Cool! am I first?

Damn skippy you'd better cast on the second one -- they'll stone you as an imposter if you show up without it. Cast! Cast!

Whoo hoo for a surprise FO! And appropriately you finished a green sock in the Emerald City. Have fun.

You can't show up without a sock! Quick!! Cast on! And enjoy the PNW. I hear it's lovely there. :)

Wow, it's been the same sock since March! I am so impressed! By now I would have lost a needle, the pattern, the rest of the yarn.....

Congratulations on an FO!

::gasp:: I can't believe she's finished! She was little more than a cuff when I saw her in May!! I can't wait to see her mate. ;)

That sock has GROWN since I saw it in Petaluma. Nice to know that even slow progress progresses, no?

Oh no!!!! "Quick!! administer 2gms Sock yarn via 4 dpns and 2 glasses of red wine! Stat!"

I'm sure there's a joke to be made about being Sleepless in Seattle and finishing the sock but I'm not there yet!

You'd better hurry! I know I can't live with myself without something on the needles. I totally eat more when I'm not knitting. In fact, I'm traveling on business now and took 2 books (in case the first one sucks), a baby quilt and a knitting project. Who needs to work right?

Wow.....she has grown. Looks like you will be wearing the socks by the end of the tour:-)

book ready? check
reservations for Saturday? check
hats to bring? check
directions printed? might need to do that soon
decided on which project to bring along with me? uhhhhhhh.....oy!
Smart lady that you always know to bring your traveling sock with you...I'm still trying to decide on fun or deadline type project. grrrrrrr...
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! OH, and your sock, too!

I feel like I've travelled with the sock--thanks for the journey! Interesting how "travel" includes "ravel." How appropriate.

Oh I wish I'd gotten some of that yarn... It's beautiful. I can see why you'd miss it.

Don't fret. You'll have plenty of time to start the second sock. It's a long way from LA to Wichita. I'll be driving down from Kansas City on Sunday to stalk, I mean admire, you and the socks.

It's always amazing when something creeps up on you like that, isn't it? :)

The sock that saw the flying panties is done? Hurray! You may knit another one that looks just like it, but sock #1 has had some pretty awesome adventures ....

Yes, hurry up and cast on the mate. I can't wait to see you tomorrow! Honestly, it will be one of the best days in 2007 for me!

Awesome. I realized that I've seen that sock twice now! :D Funny how that cumulative action thing works, innit?

I'm sure the adventures of the second sock will be just as fun! Think of all the memories you'll have by the time you finish the pair!

Maybe I'll get to see the second sock someday...do head to the Colorado Springs area someday please.

I remember that sock! My how it's grown. ;)

That sock was completed much quicker than my sock that has been on the needles since march even when I knit 60 sts a minute. Just goes to show..sometimes the tortoise comes out quicker than the hare.

Woah. It feels very final, like the seventh book release

I was listening to Casts Off in the car, (DH and my 13 yr old son love it!) and I can explain why we keep making swatches...it's the same principle as slot machines! If one gets a reward occasionally, one keeps trying, despite the vast number of times that it just doesn't work. Ok, I guess this is left over from us being hunter-gatherers....gotta keep on hunting, even if that saber tooth tiger got away!

So anyway, there you go...swatches equal saber tooth tigers.

I've had a single sock on the needles since... February... of 2006!!!

Maybe someday I'll get back to it... if I even remember what I was doing - darn made up pattern!

That sock yarn is beatiful! i would love to meet you some day. please come to California someday!!!

It would take me that long working hard on it;)

Yeah! I, too, will see you Sun in Wichita; driving from an hr south of the Greater KC Metro Area to Wichita ... figure you may never get to KC, so what's a 3+ hr drive among friends?? You ROCK!!

Gosh, I thought this sock was just the traveling sock, meaning that you didn't actually knit it, but carried it for promotional purposes - guess I was wrong about that.

Isn't this the yarn that you used for the Knitty Gritty show? If so, aren't you awash in the yarn for this? There could be many, many mates -- kinda like a fundamentalist Mormon marriage!

I'm sure you've done the yarn justice. I remember when you cast on that beautiful yarn, and I remember the post made me cry.

Congrats on your first of a pair, and may the next be as wonderfully surprising.
K

I'm an abnormal sock knitter. The first sock turned into a very tiny doll sweater, and the next one turned out to be a dice bag. I have yet to actually knit a normal sock.

WOW. A FO just became into your hands.

Funny thing this morning, on the radio they were talking about a UFO conference in Edmonton this week-end. It took me a few minutes to clue into the fact that the topic of discussion would be extra-terrestrials, NOT single sock syndrome.

