If my latin is right (and there is no special reason why it should be, now that I think about it) that title means "It is Completed" and boy, oh boy, oh boy....is it ever. The whole thing was such a shebang that I've been trying to figure out what to say about it...it was so big and cool and overwhelming that dudes, I don't even know if I can do it justice. It ran the gamut from overwhelming to thrilling to terrifying to surprising to satisfying to vindicating to... there's so much to tell you and exhaustion is still running high. I'm trying not to babble. I'm going to do it in order.
Wednesday
AM. Run around like an idiot trying to find all my stuff. Fail.
Noonish. Arrive in NYC and go on an impromptu yarn crawl when my hotel room isn't ready, but Ms. TMW is. We even visited the growing hat collection at Knitty City.
Evening: I ate fantastic Tibetan food for dinner then stayed up becoming increasingly hysterical about the events to come. When Joe calls at 1AM, I cried and told him that I thought maybe I made a big mistake becoming a writer. I worry, and fall asleep with yarn in my hands. (Really nice yarn, actually...)
Thursday
6:00AM - I wake up and spring to action, fuelled entirely by fear alternated pleasantly with abject terror. I need to be in Manhattans financial district for a radio interview and having been burned by NYC traffic before, this time- I am prepared. I shower and dress and obsess about my hair before remembering that nobody can see me on the radio, then sit on the edge of the bed watching the Today Show and looking for knitters. I arrive 50 minutes early for the interview. (I swear. You cannot win with this traffic thing.) I drink coffee, look at New York .. and wait. I continue to worry.
As the time to do the interview approaches I flip out further as I realize that the thing is going to be live.
I get out of the interview without saying anything too stupid and only say "arse" once. I do not use any other four letter words of ill repute, which is a considerable achievement, considering my hysteria and the early hour.
9:400AM. Back in the hotel room, I drink coffee and look at my speech again. I call Jayme on her cell phone and tell her I've decided not to do it. She laughs - but she knows I sort of mean it. Just for laughs, while I am waiting for the feeling of impending doom to lift, I check for flights to Toronto. There are none.
11:00 AM I leave for Strawberry Fields in Central Park with Ms. TMW in tow. (The woman is unstoppable. I got everywhere because of her.) When we arrive...there are knitters everywhere.
Everywhere. We didn't count, but there were more than 100. (Enough to freak the muggles pretty bad, and enough to attract the attention of a park police officer who sat in his little car at the edge of Strawberry Fields with an extraordinarily worried expression.)
I visited with and enjoyed the knitters for a little bit....recorded a quick podcast thing with Guido, did a video thing for Cat and waited for it to be time. While I was waiting, Kimberly (a force for good on this earth, let me tell you) had, rather incredibly, pulled together these wild and fantastic laptop bags full of yarny presents. (And coffee syrup. But I listened to the podcast and now I know what to do with that.) There was one for me, and one for Jayme-the-wonder-publicist, who I know was very touched to receive a gift. It was so kind.
12:00. I walked to the centre of the Imagine mosaic and put down the sock. As I did so, all the knitters followed suit - and something happened.
Something moving. I don't know if it was just the power of the word "imagine" - if it was the tremendous sense of camaraderie or teamwork, I don't know if it was just the madness of it all...but there was something gloriously gleeful and spectacular about watching all of those knitters and all of those socks coming together. I got a little choked up. It was miraculous. We all laughed and nobody was a crazy person. As a matter of fact, the muggles were the crazy people...we outnumbered them. It was fascinating to watch them come around the corner and try and figure out what the hell was going on.
All of these socks (and one dishcloth) and all of these knitters from all over the place. It was insane. It was magic. It was perfect.
The whole time the cop kept looking over (we were breaking the "no more than 20 people gathering without permission" rule) and trying to figure out what it was, or if he should stop it or if.. it was, as someone said...the most civil disobedience in the world.
I don't know about the other knitters who were there, but I'm taking that afternoon to my grave as one of my happiest and most remarkable moments. It's a feeling I only get when I'm around that many kindred spirits, and really, if you are the sort of person who takes pictures of your sock in places, you are going to usually find it pretty hard to find kindred sprits among your fellow humans.
The sock pictures are something I usually do alone, because there's nobody quite as crazy as me. I've grown accustomed to the staring. Suddenly, one beautiful afternoon in Central Park...everybody was as crazy as me, and in one hysterical perfect moment, we were all among our people.
I started to walked away reluctantly at the end of it...headed for about 14 big surprises, and someone called me back and showed me the plaque on the back of one of the benches. The benches all have dedications on them.. honouring different people for different reasons. One of them stands out. One reads:
I wonder who Sandy Sue was...and I wonder if she ever knit a sock right there...in Central Park. Imagine.
Tomorrow, part two, in which I am surprised. Over, and over and over again. (It was a series of pretty big flipouts, actually.)
Posted by Stephanie at March 26, 2007 4:15 PMAt Last! Thank you. Thank you. Does the radio station have that interview in podcast form?
Posted by: Valeria in Georgia at March 26, 2007 4:35 PMThat picture of all the socks gives me chills, and I can hear 'Imagine' in my head... I so wish I could've been there! Looks like you had a blast.
Posted by: Rete at March 26, 2007 4:36 PMI honestly wish I could've been there! So many of "our kind" in one spot had to be one of the most rewarding experiences! Thank you for doing something of this magnitude. Thank you for everything.
Posted by: Jeanne at March 26, 2007 4:37 PMThank you Steph, that's beautiful. Clearly a wonderful coming together of kindred spirits.
Posted by: Nancy at March 26, 2007 4:37 PMGoosebumps. I wish I'd been there. Thank you and everyone that was for "representing."
Posted by: April at March 26, 2007 4:40 PMI find something magical about your going on a journey to speak about journeys. I can't wait for the next installment.
Posted by: Jen in Ottawa at March 26, 2007 4:40 PMFreaking the muggles here is no small feat. The Scadians have heavy weapons practice in the park at night, with plate mail armor and metal swords. Socks? Not so strange.
Posted by: Ivy at March 26, 2007 4:40 PMWow! Wish I could have been there. I was in spirit!
pj
Oh, now I'm all teary. I really wish I could have been there!! Can't wait to read the rest of it! (And Kimberly is awesome!!)
Posted by: mish at March 26, 2007 4:41 PMI'm so glad you posted! I've been dying to know how it went. Can't wait to hear more.
Posted by: kern at March 26, 2007 4:42 PMFinally! An update! I've been incessantly (and impatiently) visting your blog, hoping that it had been updated. It sounds totally amazing and I wish I had been able to be there to help freak out the muggles.
Posted by: Teri S. at March 26, 2007 4:43 PMIt sounds just wonderful! I'm so glad everything went so well - I wish I could have been there, too. I can't wait to hear more. AND the mailman just came and delivered your new book to my door, so I'm off to read! Yippee!
Posted by: Margaret at March 26, 2007 4:44 PMAh, finally-words from the Harlot herself. And I'm not ashamed to admit I got a lump in my throat at the mosaic and that I teared up when all the other socks joined her. She was among her people. Sob. In a good, happy, teary sort of way. I get to see her Friday. Lucky, lucky me. I'm gonna reread the post. Again.
