Hooray for Trish knitting a Maryland washcloth! It's my home state and I love it, but I'd hate to try and knit it. I think we may be the most oddly shaped state in the Union...

Whoa, I'm first? No way! Okay, Stephanie you got close, but not close enough! Virginia is for (yarn) lovers! Come to Virginia...

How cool to find your long-lost cousin

I love to hear your stories ... wish you were coming to Halifax, but I will live the Harlot experience through your blog!

Fantastic! I can't wait to see you (again) at WEBS! Happy travels until then.

P.S. Want more chocolate?

You look fine in your traveling clothes.

Maybe you should carry *all* your panties in your carry-on?

All this hard work is worth it in the end. Keep it up and you will have so much satisfaction when you are done and resting at home, in your own bed.

Love hearing about your travels, especially the unsuspecting nonknitter bits! Safe travels and hopefully the gods of baggage handling have been appeased by your small sacrifice.

Life makes you wonder about fate sometimes. What are the chances of so many different disparate stories all walking into the same bookstore to do something their souls secretly wished for.

Who knew a knitting philosophers could be such cosmic forces!

Thankfully the universe pays you back with people bringing you beer. (No more 14k's for you!)

So Stephanie,
Your writing is so personal, so lovely, terribly captivating. I know everyone says things like this . . . but your posts really make me wish I was your in-person friend. I want to get an invite to a holiday cookie-making party at your place, or come along on a yoga class. Anyway, I'm saying that I really dig you. And then, you go and add the stuff about happy baby noises and nursing babies being with their moms and you were a LLL Leader? Me too! Holy crush! Can you get any better, you crazy, wise knitting woman?! Please, next tour, schedule Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC. The owner, Nancy Olsen, will do you right. There's a little LYS just a couple doors down. And I will have a chance to bow down to the queen of all that is handknit and breastfed and good. xo Nancy in NC

Sigh - so close, yet so far...I'm 2 hours west of Annapolis, but figure in rush hour traffic in the DC area and I might as well live on the moon. So sorry I couldn't be there, BUT my husband saw how sad I was and offered to take me up to WEBS at the end of the month! Yes, he is nice. Also, he is hating his work right now and I think he needed an excuse for a little family vacation. Plus, he is from Massachusetts. So, I get to see you and WEBS (so excited!) and he and the kids get to check out Sturbridge Village and whatever else is tour-worthy near Northampton, MA.

I know Massachusetts is further from Virginia than Annapolis, but sometimes (if you use screwed-up-enough logic) it is easier to get to.

hi! I have to say, you make it sound like such fun to meet all the knitters that it makes me want to write a book so I can do it too. I love the babies and the first socks and the young knitters and the men knitters and the bloggers in person - just all of it!

I am still hoping that someday there will a chance for us geographically challenged (meaning those who live in the wrong place) to score a Knitters Without Borders pin.

One more thing - some travel writer I heard on NPR once said "there are two kinds of luggage - carry on and lost". His solution was to ship things ahead. I can't imagine the kind of planning that would take for a book tour, but it might bear thinking about (sort of like when people take really long backpacking trips).

Knit on!

Wow...your energy level amazes me. Good luck on the rest of your tour (I'm afraid there aren't many flowers in bloom yet in St.Paul).

Bobby had a great time, seriously, and Stephanie, Thank you!
ALL those babies are crampingly cute, juicy... So glad for you, getting to see Kimberly.

I love seeing all the knitters from other places, and I think it's super cool the people who go to your talk to get books for their loved ones. My young man would pick up and autographed book for me, but I don't think he'd sit through your talk. I have yet to convince him of the joys of yarn.

Can't get over the babies, the wisteria or the azaleas. I hope you can stay connected with your luggage, and have fun~! P.S. what is that sock yarn!?

I note that you had the sock in your carry-on luggage (if you could be persuaded to let go of it at all during the boarding process, which I wouldn't). Wise move.

That is not merely wisteria, that is creeping mas wisteria.

All the knitters are lovely.

So is Kimberly. And your sweater.

Great karma for you to see Kimberley again. (And please tell us the sock yarn after you buy some!)

What a great post. Especially the ending. It's so great to bump into friends you've lost touch with. It was nice that she stuck around to see you. I hope you had some time to spend together as it was obviously meant to happen.

Had a great time last night at Annapolis Borders Stephanie. Your comments on the struggles to be recognized as a writer of knitting humor reminded me of my own pauses when people ask me what kind of music I sing. As a wench at The Maryland Renaissance Festival for 13 years in the Taverns and for hire in other places - it's "Uhhh . . . A Capella. Bawdy and Humor. You know - songs of men and women. Drinking songs . . ." And they give me the deer in the headlights look. So yes Stephanie, when you told your tale of the publishers meeting and the woman who asked you when you were going to write a real book - I got it probably better than anyone else there.

