I love Nashville. It was the same way this time as it was last time. Lush, green, overgrown and (mercy me) warm. Totally warm. Not warm like the way you think anything above zero is warm after a Canadian winter, but really truly warm. Like, an entirely insane temperature like 23C (75F) I reeled. I took off my sweater. My pasty little canadian sun starved face got sunburned in the 23 minutes I spent outside just feeling the warm. There’s something stunningly wonderful about the American south. I don’t know if it’s my own sense of romance about the place, all tied up in Scarlett O’hara and Mark Twain and riverboats….but it’s not just Nashville that does it to me. Anywhere the kudzu grows, I am overwhelmed. I stayed in a terrific hotel too… The old Union Station Hotel.
It used to be a train station (trains still rumble underneath, carrying cargo instead of people travelling) and the whole hotel grew up around it. Behind the front desk is a sign listing what time all the trains (used to) come in, and from where, and I stood there stunned that there really was a Chatanooga Choo Choo. (Or a Chatenooga, for that matter. I thought it was just a song.)
I reluctantly left the hotel by way of a door marked “This way to platforms” and I went and found Nashville knitters. Charming, as always.
There were all the first sock knitters, like Anna, Auntie Em (technically it was her second socks, but she was so endearing I cut her some slack) Ann, Natalie, Shirley, Lindsay, Jo (love the knitters with short names.), Jennifer and Ryan. (Jennifer had to bring the sock recipient too. ) and Shakey.
(Click to embiggen.)
Stacie brought me two things I love. A Tennessee washcloth and a beer.
Dos Perros Ale is really yummy. Just saying.
This is Dana, who now owns the terrific shop Threaded Bliss.
Barb is number one. (And has the proof from Borders to prove it. They number knitters there.)
Our good lady Jess of the Bugs brought me a drawing of a butterfly’s reproductive parts.
(Seriously. I don’t know why that was even a surprise. Getting bug porn from Jess should be totally expected. It’s surprisingly beautiful. I’m going to frame it in my house and wait for people to ask what it is. I shall take great glee in telling them all manner of sordid details about bug bits. )
Wooster came to hold me accountable for how long it took her to get her Vintage sock kit. (Totally not my fault that knitters know something good when they see it. Totally not my fault either that I broke the Tsarina’s supply chain. That was the mill running out. Not her.)
Knitterboy brought me an incredible present. I posted the other day about some socks that I love, and I didn’t want to tell you what it was, lest it all be bought out from under me before I could find it. Well, I’ve spend two days on the internets looking for Regia nation colour #5399 and I couldn’t find it. I was all prepared to give up, and here comes Knitterboy with two blessed skeins of it.
Turns out he saw that I was after it, knew that it was a scarce thing on the market and decided to part with a portion of his own private reserve. He walked up to the table and said “I’ve got something you want” and I unwrapped it and went nuts. Folks who were in Nashville last night will tell you of the cry of glee I let out when I saw it. Knitterboy is as powerful a man as he is handsome. Fantastic.
I’m off and running again. It’s terrible whiplash here. I’m in Minnesota and it’s raining/snowing. Not warm. I’ve got six minutes before I leave for the big Yarnery event…and I should seriously do something about my hair.
Seriously.
I wish you luck in MN! If it’s as bad of weather there as it was a bit south in Iowa, nothings goings to help your hair after about 2 seconds outside.
Um, anywhere the kudzu grows, EVERYTHING is overwhelmed.
It’s a wonder you don’t stay sick, bouncing from climate to climate like you do. I desperately wanted to make the 6 hour drive to see you in Nashville, but alas, it was not to be. Perhaps I can catch you on the next tour. (OR, the planets could all align perfectly and you could end up closer to Hot Springs, Arkansas!) Happy travels!
It was really great seeing you in Nashville last night! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
And, I totally wanted to bring you a beer, but my husband was all, “oh, i don’t think they’ll let you in the building with that.” I should have gone with my instinct and told him to shove it.
Thanks for coming to Nashville, though!!
My father grew up in Chatanooga, thank you very much.
I gather you weren’t booked on American Airlines?
Good for him for noticing what those socks were made out of and doing that for you!
My first thought on the first picture was how much it reminded me of Union Station in Washington DC: are all the old train stations called Union?
Sydney and I enjoyed meeting you and she loved getting harloted. I wish we had had more time for me to tell you, as a techonerd, that I like your description of your blog/ISP as a closet with shirts. I have a hard time talking to normal mortals and that seems to be the best way to describe how bandwidth works.
