I hope your throat feels better. I'm dealing with ugly flu symptoms right now. I would love to sit and knit with you...come to State College, PA!!!

I see the pink yarn in the corner of the picture, looking very lonely.

Harlot on tape!!! Yahoo! Please tell me you are going to leave in Dude and Arse. It just wouldn't be the same! LOL

Way cool - I love listening to audio books that are read by the author. It makes me feel like I'm getting a true interpretation of the words. It must be very, very difficult not to edit while you read. Have fun in your upcoming travels!

Your voice will recover and we'll all enjoy listening to you-while we knit!

I'd say that I spend 70% of my knitting time and 99% of my spinning time listening to audiobooks - so I think it's very cool that you're recording yours. Books read by their authors always feel more personal to me - your own words and in your own voice.

How exciting!

Isn't it hard to procure drugs for someone else? Unless, they are a certain kind of drug I suppose ;)
I listened to Barbara Colaroso's "Kids Are Worth It" on tape, read by her. It was interesting to hear it in her own voice, but it sounded like she was reading; I would have preferred something more casual. But I guess that's why it's an 'Audiobook' you have to stay true to the book, LOL.

Ugh! A throat thing... I am miserable for you! Slippery elm lozenges are supposed to work, though I've only ever found them in a licorice flavor... hey, there's another cure. Licorice tea, the root part, I think. I was raised by child of the sixties, this stuff just won't leave my brain. VERY excited to finally hear your voice... much easier to have Harlot, the hands-free version! Cami

Feel better. Enjoy your next trip.

Oh how fun to hear you read your book! It is always interesting to hear how the author spins the book as opposed to how it goes in my head (with the other voices).

I've been curious as to if Joe has tried the inverted glass trick while you are touring this time or if calling him out publicly has put that to an end?

I read text books to the tape player in college. I hated it, but needed the money. I'm looking forward to the Harlot on tape!

Hope you are feeling better and super excited about the audio book. It's not wierd! Just think of all the knitters who will now be able to listen to you on their commutes and download you onto their iPods. :) Have fun in KY and say hi to Paula Dean for me. :)

Oh, audio books are so great! I mean, who has time to read real books when there is all that knitting to be done?!? Sorry we killed your voice with our rabid desire to hear you tell us your stories yourself! :) Hope the voice holds up for your June visit to Portland, OR!

Hope your throat feels better! You will loooooove Kentucky, it's a beautiful state. (I live in Ohio, which might be getting jealous that I said that. You're beautiful too, Ohio!)

Hey, I saw you on Knitty Gritty the other day - don't think this is weird, but the first thing I thought is that you have a nice voice. I'm not surprised they chose you to read your own Audiobook!

But if I ever write a book and they make it an Audiobook, I totally want Patrick Stewart to read it.

Best wishes for a better throat!

But great news about your reading your books. Your work is funny and wonderful, and only more so when the words come out of your mouth rather than from the printed page!

An Audio book ? Very cool! Not embarassing at all! I can't blame you though for wanting to change things (I always come up with a better line after the fact, and I imagine thats how it is when reading your own book! also very exciting! "Your own book" -- I know its not your first, but it is still a mfantastic thing!)

I am so bummed about living in Canada ... you have to come to Nova Scotia! (I even emailed Jamie the wonder publicist to extole the virtues of Nova Scotia Knitting -- we are afterall the home of the Fleece Artist, Lucy Neatby and countless other thing marvelous and Knitterly! I haven't heard a peep from her, so I take it that I didn't "sell" the area hard enough, or that your schedule is full. (I really want to come see you, but can't get to any of the US stops on the tour, and Vancouver is tooo far to go to knit, and )

Maybe I will have to buy the audio book, close my eyes and knit while listening to it -- and pretend I am in the audience so I don't feel so bummed.

The audiobook project is awesome! And in this setting, hopefully fun working with your husband. Even though my husband and I can't clean the house together without tension, because major differences of opinion arise about necessity of owning certain objects and where to put said objects -- some of which are guitars and some of which are yarn-related -- we can go into his recording studio and mess around recording something and it seems to go ok. Maybe because it's his dominion and I'm clearly the ignoramus and just do what I'm told (within reason).

It would be really hard not to be allowed to knit, though; my condolences.

Clicked on your link to the Bluegrass Festival of Books. Does Paula Deen get much press in Toronto? They are crazy for her here in her native Georgia. Not sure if she's a knitter. Both your books and her cookbooks are on my shelves.

Audio books are fantastic. What blares on the radio these days just annoys me, so we've turned to books on tape/cd. Keeps the kids quiet, they get into the story, and keeps me sane and feeling like an adult is talking to me, Whoot! Homeschooling mom to 5 can get a gal a wee bit needy for that adult voice now and then LOL.

here's to a speedy vocal chord recovery and the odd fuzzy edged day. Feel better soon hon.

Yippee skippy......I get to hear you. One tiny question off topic is there anything planned for the knitters of Toronto to see you and have our books signed. I and probably a ton of TO Knitters would love to meet you. Was in Lettuce Knits and bought a prepacked yarn mix to have some fun with. I patted it and gave it a sniff really nice stuff. I really love knitting now....thanks to you and my friend Barbara in Mesa AZ. We swap Yarn Harlot stories

Very smart. Just in case the voice is gone for good, you've got it in the archives. Prudent.

There are splendid concoctions one can make to extend the usable life of unhappy vocal chords. The easiest when you're on the road, though, is to pick up a can of mandarin oranges at the market and sip the juice (warm is better). That and Cepacol throat numbing spray. My favorite is ginger tea (made from simmered ground fresh ginger root) and apple cider in a mug with a cinnamon stick.

Can't wait to hear you read. [Can you read your jokes with a straight face?!]

You've given Bethly ideas. She begged for more spinning fiber for her birthday this year because she wanted to spin and knit something you wrote about making. Bethly has always hated knitting, yet today she emailed to say she'd gone to the knitting store for more needles, and she's *enjoying* knitting. Your magic wand has serious power.

Oh my goodness ---get well QUICK--you need that lovely voice for your travels. HOPE the meds work . Audio books--I've never listened to one but be assured I will when I get my hands on yours. I do hope they are released here first, that would be a NICE change .I'm still waiting and watching for the "'book "" to come out in Canada. ALl the BEST

Oooh . . . knitting while listening to a Yarn Harlot book read by the actual Yarn Harlot? I can't wait!

AUDIOBOOKS! YAY! That is all. :)

Yikes! I hope you feel better soon, and that the trip to KY goes wonderfully! :)

Since the chances of you coming to Tokyo are probably slim at best, I am seriously excited about an audiobook! You should probably add a caveat in your recording that you are not responsible for laugh-incurred dropped stitches.

I wish I could go to KY. I really enjoy it there. If you have time go on a bourbon tour and enjoy some free samples - bourbon and bourbon balls!!

Kathleen

Oh cool! So Lene will be able to read your books too now!

How wonderful! Harlot on tape! I can listen to you while I knit, and in the car, and at work, and... Oh joy!

I do hope you are feeling better soon.

Please tell me you kept "arse" in there!

maybe it feels embarrassing, but audiobooks have saved my voracious literary appetite, which had fallen prey to my voracious wool-piggishness. now i can knit or spin AND read. so thanks; consider it a charitable donation to those of us who are time-impaired . . .

An audiobook? Read by you? Fabulous!

You're going to love Kentucky. I wish I could be there. Be sure to make friends with Paula Deen. She's warm, funny, and her recipes are wonderful. She has a brownie recipe that calls for a pound of butter. Yes, I said a pound.

Knitting while listening to the Harlot reading her book about knitting...it's so self-referential I can hardly stand it. But in a good way.

But you have a voice made just for it (though perhaps not this very second). Mr. Beth has been traveling a lot and asked me to check out some audiobooks for him to listen to as he drove for hours and hours. I got him Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Which he had me return SOLELY because he doesn't like the voice of the guy who reads the book.

Are you recording all the books, or just the most recent?

Oh I adore audio books. They keep me company while I knit, clean house, work in the yard. And now since you're actually reading your own book, it will be like you've come over to visit.

Wow, you're branching out - congrats on the audio book. Sorry to hear about the throat. I find warm milk and honey helps.

YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Stephen King has recorded some of his own books so you're in good company (and you couldn't possibly sound worse than Stephen King). I saw your Knitty Gritty episode the other day...you were great!!

Woo-Hoo!! I've been looking forward to reading your books (you have no idea how frustrating it's been. None, I tell you).

p.s. you? Silent? They must be iceskating in Hades...

Fabulous idea, darling! Since I take it you are not sick but have overstressed your throat, I'm sure you'll feel better soon, and I hope the KY sun beats down and floats all your worries away!

Oh - you are not a weirdo. Or if you are, you are in good company. Both Bill and Hillary Clinton read their own books!

Best regards,
Mette in Denmark

Yippee!!! The Harlot is reading her book so people like me who bought the book knowing full well that they would not have an opportunity to actually READ the book because it would cut into their knitting time but they want to support the author can "listen" to find out what is actually IN said book. (How's that for a run on sentence!?!)

Man, is this whole book thing crazy or what? Did you ever think it would come to this? Very cool. And it's nice that you and Joe can work on it together.

Next up, a Braille version, hand-poked with knitting needles!

Being the music teacher that I am, all I can think of is:

Oh,
We're goin' to Kentucky
We're goin' to the fair
To see the Senorita,
with flowers in her hair

(insert some mad spinning around at this point)

Have lots of fun!

good luck with you voice! Geeze I don't even like recording the answering machine message...

Oooo Audiobook=yay!!!

Oh I am so sad that I can't make it to Lexington this weekend. You are going to be super happy, the weather is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL!

Hope your throat survives the audiobook! I think it might even be a better medium than print, although I do love holding those books.

Did you know you are linked from the V&A museum's page on knitting under "Knitting Weblogs"?
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/knitting/weblogs/index.html

Well I hope you recover soon. I wish I was closer to Kentucky... BUT wait!

Book EXPO! Will you be going to that in NYC in June? Please?

Janet

"...some weirdo reading their own books for a living..." I believe, dear Harlot, that that translates as "best-selling celebrity author". So set the Canadian modesty aside for a moment and enjoy your well-earned success. You've worked for it! And if that doesn't do it for you, think of how much pleasure you'll be giving to fellow knitters as they walk, jog, drive their cars, etc. And if that doesn't do it for you, think of it as representing in a BIG way. Read aloud, you're a knitter and proud! (Actually, you'd better read silently for a while now). Have a great trip and take care of your vocal cords in Kentucky. :)

Proof that worlds can collide and nothing has to explode. (Uh, you were still talking/miming to each other at dinner time, weren't you?)

What??? Did you tell them your listeners will become weirdly disoriented if we hear your voice without the needle sounds in the background? Are they going to dub that in or what?

Okay, so YOU can't knit while recording it, but now all of us can knit while "reading" it. Yay for us!
Cheers!

I was just the other day looking at downloading audio books on-line from my library. My reading has also suffered from increased knitting.

I did manage to get one of the few copies of Casts Off my LYS received by putting a hold on one before they arrived.

I write, so I empathize with the urge to rewrite. I never feel like what I write is 'done.' I just get to a point I need to declare it done enough.

I did this in junior high school, only it was someone else's book ("Who Shot Roger Rabbit" actually) so you have my sympathies.

I'm all for just hot soothing herbal teas. No drugs. I don't know of any that would do a thing for you and I'm a nurse.

My mom had laser surgery a couple of years ago and although she can see things like TV clearer, she no longer can read without LARGE PRINT BOOKS!! Audio book would be wonderful idea as well.

I talked our library into ordering your 1st 2 books and shared them with mum. She has to hold a magnifying glass over the pages.
(She deemed it worth it, though :)
Harlot method for darning socks especially useful!!

Oh, dear. I know just how your throat feels. I too was at Sock Camp and know of at least five of us who came home with that throat and no voice. We are all on antibiotics, BTW. Diagnosed as strep throat and acute bronchitis. So take care of yourself.

I LOVE the idea of you reading your own books, although personally, I would love it if you improved or added things. Why not? It's your book.

so.freaking.wierd.

not you doing the audio books, but you DOING the audiobooks!

just YESTERDAY, i told my boyfriend that i need to figure out how to knit and read a book at the same time... because i got SOMEONE'S new book in the mail... and i want to read it but i want to knit too! my boyfriend responded, "they call it audiobooks." lol

it's so wierd, yo.

I'd offer advice, but I think yours what what fixed me when I was chanelling Lauren Bacall on a cigar bender. Don't talk to anyone on the plane, just hold up a hand lettered sign that says "On my way to the ashram."

You. Audiobooks. A match made in heaven. Swoon!
Saline gargles. Opera singers swear by it. Feel better!

*16 days until the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival*

Yippee! Is it the new book, by any chance? Will it be available REALLY soon? Give us more details!!!!!!!

And there was me thinking it was a mystery-sock-a-long podcast in installments for KWB (hint hint)

You. Audiobooks. A match made in heaven. Swoon!
Saline gargles. Opera singers swear by it. Feel better!

*16 days until the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival*

My husband's heart just dropped down to his feet. He starts his vacation tomorrow and mere seconds ago asked me what I want to do this weekend. bwahahahahaha Lexington, KY here we come!

Eep! You're gonna have an audiobook? With probably more to follow? I can enjoy your books AND knit and spin? I'm so excited I have to pee! Steph, you're just so damn wonderful.

Cool, my dad will finally be able to "read" your books. he doesn't knit but , oh boy, is he going to recognize me and my traits!

Yay Stephaie! Audiobooks! I can't wait! It is my newfound love, listening to audiobooks on my ipod while I knit. This is of course an extrememly precioius time, as I have three young children. The ability to tune out the noise, and just knit is extraordinary. I am so glad that I will be able to add you to my list!

And don't worry about being weird. We all know you are the best kind of weird. You create instead of tear down. In this world, that is weird. And we should all be that strange if you ask me.

Wow the many $$$$ I have spent downloading books to the ipod, so that I can knit while I "read" while I travel...... 3 things that I do constantly..... I am very happy.. I know that the same humour with which you speak will shine through. It was great to see you in NYC. Regards and as a former singer hot water, black rum, honey and a wee drop of lemon.

I cannot tell you how very excited I am to know you are doing an audio book!!! Thanks for all you do to keep all your many fans so very happy! Do take care of yourself because you are very important to all of us! I would love to sit and knit with you. Anywhere. Anytime. I have been trying to figure out how you hold your yarn and knit and would love to see you knit with your long needle tucked under your arm. I'm almost finished with "Casts off" and love all the knitterly info. Knit on (quietly!)!

I think it is a thousand shades of cool that you are reading your own books. :) Feel better!

I blame you and your bohus wonderfulness on my recent purchase of the Red Plam Bohus kit. I loved it on you r blog.. but seeing it in person sealed the deal.

And oh yeah - I finished those socks we were supposed to knit on the whale watching cruise. Pictures on my blog....

Audiobooks! YAY!

Where do I sign up to preorder? I have a long commute (over an hour) and audiobooks are just the ticket to pass the time. You have a great voice and your book is probably even funnier with you reading it since we'll hear how you meant it.

Take care of your voice since I'm still hoping your tour will make it to Orlando or Jacksonville (c'mon FL is nice this time of year).

How cool is that? How cool are you? An audiobook!!! I adore audiobooks! I adore you! I will most certainly adore *your* audiobook!

You are *so* my hero.

I only buy audio books that are read by the author. They're so much better! (Unless Tony Briton is reading Dick Francis...ooh la la!) I hope they offer it in mp3 format online so I can listen on my ipod.

Saw you on Knitty Gritty the other day. I wish you'd been around when I was doing all the cussing and crying when trying to learn how to make sox! When I told my husband, he actually wanted to see it (about 30 seconds worth of knitting content is all he can stand, but he DID ask) because "that Harlot woman" was on there.

Oh, that would drive me *insane*. I always revise my blog posts about five times (or want to, anyway) because I notice a mistake or I used the same word three times in one sentence or I said something just plain asinine.

(Not that I've ever heard you say anything asinine, or read it either. Just that I can understand how you read things over and always see room for improvement.)