Thanks for the bonus tale of the Cowgirl.

I will continue to "Resist the Socks".

Bonnie on the Red Scooter

This all looks like so much fun! I wish that I could see you but after looking at the train schedules for the Oak Lawn event, I would only have time to see you as you came into the room, then I'd dash to the train so that I could get back to downtown Chicago and miss the next train north (not how I want to spend a Friday night). Can your wonder publicist do something next time and actually arrange for an event in Chicago proper?

I should have commandeered a vehicle to drive to Annapolis to see you. I'm bummed you'll not be visiting Pittsburgh this time around but am excited, for you & your family, that your tour is all-at-once and your kids will have you (hostage) for the summer.

Sometimes the airlines do come through when you need them to the most...I speak from too much travel experiences.

Yay, this brings you all that much closer to Chicago! And I'm bringing my camera this time around. (I'm not sure it will be nearly as much fun as the time of my criminal activity in sneaking off to see you the first time, but we'll just have to make the best of it.)

By the way? Iowa's not that far from Chicago. A mere 2.5 hours and you'd be rockin' the Quad Cities. Just sayin'...

You were fabulous last night! Thanks for giving us reasons to truly know what we already believed to be true...us knitters really are smarter than the rest of them. My crocheting friend I dragged along was VERY inspired and is ready to learn to knit. Huzzah!

Maybe you should make your suitcase your "carry on", ya know (okay, okay, probably wouldn't work)?

And bwa ha ha ha ha! After the son's cutsie little concert (can't wait to see him, but definitely hoping my little Austie doesn't do a header off the risers; he gets into movement!) I'm going to hop round to pick up the taller two from your talk. The Yarnery folk said it was fine to bring the younger two along then. So my chances of getting to see you just hopped up to 50%, provided the elder two have not already gotten the book signed by then.

Either way, safe travels. :)

I really need to go hear you talk sometime. I would love to see all those knitters!

Stephanie: It was wonderful to meet you. I am thrilled to be in your blog. I thought I was the only one enjoying the looks of the unsuspecting "muggles" coming off the escalator. I am glad that you loved my socks and can hardly wait to see how yours come out. I'll not tell until you order. Take care.

So glad your luggage finally turned up! The one time mine went missing, it went to Chicago. I went to London. I will never forget that sinking feeling, standing at Heathrow waiting and waiting and hoping my friends hadn't given up waiting for me on the "outside" (this was back in the days before cell phones).

It's great you got to catch up with your almost-cousin. You look so happy together.

- Pam (and the Must Have Cardigan looks great on you!)

The Hilan did smell of baking cookies; I am pretty sure it was waffle cones baking at the Ben and Jerry's outside the theater. I thought you looked terrific despite your travel travails, much better than I've looked when an airline has lost my luggage. Atlanta is beautiful in the spring and I'm glad you had time to drive around with Kim to see it. Kim and her staff at Knitch really do throw a fabulous party (and run a fantastic yarn shop), and I hope you are enchanted enough to come back again.

You are so brave to even consider checking a bag~! I'm glad you and the bag ended up in one place, finally. And how wonderful to find Kimberly! The universe smiles sometimes.

I love seeing these pictures of your tour! It makes me feel like there are more knitters than just me in the world. I have no knitting friends, it's so sad.

But Steph - why no California dates? I would have gladly drove to San Fran - or further! - to see you, but sadly, you have no CA dates.

I love when life throws wonderful surprised at you in the form of old friends in unexpected places.
You absolutely amaze me, that you can keep your energy up for the duration of this tour.

Although I would love a signed book, you are not coming near Cleveland, so as soon as I knew the book was available I tracked it down at my local Borders and told them to put one aside for me when they finally got to the store. Picked it up on Sunday and just love it! Can't wait for the one you worked on at the cabin or the calendar it's rumored you were working on. Love reading your adventures!

Only one thing to say...NICE sweater!!!!!!!

Did you make that yourself?

(Just kidding, I know you did, and it looks fantastic on you.)

Thanks so much for coming to Annapolis and for the bonus tale of the Calgary Incident! I repeated the story this morning to husband and 8 y.o. A half hour later my husband came up and said the only thing funnier than the Calgary story itself was hearing the 8 y.o. retell it to the 5 y.o.
I also loved watching the non-knitters getting off the escalator and the one woman who sneaked over to have a listen, hiding behind the wall of DVDs. I couldn't figure out why she was hiding, though, really.
But the other wonderful bonus was meeting and chatting with all the other knitters in the chairs, in line, etc. They're just doing such beautiful, inspiring work - it was a real treat.
Thanks again!

