way from beautiful downtown Brantford.
Like so many others, when we arrived at Indigo we were rustled and roped off like so many, um, sheep by the bewildered staff. (“You didn’t do your homework!” I said to one black-shirted young lady. “But we put out LOTS of chairs…” she whimpered.)
While we were being herded, Chris and I took turns nudging the rope stanchion forward when the employees weren’t looking to make room for a couple more standees. I also removed a whole shelf’s worth of books from a display so we could see the platform. Knitters can be quietly subversive, as you surely know.
I loved your talk, much admire your work. You deserved the rafter-raising cheer you got when you arrived.
Colin and Justin, eat your hearts out.
This was the biggest event on my birthday since I turned 30 (U2 at MuchMusic during the Elevation tour), and the most fun I’ve had since my friends threw me a surprise party for my champagne birthday the week after I turned 25 *G* Actually, this was much more fun than the party – just watching the Indigo staff get more and more freaked by the number of knitters arriving kicked ass (not to mention completely taking over the Spotted Dick ;))
The yarn crawl was a blast – thanks to both Rachel and you for organizing it 🙂 Knitters Ho!
At Bacooopa, Bacopa Cabannnnnaaaaaa!!!Snork, snicker, smile
It was worth the 6 hour drive into town (with my good friend Rae). So worth it. You are a great hostess even when nervous, thank you. What an event you created (yes, you’ll say it was your publicist and Rachel but you wrote the book which started them rolling)!
When I’m in a room of knitters, I make friends instantly and don’t mind standing up at all (while bonding over discusson of favorite socknitting methods). Funny how we could be so early and yet need to stand, but if that makes you look important to the bookstore (we already count you as important to our wonderful community) then we are OK with that.
I got a photo of the room when you asked all blog readers to raise their hands. I think it was about 99% hands in the air. It’s on my blog with other **Toronto Represent Adventure** photos (ten in all), in the Friday story (will post the Saturday story tomorrow with endless photos). My blog address is:
http://ColorJoy.com/weblog
two things:
1. you were awesome!
2. is ken single? 🙂
My first sock is UGLY. I was terrified of sock needles so knit them on size 7’s in worsted weight. Well, maybe they weren’t soo ugly when they’re laying on a table…except that the cuffs don’t match (after I knit the first one, I read in Knitting Rules! that a different kind of ribbing than the pattern called for was stretchier and held socks up better so I knit the second sock with a different kind of ribbing). Oh, and one foot is longer than the other one. I was running out of yarn by the time I got to the toe of the second sock so I just ended it.
I use them for hiking socks but they are kind of embarrassing.
I’ll bring my first pair of lace socks I’m working on for Wednesday….does that count? They are exponentially prettier than the ugly worsted weight ones. Plus they have added mojo being that they are 1) lace and 2)the first matching pair of socks I have done (sock knitting projects to date include the ugly worsted ones, 1 mateless one, and the pair I’m knitting at the same tmie to avoid the dreaded SSS).
I am so happy for you.
My first sock was very cute, but as it was a tiny baby sock, the cute factor may have helped.
My first pair of adult socks where beautiful, with a self-designed lace pattern and a nice yarn… but a ugly fit. (grin)
The baby sweater is happily beautiful. I bet that lettuce knit will receive a thousans of orders for the kit. I am refraining myself…
Congratualtions! I’m not in the least surprised at what a fabulous success you were, at the marvelous time had by all, or by the ineptitude of the Indigo staff. Thanks for all the great photos, links and backstory on the event. It’s a terrible thing, knowing that likely I’ll never ever get to hear you give a talk, but at least I can enjoy reading about it online!
Way to go Harlot! I bet the Muggles in your hometown will not underestimate Knitter Folk again! Congratulations on yet another successful launch. I know that you’re still basking in the glow of Friday’s success, and I don’t mean to make you anxious again, but I am so looking forward to seeing you at Web’s Wednesday night in Northampton MA! It’s going to be a blast!!! I mean, going on a road trip, getting to see the Harlot, and shopping at Webs, all while knitting! What bliss. So, please don’t get anxious, because we are an easy to please crowd and we all think you’re doing a bang up job of letting the world know that we are Knitters, and we are a force to be reckoned with. It will be great to finally meet you and see the Sock. Have a safe trip to Massachusetts. I’ll see you tomorrow night!
Congrats to the succesful event.
When I read the comments, I gave one long deep sigh. I haven’t seen a decent book on knitting or a pattern book for ages. Maybe there is something at the attic that my mother used years ago and that might be called passable…. but there’s absolutely nothing. The knitting girls I know are ordering books from abroad. Same with yarn – and I know, I’m the one who has a Visa and an ebay account and knows decent English.
I am The Metro Knitter. Young people stare at me whether I am a looney, elderly ladies are sweet and make comments like That’s nice that young people do something useful (which is a bit offensive, there are after all other useful things than knitting, but they do not mean it bad) and ask about the patterns. No community apart from one web discussion forum. It just sucks. Most of my knitting friends are from places like Finland or Iceland.
Maybe I should write a book myself but I’ll never find a publisher because there are those things that can be translated from English or German, success guraranteed, it’s foreign, it’s sexy.