Sending soothing throat thoughts. Try throat-coating tea.

Capital idea! Too bad about the throat. When we were all small (five of us between November 1965 and January 1973), my mom was developing polyps on her vocal cords from yelling at us. As a reslt, she spent a couple of weeks silent on doctors orders. It was eerie.

While you might not be able to read aloud and knit, think of all of us who will finally be able to do as we were meant - read (listen to) your books while reading. Many thanks!

Oh good, I'm glad it was just your vocal chords being sore... Strep Throat has been going around in my area (So California) and my first thought was that oyu got it too. Ugh. But I am glad to see you didn't and will absolutely buy an audio copy of your book. I've been re-reading all of yours while sick (because I can only knit or purl a row before getting too exhausted) and having an audio copy would have totally rocked. :) Have fun in Kentucky.

Hooray for the audiobook! I shall await it eagerly. I checked out a podcast interview of yours a while back and thought you sounded very much like Sheila Rogers. Very mellifluous. (For some reason, I had until then believed that you would sound like Mary Walsh - sort of Marg Delahunty Warrior Princess-like. I'm not sure why.)

Yeah for audiobooks, boo for sore throats. I hope you feel better, I know that gargling with aloe vera juice always helps my thoat when it is sore. Safe travels.

Throat Coat is a good tea--licoricy, but I love licorice. I hope you get your voice back soon. I'm going to have to get a new bookcase just for all your books and now audio books! Lucky me! I can't wait for the audio books! I can't wait until someone figures out that you should be on the comedy station. You could have your own station on Sirius satellite radio. Maybe you wouldn't want that--but if it was your own station then you could knit while you talk. Then you wouldn't have to travel so much and I bet that'd be kind of nice. Although we do love seeing you in person!

I love audiobooks!!! How else does one knit while listening to books about knitting?

When I started teaching a few years ago, a friend told me to drink lemonade to help my voice until I got accustomed to talking all day. It works wonders! I know this is too late for this book, but maybe it will help for next time.

Squeee! You mean we will be able to listen to you and your books while knitting!! I can't wait :)

I have no idea how you're going to read the books without laughing in the middle... I do. I simply can't read them without cracking up. Even my non-knitting male friends read it and laughed. They tease me about IT and how it'll happen again this year. ^^;;

Oh that's so cool! But probably because I'm a radio producer (not like Roz on Frasier producer, but like make commericals and fun audio things producer... But anyway...)

Listening to books the way the author has read them is so different from the way a "regular" reader would read them too. All the different inflections and stresses on certain words... Amazing. How long would something like that take before we can find it on store shelves?

I will be first in line for these audiobooks. I never take the time to read anything other than blogs anymore. Audiobooks, however, I love! Yay!

The real problem with your throat is that Joe chose to use a U87 to record your voice. That is pretty much like trying to make lace with 20 gauge needles. A better choice would have been a U47 or one of the RCA ribbons. And using anything but Sony headphones is a known cause of stress on the female diapraghm and esophagus. What was Joe thinking?
Just kidding. Just kidding. This is audio humour and is just so Joe doesn't feel under appreciated.
From one dude with a wife who knits to another dude with a wife who knits. You know.
Cheers.

Old Family Throat Recipe:

1 Tbsp Honey
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Whiskey

Guaranteed to cure what ails ya.

Hope your voice feels better soon! Enjoy the trip to the South. Never been there, heard it's nice.

Hey, that's a great idea! I hope you sell lots of audio books. I've been listening to many audio books lately because I have an 8 month old baby and there's not much time for sitting and reading. I have to say, it's all about the reader. And if an author reads her own books, you get the effect she intended. I'm glad some actor isn't going to be reading your books!

Oh wow, I LOVE audiobooks! Take it easy, and don't blow out your vocal chords!

But isn't it better? I mean what if they hired Kathleen Turner or something, how weird would that be to hear your words and thoughts voiced by sultry Ms. Turner?

Rest. Your. Voice.

And dang, I bought the book! I bet you reading it sounds much better than the tinny voice inside my head reading it.... Dang.

Enjoy KY. The state, that is. I was there once. Or is that oncet. We thought of living there once upon a time 24 years ago. Got the hell out while I still could. 'Fraid I'm a yank through and through. Gravy with biscuits for breakfast?? I think not!

AUDIOBOOKS!!!!!!!????? BLESS YOU!! BLESS YOU!!! BLESS YOU!!!!...I no longer have to attempt to knit while propping open one of your books...
OH..UM..I'm sorry this wonderous achievement is wreaking havoc on your vocal chords...I hope your throat feels better soon.
(WOOHOO!)

You mean I am actually going to be able to listen to you and knit at the same time?!
I can't wait, and I hope your throat feels better soon.

Plus, of course, in Kentucky you can get excellent biscuits made with "bacon powder". ;)

Eeeeeee! Audio books RULE!

I will be duly appreciative of your sore throat while listening to them. :)

That is great news! But please, heed this warning. I was a voice major, my daughter is one, we have a lot of vocal cord history around here. Public speaking and reading aloud are the two hardest things on a voice (well, maybe they would come right after screaming like a banshee at the family-but I have little experience with that). It would be the best thing you could do to find a qualified voice therapist or trainer and learn to use that voice the proper and pain free way. You should be able to get a name from an ear/nose/throat person or at a university with a good music dept. Check the references. There is an old book Your Voice At Its Best, by McCloskey. It is pretty technical, and some of the info may be outdated, but I used it in college (my voice teacher was one of the McCloskeys-her husband was the vocal therapist for JFK) and I'm guessing a lot of the info is still good. This search should give a lot of good info: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=vocal+cord+care

Please take care of your cords!

Sorry about the vocal chords. They were probably on the way out at sock camp. Hope they recover quickly. Can't wait for the audiobooks to show up in my LBS (local book store). This is so cool. Happy Knitting, Alice

Throats are nothing but trouble. Don't even get me started. I mean, yeah, it would be worse not to have a throat, but...oy...don't get me started. Damn throat. My throat hates me. Has for years.

But audiobooks. Well, that's cool. Very cool indeed. It would be totally wrong to have someone else read your books. Has to be your voice.

I'm so upset! This will be the second year in a row I will miss you in Lexington and I LIVE THERE! Stupid tickets to a wonderful show I will adore but miss you all the same. Enjoy our beautiful state, we'll be having gorgeous weather this weekend!

Plus, you get to hang out with Southern cook extraordinaire Paula Deen -- just stay away from the bacon :-)

Must be irony in there somewhere. You. Getting hoarse, talking. Reading your own book. ;-)

I've never bought, borrowed, or listened to an audio book. Ever. That's due to change now.

Feel better!

Slippery Elm tea tastes kinda gross, but it works really well. There are actually brands of it called "throat coat" and "singer's saving grace." You can find it at any health food store. It really helps.

Good luck!

Heh. I'll be doing a number of road trips when we move to the USA. How convenient that I will be able to listen to your books on the stereo!

I didn't see this yet, so I recommend warm water and salt gargle to help the sore throat. Then the tea with lemon and honey. Finally a cepacol spray chaser should take care of the pain. But if it is strep, please, please take the antibiotics.

Feel better, and I am so looking forward to the audio tapes.

I will be looking forward to the audiobooks - I love when authors read their own work!
I had a friend in college who sang opera, and would often have voice-issues after big rehearsal sessions. She swore by grapefruit juice and sage tea. Just in case it might help (cause a house full of teenages + mom with no voice = more trouble than its worth!)

But this is perfect! Now we can listen to you WHILE we knit. No longer do we have to make a choice, yarn or Yarn Harlot?

Oh, no! I hope your vocal chords heal up before Saturday- I'm going to see you in Lexington, and I'd like to be able to hear you, too! Plus, you know, I wouldn't want you to be in pain.

And I'm glad to see good weather reports in the comments- it's been a little chilly in Louisville this week (by chilly, I mean chilly to a native northerner), and I was hoping it would warm up!

I had the same problem once, re the trying to swallow your vocal cords. It felt just like you describe; there was something extra back there that you'd swallow and it would go down a little bit, but it would pop right back up!

I didn't read through all of the comments. What's the ETA on the release of the audiobooks?