Syd and I have our own internet closet in our house, that way if we need to have more shirts, I can do it myself. I wouldn’t recommend that to you and Joe, but for nerdy me and nerdy-knitty Syd, it works well.
Have a fun rest of tour. We did have a blast and it was worth the 2 1/2 hour drive.
Rick
Oh, you were so close, yet so far away. Nashville is less than 2 hours from my home. Unfortunately, life being what it is, there was no way I could come. I’m consoled with memories of meeting you in Oklahoma in 2006. Happy travels!
You know we Minnesotans loves us some Harlot, but I’m afraid our little blizzard up here in Duluth by Lake Superior might sadly keep a few of us at home. Doesn’t 20 inches of snow in 50 mph winds just scream, “SPRING!?” Although I am sad about not being able to have a viewing of you, Stephanie, I will be employing the techniques I learned from your cabin experiences to survive until the next time you venture to our state.
That is totally sweet of everybody to bring you presents. Especially when it’s stuff you’ll totally use. Like beer and yarn. Parting with personal stash? Wow. I don’t even know if I like you that much. What am I saying? I do. Probably. Unless you asked for my angora. Or the alpaca. I have a thing for “A” stuff, I guess. I’m off now to eat an apple.
(“A” again, get it? snort)
I encouraged my daughter, who lives in Nashville, to attend last night (her sister and I were beginning to worry that she was straying from the knitting fold..and we live too far away to physically take her to a yarn shop for therapy) and, as expected, she had a great time. Thanks for making knitting even more fun! Thanks, too, for your good words about the South, although you might not enjoy the warmth in August when it is 36 C (98 F)!
Wait – what?? A Tennessee warshcloth that’s not ORANGE??? :^)
Maybe those of us in the south could convince someone in the yarn industry to experiment with Kudzu fiber. It’s a really strong, long fiber – anyone? Want to come harvest some kudzu? I wouldn’t be surprised if southern state highway departments and railway companies would actually Pay a yarn company to come harvest the fiber…… what a green product that would be.
Good on you, for scoring the sock yarn you wanted. Poor Dru, eclipsed already by Knitterboy.
Lovely pictures of the hotel. The old train station in LA is not entirely unlike it. There’s a well-regarded restaurant in LA’s Union Station– maybe I should have my hubby take me there. Great old buildings.
On behalf of Minnesota’s weather, I apologize. We don’t understand, either.
I totally forgot to tell you that my offspring said “Hi!” She couldn’t make it because of dance class, but ask me this afternoon what your hair was like. I told her and it was as she expected.
6 yr olds are weird, but she’s a knitter so…inexplicable.
I’m so glad you liked the picture. The correct genus is Quilaphoetosus, not Neomaenas. At least it is for now.
We all enjoyed having you here in our lush green South. I am very glad it is green and warm and flowering. It makes gathering 50 specimens for my Flowering Plants class much easier! It was even warmer today – 27*C (See, I can convert!).
I feel smarter today than yesterday. 😀 Yarn on, Harlot!
Hooray! I’m glad I got to see you last night. I had to leave though before getting my book signed, our dog Gracie needed to be let out. Maybe next time!
Your talk brought up a lot of interesting points for me- I’m an astronomy grad student and I frequently am compelled to knit during classes, talks.. so far I haven’t taken my knitting out during a talk at a conference, I’m on the fence about whether it’s appropriate, especially given what you said last night about others’ potential preconceived notions regarding knitters. I think I’ll maintain knitterly discretion and perhaps only bring it out at a professional conference once I’m well established in the field 🙂
We love your hair. And at least you have some. I got a haircut yesterday, and may have to stay in the house until July…..
I was totally there. I even see myself in the group picture, very exciting.
I cursed google maps a thousand times on the way because I’m really anxious when I drive, especially to a new place and their directions were crazy wrong. Heathens.
My boyfriend came with me (and mysteriously got sick while we were in the car on the way…) and he was going to ask you to sign his stomach just to be weird when we got up to you, but he chickened out at the last minute.
I stole like a million (or nine) of those buttons. They rule!
You should come to Chattanooga (note correct spelling LOL) sometime. We have great knitters here. And you could stay at the hotel at OUR train station. The hotel there is called The Choo Choo.
royal yarns international has a bunch of regia nation colors!
