Hi Stephanie,

It was awesome meeting you yesterday. I was up much too late reading your book. It's awesome - I laughed, I appreciated. I know I'm not alone in the world.

Thanks!

I'm so glad the tour is getting off to a good start (harrowing journey notwithstanding), enjoy your day and remember to breathe during the TV thing.

I'm so proud of and excited for you!

LOL! I see that dear Marilyn has a box of chocolates near the knitting. You work fast and furious, my dear. Convert on! I'll see you either at Lord & Taylor or at the MD Sheep & Wool Festival. Congrats again!

I was also going to say I noticed there were chocolates too. Coffee and chocolate ought to get you through just about anything! Congratulations on making a new knitter. See you in a few weeks!

Very concerned about how the Pretty Khakis (and arse) are holding up under these touring conditions.

Convert the multitudes! We are the world/we are the knitters! xox Kay

Wow, so that's what the Harlot looks like with a bra on. *ducking* Kidding!!

Glad to know you're having a good time hon. Even better to know I'm still able to stalk you on the road. It's like you're getting to tote the rest of us around with you. If things get overwhelming, just pop open that laptop and come to your comments. We'll be here cheering you on!

Have a great day!!

Last night, many ooohs and aahhhs over Aven's mom's sweater last night. Checked out her website and it's:

Yarn: Turino Silk (Plymouth Yarn Company), 100% Silk, 4.5 sts/", Colour #16
Pattern: "Pacific Grove Pullover" by Just One More Row
Dates: 18/07/04 - 15/08/04

I have some of that in my stash somewhere - from Elann.

You can't see me in that photo, but I'm sitting beside 'Judith in Ottawa' who was wearing the Flower Basket Shawl.

We had a great time, staying until 'last call' at Yarn Forward on Bank St. Our YH is a delightful person and you will just HAVE to see when she comes to a yarn store near you.

I'm glad to see that the Rogers' interview will be playing again tonight at 11 - so no need to fake illness to stay at home. I hope to get a friend to tape the noon show on CTV.

BTW, her hair was not as big as I expected in spite of the the significant humidity, and there's nothing wrong with her arse. Not that I was looking, and not that there's anything wrong with that if I did!

Linda B.

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time in spite of yourself ;> Best wishes and COME TO DALLAS!

oh Harlot! you look like a 12 year old! so young and happy :) never have i wished i still lived in Ottawa until now ... Guelph needs a decent yarn shop! and you to visit it
thanks for posting from afar - have fun in our capital (too bad the tulips aren't out yet)
tara

How exciting! Sounds to me like heaps of fun. Is that a box of Timbits? mmmm. tiiiiim-biiiiits. Enjoy yourself out there!

What fun! Glad you are enjoying this. I tried to see if there would be streaming video (or as my g-dtr calls it, "screaming video") of your tv thing but no luck.

Just picked up your book yesterday expecting it to be ho-hum like so many other books... I love it! Now to be on my night stand right next to Knitter's Almanac for light before bed reading! Congrats on a good project well done.

The Knitting World goes with you.. sort of like the 'force'. Just enjoy.

A "don't forget to breathe" mantra:

*You are doing Grrrreat! Breathe.

Keep up the pace. Breathe.

K1. Sign 1. Breathe.

You are doing Grrrreat! Breathe. Repeat from*

I'm glad it's not as bad as you thought, now that you're on the road. Good Luck!

I think we need a slightly better shot of the pants ;)

WooooooHooooo!
You have a great review in today's newsletter from Lion Brand.
There is even some reader interaction invited.
Now, if I could just get my own copy, life would be better.
Congratulations.

yay! you arrived safely. we need more pics of the pants. and the book is great, it arrived monday and i'm done already. now to get to the chores i neglected to read it :O)

Lots of fun at Yarn Forward last night! Thanks for coming out to our fair capital, Stephanie.

More shots of the pants here: http://virginiawool.prettyposies.com/archives/2005_04.html#000288.

I think the Rhinebeck sweater was an excellent fashion choice!

Congrats on the Tour kickoff. You do realize that we will want details and pictures of every stop? Just lettin' ya know.

It's so great to see pictures of you "on tour"! As long as people are making requests ... any plans on coming to Chicago or Milwaukee? Please?