My gosh, you are the author. Why can't you adlib when you feel like it? Are there audiobooks police?
BUT my wish is coming true. I tell my DH often that if your books were on a CD then I could knit at the same time instead of putting my knitting down to read them. Actually, this wish has gotten him to reading your books to me for a bit after dinner. Very nice.
Hope your throat heals quickly. Namaste.

Squee!! Audiobooks! How awesome!

I can't wait until they come out!

I hope your throat feels better soon!

I love audiobooks read by the author. I have only bought 1 audiobook in my life because of that reason. I will probably buy your new book on audio because I haven't had time to read it.

BTW, you were great on Knitty Gritty. I am inspired to try knitting socks again and ordered a couple hanks of yarn right after I watched the show.

Way to go! I want you to know I wouldn't be nearly as interested in the audio books if anyone else was reading them. ( you have a really cool voice )Kudos to Joe for getting the work on this.

Audiobooks have come a long way since the "books for the blind" that my (blind) step father used to get. I've never been able to sit and listen to a book (except in the car). I always start zoning and have to back up. Fortunately my lovely husband got me a book holder on a bean bag a few years ago. I have no trouble at all reading and knitting.

Good luck with the throat thing. If you're anywhere near Brea Kentucky, the weaving shop there sells ends of chenille and mohair in the back for really cheap. And the weaving shops are really cool to visit.

The problem with trying to drink things to make your kind of sore throat feel better is that the liquid doesn't go to the sore parts. :( I hope it feels better soon.

As for the audio book -- awesome!! Now we can knit and listen to your book(s) instead of (in my case at least) trying to decide which to do.

I've listened to lots and lots of audio books. The ones that the authors read themselves are ALWAYS the best. I am SO EXCITED to listen to you while I knit.

"The world is a wee bit fuzzy round the edges" So it's like your world is a bit felted, that can't be all bad. :) Hope your throat feels better soon. Wow, books you can read while you knit, written about knitting? What will they think of next?

Yes! I am so looking forward to seeing you again in Lexington, KY. Here's hoping your throat is much, much better and you are feeling better so your trip is pleasant.

Yay! We'll be able to download you into our iPods and take you everywhere with with us!!!! Ok, I'm sorry. I'm sure that came off as creepy--But this means I will soon be able to listen to knitting talk while I'm driving, and all the other times when the nice police men tell me I should put the pointy needles *down*.

Congrats on the audiobook though. I am operating under the distinct impression that having your book turned into an audiobook means that you've been catapulted to the another stage of authordom and that sounds incredibly exciting.

So sorry for the over-wrought cords. Such a Sacrifice will not go unrewarded. The Yarn Harlot on A-Tape.... Whoooo-Hooo! Books on tape has saved my sanity while logging many miles from suburbia to the Ranch. I'm finally here full time, found my knitting groove, and still have a book in my ear most afternoons while the needles click. Can hardly wait to hear your rendition of your own creation.

Welcome to KY when you come. I know that the gals are all looking forward to your arrival (and the guys too!)
Being a responsible adult, I will be at work. But have a great time and know that they have been talkng about this for a month and a half now. At least!!

Wow, good luck with recording your audiobook! I can't even seem to manage 30 seconds of a voiceover without rustling sheets of paper, or breathing too loudly, let alone reading a whole book!

Yippee! I was hoping your foray 'to work' with Joe meant audiotaping!!! I picked up your new book at my Border's last night and read about 50 pages and imagined your voice through it all. I'd much rather be able to pop a CD into the car and listen when I need giggle... Can't wait.

Be careful with your voice! I had a vocal ulcer a few years ago. The specialist I saw said it was from overuse. I wasn't allowed to talk for a week or sing for two weeks. (And I was in rehearsals for scenes from Carmen.) I had to drink water like it was going out of style and use a humidifier all the time.
Stay away from mentholated products. It's very drying and can make the irritation worse. Also, when you are flying, be sure to drink tons of water. That recycled air on the airplane is horrible!
Good luck!

Your audiobook will be the first that I will own in print and audio. I would never be able to "read" half of the the books I manage to listen to.

I make time to read yours, and I think listening will really be a special treat.

kentucky AND knitting AND full out spring??? sigh..... where do i sign up?

Audiobooks are like my 2nd favorite thing next to knitting and crafts! Yay!!

Feel better soon :)

"they chose me to read it and Joe to engineer it"

SPLENDID!!! :D

With all your speaking engagements and work on your audiobook, please take care of your vocal cords. Find a speech pathologist who specializes in voice before you lose your voice. He/She can teach you some simple exercises to help keep your vocal cords healthy. I speak from experience. I lost my voice from overuse and couldn't speak for three months. My voice was hoarse and unreliable for another eighteen months until I was sent to a speech pathologist. As a teacher I wish I'd been shown these exercises earlier. Don't wait for your voice to disappear altogether, please.

Holy Havannah Hemp! Harlot in my Head! Himpossible! (ok, taking aliteration a bit too far now...) Seriously, I can't wait for my copies!

...and wasn't it nice to see the lovely Rachel H last night at SnB in her pink birthday suit? P.S. please write to Amy.C. for me, I will buy you the Prince of Darkness ( it's a type of coffee Rams) ....forever. love Denny x0x0x0 You old old old friend.

Don't make me phone you.

A rousing HURRAH goes out to you for braving this new media style. Yahoo! I think it's awesome that you are the one reading your book - I can only imagine the fun of listening to you as I spin (or knit) fantastic! congrats. (and I hope the throat heals fast)

Yay audiobooks! I think it's awesome that you did the reading.

Rest rest rest your voice -- talk only when it's absolutely necessary! Don't whisper -- that puts more strain on the vocal chords (which are nice and inflamed -- ugh). The rest of the time, write short notes to others and drink lots of water.

Enjoy the opportunity to stay quiet and to KNIT MORE!

Please for to not swallow of the vocal cords! You cannot say funny things and make knitters nearly drop stitches from laughing so hard if'n you swaller your vocal cords! -Speedy health, O' Harlot. I hope you feel better. Oh, and I am very excited about Audio!Harlot 'cause it means I can "read" and knit at the same time! Woot!
Gah! Kentucky, she is so close, and yet she is so far away. (Is sad tomato.) Pray pardon if I'm a little punch-drunk. One too many hits with a snake. Car go blooey and a deadline on a wedding dress make for crazy Jess (as if the bug thing weren't enough). /cry/

Oh how cool! (Not the icky throat of course, the book reading part... that's cool!)

I'll have to get it when it comes out. I'd love to hear the book in your voice!

Don't be embarassed about reading your own books, I think it's great. And just think of all the people you're going to reach now.

Hot tea with honey and lemon...as a former voice teacher i recommend it highly! Hope you feel better. If your travels ever lead you to South Dakota, you need a picture of the sock at Mt. Rushmore!

Another old family remedy (it works, really, or at least you won't care for awhile):

1 Cup Hot Chamomile tea(or whatever you like)
2 tsp honey
1-2 TBSP fresh lemon juice &/or Fresh orange jce
1-1 1/2 ounce Rum or Brandy

Mix, sip/drink before it cools off.

Seriously, It's better than OTCs that have too many meds together in one thing.

Yee-freakin'-Haw!!!! This will be my first audio book...ever! Bless you kind Harlot! Bless your vocal cords! And bless Joe too!

PS- I'll bring one(the hot toddy) to you at Powells in Portland if the vocal cords are still a bit scratchy...Darn tasty even if they aren't ;o )

PSS- So....like when will the audio book be available?

Wow, you and Ann Hood and Stephanie Japel... What a great knitting trifecta!

Ah, Luv, glad to hear the reading is over and hope you are on the road (flight?) to recovery as you venture to Kentucky.

One might not be able to knit while one records, but think of all those who will be able to knit while listening to your audiobook! And all the former knitters (like my late mother) with eye troubles, who can 'read' your audiobook. A real blessing, there!

Travelling mercies...

Some people will tell you that Kentucky isn't in the south. You being from Canada, of course, changes that argument. Just remember to ask them which side Kentucky fought for, that oughtta clear things up:)

i would so completely hate reading something i wrote while it was being recorded...and then sold...ick...