Oh boy, now you’ve started a BIG trend! I have two skeins backordered, and goodness knows the Harlot Effect will be in full force! 🙂
Anything that stays in one place too long around here, generally gets overwhelmed with kudzu. You’ll see great sheets of kudzu covering buildings. I had a blast seeing you last night! Thanks for coming to Nashville. I hope the rest of your trip goes well.
I was acting more like 6 than 60 all day today, waiting like a kid on Christmas Eve to read your comments about your evening in Nashville! Loved your talk, especially the research info on theta waves and how repititive motions (knitting) can help us cope with distressing information. Loved meeting you. Loved seeing everyne’s knitting. Hate having a broken finger so I can’t knit. Counting the minutes till I can comfortably pick up needles again. Reading your new book and rereading the old ones till that blessed day comes.
I’m married to a Tennessee boy, tho he’s from the other end of the state… I’d have thought you’d get a sock picture at the Parthenon, tho.
And I sincerely hope you don’t get stuck in MN in the snowstorm which is supposed to hit us here, further north (and east), tonight.
Oh please, we of the natural curl with tons of frizz shouldn’t even bother to get all up in arms trying to tame the hair on a wet snow day.
Pity about having to leave the warmth though. I think that would hurt the most.
Bah! Knitterbo spoiled my plans. Gah. Well, good for you getting the yarn anyway. 🙂
That had to be totally worth the trip!
Of all the cities you have visted, this is the first time I was jealous! I LOVE Nashville, but I will admit Chattanooga is a close second. Admit it: Tennessee rocks:)
Yay! That was so sweet of him to bring you the yarn. I’m glad you revealed what it is. I found some online, backordered, but I’ll survive waiting for it.
Um yeah, don’t stand near the kudzu too long or you’ll BECOME the kudzu. Did you know they call it “the plant that ate the South”?
Sorry I’ve missed you here in MN. I had parent-teacher conferences and no hope of getting to St. Paul in time. Sorry about the weather too. We can’t compete with TN…I went to college near Chattanooga.
You should have stuck around for another day! It was a balmy 81 degrees F here today!
So glad you could come to Nashville, even if I missed it. Don’t be a stranger and y’all come back now, y’hear! 🙂
It makes me wonder… why not try to plan your trips working your way from north to south? It seems rather cruel to put you in the warm weather, then plop you into Minnesota where everything is always cold?
Kudos to Knitter Boy for giving up the scrumptious yarn. (Lucky you!).
Re: the hair. Have you ever thought of knitting a wig? (Maybe you could commission Debbie New…. it would probably be waterproof too then.)
and it’s not even kudzu season … yet! I’ve seen whole houses submit to the vine.
I hate that I didn’t realize you were only two hours away last night until about 6:45. I would SO have made the pilgrimage to Nashville to see the Harlot!
From Nashville to Minnesota, eh – yep, weather shock. Yaay on getting the sock yarn you wanted! cool – Knitters are awesome. Great photos of the hotel, btw, very pretty.
my there was a day when the
train stations were so grand
and the food was good gand
cental in new york
at least you are seeing our country
in all manner of spring time dress
he is so delighted to bring you yarn
your hair we used make something
called a snood tuck your right
in to one tie a bow off you go
even betty grable wore ontry some
of the old musicals it would
be fun to knit one again
You have GOT to try Kudzu Honey. It’s hard to get (I have a connection south of the Mason-Dixon), but oh-so-good.
You really posted at 1 AM? And no comments until 7 PM? Odd, that.
Yay, JP! JP is definitely one of the most generous souls I’ve met. I can’t wait for him to move to Charlotte!
i love your new book
I’ve stayed at Union Station hotel! It looks like it has had a fresh coat of paint since I was last there. It was much darker then. Thanks for the photos! I’ll have to see if I can find any of the photos I took.
Enjoy the rest of your tour!
Cathy
So you’ll have another dictionary entry, I think. First: Kinneared. Second: Embiggen.
Can’t wait for #3 or #4. 😀
Thanks for coming back to Nashville! I agree with Rick – more than worth the 2.5 hour drive. I think the knitter who wants to use kudzu is totally onto something. If someone could make MONEY with it, maybe we could get rid of it. Ummmm…. then again, maybe they’d plant more – never mind! I hope you enjoy the rest of your tour, as much as one can enjoy that sort of thing. We certainly enjoyed having you here.
PS – re the green warshcloth “greenest state in the land of the free” – totally appropriate.
Yep, warm with a bit of humidity, eh? Union Station is beautiful!
That Knitterboy… seriously, he ‘ain’t’ no ‘boy’, totally exceptional.