Posted by: Heather at March 26, 2007 4:44 PMI have been frantically refreshing your live bookmark waiting for this entry to pop up. I'm SO EXCITED that it's here. I can't wait to hear more.
Posted by: ayla at March 26, 2007 4:44 PMOh, how lovely! I can't wait for the next part--and I was there! (Though not, sadly, at this part: at the next part.)
And I'm not the only one who couldn't fit the wonder of all this into one post, either, eh? It's almost too much for words, I found.
Posted by: ccr in MA at March 26, 2007 4:44 PMOh I wish I could have been there!! As it is I will be at the tattered cover in Denver, far earlier than I hope I will need to be to get a first come first serve ticket :-) Gosh I get chills just thinking about how awesome it must have been!!
Posted by: Karen A Mellentine at March 26, 2007 4:44 PMAbsolutely amazing. I'm so proud to be a knitter and I wish I could have been there.
Posted by: Jenn M at March 26, 2007 4:46 PMImagine, all those knitters, all that goodness, all those hopes for understanding and peace. Sigh. I'll be with you in St. Paul, but I don't think we can top Imagine!
Posted by: gail at March 26, 2007 4:46 PMOh, I wish I could have come! I actually thought about hopping on a bus when I saw your last entry but it wasn't meant to be! Can't wait to read Part II!
Posted by: Emily at March 26, 2007 4:46 PMAll the blogs show everyone having such a great time!
I had a dream on Friday night that part of my SnB group and myself came to NYC to see you, but the Mayor was adamant that no one from the Quad Cities was allowed in NYC to see you. I damn near punched his lights out in my dream, and I woke up in the most angry snit I ever remember...
Missing Woolstock affected my psyche quite a bit.
Posted by: roggey at March 26, 2007 4:46 PMEnabler!! (I'd never heard of Buckwheat Bridge. And now I'm drooling all over my monitor looking at their roving. Maybe I can hold off till Rhinebeck...)
Glad you're having a good time. I miss New York like crazy, and your tour sounds like a heavenly way to spend the day.
Posted by: Anne at March 26, 2007 4:48 PMJayme....State College, PA. (OK, Harrisburg, if you must!) Please. Don't know how many knitters. Lots of sheep.
Posted by: Cindy in Happy Valley at March 26, 2007 4:48 PMIt looks incredible - I wish I could have been there. I can't wait to see you Friday night!
Posted by: Meredith at March 26, 2007 4:49 PMI've been eager to hear the saga! (But waiting PATIENTLY!) Sounds awesome; truly awesome.
I'm looking forward to saying hello in St. Paul, Minnesota, by which time I expect you will be rather crispy (i.e. burned out, not to say exhausted) based on your itinerary. I re-read your account of visiting Ann Arbor, Michigan, that city of the fairy doors, and an old stomping ground of mine. If you have time, when you're there this time through, ask your local 'guide' to see the Wall of Art (being an artist as you are). It's a brick wall upon which anyone is welcome to make their artistic statement. It very much impressed my 9-year-old daughter Madrigal, an aspiring artist, when we visited last year.
Don't crispify too much -- sleep when you can, eat regularly, and bask in the affectionate solidarity of knitters, as in Kay's song (http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/2007_03.html#001840 -- loved it!) "...Imagine all the people, knitting socks in peace..."
Posted by: Cathy-Cate at March 26, 2007 4:49 PMC'est amazing. Wow.
But I must ask...
Bohus? Bohus? Bohus?
Posted by: Bronach at March 26, 2007 4:51 PMI can only hope that someday I can be part of such and awe inspiring event.
If the morning was this wonderful, I can't wait to hear about the evening!
Hooray! I've been telling my New Knitters class about your foray into Exhibiting Economic Power while kibbutzing with other fun knitters and now they can read all about it. Looking forward to seeing you in Denver. Many of us coming from Wyoming!
Posted by: sara at March 26, 2007 4:52 PMIt sounds like an amazing experience. I really wish I could have been there. I'm sitting here at work (alone, thankfully) and I am simultaneously laughing out loud and wiping the tears. I think I broke something. LOL.
Posted by: Lynda The Guppy at March 26, 2007 4:52 PMThank you! I'm not sure I can handle part 2; I'm already crying ....
mly
It sounds like an amazing experience. I really wish I could have been there. I'm sitting here at work (alone, thankfully) and I am simultaneously laughing out loud and wiping the tears. I think I broke something. LOL.
Posted by: Lynda The Guppy at March 26, 2007 4:53 PMOh thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Thank you for taking me along with the pictures and your wonderful emotions showing what it was like among the knitters! It gave me goosebumps to read it and I've saved the pictures just to look at now and again. Thanks so so much,
from samm who lives near Niagara Falls, Canada
Many congratulations on the success of this event and the wondrous nature of your adventure.
Posted by: Gale at March 26, 2007 4:55 PMI'm all teary-eyed! You've done a powerful thing--thank you. The FIT event was great--looking forward to hearing how it was from your side of the podium. I'm afraid I bored my family all weekend, saying, "the yarn harlot said..." "and then she said..."
Hooray for knitters!
Posted by: robyn at March 26, 2007 4:55 PMI, too, have been checking all day for your post about the great event. Thank you! I was there in spirit. And I made a new knitting friend this weekend so the circle continues to grow.
Posted by: Michele in Maine at March 26, 2007 4:56 PMI have been flipping out all weekend waiting to hear about it and wishing I had been there! Can't wait til part 2!
Posted by: Betsy at March 26, 2007 4:58 PMYep, another one here that wishes to have been there. Can't wait for the next installment on the event...
BTW, are you coming to Seattle this time around???
Posted by: Sparkles at March 26, 2007 4:58 PMOMG I am so mad I missed the sock picture but I'm glad I got to see you at all. Thank you for coming to see us!
Posted by: Christine at March 26, 2007 5:15 PMOh, I really would have loved to have been there... I'm constantly checking your tour schedule to see if you've added Baltimore or Washington, DC... I would be there in a minute! Sounds like a wonderful trip so far... can't wait for the next chapter!
Posted by: Karen at March 26, 2007 5:15 PM
Knitters encircling the circle, and the cops mumbling about it--can you imagine? Too funny!
Posted by: AlisonH at March 26, 2007 5:16 PMThis is great! I'm all teary just looking at the pictures. You're representing beautifully -- keep up the amazing work!
Posted by: Jocelyn at March 26, 2007 5:17 PMSee, we keep telling you you'll be great, and you keep not believing us. I think I for one have been using the wrong tense: you ARE great, continuously, and if you say "arse" it doesn't detract one bit from your essential greatness. (Some of us think it adds to it, in fact, but moving on.) Knitting is not like figure skating, where your timing has to be perfect every second of four minutes for you to win a medal; it's more like walking with friends.
I really wish I'd been there, but it's OK: I have my knitting here with me.