Jim says to tell Joe that he really likes the U-87 (or is it a U-89? can't tell for the wind-screen) - and is it his own?
I think Jim has a bit of mic envy.
Screech is good for throats, kills off the slow moving cells. You know, thins the herd.

I hope your voice recovers and the swelling passes uneventfully. How glorious to get to talk, greet, and then sit and KNIT. I mean, I find that to write about knitting, one has to at least every once in a while actually get to DO some of it.

And talk about blog problems! Seems that a good hunk of your 2004 archives are now posted as current at bloglines, labeled as "1" new entry. Egad! I hope it gets straightened out, whatever the source.

That is great! your book on audio - the perfect accompaniment for knitting.
Sorry it was so hard on your throat.

We've got big party in Los Angeles on the 28 & 29 of Aptil at UCLA, and I think the Jaime the wonder publicist is missing a bet by skipping this one! This Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is held on the UCLA campus each year, Buy & sell books, of course, meet the writers, live music, wonderful discussions on literature, on writing, on READING. Be willing to bet we could be both your best & your biggest audience! And all of us knitters would be thrilled to meet you! Los Angeles is real pretty right now, there are lots of wool shops, lots of nice beaches, lots of places to drink and knit - anything you want, we can get for you!

LOL, looks like I'm going to be buying my first audiobook! Congrats, and hurray for them choosing you to read, Joe to engineer. How could we be satisfied any other way? Too cool. Now good luck resting those vocal cords. Maybe you can start the girls on a quick course of lip-reading...

Congratulations! I love being read to, I think it's great that you're doing this. I'm so sorry about your vocal chords being shot after only a day, but hopefully they'll be back and better again after Kentucky.

Hurray Harlot! I love audiobooks! There is something truly decadent about spinning or knitting, and listening to a really good audiobook! I just love them. I'm sorry about your swollen vocal cords and sore throat, but your valiant sacrifice will give thousands of people many hours of happy ears. That is so cool, I can't wait to hear it. Have a great time in Kentucky. I'm very jealous of your trip to horse country.

When will you be coming to Hawaii?

Our weather would be great for healing your throat

Our group tonight sure supports the idea of the Yarn Harlot visiting us here in Hawaii - you'd be amazed at how many of us there are out here

Aren't we a ridiculously bossy lot?!? Make a comment and you've got a gazillion snippets of helpful advice. It's obvious that we really enjoy you and what you do : )

Having said that, I'm with Theresa C., Tammany and Heather. I doubt whether this will be your last book recording session and you've got an incredibly hefty public speaking schedule. It really is time for voice production lessons and therapy. I did some when I was in amateur theatre and choir - best thing I could have done and really saved me from over reaching myself and helped me to relax the vocal chords when I had an attack of nerves before performing. You have mentioned both these issues now...

Good luck with the rest of the book recordings and have fun in KY. If Suzie's invitation is taken up it's only a short skip across the pond to Australia!

Audio books? Cool! I love knitting to audio books, I do it all the time, and imagine to knit to *knitting* audio books!!! When will they be out and where can I get them?

Your poor throat... glad you got the books done! And just so you know, it is definitely NOT weird for an author to read their own book - I love having Stephen King, Bill Bryson and David Sedaris tell their own stories - and now I am so looking forward to hearing you tell yours!

So how's the working together going?

OK, I had to chime in ... I live in Europe, and I only once have been to the US, and that was in Lexington KY (we do house exchange for holidays, so we end up on the most unexpected places). I have fond memories of the Joseph-Beth bookstore where we would hide and seek shelter for the heat outside. Nobody told me it was that HOT and HUMID in Kentucky. Lovely people in Lexington, fabulous bookstore.

Hope your throat is better is soon. The audio book thing must be harder to do than writing the book!
NB: if your daughter gets into Dal you will have tons of reasons to come to Nova Scotia. We knit here too and would love to see you! Please put us on your tour!

Audio book? Did you say AUDIO BOOK? Oh my gawd I'm kvelling! I spend 1.5 HOURS a day commuting between home & work. One cannot knit while driving so this has turned into my "reading time". The car radio has cassette and CD capability and to think I may actually be hear you say "arse" is just driving me to smile! Please make sure you write lots of books with "arse" ok??

It seems you and Joe are still speaking so I assume it went ok? Sure hope so :) Feel better and have a great time in KY - just don't eat the jelly...

Another old family cure:

Go to the health food store
Buy Singer's Saving Grace
Use as often as you can stand it.

It's terrible, awful tasting stuff, but it'll make you able to talk when you've got to talk, and sing when you don't want to give a role up to your understudy. Slippery Elm and Zinc will help knock it out of you, but the singer's saving grace is the best stuff if you need to use your voice today.

Hope you feel better!

Now we can listen while we knit!

Two things about your new book. When one of the members of our S&B group brought the book to the table Monday night there was a chorus of "It's Here!" Literally. We could have been a choir. When I got back to the shelf there were 5 left. They probably didn't get enough.

Second, when I saw you on the cover I realized you are wearing MY sweater! I was thrilled to see the Dale of Norway you have on. Of course I've changed one of the yarn colors just a tiiiineeee bit to better suit my coloring! I only hope mine looks as good as yours!

Hope you're feeling better by now!

At least WE can knit while we listen, sorry :). I like audiobooks, I used to listen to them at a desk job I had a few years ago. I think it is a great idea!

There's a rather nasty illness running around Ottawa, I wouldn't be surprised if it's in Toronto too. The symptoms are very similar to a cold or flu, but it actually appears to be a bacteria of some sort -- so antibiotics can actually help! Yay! So if this persists, go to your doctor, maybe he can help reduce the duration of your suffering.

Oh wow, I hope your vocal cords recover soon. If it's any consolation, I'm sure it will be SO worth it. I was thinking the other day the only thing I'd enjoy more than reading your books would be to listen to them, read by you.

Thanks for the hard work!

I cannot imagine how frustrated you must've been with not being allowed to work the needles while exercising the vocal chords.

On a related note, I think I like the idea of an author reading their own books. The inflections/intonations/phrasings will reflect the way the person wrote it - even if said person thinks she might say it better later on ;o) ...

How great! I've not been able to see you in person and look forward to hearing the books. I agree that having the author read the books far exceeds anyone else - except maybe the guy that does the movie trailer voice-overs!

didnt read all comments, but for voice here is a recipe/remedy my doctor gave me years ago, it worked for me.

gargle warm apple cider vinegar, organic if possible....

good luck

YAY, I haven't bought an audio book yet from iTunes. Yours will be the first! I am very excited but sorry that you lost your voice.

Hope your throat feels better soon! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. :)

I love audio books. I can read and knit at the same time! I will most definitely buy yours. And then I will also be laughing while I knit.

This is one of the few times I'd rather be somewhere else instead of being around 1100 alpacas and friends at a show/auction in Louisville- I have to miss seeing you in Lexington tomorrow!!!! I loved seeing you last year and enjoying having lunch at Alfalfas with you and friends. You are going to LOVE, LOVE Magpie Yarn, my favorite yarn store ever. Be sure to ask Dianne about her ewe named Paula Dean! (Would have loved to meet her, the REAL Paula Dean, too).

Oh no! I really hope your voice gets better. I'm really looking forward to your talk on Saturday.

No wonder you felt out of sorts when reading your book......No traveling green sock in the picture. Even when I can't knit, it feels comforting to have a little project with me just in case the minutest opportunity could arise......

Hope you're feeling better.

I'll see you tomorrow in Kentucky!! Hurray! I'm also cheering for the audiobook, but not for the sore throat. Take care...

"Let's pretend I haven't turned into some weirdo..."

Oh petal. This isn't what pushed you over the edge to weirdo. Just ask any of the teenagers in your house.

The Nicholasville, KY Knit Night girls were in MagPies on Wed for a sit-in and your book signing was all a buzz! Expect many, many knitters and a few spinners to come out in the droves to see you! I am hoping to come myself some time in the early morning, but wont be able to stay for the knit sit-in:( If you have a chance, check out the 'Farmers Market' in down town Lexington before you go:) Also, there is horse racing on Sunday at Keeneland! A definite do not miss! We hope you enjoy our beautiful state of the Bluegrass!