I love Nashville, I always think that the hills look like crowns of broccoli with all the pretty trees. Also, it starts to smell like honey suckle around now and the Red Buds should be out.. Sigh, I’m so jealous..
I’m so glad that you like the South! I think there is an unexplainable quality to it that, despite the heat and humidity, keeps so many of us from moving away. I could never imagine living anywhere else! You are always welcome here (how’s that for Southern hospitality?)!
Hi Stephanie!
I subscribe to your rss feed (and read it religiously), and I just wanted to pop in and say I really wanted to be at the Nashville signing, but I couldn’t make it because of school. Maybe you’ll come around this way again someday. I’ll still be buying the book.
Glad you enjoyed Nashville! It’s a great place, isn’t it?
-Carrie (15 yo TN knitter)
I don’t really know how you’re managing to survive this book tour. Whiplash seems a bit of an understatement!
I live in hope that your wonder-publicist will let you come to the Rochester, NY area!
Sorry you’ve had to leave the sunny South. Of course, it’s about to get less sunny (rain tomorrow here in Atlanta). Less warm, too.
And for those wondering about all the Union Stations (they’ve got some in Canada, too): that was the name given to a train station that served more than one train line. There’s still a functional Union Station in Chattanooga. Chattanooga choo-choo, indeed.
Stephanie!! I didn’t know you were coming up here! Sorry for the taste of winter again — if you had waited until next week you could have enjoyed 70 degree weather instead of the rain/sleet/snow.
I made Jaywalkers out of my Regia nation colour #5399. They are quite fun, I must say!
I live in Minnesota and I would like to apologize to you for our weather. April is usually better than this.
Of course, this is the night the dog decided to go for a romp through the wetland behind the house, so I went dashing and hollering across the yard in sock feet through four inches of slush. Lovely.
So… if you get snowed in can you stay an extra day… pretty please?
Oh, did you happen to eat at Prime 108 (the restaurant inside the Union Station hotel)? My best friend’s husband is a chef there and the food is excellent!! (Don’t even get me started on the desserts…)
Thanks again for everything, I had so much fun getting to meet you here in Nashville!
Apparently you *did something* with your hair because, seriously, the first thing I thought when you walked on the stage at the Yarnery event was, Wow, her hair looks great! Pinky swear, that’s the first thing I thought.
You were GREAT, as usual! Thanks for coming to the disgustingly snowy, icy Twin Cities, and thanks to the Yarnery for bring you!
I hope you don’t get snowed in in MN. We’re expecting at least 60 (with rain) tomorrow in Michigan. I was crossing my fingers today that you weren’t travelling on American Airlines. The knitters of Michigan are looking forward to tomorrow.
Mary
Well, the weather wasn’t so great, but didn’t we sound great, er, enthusiastic when we sang “Oh, Canada” for you?
Ah. The Yarnery. So close and yet so far. Not too long until you’ll be in Madison. I’m waiting patiently to buy your book then….but it is soooo hard!
well crap. once again i had an emissary in a town you are speaking in, and i failed to secure their services as a proxy for my attendance! My pal Curt, an erstwhile knitter and recipient of numerous knitted items from me, was IN Nashville last night. One of these days i will a) get it right and get one of my stand-ins there, or b) actually manage to show up myself! 🙂
That hotel reminds me of the mansion that little orphan Annie stayed at in the (first) Annie movie. Seriously, are you sure there isn’t an organ to play and a shaggy dog in a bath?
Am enjoying your tour from afar.
Sounds like you’re enjoying the best parts close up!
Consider Tucson Arizona as a stop for your next book tour. It’ll be very warm by your standards any time of the year. (Ok, a bit past extremely warm in the summer…) But our winters are lovely and the knitters very spiffy.
Travel safe, uphold the 3 alarm system, take the sock to fun places, and thank you for helping us meet knitters across the world with joy and laughter.
I really wanted to come see you in Nashville. I only like and hour and a half away. But, family issues kept that from happening. Ah well, there’s always the tour for your next book.
Is this a cry for help? Send plane ticket, I’ll bring product.
Wish I could have gone with to see you. I nearly cried over the missed opportunity. Glad you enjoyed your time in Nashville. It is a fun town. Just a note, it is spelled Shakay. He is now sock crazy.
Well, at least the weather in Ann Arbor won’t be as much of a shock coming from MN rather than TN. After all the talk of blooming things and leaves, I was afraid you’d be really bummed when you saw where we are in the weather spectrum. But I’m guessing Minnesota might actually be colder.