I just got my Lion Brand Newsletter and what do I see front and center but "Just for Fun... We'd like to share an excerpt from a new book with you entitled At Knit's End, Meditations for Women who Knit too Much by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee."

I can't WAIT until you get to Washington, DC!!!

I'm glad you survived your first day in Ottawa :) I was one of the Heather's that came by to see you, specifically the late arriving mohair-knitting one ;) I have to say, you are one of the friendliest and most intelligent ladies I've met. Oh, and let's not forget most fun. I hope the tour treats you well and that you have a blast seeing this country and our neighbours (and taking the "edge off" in every yarn shop and bookstore you see ^_^)

Re: the conversion of Marilyn...

A-*ha*!!!! It's *not* a book tour, it's a missionary expedition!

(In a good way.)

Oh, oh! I see the Peace Fleece cardi sitting there! You look mahvelous, dahling.

Funny about the non-knitter part of your post. I was to meet the Gran and my daughter at a local restaurant, that happens to be next to a B&N. They were going to be late. I went to the bookstore. Only ONE copy of BookbookBook was there and it was in the hands of a young thing (okay, I'm only 38 but she was all of maybe 19) and she was giggling. See? You span the generations. I walked by and whispered, "Check out page 300." She looked at me, then whipped the pages to the entry, and really laughed.

Meanwhile, in buying two (non-knitting) books, I spotted a woman at the Starbucks counter in the B&N, struggling with some knitting. I pay for the books, stroll over and ask if she'd like some help, finding out she was trying to purl. I showed her how I purl, we practiced together and in walks my daughter.

She shakes her head and says, "Well, it's come to this, knitting in public... You're evolving into a Yarn Harlot."

My reply, "I should only *be* so lucky!"

The best part? The woman I was helping replies, "OMG! She's the reason I decided to try knitting after reading her blog!"

Behold, the power of the Harlot.

Have fun on your tour, bambina!

Holy crap- Lion Brand is talking about YOU, instead of the other way around! Woo-freaking-hoo!

My book arrived last night, and our kind carrier, intuiting the reverence necessary, came in and tucked in neatly on our enclosed front porch and out of the rain.

I laughed out loud on the second page. Got cat hair in it by page 16, and spittle on it during the labyrinth defilement. It's AWESOME. And so are you.

Thank you for continuing to make me feel normal...and for enlightening me on which camp I fall into on the "deserted island" question. (I'd be bloody with palm fronds, in case you were wondering...)

Oh, and Tara, I used to be in love with a cellist from Guelph. That probably explains a little MORE about me than you all cared to no, no?

Kisskiss! HAVE A BLAST!
*coffee, then chocolate (x500) and you'll be home facing Mr. Washie before you know it.

Congrats on the entry into being a celebrity! You look awesome!

I'm having a hard time waiting til the 29th to meet you! So looking forward to it...

Love "Our plan to take over the world continues apace." Looks like you've made a great start!

Harlot may even have saved a marriage! Marilyn quickly realized that she had found the balm to ease the frustration of living with a man to whom the TV remote control is a speed-over-accuracy tool.

Gosh, we had fun!

I just ordered your book! (Barnes and Nobel is having a Craft book sale) and I'm so looking forward to meeting you when you come to Willow Books in Acton on May 11th. I just hope you don't run out of steam and collapse from exhaustion, or explode from a caffine overdose before then!

My husband bought yarn to make me socks. Secretly. He came home and wanted to knit, after work. He doesn't know which one of us lost my "Socks Soar" book.

Knitting converts are The Best!

Be safe on your journey. And for godssakes enjoy yourself! I mean come one - just Look at those Pants!

Did she really think she had a chance to get out of this thing without becoming a knitter. I think one trip to a yarn shop would be more than enough to convert even the most anti-knitster. Have fun out there! :)

Good job Agent Pearl-McPhee,

Your next mission, if you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate south of the border and survey the countryside!

Second comment - apologies.
This is a request to my fellow Harloteers.
If anyone posts photos of our Harlot On Tour, would you please let me know.
I would like to compile a photo journal.
The more pictures, the better.
Thank you.

Oh my gosh! I am so excited for you!!! Good luck with today's events.