I feel just down. I needed to go and wind some angoras into balls and now I need a project for them.
By the way, I checked other blogs and I discovered that I’ve actually already been to Toronto but I just forgot.
My first socks were from some black cashmere blend and I never wore them although they were nice and I invented the pattern on the spot.
Suck this Nancy Boys (30)
Oh I mean suck this piece of yarn.
I think they shoud send you to England, that would be fun.
Hold the phone! Is Joe actually wearing…BURGUNDY?!!!!!!
Congrats on a (by all accounts) rip-roaring success (oh, and I just saw Lemony Snicket on DVD, and I love Jim Carey as a Newfie!)
Wish I could have been there, it looks like it was a wondeful night for everyone (except the bookstore owners, lol). Love the picture with Joe and Ken…adorable!
Hey Stephanie. What an amazing launch! Congratulations. That rainbow baby sweater is the sweetest thing I have ever seen!
It sounds like a blast. I am sorry that I missed it. The school I teach at is very inconsiderate and would not reschedule the school year so I could attend.
The freaked out muggles sound like fun, at least now that they’ve been informed (experiential learning is far more lasting . . . )
Chicago was wonderful, but I really do wish I could have seen you in your home town 🙂
Just so you know, your talk and my constant enabling has started one of my knitting friends on her first sock. Hers looks amazing, but she’s checking knitting rules every 2 or 3 rounds 🙂
Take care, Stephanie, and enjoy the success. You deserve it!
— SciencePrincess (near Chicago)
Horray for you and the Toronto knitters. Sounds like it was a real love fest! And the baby sweater is quite precious. I’m still chuckling over last weeks quote of the year (IMHO) “I count yarn in my entertainment budget.” I hope you don’t mind but I’ve used it a couple times and gotten pretty good laughs.
Hi Yarn Harlot,
Thanks for a great time on Friday. I didn’t make it to the Spotted Dick, but now I wish I had! It was great to finally see you in person.
Luci
Okay, my first socks did not look like that either. My sock was also sucky . . . you are not alone. A lace sock and a fairisle sock for a first sock! They are over acheivers!
Congrats on filling up snooty Indigo’s slash Chapters. Great shots of the HUGE CROWD!
As for the Scottish Nancy Boys – don’t be so hard on them – it was snooty Indigo’s slash Chapters that didn’t see you as a serious celeb! As for my favourite Nancy Boys, I love them!
Congratulations on a great represent book launch. You deserve all the accolades coming your way. May the knitting and book godess always shine on you . Hope you have some R&R planed for yourself this summer. The baby sweater is yummy.
Glad it went so well. 🙂
Oh, yay! I’m glad you didn’t die. Congratulations!
Totally too cute a picture not to post. And my friend, you absolutely kicked arse on Friday night. Knew you would, but damn it’s fun to watch. Thank you for letting me be part of it.
Oh, it look like it was such a blast!!!! I am so envious of everyone who was there and I’m thrilled for you that it was such a success (not that I ever had the slightest doubt). Congratulations!
It looks like a good time was had by all. I love the pictures of Rachel H, Joe and Ken. By the way, why is Rachel H called Rachel H and not just Rachel? Is there another Rachel?
Also, is that baby sweater kit available online?
Hey, Danny, are you out there? Please, please share the recipe for the hat. If you don’t have one, make something up. General signposts will do. Beats the h*** out of store-bought Santa hats.
I bet your mum was just bursting with pride at her little girl. I had no doubt you’d pull in the crowd, and now, whenever you go into that bookstore, you should get royal treatment . . .
Hey, I’m with Jax — can we get the receipt for that hat? Cause I have to play Mrs. Claus this year, and that hat’s a scream.
And *plaintive tone* will someone explain Bacopa Banana to me? I mean, yeah, I think it sounds funny, but I finally figured out that it means something?
I bet your mum was just bursting with pride at her little girl. I had no doubt you’d pull in the crowd, and now, whenever you go into that bookstore, you should get royal treatment . . .
Hey, I’m with Jax — can we get the receipt for that hat? Cause I have to play Mrs. Claus this year, and that hat’s a scream.
And *plaintive tone* will someone explain Bacopa Banana to me? I mean, yeah, I think it sounds funny, but I finally figured out that it means something?
Hey cool the people in Toronto aren’t blurry at all! I love the sweater….now to find me a baby!
Hey cool the people in Toronto aren’t blurry at all! I love the sweater….now to find me a baby!
Wow. Looks like a great time, and Congrats on the awesome crowd!!
Maybe you could convince your publisher that you should have a truck full of chairs following you around the world? Then the location people might get it.
Can’t wait to see you on Wednesday at WEBS. It’s worth the 2 hour drive. AND a half-day from work.
The turnout is going to be huge…I think they’re expecting 600 at the Calvin!!! I’ll be there in a sweater from a 60s pattern. Look for the redhead carrying a 1930s knitting bag, wearing a yellow mohair sweater…and don’t worry. There’s lots of good beer in Northampton.
i have a wee little post on my blog about your amazing launch last friday night. hope you’ll check it out. you were fab.