Stephanie, I saw you last night in MN and whatever you *did* do with your hair worked out fabulously. Both my girls have very curly hair and are constantly trying all manner of hair products in order to de-frizz it. Your hair was lovely, full of curls and waves and no discernible frizz.
Well, Stephanie, now I know what to bring you when you come to Philadelphia! My voluminous curls were channeling Diana Ross’ (I mean NO disrespect to the fabulous Miss Ross!) so I did a French twist with my when-all-else-fails big hair comb with an elastic band attached to it. Holds it like nobody’s business.
Knitterboy is a good friend to have. He called me on his drive home & told me about the yarn gifting and how awesome and fun it was, and you know what my response was? “WHAT YARN IS THAT, J.P., I HAVE TO GET SOME.” Not, “Good for you, how fun was that?” or, “How nice of you to part with your stash,” or “What fun to meet Steph again and have a great moment,” no, I wanted to fulfill my selfish stash needs. And so I was able to secure an order of the precioussssss before it got posted for the world to now scramble after. But now that I’ve done that, I’ll say all those other things! Wish you were coming near-aby Kansas City this tour.
hi Stephanie! It was great seeing you in Nashville. Thanks for holding my Monkey. (And apologies for whatever dumb thing it was that I said. hehe) I can attest, y’all, that her squee upon seeing that Regia yarn was a thing of beauty. 🙂
Since Glenn Miller is one of my very fav’s from WWII, he wrote Chattanooga Chocho. as well as Pennsylvania 8-5000 and the best String of Pearls. Happy travels. Your descriptions of places that I have been many times in my life makes me want to go back and rediscover them. cecilia
Stacie totally rocked knitting the purple washcloth that very day (which was purposely NOT orange). Yay Stacie! And I’m glad she got the beer, as well. My own small contribution was to suggest the Yazoo (since Stacie is not a beer drinker). We may not be Milwaukee but we have us some tasty local brew! Y’all come back soon.
I am loving your traveling blog. Thank you for taking the time from sleep/knitting/visiting to let the rest of us in on your adventures as only you can retell them. I am with you in spirit if not in reality so am reading a chapter a night as you crisscross this country. I go to sleep laughing or at least with a smile on my face.
Thank you again and please remember to take more B vitamins this time around. I can only imagine what this is doing to your internal clock so am suggesting trying to see a sunset and/or sunrise each day.
Namaste,
Hooray for another wonderful visit, some warmth, and an incredibly awesome Knitterboy! =)
And quinn is right about the kudzu…that stuff is an overwhelming mess…
May you have safe, uneventful travel to Ann Arbor. We’ve been stalking your blog for only about a year and are looking forward to meeting you tonight! Brenda and Sarah
I love the Union Station Hotel. I want to go back to Nashville just to stay there again.
That hotel is beautiful. I just want to go and stand in it for awhile. Why has architecture gotten so bland?
As noted before, the weather here in MN is so slushy that it actually makes me miss kudzu (I lived in the south, and, unbelievably, I moved back north because I missed winter. I mean, I do like winter. But I prefer it to occur in its assigned months.)
I love reading your daily blog entries!! THANK YOU for taking the time to do this when you’re in the midst of such a crazy/hectic/sleep lacking schedule! And remember, Fort Lauderdale, Florida is always warm and sunny in the the Winter!! Not too bad in April, either – 78 degrees F at 10:30 a.m. 🙂
Any time you would like to come visit Chattanooga, you just let me know. I can even take you to the ChooChoo. Mr. Orange is here. I know that’s a huge draw for you. 😉
I was also amuse that in one of the pictures of the Atlanta audience, I can be seen…taking a picture of you. Fitting, I thought.
Sorry I missed you, Stephanie! I live in Kentucky, 70 miles from Nashville, but last time, I drove to Lexington (2.5 hours) to see you. Sadly, the stars didn’t align this time, I couldn’t make it, but I was wishing you warm thoughts…. 🙂
Glad they got to you!
Dear Harlot-
Next time please consult my schedule before planning your tour. This will be the first I’ve missed. I am seriously tempted to talk someone into printing out my ravatar pic and holding it up on a stick so I can be in the pic… I will most assuredly be there in spirit.
However- for me- this weekend is devoted to helping moms become better moms- because better moms make a better world! (mops.org) However- I’ll be bringing my knitting- if only to pet between speaking and chatting;)
PS giving away a copy of More Big Girl Knits on my blog…
Hey, I have some of that Regia nation color too (at least it looks like the color I have). So if you need more, holler!