I just wanted to say thank you for the bookbookbook.
My copy hasn't arrived yet :-( (Though amazon says its en route), but I DO have my dear friend's copy. She is clearly the best of friends to have lent it to me when it was not yet a week in her hands.

This book has made going forward today a possibility. Yesterday was full of fixing someone else's huge mistake that would have cost my firm big bucks. This morning is grading. I was tired and cranky and have a headache and cramps. I took a break, and yielded to the temptation to read a few pages from bookbookbook.

I started at 38, LOVED 40, but 51 ... changed my day. 53 gave me wicked ideas for the next time I'm near a good sale, and now, at 56, I'm thrilled to say no one has ever said that to me.

I'm now armed to go forward and make pithy comments on my student's papers...

THANK YOU

and please, come to Illinois!

Oh my, now my parents are celebrities! Thank you so much for the picture. My mom phoned me as soon as she got home to report -- she had a great time, and thought it was all just tremendous fun. You'll be glad to know your book is part of a birthday package for a non-knitter -- along with the yarn and pattern my mom picked up yesterday at Yarn Forward. Remote evangilism!

Have a fabulous time, and I'll see you on Wednesday!

Yay, you are a great ambassador for the knitting world and the word will spread faster than a wild fire.

Great story roggey! Stephanie, I had no doubt that you would be a smashing success, but I'm glad that you're starting to feel that way too. The pants are GREAT and you look fabulous. When things get scary, just remember that you have hundreds (thousands?) of devoted fans and you can always come here for an ego boost. Good luck on day 2 of the tour.

Stephanie,

Just remember - you cannot buy a sweater worth of yarn at every store you visit. Enough for a pair of socks if you can't resist.

You could end up with the world's greatest collection of unknit socks.

Ahh, to be young and single, I would become a Harlothead and follow the tour... what fun that would be. Thank Ken for creating virtual tour capabilities for the rest of us.

I'm also wondering if I'm the only one spending time thinking about what I want to be knitting when I get to hang with the famous YH...?

Feel the love!

I had to send the ex-bf to get the bookbookbook signed yesterday (what a guy, eh?) since, much to my disappointment, you aren't coming to the North Pole anytime soon! He didn't mention anything about your arse however (I don't know if that's good or bad! well, let's just say it's good.) Have fun on the rest of your trip!

Tree - No pressure, but you should ALSO be thinking about what to WEAR when you get to hang with the YH!

You forgot the evil laughter after your mention of taking over the world..."mwa hahaha."

Continue apace...and see you in Kalamazoo!

sue

Can you tell us, I mean, like are you allowed. . . about how many people are coming to your events. Because, I want to know if I'mm gonna have to fight the crowds, or bring my own, when I pass my own copy under your hot little pen.
Just curious.

Hurrah for Stephanie! What a surprise to see a shout out to my favorite harlot in a message from Lion Brand. Think of all the non-bloggers being brought under her spell! Wait, maybe that's a dangerous thing!

I hope you're having fun and not worrying too much about the family. I'm sure they're saving up lots for you to take care of in your travel breaks.

Yesterday I taught my 10-year-old son to cast-on and knit. He is thrilled. He's quite analytical about it, and has lots of good questions and insights. Taking over the world, indeed.

Your book reached my store! I confess it did not reach my home yet--but I do emphasize yet.

The final sentence of this entry is killing me. I kind of want to print out this entry and post it somewhere prominent.

So nice to hear your tour is going great!

Thanks very much for signing my KnitLit Too. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to properly introduce myself, but I have to say, I recognised you instantly ;)

I hope Les Suites was good to you!

I simply love you to pieces. I can be having the most upsetting day and all I have to do is see if you listed a new post for the day and escape into your warmth and humor. Take over the world indeed. I'm with you 100%. Let's work on getting a knitting president into the white house next election. You can encourage your country to rally behind you and I'll do my best here. What a wonderful world this would be. By the way, nice pants!

Ha ha ha-taking over the world one knitter at a time!!! Have lots of fun!!

Congrats on starting your book tour!! I implore you and the PR people setting this whole thing up to PLEASE come to Colorado!!