Posted by: Lucia at March 26, 2007 5:18 PMI wish I could have been there I have been seeing the pictures from others who were there and they looked like they had so much fun. I wish you would come down south soon. I am in GA and I would love to meet you and I have a place that we could set up a meet and greet it holds 1000 people and I think that it would be easy to fill. just let me know and I could set it up.
Posted by: kate at March 26, 2007 5:18 PMYou know, that song does nothing for me (I know I'll probably get flamed for that) but the socks made me tear up in the way that music and fireworks do - one of those Really Beautiful Things.
I was a little worried that your circuits had all gotten fried by the hugeness of it all - I'm glad you're back with your trusty blogging station.
The Central Park event was moving, inspiring, and great fun. I met people from Switzerland, Cincinnati, Texas, North Carolina and Western Pennsylvania that day (as well as some very cool New York knitters whom I had not met previously). Miss TMW really is a force of nature, though a rather quiet and shy one. I'm so glad you came to NY. It was wonderful to see you. BTW, i'm loving the book.
Posted by: regina at March 26, 2007 5:21 PMWonderful, magical! It brought tears to my eyes and a memory of a photo of Yoko knitting something small for Sean, all wild hair and sparkly eyes, with John in the background looking all house-husbandy.
Posted by: Cathey at March 26, 2007 5:23 PMThank you for creating a wonderful and memorable day. I was so happy to get to laptop bags for you and Jayme. I am looking forward to seeing you again at WEBS!
Bunny hugs,
=:8
Pictures of the socks around the "Imagine" have been making their rounds of the blogs, and every time I see one I thing, dang. To have been there would have been _something_.
Oh well. See you in Ann Arbor instead--there will be more socks to be photographed there!
Posted by: Ashley at March 26, 2007 5:26 PMWow! You brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could have been there. Here's another voice begging for Central Pa! On your last tour my son and I drove for over 2 hours. This time, nothing is closer than 4 and that would mean an overnight stay away that I just can't do. Please, please, please....
Posted by: SusanT at March 26, 2007 5:28 PMWow! That sounds great. Better than the Wednesday and Thursday I had. And aside from having to escort a small person to the "naughty chair" several times, those days were pretty cool - even included teaching 6 new knitters how to make socks!
Posted by: Renee the Sequel at March 26, 2007 5:28 PMI wish I could have been there, so so much, but I couldn't afford to get back to the East Coast. I can't wait to see the rest.
Posted by: Naomi Bower at March 26, 2007 5:29 PMFinally an update! I'm so envious, seeing the pics and just thinking about all the fun . . .
Oh, and I'm with Cindy. Jayme? I need an excuse to visit my alma mater PSU. Can we bribe you with some sticky buns?
Vindication is sweet, isn't it? Like many, I wish I could have been there. The Imagine picture belongs on a postcard, or a poster, or something. I want to post it above my desk with my STR keychain for those moments when I need to smile. Thanks for representing us all so graciously. You ROCK!
Posted by: Linda at March 26, 2007 5:29 PMOh how I wish I had been there. Can't wait to see the rest of it!
Posted by: Bea at March 26, 2007 5:31 PMHow wonderful! Please do direct us to any web-based formats of that radio interview. I've been waiting and waiting for you to update, and I can't wait for to hear about the rest of it all. I've already got my seating ticket for the California event!!!
Posted by: Jessica at March 26, 2007 5:33 PMWay cool. No other words than that.
Posted by: Karen in Toledo at March 26, 2007 5:40 PMThank you for finally posting! I've been combing though all of the NYC blogs trying to live vicariously through them even though I did bump into you at Knitty City on Wednesday. Thanks for letting my daughter (aka Squidette / Batya) help put the hats out!
Posted by: Devorah at March 26, 2007 5:40 PMThat's just so COOL!
Posted by: Stephanie at March 26, 2007 5:41 PMAlas, there was no way for me to be there (I'm on the left coast) but I was with you all in spirit. Reading today's entry made me smile with tears in my eyes, and I'm looking forward to the next entry (and to seeing you in Petaluma in June!)
Posted by: Marie at March 26, 2007 5:41 PM*Sniff.* Sorry I wasn't there. I wonder what landmark we can lay our socks on in Petaluma . . . a cow? ;-)
Posted by: Linda V. at March 26, 2007 5:41 PMI would have loved to be there, but there was just no way - I had to work to keep paying for my stash. I agree with Karen - I would love it if you made it to the Washington, DC area!
Posted by: Carol B at March 26, 2007 5:44 PMI wish I'd been there.
I'll bet you can find out who Sandy Sue is - contact NYC Public Works. There must be someone in charge of plaques on benches!!
You know, Stephanie, This really is incredible. You talk about knitting. You joke and laugh and connect with others through knitting. And kniters get it. It's not like you have a close group of friends that get your humor and share important moments with you, You have a horde of people - me included- who just get it and get the art of knitting. And it's more than just "I knit" it's something much more that i just can't define. I've tried...and i just sounded silly.
I am so sorry i couldn't be there, my husband didn't hear the end of it. "Do I go, do i skip out of class, what do I dooo!?" all said in a very eddie izzard way.
Posted by: Nishanna at March 26, 2007 5:47 PMDrat you...my eyes are leaking now.
Posted by: cadi at March 26, 2007 5:48 PMThis is the power of the knitting world!
I am filled with awe at the spectacle and envy, wishing I could have been there.
Looking forward to Pittsburgh or Cleveland!
Posted by: Patti purls at March 26, 2007 5:48 PMDude. Ask Cara about how to get that Imagine photo with the flowers and the socks turned into sets of photo cards, and sell them to raise money for MSF. I'd buy an entire case of them if you did. Seriously. That photo makes me cry, in the very best of ways, and I want a large version of it on my wall.
That is some serious rocking of the sock.
Posted by: Lee Ann at March 26, 2007 6:01 PMThat slightly concerned cop was "Officer Damm" and he was probably more interested in the pretty ladies than the amount of wool. Nice fellow. I asked him to show me where the bathroom was and I explained the woolly gathering to him and he didn't seem too freaked out. And like I said, he was probably more interested in the pretty ladies...
shocking the muggles rocked my world :)
Posted by: Rachel i. at March 26, 2007 6:01 PMI thought of you today and wondered how hard it was going to be to organize so much information for this post...well done!
Posted by: Presbytera at March 26, 2007 6:02 PMI wish I could have been there. I've teared up every time that I've seen blog coverage of the Strawberry Fields get together. Way to make us knitters proud! My sock salutes you!
Posted by: Red at March 26, 2007 6:03 PMMy face is leaking now at the beauty of having been represented by strangers that share our passion. I am so proud of you all and what you did to create an amazing moment in knitterly history.
Posted by: Alison in Qc at March 26, 2007 6:04 PMwell. finally an update. we get to hear all about it. why is it that a knitter talking about a meeting with other knitters is so doggone amazing!!!!!! How many tears of joy are being spilled all over the world by your readers.
tears of pride. tears of peace!!!!!
tears for socks and tears for warsh rags......
thank you stephanie for uniting us all. you harlot......you yarn freak!!!!!