Half the trick in doing readings is letting the equipment perform its share of the work. I did on-air readings for years and had much less trouble with my throat once I quit pushing my voice and let the microphone pick up the difference. Have fun!

How exciting! I have read and re-read your books so many times that I felt I couldn't read them again for while. Now I do get to read ("hear") them read by Ms. Pearl-McPhee herself!

Harloteers - it don't get much better than this!

Well....this is the Harlot - it probably DOES get better than this! :)

I've never bought an audio book, but would probably buy yours. Which books are you reading? All of them, or just Casts Off?
Hope your throat gets better soon. A Harlot with no voice? How will you discipline the teenagers?
Woo hoo - I'm finally out of lurker mode after 3 years of reading your blog. I started my own blog a couple of weeks ago where you can see my "Voss" in progress - inspired by you.

hopw you fell better soon!
i am really excited you dicided to do an audio-book!
thanks

Woo Hoo! I can't wait! And you are so not a "weirdo" for doing this-sounds to me like someone had a very fine idea :~)

Have you listened to this? I think I may have picked the link up from your blog originally, but now I don't remember. http://secret-knitting.podspot.de/

I am fascinated by having knitting instructions interspersed with commentary in audio form. If you do something that is not an audiobook then you would have the freedom to be extemporaneous. Just a thought for your copious free time. I would so pay for a CD of your mixed bag of wisdom, common sense and humor.

Hey! I just finished your Guide to the Land of Knitting! It was great... and now I discover I will be able to listen to you reading one of your own books while I knit... that will be cool.

I sing all day long at work (it's my job). My best advice for saving your vocal chords: Decrease the amount of talking you do outside of the studio; avoid unnecessary coughing and thoat clearing; and cut out the dairy. That last one sucks, but many vocalists swear by it!

"Fuzzy around the edges" sounds good to me. Bring on the drugs.

Seriously - hope you're feeling better. I volunteer reading audiobooks for librivox.org, but the good thing about volunteering is that you can stop when your voice gets tired and go back to it another day!

Audiobooks aren't embarassing, dear Harlot, they mean that blind knitters can plug in, too. You're expanding your audience.

I am sad that you will be in Kentucky and I will miss you. Kentucky is the state to the south of Indiana and so you are realatively close to me. I will be leaving for two weeks in Kenya in about an hour. I will be working in an orphanage and hospital with AIDS babies. Anybody want to knit some baby blankets and hats? We can ship them over in the next container...

The good news is that I have sporadic internet access while I am there, so I can check in with you. Enjoy Kentucky, we always do.

I am sad that you will be in Kentucky and I will miss you. Kentucky is the state to the south of Indiana and so you are realatively close to me. I will be leaving for two weeks in Kenya in about an hour. I will be working in an orphanage and hospital with AIDS babies. Anybody want to knit some baby blankets and hats? We can ship them over in the next container...

The good news is that I have sporadic internet access while I am there, so I can check in with you. Enjoy Kentucky, we always do.

Well, Mendon said someone would eventually say it, so I will. Kentucky isn't "the South." I lived where you're going (Lexington) in 1990-1 and (get this!) danced in the ballet company there. Yes really. It's not the South; it's kind of unto itself. You won't hear an accent like Kentucky's anywhere else. Lexington itself is surrounded by beautiful pastoral country. It's probably grown since '91, but you could drive ten minutes in any direction and be someplace prettier than the last place. If you have the time, tell them to take you to Pleasant Hill, a Shaker community about 30 miles away. Go on the back roads; the drive is amazing. Feel better and have fun.

You are amazing!!! Read on! And you and Joe completed the project without killing each other! Have fun in Kentucky.

Dood! Do it like a dvd - outtakes! Audio book with author's commentary on voiceover! Bonus tracks with special material!

Ahh, and you're probably thinking that at least WE'LL be able to knit while we listen. And we probably think that, too, but doubled-over, shaking with laughter is not a prime knitting position. We won't care.

And now--- I can rest;)

Back to knitting and wait for the audio book.

I get how tough it must be to just READ not change and edit as you go--- I have one a couple of video project things---hardest part is when they wanted me to re-do something- and saying EXACTLY the same thing....I never say the same thing the same way... can't help it.

I'm sure it will be great- you're a terrific speaker! Hoping an praying for your poor throat;) Oh--- what you go through for us knitters;) Thnx

Stephanie

Count me with all those who suggest vocal training/treatment by professionals. All people who use their voices for a living should have training; it's your instrument, after all. Luckily, I've never overused my voice like you just did; as a result, I have no specific recommendations for you. It sounds like Theresa C., Tammany, Heather, and Kate Thorne have already done the basic footwork. All you need [emphasis on "need"] to do is find the best professional(s) to treat you. I know we're a bossy bunch, but we care. Be good to yourself; treat yourself like you would treat one of your girls.

dee

An audiobook, very cool!
I noticed on the Kentucky page that lists all of the events, it shows a group of knitters in the top photo. :)

I'd much rather hear you read the audio version of your book(s) than hear someone else read it.

So there.

Oh dear...your vocal chords...might want to rest your voice for awhile, and see someone about them. They should be able to tell you how to take care of them so that you won't damage them.

I have another couple of suggestions which worked beautifully for my daughter who had no voice for a week but desperately needed it to return for the school play--she was the narrator and kind of needed her voice to tell the story: Neo-Laryngobis, can be found quite readily in pharmacies here in Quebec but as it is homeopathic you may need to go to health food store in TO--also Oil of Oregano taken in water and Slippery Elm Bark lozenges--these restored daughter's voice within 12 hours after a week of no voice and a regular doctor saying "well, rest the voice and good luck..."! All of the items we used were recommended by my daughter's music teacher who sings opera and has used them frequently with great success. Let me know if you cannot access any of these items and I will send them to you.
Would also like to add two cents worth to the idea of voice lessons--you are speaking publically so frequently now, that anything like that could easily be written off as a business expense. In fact, a wise business practice to protect one of your most valuable business assets--your voice!

Audiobooks - hooray! Sorry about the sore throat.

My own vocal chords ache for you. Literally. I must say I am excited about the audiobook though. I can knit on the bus and listen to it on the ole' iPod! Woohoo!

Wait, I didn't say that right.

I'd much rather hear your voice in the audio version of your books than hear someone else's voice.

~Priscilla

editor, n.
1. relentless pursuer of perfection

Steph, you've gotta talk to the Kentucky folks about snow. Or, rather, what they consider Snow. Some friends of ours are from Kentucky (we live near the US/BC border), and they'll shut down the schools if there's a little snow on the ground "just in case it gets worse". When our friend's mother was visiting, she told her friends back home that there was a real blizzard going on here . . . and we only had a few inches on the road sides--the roads were clear. :o)

Have a great time! Oh, how I wish I lived somewhere warmer . . .

Hope the throat is better soon... and as soon as I can get my mitts on those audio books, they're mine!! :)

Soo, how 'bout them Yankees? Fine weather we are having, right? There, I have averted, but not long enough, I spy secret knitting in that second pic. Can't wait to see what you are up to!

Have a glorious time in KY. Enjoy the blue grass and have a mint julep.

Steph, you will be absolutely *wonderful* reading your books. I know we can never know how we truly sound to others, but you have a lovely voice and I simply couldn't imagine anyone other than you reading them.

Did you know that your reading at WEBS in Northampton, MA is all booked? The room at the hotel, which will hold 375 people, is completely reserved, with over a month to go. This should be a blast! In addition to serving hors d'eovres, soda and coffe, there will be a cash bar. Tipsy knitters! Woo hoo!

I adore Audiobooks. They seem to be the only way for an overworked individual like myself to "read" any books at all if I also intend to finish my knitting. I must say that your bookbookbook 2 was the first book I finished reading WHILE knitting... good skill to learn but it would be MUCH easier to listen to you reading it. :D

I never thought I'd say it but I miss the South.. born and raised there intelligently enough to move to a blue state. Haha. Though, it sure is perty. Enjoy Kentucky for me.