Convert the masses, girlie. Knitting is the new religion. I am heading to Chapters in Halifax tonight where, according to their website, they have not 1 but 10 of your books in stock. I hope I am not too late!

Bravo for you! I couldn't do it. I hope you make it out to Vancouver. I'll bring you some homemade truffles if you do!

Lucky Marilyn! I hope she realizes that she will now have people greeting her by name simply because her photo's been on your blog--why, she may end up being as famous as you!

You should have a bunch of groupies who follow you from town to town--they could be called the Harlettes! (apologies to Bette Midler) Wow, think of all the yarn we could buy . . . .

Still hoping you'll come to Oklahoma City . . . .

*noting chocolates in lower right corner of photo*

Nice pants. Funny, you don't make any mention of a white t-shirt contest on your tourtourtour page....

Yay for you! So glad you're having a good time! Hey, bookbookbook is on the "cover" of Lion Brand's latest e-newsletter! Wahoo! So, when ya comin' to Chicago?

Re: the title to this post, I respond:

No. That never happens.

;-)

Great to see you last night! I hope you had a good sleep in prep for today's events. And sorry the coffee wasn't pre-ground for this morning's brew...

So I guess since Marilyn is used to this ferrying-people-around sort of thing you'll be travelling home in the pre-arranged manner? How is her divine coming along btw? She was making pretty good progress last night!

The part about Marilyn actually brought tears to my eyes. No joking!

Chocolate, books, yarn, and donut holes. What more could a knitter ask for. BTW, the Gap pants look fab and I think they look much better with your hand knit sweater than even Sarah JP's Gap spring trench coat.

looks like the bookbookbook has magical properties, as well! :D

today, north america, tomorrow, the world!

(i just wish amazon would hurry up and send mine! it's "in transit". AAARGH!)

also: i'm waiting impatiently for the california information of your tour to show.

A non-knitting friend just sent me this link:
http://yarnpants.blogspot.com/2004/11/museum-of-kitschy-stitches-vol-iii.html

Screamingly funny, but no help with the whole taking-over-the-world thing.

Did anyone tape the CJOH news at noon today, complete with a Harlot appearance? Would anyone like to send me a VHS copy, or upload it to the internet? :D I had my last day of classes for the term today, and blanked on setting the VCR before I left this morning...the pants look great!

I actually clapped when I saw Marilyn knitting.

I heart you and your blog -- keep those reports coming, and how can we get you to come to Utah on your world domination tour?

Stephanie,

I'm so excited about your book tour. I'll be seeing you at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.

I ordered my book from Amazon and it hasn't arrived yet and isn't scheduled to arrive until after the MSWF.

Will you have books to sell at the Festival? If so I'm going to cancel my Amazon order.

I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying yourself! I only wish you would come and enjoy yourself in Colorado (hi Amber!). We have lovely yarn stores here. We have lovely chocolates here also. (Not sure about screech. Perhaps I could order some over the internet and have it delivered to the Colorado yarn shop of your choice, as a bribe?)

Knitlette, my hubster also bought yarn to make me a pair of socks on the sly! I drew the line at sharing my sacred doublepoints, however. I bought him his own set.

I love the idea of a photo album (online, yes?) of the Harlot On Tour. Be nice to put names with faces of all you Harloteers.

On with the tour! Tomorrow: the world.

Read the bookbookbook yesterday...loveditloveditlovedit!!! I sure hope that the tourtourtour brings you to the Midwest (Minneapolis preferably). Have fun and take care of yourself!

Gosh, Marilyn looks SO happy knitting! Good work. I am glad you have someone to shepherd you through this brand new world and keep you sane. It does sound fun, and you have earned it!

Montrealers who were peacefully book shopping at Indigo last night got a funny sight of a girl jumping like a mad woman in the knitting section. Yep, there were nine copies of the bookbookbook on the shelves and I did a happy dance. I bought one, then got home and thought that I really should have bought one for my Secret Pal also. So I'm sending her the first copy and will be buying a second one in a few days. Congrats!

I would just like to say that I saw your book at my local Chapters today but did not purchase it only because I'm going tomorrow to my local bookstore who has (or at least did have) oodles of copies I've been told. I admit I got a little excited and I would have come across looking a little more sane(?) if my friend had been near me rather than a few aisles over. But I think a few more non-knitters know about your book now : )

I'm glad you're having such a good time! You really deserve it. The book is most enjoyable. I just wish you were going to be closer than 344.4 miles from me.