Posted by: jan. at March 26, 2007 6:05 PMSeeing all the knitters makes me so happy and fuzzy! I hope it is okay, I put a copy of your Imagine picture on my blog. Can't wait for Part 2. :D
Posted by: Rhiannon at March 26, 2007 6:06 PMI've been heading for such a blah and dreary and grumpy day, and I was so happy to see your post pop up! This cheered me up so much. I've experienced this kind of joyful gathering in other settings (volunteers, groups of fans), but never with knitters so it is such a joy to read about this.
In reading these blog reports and listening to the podcast I keep thinking about this fan vid:
http://profile.imeem.com/fZLcEa/video/LQU2ToIY/us/
The vid is about fans and how they experience fan texts as a collective group in fandom, but darnit if I don't close my eyes and listen to the lyrics and think of knitters, too! Someone should do a vid like this with knitters, it'd choke us all up something fierce ;)
Posted by: Glenna at March 26, 2007 6:06 PMWow.
Posted by: Riin at March 26, 2007 6:08 PMWonderful! I've been checking all weekend. Glad to see you got some rest, fabulous to see all the knitters on TV and at Central Park. See you on Friday.
Posted by: bonnie at March 26, 2007 6:10 PMoohhhhhh!! Come and do one on THIS coast!! LA or SF... California loves ya dude! my sock is ever at the ready! Today it is emerald green.
Posted by: Marjorie at March 26, 2007 6:12 PMSee honey? Even you underestimate us! :-)
Posted by: Laurie at March 26, 2007 6:12 PMI'm getting a little teary over here. Wish I could have been there.
(also agree wholeheartedly with Lee Ann about the photo-card idea!)
Posted by: miss ewe at March 26, 2007 6:13 PMWe few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
-Henry V
Rock on!
Posted by: Laurie at March 26, 2007 6:16 PMOMG!!! I am so glad you are back! I so wished I could have been there with my sock! I have been reading on other blogs what fun it was and how Joe was there for you. He is such a sweet man!
So sorry to have missed it--but glad I got to FIT that night, and "kindred spirits" is just the phrase I had in mind there. 750 of them--wow!
Posted by: kathe at March 26, 2007 6:19 PMAwesome. I've been (sort of) patiently awaiting your telling of it all. Wish I could have been there! maybe someday you'll play Madison Square Gardens! Just imagine the thousands of knitters. Also- very excited to see you Friday!
Posted by: Julia at March 26, 2007 6:20 PMI wish I could have been there--what a wonderful experience to share! I'd love to make the picture of "Imagine" with the socks my screen saver. I can't wait until next Tuesday! Just by luck, I'll be in Chicago on April 3rd! Someday you need to stop in to Charlotte, NC. We're a knitting city, too.
Posted by: Debby Carlson at March 26, 2007 6:20 PMNo way could I have made it - I'm just beginning to feel human again - but you shook my friend's hand - she is the last picture on Mason Dixon Blog - does she look like she is having enough fun for the both of us or what? I love that picture.
Can't wait to read part II
You know Mason Dixon did a nice talk out here in the Hamptons - I'm sure if you wanted to do one too
(can't let them have all the fun can we?) we could put your people in touch with the right folks. :D
I googled Sandy Sue and found this http://www.joejung.com/music-25.html
Others have found this plaque interesting
Ms. TMW is a force of wonderfulness who sent me a couple of emails during this experience that I treasure. So today I printed up her Fools Rush sock pattern and will wind the ball of Fleece Artist Merino sock yarn I bought specifically for it so I can have them both together this Sunday. It seems appropriate.
Posted by: Rachel H at March 26, 2007 6:33 PMp.s. If you try to turn this into a 3 part series instead of spilling ALL the rest tomorrow, I will have no choice but to smack you.
Posted by: Rachel H at March 26, 2007 6:34 PMIt's lovely to read about all the knitters gathering. I'm travelling from NJ to MI to visit friends, and we're all going to your Ann Arbor meeting, which I'm sure will be fab!
Posted by: Amanda Page at March 26, 2007 6:36 PMOh to have been there for the Imagine moment. How freaking powerful is that? You deserve moments like that to take to your grave - many, many of them.
Posted by: bells at March 26, 2007 6:39 PMI'm so pleased you freaked out the mundanes-- er... muggles. I, too, have been waiting (hopefully not impaitently) for your update tho I did get Guido's podcast today.
I'm so jealous of my friends who are going to get to see you in AA on the 1st and Oak Brook on the 2nd.
Posted by: Mary Peed at March 26, 2007 6:41 PMImagine. Indeed.
How I wish I had been there.
First I wondered if all of us getting teary-eyed over your photo and post were all just a bunch of weirdos. Then I realized, if we're weird, the rest of the world needs to get a lot more weird.
I am taking the *entire day off* on April 5th so I can get in line early enough to see you! (I'm not camping overnight, I promise). Is this the first time you're coming to Denver? When I found out about you, your first book had been out for a while, so I don't know.
I am super glad we're going to be early in your tour, but it's sorta too bad you'll not be here for the Estes Park Sheep & Wool Festival in June. Of course, you could come back for it.
Posted by: Anna-Liza at March 26, 2007 6:44 PMLaurie's quote from Henry V sent chills all over my body. Absolutely perfect, that. And in my crusty "who cares?" hometown.
Stephanie, you done us proud. And I keep thinking of all the muggles who won't ever be quite the same anymore. Thank Heaven for that! We want the muggles to understand that we're here and we intend to stay and have a voice. Thank you, dearest Harlot, for being the one to bring us together, whether physically or in spirit, to make of the myriad pieces one greater whole. We now have a voice. We will never be silent again.
Thank you, dear Knitter.
Posted by: dee near Berkeley at March 26, 2007 6:51 PMI wish I had been able to make it. It looks amazing and I look forward to reading more.
I do hope that Jayme-the-wonder-publicist is able to send you our way...Halifax knitters want to represent too!
Posted by: Lesley at March 26, 2007 6:52 PMOkay - I admit to a hearty case of premenstrual tension today - but I wept openly while looking at the knitting gathered around "Imagine." I weep because I couldn't be there, I weep over the loss of John Lennon, I weep because it's so damn beautiful. (I weep because of PMT. Friday I was cheerfully ordering everyone I knew, knitter and Muggle alike, to check out Kay's entry over at Mason-Dixon Knitting. But now I weep over all the other things as well.)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Or as my Northern friends say...beauty eh? :) Can't wait for Part II!
Posted by: Julie at March 26, 2007 7:00 PMI can only ""Imagine"" how wonderful it all was to be together surrounded by kindred knitters. Stephanie your gift for words made it all so much more like I was there in person. Wonderful . Thank you for posting when you are so busy, stay well and enjoy
Posted by: Joan H at March 26, 2007 7:00 PMAdding my thanks for the update, the pic and the idea, and my tears to the others that have been reported. Can't wait to hear the rest.