Tracy who has a severe case of PADD (Project Attention Defecit Dissorder. Symtoms of PADD include many UFOs stuffed onto various nooks and crannies, lack of unoccupied needles, single socks languishing in their lonely existance, the desire to start a new project despite the umpteen dozens needing to be finished...

Cast on the second, and try not to have a cow. Har de har har. :)

Have your children started school yet?

I too remember the post that made you cast on that yarn and I'm sure you will get the second one done. I wish all my socks did that magic trick. Have a safe and happy trip.

So pretty! I'm sure you'll get the second one cast on in no time! I hope you get a chance to enjoy Seattle - it's one of my favorite cities! =)

Hey now missy, that isn't kitchenered yet...

Funny how that happens.

Awww ... I held that sock in August in Halifax (I just checked my blog to see the picture - it looks like on August 7th you were nearly at the toe shaping ... wow! you have been busy in the past month if you only knit a row or so each time you take a picture with the sock)

You know, people expect the sock to accompany you to the signings -- you best cast on before going to the book tour event. THERE COULD BE A RIOT IF YOU HAVE NO SOCK!

With the travelling sock, do you keep the socks when they are done, or are they destined for someone (family/friend/stalker) from the get go? I hope you keep them for yourself -- I imagine it would be really fun to be home one day puttering around, look down and realize you are wearing the "Casts Off" socks, and remember the fun places you travelled, the people you met, and the stash you acquired (and the FO s you completed in hotel rooms and on planes.

Enjoy Seattle for me! I miss her.

Could be a sign that you're traveling too much.

I wish so much I could get to see you. I'd knit all the rounds you needed to make a good showing with the sock! Hope it all goes (went) well.

Barb

now i don't feel bad at all about the self-striping sock languishing on dps until i can show a co-worker how to turn a heel, or the fact that on my first pair of socks with slip-stitch heels i'm having to go back and fix so many errors because i'm trying to watch "psych" at the same time.

but if ms. harlot can finish a sock so gradually (and have it turn out nice), i also can "go slow and fly low," as my daddy always said.

what does the natural-dyes set use in seattle, by the way -- coffee? i can imagine scrumptious yarn going from palest mocha to rich, intense cappucino brown . . .

Is that slow for sock knitting? Seems about right for me! I'll see you in Houston. Did we tell you that it's bound to be HUMID? Bring a scrunchy for your hair...

Doesn't it feel great to finish something? I am definitely a finisher. I hate UFOs.

Recently finished reading Casts Off - I actually bought it rather than waiting for it at the library. It was great.

Stephanie, I would like to personally invite you to visit the blog of me and my friends this weekend - we have a contest happening and you can win stuff! Four lots of stuff to be exact. Hope to see you there.

Sure glad you cast on a new sock for your pic tonight! I was in the crowd and really enjoyed your talk. Your just as funny in person as you are in your books! I can't wait for you to come back to Seattle again!

And you are right, Village Yarn and Tea IS the best. I live about 10 minutes from there and almost wish I had a condo in that building. Then, sadly I would probably not be able to afford a mortgage.

Cheers!

Socks not sweaters, always, when you're doing the tour thing--you're steekless in Seattle.

Oh. That's kind of sad, in a way.

Emerald City meet Emerald Sock...karma... the sock needed to be finished there...

I am so glad I got to see you speak again here in the Emerald City. You were wonderfully funny, and generally all around awesome again. YAY! Take care, and hopefully come again soon?

The completed sock looked beautiful; the new sock was there and working hard (all those photos) and you were a joy to meet. Your humor was delightful as always, but your message about knitters is important. I was sitting next to a graduate student who is researching tuberculosis, and whose husband (currently working on a joint MD and PhD) is a better knitter than she. Knitters are certainly not simple or stupid. Or impatient. Everyone stood in the long line, knitting and chatting and happily waiting for a chance to exchange a word with you. I hope you have time for a good night's sleep after you finally leave the store tonight.

Yay! I made it, and even Miss 12mo seemed to enjoy it ... she found a little friend to play peekaboo with throughout your talk ;-) It was great to see the sock(s) in person, and to finally get to meet you after reading your blog for so long - I hope you managed to get a bit more for dinner than just those Tim Tams!!

I am so sad that I could not come and see you talk in Seattle tonight (as I only live 1 hour away), but instead, to fill the void, I am watching clips of you on Youtube!!! It has temporarily stopped the sobbing. LOL. Okay, so maybe I am not crying, but I really did want to come see you. I will just have to wait until you are a little closer for Madrona.