Hope your travels are going smoothly.
Chicago has a functioning Union Station as well with a great big beautiful hall.
I’m looking forward to seeing you in the Chicago area.
Yep, Chattanooga — southeastern TN, near the GA border. Big Civil War battle (www.nps.gov/chch/) there back in the day. I’m thinking of taking my next vacation there.
By the way, you wouldn’t be considering another trip to northern VA, would you (Frederick would work also)? I missed you the last time….
I know it is not your choice, but next tour, could you suggest they choose a larger venue for Ann Arbor?
I am disabled, and there is no possible way for me and my wheelchair to see you in the basement of the library there. The best I could hope for would be to have my husband wheel me there early enough to at least get the chair into the room. I know from other visitors it is always standing room only, for sardines. (My sis-in-love is an acquaintance of yours LynnH of Colorjoy from Lansing, she goes then tells me about it, bless her.)
Unfortunately, sitting up for more than 45 minutes or so has consequences. I am willing to pay them to come see you, but so far the Ann Arbor library has proven itself fairly impenetrable to me when you visit. I think it would cost me at least three hours of sitting up time these days :-}. Like I said, I know it’s not your choice, but maybe next time a larger venue could be considered? I would dearly love to meet you.
and there is really a Kalamazoo, too! It’s in Michigan about 1 3/4 hours from Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor is warm today (for us), 72 is predicted, but they say thunderstorms this evening. Hope you get to see some sunshine.
Makes me really homesick for Nashville – granted I was already being a little bit homesick anyway.
When economics made a flight to Toronto impossible, I thought about a pilgrimage (ie – major Road Trip!) to Nashville. Unfortunately, Life made sure I didn’t have the time to casually drop by Nashville. I still think I could have driven it in a day — each way. Come to think of it, the gas probably would have cost as much, if not more than, plane fare to Toronto anyway!
When are you coming to TEXAS??? I realize we’re probably not the hot-bed of knitterly activity (pun intended) as the more northerly states, but surely we deserve some Harlot-action down here, too! Please put in a good word to your Wonder Publicist for a Texas stop with your next book tour. Pleeeeeeze! (You’re a Mom — you should recognize that tone of whine!)
Do you think Jess of the Bugs would be upset if I had that printed on a t-shirt? I love it!
If you bring any of that miserable weather home with you Missy you can just get right back on a plane and…
oh.
right.
never mind.
Knitterboy is one of my favourite people! :0)
he rocks!
and then there’s the joke with the punch line,”pardon me Roy, is that the cat that chewed you news shoes.” It’s a ridiculous pun that I know you can figure out!
Oh gods…I need to go home and hide my two skeins of that Regia… (not that I think that knitters will besiege my home like wild hottentots or anything, but my daughter’s psychotic cat has a hard-on for Regia…he likes to untangle the skeins, roll in the yarn-barf, and make sweet, disturbing lurrrrrb to the yarn. Only Regia–I think it’s something in the dying process, but it sure does turn him on!
Nashville looks like a total blast!!! Too much fun–how wonderful!
This note from the Carodan Farm website shows the power of the Yarn Harlot:
“We are temporarily out of the Regia Nations color #5399, however a shipment should arrive the week of April 14th. This shipment is now all spoken for. The next shipment will be arriving in 2-3 weeks. You may place your order with the knowledge that shipping will not take place until then. Thanks!”
I found the yarn the same day you posted about it & then was distracted & now it’s gone & the next shipment is spoken for! If you like the 5398 (day -glo ’60’s colors) or 5396 (red, white & blue), let me know & send me an address to mail them to. I have extra’s of them (bought for non-sock projects & overdid).
Hope you get out of Minnesota OK so that you make your Ann Arbor event! I’ve been here all week and am hoping that my flight home to Toronto this evening is not delayed or cancelled because of the crummy weather.
Love Union Station! It is my favorite hotel in Nashville and I’ve had the pleasure of staying there twice. DH and I spent our wedding night there. Isn’t it gorgeous? You didn’t by any chance get to visit the Frisk for the Monet/Dali exhibit or catch a hockey game? If you are ever in Chattanooga, you can eat in one of the Chattanooga Choo Choo dining cars. Granted, I’m a bit partial, but Tennessee is one of the best states in the South. Sorry, I missed you both in Nashville and the Twin Cities, but I hope you enjoy your time in both extreme locations.
Our Skanky Knitting crew drove in from Huntsville, AL!
We had a blast! plus took swag (and books!) back to some of the other Skanks.