I love the picture card for MSF too - good idea, bet they'd sell like hotcakes.
ps - ooh - good St Crispin's quote. Second set of goosebumps for that.
pps - Ex-SCAdian here. Love freaking the muggles.
ppps - Going YARN shopping tomorrow. Socks and lace weight....I'm lost.
Posted by: Canuck Kate at March 26, 2007 7:09 PMAwesome....i'm teary-eyed & got chill bumps with Imagine. so looking forward to Denver!
Posted by: sylvia at March 26, 2007 7:11 PMWhat a wonderful account of the day (thus far). I can totally empathize with your intense desire to cancel your speech and fly home, but I'm ever so glad that you did not. Thank you again for all you did for us on Thursday. And since I scarpered off without saying good night properly...good night, properly. :)
I am so looking forward to your description of the F.I.T. event. Consider my breath bated. :)
I wish that we could know who Sandy Sue was - I imagine it would be a well spun story. Thanks for reminding NYC that we are a force...
Posted by: Justine at March 26, 2007 7:19 PMCan't wait for tomorrow's installment - you've left a real cliffhanger of a story.
Posted by: Asa at March 26, 2007 7:22 PMI got chills reading this and looking at the pictures - thank you.
Posted by: Chris at March 26, 2007 7:22 PMAll those socks, a warshrag, and my poor lonely sweater- at the ribbing stage looking more like a blue belt. (I really don't knit socks much) I didn't want the sweater to get pissed off.
Posted by: Allison at March 26, 2007 7:31 PMStephanie you Rock! To think YOU were nervous. As usual your text and pictures paint a beautiful image in my mind. An image filled with happy knitters and one poor confused policeman.
Thank you!
Posted by: Karen at March 26, 2007 7:32 PMI love it!
Posted by: GailB at March 26, 2007 7:34 PMaaaaaahhhhh......thank you! I knew when you finally found the time to write about your experiences, you would do it in such at way as to make those of us who were unable to attend FEEL like we were there! I anxiously await more of the same!
Posted by: Connie_in_GR at March 26, 2007 7:37 PMhonest. that made me cry. I wish I had been there. I will see you on friday. Safe journeys.
Posted by: heather at March 26, 2007 7:39 PMCan't wait for part 2.
Posted by: Abril at March 26, 2007 7:44 PMI'm sitting here at work totally getting all teary eyed reading about everyone gathering at Strawberry Fields.
Thank you for inspiring all of us crazy knitters to do such wonderful things :)
Posted by: Sunidesus at March 26, 2007 7:50 PMI missed it, by 20 minutes. Oh well. A moving description and I am so glad there weren't any easy escape routes back to Toronto.
Posted by: Sonya at March 26, 2007 7:51 PMI think John Lennon just might have given a little smile from wherever he now is. "Living for today" indeed.
Posted by: Julie at March 26, 2007 7:57 PMmmmmmmmmmmm! this is like cracking open the cover of a book you've been waiting a really, really long time to read and once you hold it in your hands, you know something good and fine and delectable awaits you. i CANNOT wait to hear more!
Posted by: christine m. east of toronto at March 26, 2007 7:59 PMIt sent shivers up my spine.
Posted by: dr at March 26, 2007 8:28 PMWow! This is one of the few things that could make me want to be in NYC (no offense to those of you who love it, it's just not my thing).
See you on 4/4.
Posted by: Tanya at March 26, 2007 8:29 PMYes, this story will take more than one post to tell.
Here's information about the "adopt a bench" program at Central Park (http://www.centralparknyc.org/support/adoptabench) Unfortunately, there's no index of the inscriptions. It's puzzling, it was totally appropriate and only seems to make the experience a little more magical.
Posted by: Liz at March 26, 2007 8:30 PMIt's lovely to see all the socks on the mosaic and knowing that there are others who occasionally get to take their roaming sock pictures together is a comforting thought when I take crazy-lady lone-knitter sock-in-public photos of my own.
Wish I could have been there for it all. When will the bookbookbookbookbook tour come Down Under And Over A Bit to NZ?
Posted by: Eclair at March 26, 2007 8:32 PMI am. So. Moved.
It must have felt like coming home to the Land of Knitters.
I'm so glad you're okay! (I had these horrible back-of-the-mind, vauge premonitions of the fates dealing some crushing blow to balance out the amazing success of the Represent Event.)
The pictures are wonderful, and it's great to hear your experiences from that day. I'll be watching for the next one. :o)
Off to do dinner, et al, and then follow the links you posted . . .
Posted by: Annalea at March 26, 2007 8:36 PMWOW! Worth the wait, I've been checking for 3 days...I have no life! The Imagine gave me goose bumps....you are not alone, there were many there, and many on here....can't wait for tomorrow! P.S. Why am I waiting for Amazon to release the book STILL ?????? They need to get with the program!
Posted by: Redsoxgal at March 26, 2007 8:37 PMStephanie, as you prepare part 2, could you include some numbers? I'd love to know how many of us were actually there, how many books were sold, how many hats and squares collected: basically, how good did we do?
This is so wonderful. And don't worry how many installments it takes to tell: it took me three, and I was just along for the ride. I want to hear every word you say, every impression you have, everything! Yay you, yay us!
Posted by: ccr in MA at March 26, 2007 8:42 PMThanks for the great mini vacation. It certainly will be a 3 day adventure that I will also remember for the rest of my days.
Thanks for posting my picture from the TODAY show. I hadn't seen it yet!!!
May every stop on the book tour need 750 seats!!! You can handle it easily!!!
Nancy from NC.
Posted by: Nancy Sheck at March 26, 2007 8:48 PMYour trip looks fabulous! I'm hoping your book tour brings you to New Jersey. I have a sock knitting question if you don't mind me infringing on your time... if it's a pain, just delete :)
I am a sock knitting addict with size 9 1/2 feet. Always have made my socks using Classic Sock pattern casting on 64 st. with size 2's.
How would I adjust stitches if I wanted to use a size 1 or 0? I know some of the yarns call for smaller needles. thanks :)
HOPE. It gives me HOPE. If knitters can do THIS, then what can ALL of us humans do? We've seen the worst of humanity - I for one would like to see more of the best!
Posted by: Janet at March 26, 2007 9:04 PMI've read about it on so many blogs already... but Steph none of them can tell a story like you can. On top of being a fabulous knitter and all around kick arse kind of person.. you are a wonderful storyteller. You have that knack that makes a person feel like they were right there with you. I wish I could've been there... thank you for organizing it. Knitters are an awesome breed of people.
Posted by: Beth at March 26, 2007 9:05 PMAwesome! Can't wait to hear the rest! I wish I had been able to be there. . .stinkin' job!
Posted by: Heather at March 26, 2007 9:09 PMO Stephanie, you *did* Represent - and I feel so proud and like I'm a member of this Fine Community of Knitters; even when we can't all assemble in the flesh, ladies and gentlemen, surely you agree we ARE "together". Learnt two things today: I may NOT be able to get to see you in St Paul (o bitter cruelty) BUT - my copy of your book shipped out today from Amazon, I WILL have it before the end of May! Oh - and to Laurie and all of you, my colleagues: the quote from Henry V is so right for so many reasons - and St. Crispin is the patron saint of COBBLERS and SHOEMAKERS (and lacemakers). I bet he'd have enjoyed a nice pair of handknit socks.