Just got home from your talk in Seattle at Third Place Books. It was such a good time! My first experience at being among so many knitters at the same time. Your talk was fabulously funny and inspirational at the same time - thank you for such a great evening!

I wish I could join you in LA, but I have just left southern CA for northern. =( Not cool. But don't you love that? When you're pleasantly surprised with a completed project. I mean, if it was unpleasant, it would be something like getting close to the end, then realizing that you messed up the pattern wayy back at the heel and it's a mistake that makes the sock completely un-sock-like.

I know that view. Your hotel is very close to Husband's office.

Right now you are finishing your talk at Third Place Books, all of 5 miles from where I am typing. But, tonight is Oldest Daughter's 18th (!!!) birthday and a trip to see Yarn Harlot was out of the question. I know you understand, being the Mum of an 18 year old yourself.
Terri

I had a blast seeing you tonight in Seattle. My cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much! :)

Oh, why did my teachers have to schedule my (required)overnight HS retreat on the day you come to Seattle and I finally conviced my parents to let me go? So sorry I wasn't there! *sobbing inconsolably*

Wonderful! I'll bet Virginia would've loved her yarn becoming an FO in Seattle; the colors fit perfectly. And it's made a beautiful sock.

Hope you had fun tonight and all went well, and that by now you're relaxing comfily, whether with knitters or in a great hotel room. With a good beer or two, specially if it'll get you to sleep faster. ;) I also hope Florence Knitingale made it to see you ok and gave you the brownies! (I get some on Saturday. She's coming down and we're going to yarncrawl Portland all day long. And eat brownies. Looking forward to hearing how it went!) Safe trip to LA!

Thank you for putting the time and all the location information for the LA Library event! It's only September 14th (in LA anyway), and they've already taken down the page you linked to! Arrgh!!

Okay, I guess that's enough exclamation points for this post. But boy am I peeved.

Awwwww, no. two is never as fun as no. one. Its all been there, done that. Except with kids of course. Then its all... been there and where are they, how did they do that, why cant they be more like no. one.

Hey - I got to hold that second sock tonight at Third Place Books! Thank you for sharing your humor and insights with us! I love being in a room filled with that many people who all have huge smiles on their faces. Bravo!

So....ya gonna swing by PDX on your way to LA??!??? I'm still working on the shawl I started when you were in Portland this spring. Moving kinda slowed me down, but it's in process again....yee-haw! Knitting a row here & there helped keep me sane....well, maybe sane is stretching it a smidge....but it helped!

It was lovely to listen to you tonight. I hope you enjoyed Seattle.

I am so glad I got to be the last knitter standing... knitters are lovely beings, aren't we? I blogged all about you, and yes, the picture of my hand is up there... and I would happily wait in a 2x as long line next time (but I would send provisions). Please some back often, we *heart* you!

A joy to see you in Seattle. Well worth the 7 hours of travel (total for both ways. . .I'm not crazy) in one day to go. Though, I suppose you give all of us crazy readers much more than that in travel hours during these tours. Hmmm. Thank you.

Hey, while we drove to your signing you did the sneaky post.

Thank you for a great evening. Even though last year I saw you on the panel at Bumbershoot, went to the restrooms afterward before going to buy your book and get it signed, and had no idea that having only one person in line in front of me was a rare treat, this was a much better crowd and more fun. Plus, now I had some idea of what to say.

Oh, by the way, I checked recently and Tricoter charges $35/hour for finishing work (seaming and blocking) on sweaters and will quote something for finishing or just doing the knitting, depending on the complexity.

Where were you coming from that you passed Village Yarns on the way there? I hope not the airport or you were way lost, even for you and an airport.

The sock is finished and you sort of didn't notice -- it's kind of like raising a child, eh?

Cool! Kansas sock knitters will get to see a new born sock!

See you TOMORROW (wow!) with hat (done) and socks (in progress).

NOW I'm counting hours.

Yay! You were lovely at 3rd Place! Now I am at the Seattle airport on my way to the big square state north of Oklahoma. But sadly I will not be in Wichita on Sunday. I'll be thinking of you though!

What a pleasant surprize! I hope you'll have it with you in New Orleans, How big will it's mate be by then?

Is this the first or the second sock?

Wow...that sock has been awhile in the making. Hard to believe it is finished! I haven't picked up my knitting (not really) since I've been in South Korea - 3 weeks now. I'm starting to get withdrawl! There is a yarnshop nearby where you buy 3 balls/skeins you get a free pair of needles (they only have circs)...unfortunately the selection isn't all that great (to my liking at least). They don't even have sock yarn! Gasp!