And my socks made their interweb debut!
yeah I’m the dorky guy with the weird name above — btw It’s SHAKAY actually, -a not -e. 🙂
PS I want some of that Regia yarn too.
Hey, Pat @ 11:37
She not only knows there’s a Kalamazoo, she’s BEEN there! (erm, here. First tour ever.)
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/05/08/notes_from_a_lost_blogger.html
…I’m now lobbying to stay at that hotel the next time we visit the in-laws. The wife tells me I “know where that is” (she always says that when I’m driving around Nashville…but then I’ve been telling her that since we moved to California…) I wish we could’ve been there, but so glad that you love our town!
(Having lived IN Knoxville, TN for 4 years, I’d have to weigh in on the orange for the facecloth…but being a lover of greenness…okay)
The Nashvegas knitters definitely seem like a cool bunch! We were home for a wedding in March; if only I could’ve convinced the sister-in-law to get hitched in April!!!!
Have you seen this April 5th NY Times article and slideshow? “Work Every Bit as Wild as It Is Wooly” – http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/05sheep.html?scp=2&sq=shearing&st=nyt
Would have loved to come Nashville to see you but couldn’t make the 4 hr trip mid-week. Maybe next tour you could stop off in Arkansas, we have lots of kudzu, too!
Loving the pics from your tour so far, and counting the days until you’re in Indianapolis…only 18 days left! Another nurse/knitter friend of mine and I will be there! Can’t wait! Hope they have lots of books for the many knitters I’m sure will be there!
Many body parts are crossed that the airplane gods continue to smile on you!
And counting the days until May 18. If you NEED to, you can take the train to Philly… or from Philly. That’s how I’m getting there from central PA!
i wish i was in minnesota! i saw you there last year, and it was great!
stay warm!
Yarn Harlot
Please please please… bring some of that fine southern weather with you when you come to Minnesota. We are counting on you!
Don’t leave your sweater on park bench in Nashville while you sun your sweet face. You are gonna need that thing once you get here.
I saw you in Nashville and I thought you were so very funny. I’m reading your book and have been chuckling as I read. Your blog is the only one I read religously,I just love it. I don’t know how you have time to write right after you have had a speaking engagement. You sure are one heck of a multitasker.
that knitterboy is grand!!!
Thank you for making mention of the supply glitch that Tsarina had re: Vintage kit. She seemed destined for a nasty pile on at Ravelry. Fortunately, many fans came to her rescue. Now that you’ve said it (the mill ran out), she is well and truly safe!
Wow! That is one amazing hotel. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a hotel that hasn’t looked utilitarian.
But your hair is fabulous just the way it is. OTOH since I am having a Bad Hair Decade myself and adore all hair that’s different from mine (viz.: curly) you probably shouldn’t take my word for it.
How long do I have until WEBS? I should be able to come up with something…
Hey, sorry about the weather here in Minnesota. It’s almost worse than 20 below zero. I myself was planning on taking a loss of income from my evening job and coming to see you last night, but the tickets were gone IMMEDIATELY! No lie, I called about the same day you announced your tour and was told they all went. So, I’m enjoying it vicariously.
I agree with Laura above in that it’s a good thing you stayed down in the Twin Cities, we had a bit of a blizzard up here in Duluth. Although being stuck in the house with no power and heat resulted in much knitting being done in honor of not being able to be there. 🙂
Come back soon!
And the University of Tennessee women won their second championship!!!!! HOORAY! GO VOLS!
The hotel in Nashville is beautiful. Just a note, when in Minnesota use lots of facial moisturizer. I was there in February for KnitOut 2008. My face chapped and burned. Took 6 weeks to rehydrate!
If there’s ever another tour, I think I’ll drive from Georgia to Nashville where the crowd is smaller! Maybe then I’ll be able to get my book signed.
The Atlanta gathering is just too large. While fun, I bet it’s tiring to Stephanie too.
Wish it was broken out to multiple appearances in Atlanta.
I live for two things: 1. my own book tour (never mind the pesky fist step of finishing the book), and 2. a review like you got from Franklin at Panopticon, where he admitts being skittish about following after you at Yarnover because it’s like having The Rolling Stones as his opening act.
You Rock, Ms Harlot. YOU are the eggplant.
Thank You very much for an enjoyable evening, I was so eager to get to Nashville, when I was getting dressed my husband brought in the mail including a package from Webs, I didn’t open it until we got back home to Clarksville.