Isn’t it great once the panic settles down that you’ve enjoyed this. Great pictures and I absolutely love the baby sweater.
Ok, someone shoot me now.
I thought my (really short and fairly inane) comment wasn’t going through yesterday, because I kept getting errors when I tried to post it. It now appears that, in fact, I managed to post it repeatedly. I’m so sorry Stephanie (and readers)! How annoying I am!
I got a 4 minute excerpt of the talk you gave — it’s a You Tube file on my blog: http://musclemomknits.typepad.com/knitting_musclemom/ for those who missed it. Sorry for the shaking, I was far and had to hold the camera above my head.
Oh that is too wonderful. You beat out the TV big shots!
Well I always knew you would. So if a Yarn Harlot can beat out a couple of international tv big shots, what does that make her.
It makes her the best, simply the best.
At this point, you’d think that just one bookstore owner would think to look at your blog pics of the more recent signing events and get a clue, yes?
But I wonder, is it the bookstores? Or the publicists who don’t think that maybe you need a giant hall? or at least a ballroom
I wish I could have been there… but sure enjoyed you in Chicagoland. As many have said before, you rock!
Oh yes! Please come to Florida! We need you- people here really don’t understand why we need to knit in a warm climate. What’s temperature got to do with it? I always say.
That’s so awesome… and don’t worry, Steph… my first sock was so bad, there was no second one…it was the only document case off sss in which the knitter was justified in saying, “But who would want another one of those?”
I’m so glad you trounced Justin and Colin… home improvement–hell, you can do that! But can they KNIT…that’s the question!
Dude. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of Joe with his hair back. I wouldn’t have recognized him without the helpful ID!
I was part of the Peanut Gallery on the second floor – not a great view of you, but we could hear you and laugh uproarously with you! The Peanut Gallery was a glorious mix of folk – me with a baby on the hip, a knitting prego mama, a number of young knitters, a couple of Italian mama-mia’s behind me… knitters of every shape and size and age, and each one smiling from ear to ear.
It was really freaky for all the muggles coming in. As you were explaining about CHOKE, living examples walked passed us on their way in the store. I’m not sure which was funnier: your awesome talk or watching the expression of people as they entered. “Who’s speaking tonight?” they asked again and again. After the bazillionth time, a cheeky knitter said “You know… the Yarn Harlot.” The look on the guy’s face was priceless, as he walked away trying to make sense of it all. There were others who looked afraid… very afraid… “What’s with all the knitters?” they would barely squeak out.
The staff were freaking out about the number of people on the stairs, especially if they were sitting down. They were asking people to move because we were posing a fire hazard! WOO HOO! That’ll learn ’em!
I’d like to say a special thank-you Stephanie, for your courtesy line. With a nursing baby and 4 year old in tow, along with my hubby, it was very much appreciated that you allowed “those with babies inside their bodies or outside their bodies with them” to jump the line. It was wonderful to meet you – a fellow doula and lover of all things knittish!
Stephanie, Mike the not-quite-muggle and I are STILL talking about what a great time we had at Indigo and at the Spotted Dick. Mike has told pretty much everyone he knows how much fun he had, how hysterically he laughed, and how wonderfully cool knitters are. (“Seriously, guys, there’s like this author, Stephanie, and, well, she’s a Yarn Harlot, and she said things I understood, because I’m married to Lena, and she was SO FUNNY, and nice, and we had SO MUCH FUN!” It was interesting to watch the faces of the 20something males as they tried to process the definition of “Yarn Harlot”.) Now Mike appears to be reading my knitting magazines and books in the bathroom.
(I am watching my stash carefully.)
Thanks so much again for sharing your time with us. Unforgettable!
Wonderful book launch Stephanie! It was great meeting you! Thank-you for posting our pic on your blog. Come to Edmonton sometime!
I thought my first pair of socks was just the bee’s knees….now when I look at them I’m reminded how important getting gauge. Though all my Hot Rodding buddies were impressed I find it safe to assume that all sock patterns are lying to you and are designed for lumber jacks or any other group of people with well built calf muscles.
I thought my first pair of socks was just the bee’s knees….now when I look at them I’m reminded how important getting gauge. Though all my Hot Rodding buddies were impressed I find it safe to assume that all sock patterns are lying to you and are designed for lumber jacks or any other group of people with well built calf muscles.
I ended up writing three posts about Friday:
http://travellingswatch.blogspot.com/2007/05/represent-meet-and-greet.html
http://travellingswatch.blogspot.com/2007/05/represent-10-second-video-clip-style.html
http://noricum.blogspot.com/2007/05/representin.html
(The last one isn’t very interesting.)
Woohoo! Of course I was not surprised that you trounced the other people. I knew you would. Knitters rule!
Katherine
all the way from Northern Michigan – worth fighting the Toronto subway for that – even wearing the dreaded sheep shawl in hot weather! Loved the talk – where were you all when I lived in Toronto in the 60’s – I needed you then!
OH, I wish you’d come to central Virginia, USA!!! I would love see you and be part of the fun. I love the baby sweater with the I-cord. Is it from a pattern? I looked but didn’t see a name – might have missed it. I love it!!