Posted by: Dale-Harriet in WI at March 26, 2007 9:13 PMSo funny, that you would ever have a moment of doubt about being a writer. You're a wonderful writer, funny and warm and kind and generous. I'm so glad you write. Dude, figure out how to - I don't know, ABSORB your comments. :)
(the interviews would give me butterflies (really, the runs, but how lyrical is that)too, but you handle them SO WELL.)
Posted by: Patti at March 26, 2007 9:13 PMIt looks like it was a really amazing day!
Posted by: Jen at March 26, 2007 9:16 PMhee hee hee...oh the glorious giddiness and being among knitters...flipping out the muggles one stitch at a time:-)
Posted by: shanny mac at March 26, 2007 9:16 PMPetaluma may be considered a cow town (hey, it's known for its chickens, too!), but we are going to REPRESENT on your visit to lovely Sonoma County, too! I hope Copperfields is prepared!!!!!!!!!!!
What kind of wine do you like?????????
Posted by: JanKnitz at March 26, 2007 9:16 PMI made it to FIT and you were great; the crowd was great.
Based on your picture from the financial district, you were half a block from my office. (However, you were down there a bit before I was that morning.)
Posted by: rmkrist at March 26, 2007 9:19 PMI was at FIT, and I have to tell you, it was so great seeing you and being apart of such a great crowd.
:)!
jersey
I love it, all these knitters weeping into their computers. Wacky and wonderful. Kudos to Laurie for the Henry V quote. And I'm in the sock picture - wheeeeee! Red scarf, short dark hair, white-and-orange Zabars bag. I think the Sock-It-To-'Em at Strawberry Fields should be an annual event. On St. Crispin's Day, obviously - October 25th.
Posted by: mardi at March 26, 2007 9:30 PMHoly...
Denver has a lot to live up to. I promise we'll try.
Nice work, knitters.
Posted by: Marin in Denver at March 26, 2007 9:32 PMI don't know if it was the knitting solidarity that you portrayed, the Imagine socks, or the plaque on the bench but suddenly it felt GOOD and I felt PROUD and GLAD to be a knitter as I sat reading this blog entry, SIP forgotten in my hands and tears streaming down my face. I felt I was there and that I belonged.
Thank you.
Posted by: Warrior Knitter at March 26, 2007 9:48 PMThank you for instigating and then reporting. I have been weepy over a handful of blog reports from the 'Representing Event' and I think, in an odd way, I am glad I wasn't there. I would have been crying like a baby. :)
Posted by: Lynn at March 26, 2007 9:48 PMThis knitter/ Latin teacher says your Latin is fine. Alternate translation might be "it has been completed," but yours is fine and dandy by me, fwiw.
Posted by: Kathy at March 26, 2007 9:54 PMWonderful, Stephanie! Babble away, we'll love it! I especially loved this: "...a park police officer who sat in his little car at the edge of Strawberry Fields with an extraordinarily worried expression."
ROFLMAO! Oh man. I *wish* I could've seen that. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Rest up and recover from all the nerves; I'm with ya on that. Definitely goosebumps!
(Gee, and it only took me two tries to make it in to read, after the "we're having massive amounts of traffic" message. I think your provider is gonna have more bandwidth headaches... and hey, we're still freaking the muggles! I'm also hoping this isn't a multiple comment here. On earlier attempts, it told me there was "No such entry" to comment to. Three times. In case you need more ammo in reporting problems. [eg])
Posted by: MonicaPDX at March 26, 2007 9:56 PMI like to think the police man was there protecting you....
Posted by: Cindy in Austin at March 26, 2007 10:04 PMVirginia's wool is looking spectacular. What a send-off.
Posted by: Peggy at March 26, 2007 10:12 PMOh Stephanie! How wonderful! Thanks for sharing that moment. There were so many of us there with you in spirit. Could you feel us too? Our souls were there despite our inabilities, for a myriad of reasons, to bring our physical bodies there. I hope you all could feel the vibes from all your missing sisters (and brothers) who wanted so desperately to be there with you but couldn't. . . .
Isn't there someway to track down who dedicated that bench to Sandy Sue? There must be some way.
Posted by: knittingnurse at March 26, 2007 10:41 PM*sigh*
Sounds great.
This is as big a cliff hanger as Battlestar Galactica...
Posted by: Julie at March 26, 2007 11:05 PMHow very satifying it must have been for you to see your idea come to fruition in such a big, wonderful way... I am so proud to be a knitter!
Posted by: Deirdre at March 26, 2007 11:11 PMI applaud your courage to go and do your thing! I am another who got chills all over from the sock pics. So... we're not alone! I'm holding back a tear of joy and inspiration. Thanks for all your hard work!
Posted by: Kimberly at March 26, 2007 11:40 PMi've got goosebumps. there are tears in my eyes. amazing. awesome. how can i describe it? just too cool
Posted by: minnie at March 26, 2007 11:44 PMMy comment feels very redundant after reading everyone else's, but when I first saw the imagine pic, I felt the magic. Then when you blogged about it a few days later, I thought, ok, that's weird, that's exactly how I felt. Just goes to show that magic transcends time, space and borders. (I live in Alberta, Canada.)
Posted by: Jacqueline at March 27, 2007 12:17 AMI wish I could have been there! I get to NYC every summer, and this would have been perfect. But wait....you ARE coming to Denver. I just hope I can get in and they are prepared for the many who will be there. It will be standing room only, I promise! See you then. Liz
Posted by: Liz at March 27, 2007 12:20 AMWish I could have been there....but Finland is sooooo far away.
Muggles! The word makes me feel like I belong to a very special (but still world-wide) group!
Wordless, tearing, smiling, cheering, knitting, wishing I were there.
See you in Portland....
It was amazing. I love it. YAY for knitters! <3
Posted by: Convivialiddell at March 27, 2007 1:28 AMOh... sigh. I still have longing to have been there, but the victory belongs to our greater knitting community, online or not, NYC or not. I guess in that way, I was there, too.
Posted by: LynnH at March 27, 2007 2:05 AMOh, I wish I could have been there!
Posted by: Dorothee at March 27, 2007 3:18 AMThat was so beautiful. I totally teared up reading it. I love the knitosphere!
Posted by: Twilight at March 27, 2007 3:22 AMDear Harlot,
Oh I wish I could have been there! Thank you so much for the picture, and not allowing your panic to totally overwhelm you. We would have missed out on a great read if you did. I almost choked on my coffee when I saw the yarn you fell asleep with. The owners of Buckwheat Bridge are friends and if you think their yarn is lovely, you should try some of their rovings! They are some of my favorite all time rovings to spin (after my own of course LOL!) and just glide through your fingers like butter. Their kid mohair/Cormo blend will have you in spinning Nirvana in no time! It's just bliss. Now go get some rest so you can write part 2. I can't wait to hear the rest of the tale!