OH YARN HARLOT!! The combined fierce wishes of thousands are being answered!! I was so excited to hear about the audio books I can't tell you. Now, I CAN read and knit at the same time (combination of a good book stand and plain old circular stockinette forever and forever, my dear toques) but being able to have the book with me as I walk, drive, do household chores (some can't be avoided, like litter pans). It just doesn't GET better than that. Well...having you read to me while enjoying a cup of tea and a knit at my kitchen table would be better, but this is a pretty close runner-up. Thank you, Stephanie. Merci beaucoup, megwetch, todah....what a delicious bit of springtime news.

DUDE!!! Words cannot even begin to describe how KEWL it is that you're doing audiobooks. I use the plural with the sincere hope that you are not just doing "Casts Off", but also "YH, Secret Life..". Those stories are SO perfect for an aural rendition. My partner sends you his advance thanks because he's sick to death of my knitting while listening to David Sedaris and Elizabeth Zimmerman on continuous audiobook loop. Yippe Kie YAY!!!!!

I'm so excited that you are doing an audio book. I missed your visit to Austin (hadn't discovered my knitting obsession yet) and I was so curious to hear what you sound like that I Googled you and found this knitting show/blog that is a videocast. It's enormous and I had to sit through a lot of chatting but then there you were, at the NYC Knit Out, chatting to the interviewer, who could barely contain herself.

Anyway, I'm excited to hear you read your own work and you should know that you are providing a service to knitters everywhere who are having to make a choice between reading your books and knitting.
--Barb

PS: I know the first part of this comment sounds like a true psycho stalker, and those words are probably true individually but not paired as a team.

I'm thrilled that you are recording audio books. My best friend is is an awesome knitter and spinner. She's also blind. Every now and then she asks me if your books are on tape yet. Now I can tell her yes!

I can't wait to hear them, too. I'll be knitting along to them. Bring out the wine, coffee, and chocolate; it's a party in the making.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

They should let you knit while you read. The gentle clicking of the needles would be like a sound track - and seem perfectly normal to us, the listeners. Every TV show we watch has that gentle click in the background - ask our families!

I am so glad you are doing audio books. Wish in had one for my 5 hour drive on a business trip next week.

Have I got this right? You have written books for us to read when we can't knit (or when we are knitting, if we are clever and have a paperweight), now you are reading books for us to listen to while we knit? You are wonderful. Now you need to get working on the Yarn Harlot Action Figure - with moveable arms - so it can hold our skeins for those of us who do not have a swift. Maybe it can say things when we pull a string - "knit more silk", "time to tink", "ripit ripit", "fair isle is FUN", "where the hell is my coffee?", and "have a harlotty day!"

May I be so bold as to welcome you into the fold. The fold of "weirds that read their own books for a living". Currently I am writing a book proposal and for me reading a book is so much, much, much, much easier.
Knit on
Looking forward to seeing you in Victoria.

Shoot! I live in Indianapolis, and, now considering driving to Lexington for your panel. hmm..how do I tell my husband..."Dear, I need to drive three hours to listen to knitting. Will you watch the baby??" LOL! Hope it goes well Stephanie!

That's sooo cool... I refuse to avert my eyes, I will instead raise them to the acolyte of the knitting goddess in reverence... (and sympathize a bit w/the throat thing...I, too, talk for a living, and that thing about being in love with your own voice? I know I wish mine would grow up and move out and get a job and leave me in peace--I would imagine you feel the same way...)

I can think of no one better to read your books aloud than you (although my mom seems to think I do a pretty decent job).

Thank you thank you thank you

You ROCK. so do you Rachel H., and Amy, .....oh you too Rams.
Everyone rocks.

We should start a Rock band, Lets call it "Raming The Shears.

From a happy (sort of) Denny.xx0x0xx0

I also adore listening to authors read their own work, especially comedy. They always have the perfect delivery. My mom and I once had to pull over the car while listening to David Sedaris. I can't wait for the audiobook!

Read the book. If you want encouragement - go listen to Spider Robinson read his own books. Authors can read their own books and do a wonderful job. Who better than you to know how it should be read and to put the emphasis in the correct place? Voice on the tape/CD is going to match that little nagging one in your head.
Go for it!
-Holly

Stephanie- Congratulations on the audio tape contract!! That is incredibly amazing and you should NOT be embarassed by ANY of it! This just shows how much you are liked, and how much people enjoy reading you stuff. And now? well, now it's having you actually READ to us. How cool is that? We can knit and listen to you, too- and frankly, I can't think of a better inspiration. See, you gotta realize that there are those of us who cannot take our eyes off our knitting, not even for one stitch, as ugly things happen when we do. Unlike you, who can hold a charming conversation while your fingers fly and create lovely sock at the same time (don't think I didn't notice that on Knitty Gritty). If it were someone else, I'd be livid. But it's impossible to harbor any ill thoughts towards you. Darn you. ;o)

Sorry I missed your Lexington trip last year, I'll be there tomorrow even if you can't talk. My grandpa used to make homemade cough syrup from Kentucky bourbon and ground up rock candy, might be worth a try.

Hahaha, the joke's on you, because today is a beautiful, beautiful day: 20 degrees and sunny.

Horray! Now I can read while I drive! Have fun in TN!

See, as a climber and not a knitter, my first thought was cool: Steph's going to check out the Red River Gorge and get some climbing in! I can hear Ken killing himself laughing now.

Anyhow, hope you get yourself some Ale-8-One and enjoy it somewhere lovely and warm.

Say arse!

You wrote it somewhere, didn't you? At least once?

It will be perfect! I love EZ's audio cassette of her reading her book. When I'm putzing in the yarn room, I have it playing and she's there with me. Can't wait to have you!

I am very excited about the audio book - I have Jon Stewart's book on my ipod, and it's great! Very fun to knit by.

I have an idea about your next book: Best of the Blog. Before you say no, think of it as a Greatest Hits version - bands do it all the time. I've thought of 2 drawbacks: 1) the tone is very different from your books; and 2) you would have to include some pictures. But I would love to read through some of your best entries - it can be difficult to find them in the archives. Plus, I only just started reading this year - I'm sure I've missed jewels from previous years. And hopefully it would not mean too much work for you! Just a thought to ponder over. I hope you get well soon!

Glad your throat is feeling better - I've done the same thing, & trying to swallow something that's supposed to be there but is uncomfortable, is very frustrating! The bad news, you couldn't knit while you read, the good news, we can listen while we knit!! Although with your books, we'd better be working on something very simple, where dropped stitches can be considered part of the pattern! Keep up your awesome work -- we love you!!

Excited you're going audio--nice of you to sacrifice your knitting time so we can listen while WE knit.

By the way I sent you a DVD of the Knitty Gritty episode a couple of days ago; it takes a long time to get things to Canada, though. Maybe next week.

If you gargle with warm salt water (very salty), it will kill any germs in your throat. It also helps if you do this at the first signs of a cold. Love the home remedies! Joanne

Funny that--how whatever body part you need, that's the one that gets sick under stress.
So design engineers get migraines, and knitters get carpal tunnel of the wrist, and performers get laryngitis/lump in throat. When I was counselling I sometimes got laryngitis--it forced me to listen more than I talked and that was a good thing. Since I retired, I've not had laryngitis.
The audio books are a great idea. I'm so glad that your audience will have a chance to "read" while knitting. And what a great "knitting together" of yours and Joe's skills.

Stephanie,
I hope you feel better soon. Listen,
will you ever consider coming to Texas????? There are a ton of knitters here, I am one of them.
Good luck with the tapes.

So according to your tour dates, you will be in Victoria for World-Wide KIP day apparently. Somehow, I imagine that I won't be able to get the day of work, phoo.

Yeeaaaaahhhhhh!!!!

The knitters of the Shakespeare Theater Costume Shop of DC welcome your addition to our cult of audio. We love to knit, we love to sew and we love to listen to audiobooks.

OMG--I had to come post another comment to ask if you all had seen THIS? And to just say that as a Newbie, I had no idea that there was such a thing as Extreme Knitting. (Picture is a photo of a knitting disaster and not for the faint of heart.) We need to send this woman well wishes.

http://anastaciaknits.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-foot-not-for-faint-of-heart.html

Yikes.

Last night operatic soprano Jane Eaglen accompanied one of the pieces the Pacific Northwest Ballet performed. In the pre-performance interview she said the single most effective thing she does when she flies is use a small spray bottle of water to humidify the air in front of her face every 20 minutes.