Congrats on the finished sock! I've found that if I cast on the second sock immediately (i.e. within SECONDS) after finishing the first, I successfully trick myself into thinking that I'm still on the first sock, making it harder to fall prey to the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome. Hiding the first sock in a place where you may not find it until you move again helps reinforce the idea.
Also, in my world, knitting a WHOLE sock in just a few months is a speed record. More than half of the time, I never even get to Second Sock Syndrome Land because my socks always stall just after the heel turn. I swear, if it ever becomes fashionable to wear just half a sock on one foot, I'll be leading the trend.

It's beautiful! And green. I'm extremely impressed. But, yeah, get knitting. Ahem...

Mittens and sweaters
Never out of date,
Yarns of alpaca,
Yak, or wool are great,
Right sock needs left
And left must have its mate,
That no one can deny!
It's still the same old story,
You knit for love, not glory,
A case of spin and dye,
The world will always welcome knitters,
As time goes by.

Yes, well once you establish a trademark, you kind of have to stick to it, don't you? ;o)

I've been wondering about this... what do you do with them when you're done? Do you wear them? Do you have a stack of them at home to rub for the mojo?

Funny how that happens, no? What is even funnier (to me at least) is that you are working on a pair of green socks. After the whole 'Knitty Gritty" thing, I would have thought you swore off green socks forever. Hey, actually, that yarn looks awfully familiar. Is that STILL the same yarn you had to get multiples of for the show????

Love that sock! Now cast on and knit away.

skippy?

Great sock from great tribute yarn. Wish I could be there in Los Angeles today to see you again.

Just to let you know how powerful your 'influence' is. As we speak I am winding luscious balls of yarn to start my 'Fleece Artist' garter stitch jacket. Purchased at 'Mad About Ewe' in Nanaimo. Mmmm

It's happened to me too. My brain went "Oh, crap". Like I'd never intended to finish the project.... ever!

It's gorgeous, and I feel honored to have gotten to 'grope it' in Lex... I hope sock, the sequel is as fabulous for you as the original. Cami

Aw. That's cute. Lonely without the sock.

I've been known to slow down, or even stop knitting, as I approach the end of a project I love.

Aw, poor sockie... (pouts)

There is no hope for second sock syndrome! At least in this case. . .

Hey,
Really enjoyed seeing you in Seattle/Lake Forest Park, which is a town in its own right. I had a fabulous time chatting with my fellow sticks and string fans. And you were your usual droll self.
Looking forward to your next visit.
By the way, there are more than a few of us who are guilty of KUIs. (Knitting Under the Influence)
Cheers!

Did you see this article in The Seattle Times?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003883358_yarnharlot14.html

"Pearl-McPhee will perform an hourlong, knitting-themed, stand-up comedy routine at 6:30 tonight at Third Place Books."

Aw, that sock has been through A LOT. I'm glad it has survived, even flourished, and will soon have a buddy.

March 22 to Sept 14 = 6 months. Does that mean you'll be touring w/sock #2 for another 6 months?

OH dear! A finished lonely sock! Can't have that..plus what will you take pictures of if you don't get started on that second one?!? Can't wait to see the start of it and watch it grown into a beautiful little sock too.

slowly and sneakily is the ONLY way I can manage to knit socks. and, as you say, it still works!

G'bye, sock! Have a nice life! Been nice knowin' ya!

Ang

So sad I missed you here in Seattle! Darn that stupid work!

if only socks could talk....

Did you see the wool-pig featured on Habetrot?
http://habetrot.typepad.com/habetrot/2007/09/truth-is-way-st.html
I thought of you when I saw it. :)

My husband wants me to tell you that you have made him a fan for life. He joined me as a Muggle in L.A. and now he knows what all the fuss has been about.

How ironic that you were finishing a sock while I was frogging TWENTY ROWS of the sock that has been on my needles for months. How could I work only 16 rows of a 24-row pattern and then ... begin at row 1 again!!! And not notice for twenty rows?? Perhaps I could finish this sock if I just followed you around from city to city, knitting and enjoying your many get-togethers. Instead, (cheaper and less stalk-ish) I might keep it near the computer and knit as I read about your newest tour ... always a good time!
~ Dar

Yay! Happy sockday!

Just a quick word of thanks for once upon a time mentioning "Rosie's Yarn Cellar" in Philadelphia. As I am new to the city, it was so nice to find LYS as wonderful as they are.

That happened to two of my 'stoplight socks' this last month... fortunately, I still need to finish their mates, otherwise I'd be lost without them..

Way to go!
Gives me hope for my wretched Nagini sock...