I am happy to learn that the reason for all those baby photos is the reason I always look at babies--all those years helping mothers and babies (I used to do their website, even). It's nice to know we have more in common than an intense love of socks and fiber and crazy hair. Like everyone else, I am enjoying your travel tales, and thrilled the luggage came back to you.

What I find most amazing about you and Kimberley is that not only were you in the same city at the same time, but that she just *happened* to be at the same Borders where you were speaking. Not like she saw the poster in advance and came back for the event, but that she was just... there. I am always in awe of how small the world is sometimes.

And one thing about Maryland -- don't let those folks tell you that rock crab is better than dungeness. They're wrong, and we'll prove it to you when you get to Seattle! See you in two weeks!

I always love reading about your book tour travels - although the pace sounds so exhausting it almost tires me out just to read about it.
How amazing that a long lost friend just happened to be there at Borders that night!

You know, if you can manage to travel without your suitcase and everything, I really have no excuse to NOT show up in Philly, the day after my college graduation, which will take place about four hours from Philly.

Glad you were reunited with your underwear. No one should be forced to travel without underwear.

You look well recovered. Or maybe it's dazed. But if it's difficult for me to tell, you must be doing something right! ;)

And I still want you to come back to Petaluma.

Don't worry about feeling a little scruffy in your traveling clothes, because you're wearing an absolutely fabulous sweater! Trust me -- NO ONE who matters (ie - knitters) will notice anything else you're wearing.

I totally agree, come to Virginia, Charlottesville would be FANTASTIC, love your blog and I stay in trouble trying new things.

I want to know what that sock yarn is, can't wait.

Okay - order your yarn and then share the info with the rest of us. I REALLY want some of that primary yarn - I assume it was self-striping. Cool colors!

If you hadn't said that those were your travel clothes you wore in atlanta, I don't think anyone would have noticed. When you told us you lost your luggage, I thought "wow, she looks really good for a woman with no change of clothes or beauty products. maybe Kim took her shopping?"

And I think I speak for ALL of Atlanta that you can come down for a visit whenever you'd like - our winters are short and our springs are warm and...umm....full of pollen. Bring benedryl.

Hi, Tola! Hi, Mike! I hoped there would be pictures of y'all.

[Hi, Stephanie! When are you coming to Dallas? Or Fort Worth? I'm not fussy...]

Way cool! I love Baltimore, spent my honeymoon there at a baseball game, I love baseball almost as much as knittin!

I was there!!!

In the future when the airline loses your luggage if you call the 1-800 number to complain and maybe cry just a little bit when you're explaining your predicament to the customer service person, and how can you function if you don't know when you'll be reunited with your toothpaste and your clothes, you can get them to authorize a $50 reimbursement to cover "essential items" as long as you provide them with an itemized receipt.

At least American Airlines will do that, as I learned a week ago when my luggage was lost at the beginning of our vacation.

Stephanie....why don't you ALWAYS pack a change of underwear and a shirt in your carry on knitting bag?

Just a suggestion....

Oh, although I TOTALLY agree that those Atlanta babies were totally adorable....I'm wondering...have you find babies that _aren't_ cute? ;-)

And, yes, those babies should be allowed to be with mom, and nursing where ever they are!!

Glad to hear that your luggage caught up to you within a 24 hour period. Phew! I highly recommend packing a full change of clothing in your carry-on if at all possible. (But you're smart. I'm sure you figured that one out on your own. *smile*)

40 days until you hit Philadelphia! Hmmm... 40 days in Lent... does that mean you're the second coming? *awaits lightening strike*

;)

May your travels continue without serious incident!

How cool for you to meet your friend again - and love your sweater. Yes, saw it before but it looks great on you.

Fingers crossed that you and your luggage stay together.

South Texas, Please.

thanks as always for keeping us sad not-on-the-tour knitters updated so we can still feel part of the action. and thanks also for teaching me a new word, embiggen! *love* it!

Oh, WOW! How cool is THAT! And everything else, too, of course, but the serendipity of such an unexpected moment. I wish I could have seen her face when Kimberly saw that flier!

So cool to put the knitting needles in the babies hand. I hope to do that one day....

Stephanie-
Thanks for coming back to the area. It has been quite a treat hearing you speak twice in less than 12 months! My mom and I saw you at the Border's in Falls Church, VA last year. Last night I was in line in front of your childhood friend Kimberly. I hope she wasn't turned off by the knitters - since she did hear a snarky comment upstairs from a knitter about tickets and the line and getting there early. Anyway - hope she knows that is a rare occurance and 99.99% of us are nice people. Most of the time.