I'm the only knitter I know, yet part of this massive, friendly community. I'm sitting alone, cheering madly at a computer monitor "there's Guido's Charlie Brown hat!" Too many lace charts I think.
Posted by: Lizzy, England at March 27, 2007 4:47 AMWow. That is just so touching. I hope I get to see you in Ann Arbor...
Posted by: carrie at March 27, 2007 5:53 AMIt could also be "it is perfected", which has some interesting interpretations ;)
[I think you could have also gone with "(id) consummatur", but (I could be wrong, and) it's always more fun to stick in an "est", isn't it?]
Posted by: Sara at March 27, 2007 5:54 AMI'm so looking forward to seeing you in Cleveland this weekend!
Posted by: Annie at March 27, 2007 6:17 AMYou know, Steph, it never ceases to amaze me how I can meet a knitter and we talk like we've known each other for-ever. I've met with a few local knitters I know through blogging and we hug and talk and laugh as though we are long lost friends. I think we really are.
Ang
Posted by: angelarae at March 27, 2007 8:01 AMI guess us Petaluma knitters will need to put our knitting together on a chicken or egg (we are also big with the birds here).
Better yet we could congregate downtown sometime at that little plaza (by that big coffee store chain that I refuse to mention).
Seeing that knitting surrounding the imagine stone gave me so much hope and joy.
World Peace through Knitting--- YES! It transcends everything.
Posted by: Mimi at March 27, 2007 8:04 AMThanks so much for the stitch-by-stitch update. I can't believe I have been waiting so many days for this. And also that I didn't know about the Today Show thing, which for once I could have watched. Of course, Mom is still a Muggle and might have balked at my promise to teach her to knit.
I'm babbling because I can't wait for Part Two.
Posted by: Beth in WI at March 27, 2007 8:12 AMWish I could have been there for that, but we are looking forward to having you here in Cleveland this weekend!
I love love love that picture of the socks on the Imagine mosaic. It's too bad you couldn't sell notecards or coffee mugs or similar with that on it, proceeds to TSF, naturally. I would totally buy that. :)
Posted by: Laura at March 27, 2007 8:23 AMYAAAY! I'm so glad it was awesome! I'm all teary over the "Imagine" and the bench dedication. The muggles.... need education =)
Posted by: April at March 27, 2007 8:38 AMI think your Latin definitely gets the idea across, but without looking it up, 'Consummatum est' has the idea of being finished as in 'all used up, exhausted'. Which might be appropriate for how you must be feeling. :)
Considering all that you have accomplished, I would be inclined to use 'Perfectum est:' it has been accomplished, completed, finished. Perfected! Thanks for taking us along with you!
Posted by: Heather G. at March 27, 2007 8:40 AMI loved the yarn and socks and Dishcloth around the imagine display, and loved Mason-Dixon's lyrics to it on their blog.
And you can be thankful that the radio interview wasn't with Howard Stern.
Posted by: Cheryl at March 27, 2007 8:59 AMMan! If only I was back home in NYC, I could have went to your event and met you. Can't wait for part two!
Posted by: Kelly at March 27, 2007 9:11 AMSo......did they squeel fiendishly and throw naked sock yarn on the stage at you? Was there a mosh pit?
Posted by: Kellee at March 27, 2007 9:16 AMThat series of photos (and all those around blogland documenting the same event) is singularly the most spectacular and amazing sight, it simply gives me goosebumps!! I so wish I could have been there. But thank heaven so many bloggers were, and documented it!
We love you Steph! You empower us, and we empower ourselves....and I really really want to know - who WAS Sandy Sue?
(((hugs)))
I have heard so much about the adventures in NYC, and I wish I could have been there. Maybe next time!
Posted by: Tina at March 27, 2007 9:29 AMIt sound like so much fun ! Wish I could have made it. Maybe we could do something like this closer to Boston?? Looking forward to the next part of the story and many, many pictures. Well done !
Posted by: Kim at March 27, 2007 9:30 AMTremendous. Wishing I could have been there, but only able to imagine. . .
Posted by: Lara at March 27, 2007 9:42 AMHi Stephanie,
I am so sorry I couldn't be there. It is great to read your account of the event, though.
Just a thought here. The reason you get so much love from groups like this one is that you project it first. What I mean is that you are true. Your passion for what you do is genuine, and so is your love of people. YOU are a force for good and so, you attrack goodness. Heck, the one time I met you (in Rhinebeck, last year), I told you I loved you. I meant it.
How is it possible to love a complete stranger? You've made me cry and laugh because of things that happened to you. You've made me align myself right along with you when you described something that irritated you or that made you sing with joy. You don't know it, but you've made me your friend. That's how it happens.
Take care and keep up the good work!
Rosane, on Long Island.
P.S.: I'm a train ride away from the city and I couldn't go. Aaaarrrgghhhh.
Shudders and goosebumps. That was a moment. Thank you for bringing us there, we who couldn't come in person.
What we have here is a family picture. A partial one, anyway, of this big huge unruly family of knitters.
Seconds (thirds? ninths?) on the request for notecards, and shivers on the St. Crispin's quote.
How I wish I could have been there, Steph.
"All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all.
I think I can see John Lennon in the background, smiling. He's standing right next to Virginia. See?
Whew! Was starting to get a bit worried there when we hadn't heard from our dear Harlot for a few days. I'm relieved that it was happiness and exhaustion and recovering from surprises that kept the blog quiet. The whole "universe balancing itself out" thing can get me pretty nervous sometimes.
Oh, and a "pretty please" to all you bloggers out there. So many folks mention that they have pictures or stories in their blogs but don't put the URL in the comment, so I have no way to find you! Thank you for posting and please help us share your excitement.
And a great big "ditto" to all those who want a copy of the Imagine photo on a card or poster, or even a higher resolution photo for printing. This is so inspiring.
Peace,
Barbara L in MA
So wonderful!! I'm so sad I couldn't join you! HOWEVER.... after suggesting to Miz Harlot that I stop by the Borders in Oak Brook, IL and let them know what they were in for on April 3rd, my schedule finally allowed me to do so last Friday.
I wrote a one page letter (which I'll post on my blog later today and anyone can scavenge for their local event if they wish) and printed out pictures from last years' book tour. I addressed the letter to the Events Coordinator and put it all in a little plastic sleeve (no tie things to get in the way or anything, just something to keep it all together).
I spoke to a very nice gentleman at the customer service desk and explained to him what I was all about. He was very gracious and said, get this... "You know, A LOT of people have been calling and coming in to tell us to expect A LOT of people. We're hoping we'll be prepared, but your pictures of other events will really help. Thanks."
SO COOL! Knitters! I'm so proud of us! Way to represent! The guy didn't seem freaked out, he way very respectful and sounded a little awed by the fact that a LOT of folks had called to warn them.
See you all in Oak Brook, IL on April 3rd! Stephanie, Congratulations on your amazing trip to the Big Apple!
Posted by: Jen in Chicago at March 27, 2007 10:15 AMPlease come to DC?! xoxo
Posted by: Mimi at March 27, 2007 10:23 AMWow.