I'm a convert like Marilyn. I had learned to knit long ago when I was 10, but decided to do other "crafts" instead. Then I found your blog one day and I've been seriously hooked on it and knitting ever since. Thank you. You are truly an inspiration!

It's cool that you can recognize other bloggers by the sweaters their parents are wearing, and of course everybody is nice to you. We all think you're wonderful! Stay safe.

Hi: This is Marilyn's sister and her Mom. Mom is already an expert knitter, but my past attempts were definitely a failure. Marilyn has told me to take heart. With her help and your book, even I can be converted.

Have fun.

Ruth and Hazel

I forgot to tell you! I had my newsletter from Lion Brand today and they have a great review of your book! It's a review that would make anyone want to buy it.

Just wanted to say that I finally got my hands on the bookbookbook today. Also, when you stop in Ohio I'll be there. I'm doing my best to get my mother to come because i still think you and her were related in another life and you'd probably get along well. :D

Finished the bookbookbook and loved it. Found it in Houston and couldn't put it down. We don't knit with much wool down here as you do in Canada. Cotton on the other hand... I'm taking your book to share at our next guild. I know they'll get a kick out of it.

Oh my gosh! You look *exactly* like Sarah Jessica Parker in those pants!

Can't wait for you to get to Michigan!

You were great on TV! The pants looked wonderful!

hey, woman! i tried to buy your book at the bookstore the link told me would have it here in omaha, and wouldn't you know it, my favorite LYS had bought them out! i had to run over there, and buy it, and wouldn't you know, several skeins of lamb's pride jumped in the basket as well. you enabler!

seriously, i love the book. and, frighteningly so, i identify with every single page! i must be a woman who knits too much. it's my bedtime reading, because i can read as many pages as i want, and not have to worry about what's next, and am i missing anything. wonderful, wonderful stuff! kudos, girl!

Bookbookbook #38 at B&N, #228 at Amazon....

I came home from vacation last Friday to find your book waiting for me - HURRAY! It made coming home from Wales - where sheep outnumber people = yarn, yarn, yarn - pretty ok. I have finally caught up with your blog (I couldn't ignore the flooded basement. Fiber was caught in the flow and needed to be tended to.) and I can't wait until you come to New York!

GOOD FOR YOU!
For:
~drafting new knitters in to the club
~enjoying your moment in the sun
~meeting Aven's parents
~Being in Ottawa
~wondering about your family, not obsessing.
Overall, a success if ever I heard one!
NOD
Capitals.

Hi Stephanie -- came here from Aven's blog, and have had great fun reading AALLLLLLL the comments!!! As I told Aven, your book is simply terrific! Hope to see you again sometime. Oh, and it's pretty darn clear to a non-blogging Mom that you group of knitting maniacs are Very Nice People.

how about including melbourne, australia on your tour? not since the internet gave me access to yarn from anywhere on the globe, have i felt like i'm really missing out!

Am I strange because I want to know about the "harrowing journey" to Ottawa? Surely it must be blog worthy.

Still haven't got the bookbookbook and am getting increasingly bitter about it. And I can't come to the Textile Museum this week - I am now working the 4 to midnight shift and cannot escape for even a few hours.

Can you email me (gerimcbeth@earthlink.net)and tell me if the Chai yarn is difficult for a newbie lace knitter? I'd like to make the Kiri Shawl with Artfiber's Chai instead of Rowan's Kid Silk Haze. I've been told the Rowan yarn is difficult if you mess up! I love your Flower Basket Shawl in Chai (looks too difficult for me at this stage of my lace knitting).

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Geri

Yea, you! See, when you next have to go out there and face cheering throngs and staring camera lenses, and you feel like just the biggest poser on the planet, you'll know that everyone's just happy to see you being you, bra and new pants or not. (although I'd recommend wearing pants...)