Remember, your vocal cords will swell during the dry flight just like your ankles and fingers do.

There must be something in all of these recommendations you've gotten that will work for you. Good luck.

I was right!! Woo Hoo. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

I rejoiced at the word of Audiobooks!!

My special remedy for bad throats.
boile 2 whole cloves in 2 cups of water for 5 minutes. in a mug put 1 shot whiskey (yes this is better taken at home), 1 tbsp honey and juice of half a lemon then fill the rest of the way with the clove infused water. My husband swears by it!

Oh, I totally understand about recording. We are just finishing a music CD and I get very grumpy until I'm done behind the microphone.

I love performing on stage, but being all cheerful singing to the easy chair on the other side of the room is much more difficult (our recording studio is our living room). And then I have to listen to it a million times as we "tweak" it before the final master, and I hear every flaw. It's the nature of the beast.

Fortunately if I can ignore it for 6 months, usually I like it when I finally hear it again. Thank goodness for that.

I'm so glad you are finished and you can rest. Vocal cords are muscles and they need to rest after a marathon, before you go out and do a speaking tour... right? Don't overdo it like I did (the doc put me on total absolute voice rest for 31 days... you don't want to go through that).

Hugs, LynnH

I know the throat thing. As a teacher...a few months of not talking helps. My husband SO looks forward to June, July and most of August.

I knit (I'm starting a fiber arts club next year!), but the best part of this blog is picking up four new ideas for "the throat thing."

Any tips for starting a club at my middle school (6th-8th grade, about ages 11-14) would be greatly appreciated. Operation Cast-Off is now directed to the youthful members of society in Illinois!

Thanks, Steph...for humor, wisdom...and hope.

Which book? Which book? Am I the only fool who can't figure it out? But then, come to think of it, I suppose it doesn't really matter in the least. I'll be delighted to hear any of your books in your own voice. Licorice tea - licorice has some sort of natural throat anaesthetic in it. That can't be true. Where did I hear that? And yet...

I'm sorry your feeling under the weather. I did have a bit of a chuckle at the irony of you having to actually "create" the audio book. After the extolling you did of audio books and how cool they are for knitters. I find it highly ironic that you a knitter is having to read your own book into audio form. You'll have to forgive me, I have a different type of humor. In the meantime, I sit in awe of you. By the way, you totally rocked on Knitty Gritty the other day.

dang! I always wanted to be a reader for audiobooks but never could figure out how to get into it. Now I know - I gotta write a book first! crap! feel better soon.

Just to add to your zillion and one comments, firstly, good luck with the audiobooks. Drink pineapple juice (acid clears the throat), avoid milk (puts mucus in the throat, yuk),

And just a quick note, saying the title of your post sounds like the title one of silverchair's (Aussie band, love them!) songs is calles 'the greatest view from here' and I know conveniently have the song in my head.

Just call me fan girl. w00t.

hmmmmmm btw---I know-- TECHNICALLY- you can't knit during taping----but please- Knitters would NEVER complain about the tiny click click of DPNs in the background....just sayin' ;)

The nice thing is,Stephanie, that even when you lose your voice, we still have the benefit of your wonderful repartee.(from your blog and books) Maybe you can make it to North Carolina for a stop on your book tour? We'd love to sit and knit with you.

Ang

Yay! I love audiobooks - especially those read by the author!

yay for audiobooks! Can't wait to download them to my iPod! The I can sit out on my balcony with a lovely beverage, my knitting, and you reading your wonderful books.

Oh man, here I am in a campgound east of Paducah, Ky. I'm going to be in Lexington tomorrow and you are there today and I just missed you. Bummer!

Must second Abbey's (way up there at #1!) request that you come to State College PA. There's a veg restaurant that Martha Stewart approved of, grilled sticky buns at the OCD (don't ask about the cholesterol), and Creamery ice cream (again, don't question the cholesterol). And then we'll roll you out of town in either direction to Knitter's Underground or Stitch Your Art Out. Happy Valley's loverly in the spring!

When will there be a book signing in Toronto or the GTA?

What an exciting endeavor! For all of us who can't get to see you, due to one life crises or another... this will be a good substitute! Hope you're having fun with it. It sounds like another interesting thing your life has led you to. Rock on!

i am planning on getting a hotel room for rhinebeck- it is about that time already- and i remembered the hotel you were in had a lot of knitterly activity. Where did you stay?

Finally got a copy (went to three yarn shops -- all sold out, and got the LAST copy at downtown Borders!) of your latest. Read it cover to cover. What fun. I giggled all the way through till the end, and then got a little teary at your closing remarks. Good to know you'll be on audio (suck it up, your throat will heal)-- no one better to read your stuff than you. MaryB in Seattle

take care! your health is definitely more important than anything else in this equation. :)

I'm so sorry to hear that you're not feeling well! Nonetheless, I'm perfectly thrilled that you're doing audiobooks! Don't you realize that you're saving all of us crazed Knitters the chance to lose a stitch or two when trying not only to knit and purl but to also read your darned books that are IMPOSSIBLE to put down? I thought that I lost the Land Of Knitting this weekend and almost had a heart attack! I was going to hubby's bike race and wanted to have your book and a sock to work on. Without the book, I was running in circles! I found it - in his trunk - after we got back. At first, I accused him of hiding it just to give you more proceeds when we went out and got a new one. Well, I can't wait to buy your audiobook(s). That's a fab idea!

Greetings! I know u r busy, but I bought your book "Cast Off" this weekend, and I'm loving it.
U R right about the Yarn stores, and how to save money. The only time I "never" got anything out of it, is when I was broke when I entered the LYS. Or, as of Sat. I begged my DH to take me, and he was there telling me, "You don't need anymore needles, you got plenty, and why you looking at the wooden ones, they will break."
Yep! That helps save money too! Take care~
http://cinnamonpurls.blogspot.com

Stephanie wrote, "Let's pretend I haven't turned into some weirdo reading their own books for a living."

No no no, Stephanie---It's "some weirdo reading *her* own books for a living."

*Their* is plural, not singular, although I recognize most people are comfortable with it as a singular pronoun when gender is unspecified.

(I was really just going for the joke.)

Are you going to come to Florida anytime soon? North Florida is beautiful and sunny and warm.

Audiobooks? Who knew? I wonder if I can get my family to listen to you on long car trips? Usually we are scheduled for an eleven hour drive to (dare I say it?) Cleveland right about the time the new Harry Potter hits the shelves, and that gets us there and back. This year we went early (family wedding) so I might have to make up a trip just to listen to you in the car. Will your books be downloadable (is that a word?) from Audible.com or some such service? That would be an excuse to get my iPod into service and listen privately, wouldn't it?

I once recorded 80% of "Bridge to Terabithia" for a project at my kids' school. Then I started working nights and couldn't find enough quiet time in the house to finish it.

Meanwhile, I dream of WEBS - we'll be there (along with a recording FOR you!).

Audiobook! That's so exciting! I really enjoyed you on Knitty Gritty and please don't be upset but I kept thinking to myself, I hope she says "aboot" (about) again. I love Canadian accents the way some people enjoy British ones.

Can't wait for the audio book! I not as talented as some who can knit and read at the same time. I already own your books, but will also get the audio when released. Hope you feel better soon.

You might like to try slippery elm - it's a demulent, which means it makes your throat slippery and such. It might help. In the US we have a brand called Thayers Natural Remedies, they make lozenges. Good Luck!
(PS - I love your books, they keep me up at night and kill me laughing.)

Dearest Harlot -
The other morning I was quite surprised when my non-knitting partner, Chris, started a breakfast conversation with "I read in the Harlot's book....".
It seems he's been reading At Knit's End, which I keep in the bathroom. He's enjoying it as much as I am!
Thanks for helping him understand me better.

Hope you're feeling better!

Gosh, are you ok? Is the blog understructure being problematic? We want you to take care of yourself and actually live your life, but we also miss you very much. You've become a part of our daily life - you know, get up, brush your teeth, brush your hair, prepare breakfast, check Yarn Harlot, smile.

Here's hoping all well - health, wealth, and harmony.

We miss you!

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