I have so much I'd like to say, but I think it's all been said. Thanks for sharing - your post made my day.
Posted by: lauren at March 27, 2007 10:41 AMNow, tell me how to turn off the water works so I can go back to work.
Thanks!
You are amazing.
i cannot believe that there is a photo of ME on this blog. ME! i feel famous and humbled and i am weepy a little bit at my desk.
i am super glad i wore my fair isle sweater to the event, as it made me easy to spot in photos i appear in, and i'm having a glorious time scouring the net for other people's accounts of the day, so i can keep reliving it from others' points of view.
thank you for making all of this possible, and for linking us together in ways we never thought possible. when you tell me to show up, i will be there - and i will put my socks wherever you ask :)
As I read selected bits aloud to my DH, he said, "just imagine what it must be like to be HER publicist"!!!!!!
Posted by: Colleen at March 27, 2007 10:59 AMWhen I first saw the photo just on its own I welled up. Magical - all those knitters in one place. One place symbolizing peace.
Those Muggles - bet they never knew what hit them.
Beautiful.
Posted by: Sachi at March 27, 2007 11:23 AMWow! What a great photo! Thrilling, fun, magical and heartwarming. Wish I could have been there! I was in spirit!
Posted by: Kim at March 27, 2007 11:37 AMTo Barbara L, have you tried clicking on signatures? That's how you can get to my blog account of Represent. I think most of us put our blog addresses in the URL space when we post a comment, so surf on over, and welcome!
Posted by: ccr in MA at March 27, 2007 11:50 AMMany congratulations!! You've made me weepy. :)
Posted by: Mandy at March 27, 2007 12:57 PMThe New York freak the muggles event looks awesome Stephanie! I don't suppose you and Jaime-the wonder publicist could add one in southern california to your tour? Other wise I'm going to have to figure out how to get 6 hours north to Sebastopol, CA on a Thursday.
Posted by: Marita at March 27, 2007 1:02 PMSo amazingly awesome. I am so jealous that I live in California and couldn't be there.
Posted by: Nessa at March 27, 2007 1:14 PMLovely! All of the photos of The Socks are just awe-inspiring.
Posted by: Sarah at March 27, 2007 2:01 PMok I have waited almost 24 hours for part 2.
Please please tell us how it went. Please?
Congratulations on what sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime event!
Wish I could have been there but I will settle for living vicariously through your and other people's blog entries.
Posted by: Susanna in Seattle at March 27, 2007 3:01 PMI can hardly wait for Part Two. What a knitting event! Reading all the comments has made me realize I will need to get to the Tattered Cover in Denver much earlier than originally planned.
Looking forward to meeting many of you.
Posted by: Pat at March 27, 2007 3:21 PMThis made me well up with little tears of happiness and excitement. We really can incite change and inspiration through fibre. Wow.
Posted by: Sara at March 27, 2007 3:26 PMThanks for telling those of us who couldn't be there a little bit of how it was... I really can imagine what an amazing day it must have been!
Now, I know I said I would be at Lettuce Knit tonight, but Amy is having a book event... Seriously, I can't be here in Toronto and miss that, especially since I doubt she'll come to Montreal anytime soon. I'll hop over if her thing finishes early enough, but I should say right now (because I don't want to be the cause of any disappointment) that I have no cheese curds, and no bagel; I left Montreal in too much of a hurry. Anyways, I may see you later... with the beginning of my first sock ever in hands!
I got tingles from just looking at the photos. Oh, how I wish I could have been there! What a wonderful day, Stephanie. Way to go!
Posted by: megan at March 27, 2007 4:15 PMglad i'm not the only one asking for part ii. i was there...but still want to see all the pics,etc. pretty please!
Posted by: susan at March 27, 2007 4:46 PMHey Steph-just got an e-mail from Amazon that my pre-order bookbookbookbook just shipped...it will be all over the country sooner rather than later!
Posted by: Betsy at March 27, 2007 4:56 PMHa! I never thought of pelting you with sock yarn...next time!! (hand-dyed, of course.)
Posted by: mardi at March 27, 2007 5:16 PMCan't wait for Part II. And I soooo wish I could have been there! Oh, well, I was there in spirit.
SOmeone asked if the interview is available via podcast. If it is, I'd like to know about it, too.
You go, girl!
Katherine
Great story - wish I could have been there..
THE BOOK is in Canada now! (But then Stephanie, you probably already knew that.)
www.needleartsbookshop.com (no affiliation, just satisfied customer) Hold on Marsha! (Hope it was okay to put in a plug in comments...)
Posted by: Suzanne at March 27, 2007 5:48 PMI didn't expect your post to make me cry, but it did. It sounds like it was wonderful. And I do think Sandy Sue probably spent plenty of time knitting in that park. What a beautiful tribute!
Posted by: Erin at March 27, 2007 5:50 PMSounds like so much fun! I am sorry you're not getting closer than PA. :( I love all of the socks gathered together.
Posted by: shadkitty at March 27, 2007 5:56 PM Thanks for the best knitting party New York has ever seen. the high from the yarn fumes lasted all weekend.
I hate to throw cold water on all this good feeling but THE MUGGLES DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE!
I work for a fashion designer who lives within three blocks of FIT. She didn't notice anything going on. When I told her it was an attempt to get more respect for kintters, she said she didn't understand. When I told her about the Blue Moon Socks incident, she said IT NEVER HAPPENED AND THAT I WAS SILLY TO BELIEVE THE STORY! What do you expect from a woman who read
Elizabeth Zimmerman's obituary in the Times and said."Why did they write about her. She wasn't a fashion designer. She just wrote knitting books."
I don't see any other publishers planning large book launches or yarn company events. Even those who should believe,don't.
No wonder I was so drawn to knitting.
Posted by: Carol at March 27, 2007 5:59 PMThere is a photograph of two women wearing t-shirts that say "Art for your Feet". What are these t-shirts and where can I get one? :)
Posted by: Lisa at March 27, 2007 6:11 PMIt really was awsome to be surrounded by knitters who wanted to show that they "represent" a significant force that shouldn't be stereotyped. We'll be posting your interview video on our podcast next week. So "stay tuned"!
Posted by: CAT at March 27, 2007 6:28 PMI thought the title was ... You Are What You Eat ... Snork.
What a great muggle freakin' time you all had. Do one in St. Louis, 'k? Under the arch?
Posted by: Ann at March 27, 2007 6:30 PMAwwww...I got choked up reading about it! I would've cried if I'd been there! TOTALLY! I'm knitting my sock here in Vancouver. :)
Incidentally, forget the funny looks that one gets when knitting in public...you should see people stare at me when I'm using my drop spindle in a coffee shop. :D
Posted by: Karin at March 27, 2007 11:23 PMStephanie,
I'm soooo sad that I couldn't make it, but I was there in spirit.
I want to put the imagine picture as my desktop wallpaper - could you make a larger version of imagineitall0322.jpg available?
I had a tear in my eye when reading this post.
Maaike
I have to say these pictures brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful oppertuniry. I was there in spirit. :)
Posted by: Melissa at March 31, 2007 12:10 AM