The book is delightful! It makes for excellent reading in a bubble bath in the quiet time after all the kids are in bed. As far as the part about repetitive stress injury, well, that's when I go to trying continental... Take care and enjoy the ride!

i really enjoyed your book. i think alot of the stories reflect my life , it is very funny at times thank you for the great read keep on knitting to keep a great frame of mind

Just a little fan note of thanks. Your book is wonderful. I received a copy as a gift from my mother and I've started reading it before bed every night with my husband. (We are big fans of giggling before bed.) I think he is secretly afraid that the things it says will become true about me...I on the other hand have no delusions and I know that they will be true since my stash has already grown beyond the confines of the lovely Land's End bag it was living in. ^_^ (I'm currently trying to figure out how to requisition some of the storage space in my coffee table.)
Thanks Again!
Kate

Bought your book in Riverside, CA (that's California, Dahling) today and my husband couldn't put it down. "That's you! How does she know it's you? How much did you pay for this? Is she making money? Why didn't you do this?"

I kept knitting.

Jill

go harlot!

Don't you just love how knitting makes people smile?? I love the look on youe sakes rep's face. What a good time you are having!!

Hey Steph -- You are going out in the world to talk to knitters and readers -- it's GOT to be good! Mega congraqtulations on the book.

P.S. Also tried to help Geri, who asked for yarn advice from an on-tour harlot doing remote blogging.

bookbookbook sighting at the Greencastle Indiana Fiber Fair...thought you'd want to know that it's made it into the rural midwest!

bookbookbook in SeattleSeattleSeattle! Our copy came in to our Barnes & Noble (buy blue!) and we scooped it up yesterday. If the weather holds we'll try to get a picture of it with the Space Needle and blog it for you!

Sez started reading it to me in the car - and the car pointed itself towards the LYS. Your book triggered the MUST-BUY-YARN gene.

Hi Stephanie, I wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I saw your book at The Yarn Place in Capitola, California yesterday! It looks fabulous! I'm going to buy it next payday :). Take care!

Hi Stephanie!

I just wanted you to know that my three best knitting buddies and I read aloud from your book on our trip to Putnam County Fleece Fair yesterday. It made the hour's trip go by in a flash. We were giggling, laughing, hooting and saying "OKAY, Confess!!!" after every entry. (I only had to confess to a knitting project in the bathroom.) However, we were each able to find an entry that characterized our individual knitting obsessions!

A couple of us are agonizing over whether to make the "three hour tour" trip to Ohio to meet you. I don't think we'll make up our minds until the day before. Best wishes and good luck on the rest of the tour!

I bought the book on Friday (a fellow kindergarten mom kindly sent me away by myself during a playdate) and started reading it last night. It is a riot! And so true! I'll try to get my DH to read it one page a day or something, just to maybe gain some insight...

Thanks for a great book!

Wendy

*Blush* this is my first comment on your blog, but I have to say I just started reading recently. Mostly because I stumbled across your book at B&N. Wishing there was a way to convince dh that the miniture sheep is a dog... Sadly, he's a bit too savey for that.

Congrats on the book - by all means feel free to stop in Wisconsin!

Harlot bubbeleh,

When you are ready to take on the Wild Wild West, you are welcome to stay at Casa de Marvin! deb

Yentala vants to vish you de Mazel Tov on de book und dunt forget your sveater bubbeleh!
luff & keeses

My Best friend got me your book for my b-day this weekend, and I havent laughed this hard in ages. EVERY KNITTER must read this book at some point ! Many thanks for your daily blog, down to earth attitude and witty knitisms. I'm in Toronto and hope to catch you here on tour, my book wont rest until you've signed it!!!

Cheers.

As I was walking by the Chapters, in the old Runnymede theatre, on Saturday I happened to glance in through the wide open doors and there on display on the first table was you book. I would have rushed in and bought one but sadly I was running late for a funeral at T&P's at Windmere. Imagine my joy when I got back to Collingwood and found that a friend had bought me a copy while she had been in TO. I spent Sunday sitting in the garden reading it. What a beautiful day and what a fantastic book!

I'm telling you, Oprah really isn't that far off! If you get on Oprah I get to buy $100 worth of yarn (I've made a bet with myself). So I'm rooting for you all the way. Good luck with your tv appearances!

Hi Stephanie;
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your book. I found it very light and full of inspiration. I hope there will be more.