Nancy
You got to stay at The old Union Station Hotel? It’s too beautiful for words. I like to just stand and stare at it. The detail, the windows…. all of it. It’s like meeting an old and very interesting person who has lived a life of adventure and romance with limitless stories to tell. I was knitting a dog sweater when we were there.
So I’ve been traveling too. I was waiting in a hotel in Washington to go back to Ohio when I browsed through a book magazine called Leafing Out when, lo and behold, I came across your book. It is in the main spread. It made me grin. And then try unsuccessfully to take a picture of it.
Have fun on your travels!
Hey there- I keep checking back to see what you write about the evening in Minnesota…
Despite the crazy snowstorm, it was quite the fun time. Those Yarnery Family Singers were quite entertaining! I’m sure you’ve found them on YouTube by now, but I’ve got some up on my blog if you want to stop by for a giggle and snort.
Happy knitting-
ali
Yay for Knitterboy! Thanks to a snitch on Ravelry I’ve been searching down some for myself as well and so far have been terribly unlucky. But one day I’ll find it!
I’m still over here begging you to come to Arizona, there are tons of us that want to see you here. I’ve got the bottle of wine waiting for you.
PPPPPSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTT Hey yarn lovers, at http://www.royalyarns.com they have the Regia National colors # 5399. Don’t tell everybody. There could be a big run! SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH! heheehhe, I’ve already place my order.
I just finished reading the book. Absolutely wonderful! (I laughed out loud…and I went around the house reading my favorite parts to my husband…) Thanks so much for another great book!
Dear Ms. Yarn Harlot. I must thank you effusively for signing the books my young cousin brought to The Tattered Cover in Denver. This Cuz is not a knitter yet she took a train, hitched a ride (with a friend’s father) waited in line, waited inside, listened avidly to your talk, waited in line. All to have you sign books for her mother and me. She is not a knitter. She is the recipient of many knitted socks, scarves, gloves, hats (etc) (poor thing) (ha ha). She called her mother from inside the store to casually mention that She Was Surrounded By Knitting Needles! We just adore her. And she did it all because she knows we adore you (ehrrrr, your books). Thanks for enduring the lack of oxygen and energy to make her and our day!
I lent my copy of your new book to my daughter-in-law to read at a concert (it was two hours of Monteverdi, and she wasn’t sure what to expect). She had to put it away because it was so funny that she snorted in a quiet part of the music. You can have your publisher put that in the blurb on your next book.
A man willing to part with his stash? Oh I’m sure all the single gals will be looking out for him.
so— you doin ok? or what?
just checking to see that this psycho schedule hasn’t made you sick……
I’m excitedly awaiting your visit to the Chicagoland area! I can’t wait to see you and pick up your new book.
Have a good time at sock camp! Hope it’s a little stretch of relaxation for you in the midst of your whirlwind book tour.
I think I bought my first pair of handknit socks in that colorway. I decided to try wearing them before learning to make them. Now I am hooked on both………LOL..Great and safe travels.
I stayed in that hotel last summer on a business trip, and it is really beautiful! I loved the rooms with their high ceilings, and their color scheme (exactly the colors I wanted to redo my own bedroom at home!).
My mother, Gill Bird, who is presently visiting from South Africa, attended your Nashville event. It was the sort of special occasion where a knitter may gather wood for her old day fire. Indeed, she was so excited when she received the invitation, that she made a miraculous, overnight recovery from the bronchitis that had felled her like a ninepin for weeks.
I begged her to take the tiny jersey (South African for “sweater”) she knitted for my baby. Even though my first son was premature, I held the miniature creation up to my belly & was convinced that it would be too small for our new baby. I was wrong & it was the only thing that fit him when we came home from the hospital. I’m certain that if she had shown it to you, you would have been suitably impressed!
One thing about the Regia #5399. If you want even remotely matching socks, pick one skein and disembowel it to find the color that the other skein starts with. As you can tell from looking at the picture of Knitterboy and his gift, the color runs are r e a l l y l o n g. So much so that any two random skeins, even from the same dyelot, do NOT look like they belong together. I used my “will have to join” skein as the first sock, so that I wouldn’t get frustrated while dealing with SSS. I worked on a Jaywalker using this colorway during free time at a conference yesterday, and onlooking muggles were totally in awe. The first sock was finished and kitchenered by the end of the conference, and the second sock from the skein I won’t have to mess with is now OTN.
That JP is an awesome fellow, isn’t he!?!?!? One of these days, we’ll get a chance to visit again at Serendipity!!