Hope you enjoyed Annapolis and your luggage got to your next city.

Laura

I made the ATL event (Though I forgot to include the memeory card in my camera - must have have a blonde moment - obviously NOT thinking with my roots. But I digress...) and you were a charming and funny as I imagined you - a true jewel. The Knitch team was fantastic, as usual, and I hope you can come back to ATL to spend more than 24 hours with us. It's a great city - lots of good sock photo ops. :) Love the book and good luck on the rest of the tour.

Now you've done it. Bobby will NEVER let Marianne forget this. Never, but never, give a man something to hold over his wife's head the rest of her life!

Just kidding, my husband tracked down the only fiber shop in the area and came back with a good selection of merino for our anniversary one year. It was just as cool as what Bobby did.

And WOW--the wall of yarnage in Knitch!! Let's see, Atlanta is an 8-hour drive from here...

What a great thing to be reunited with a friend! Your knitting gig is really working out.

Hope your luggage is able to keep up with you now. The Atlanta airport is notoriously bad. I regularly go through there at Christmas--even went to the Olympics. Waiting 1 1/2 hrs is not unusual (although I've always had my bag show up!)

I'm looking forward to seeing you in Seattle! Hope your luggage decides to make the trip too!

Did I miss the description of the yarn used for the traveling sock? It looks reddish/purplish and, although my former co-worker Logan told me to step away from the reddish/purple and try something new, I'd love to know what yarn you are using.

I'm so happy that you and your underpants were reunited. :O) I'm boggled to know that some of your beautiful sweaters were in the luggage. So glad they are safe! Specially that Must Have Cardi that I still am hoping to make. Someday. Soon, I hope. It beat me three times but I'm gaining strength through socks and will be suitable fortified to try again very shortly. :O) Safe travels, Stephanie. You make so many knitters happy.

I'm so bummed that I missed you! I had a work "emergency" (just who do they think they are anyway?) that prevented me from coming!
P.S. that view of the bay from the Baltimore Harbor is where I work (and read your blog) all day! I hope you enjoyed MARYLAND! :)

Thank you so much for coming to Annapolis, giving an excellent talk and staying so late to sign all our stuff. I think you made us all feel like you're a friend......not an easy task since I was #178 and you had to be exhausted! I really enjoyed the evening.....please visit again soon ( don't forget our terrific Sheep and Wool Festival too!)

It was wonderful seeing you! I had a bit of a rockstar-fangirl-squee thing happening and my mother kept telling me to calm down. But it was very exciting. I finished my socks as I sat listening to you talk, and then realized I had to rip out the toe again because I'd gotten so excited that I was one repeat short. Crap. But thank you for coming and seeing us!

I knew exactly where you were just by seeing the pictures! How cool!

I was sent to Baltimore for training a few years ago, and have loved it there ever since. I've been shopping in that Borders, and fell in love with Maryland crab cakes across the harbor from it.

now - if I can just get to Ann Arbor when you come to Michigan...

I've just got to say I've absolutely loved reading about your travels and seeing all the Knitters turning out for these events. They make me a little teary to be honest. I know, I'm shocked too. But there is just something about seeing all these Knitters get together that makes me just a little overwhelmed (in a good way, of course).

By the way, I got my copy of the book yesterday afternoon in the mail. It was fantastic! I read it cover to cover before bedtime :)

lovely lovely posting

I'm so envious! Makes me wish I could have gotten to the Toronto event. Alas :( Still, looks like you're having a great time. Love seeing all those socks. But what's this about reinforcing heels and toes? Something I've never heard about. I must find out more!

Wow!! and Yea!! Atlanta, Knitch was great and so were you . I am in the left hand picture of the crowd, blonde hair with my camera squarely in the middle of my face with a goofy grin under it.
And I got to meet Abby(of the giant Seuss sock) while she was kitchening her toe up for you at Belly's(sandwich place around the corner from knitch).
I wished her luck in getting here on the blog and she has achieved her goal. Yea Abby!!

Congrats on the underpants. Perhaps you should mail yourself some to each stop along the way ahead of time, just in case.....

I am a League Leader, too! How cool is that?!

I'm so glad to hear your reminder about babies being welcome at events. I think it is something that needs to be said (which is too bad, really). Thanks.

Oh how I miss Maryland!! It's so wonderful that you got to run into an old friend. :)

oOOPS above...it was Melissa of the giant Seussian sock. The cookie fumes got to me :)

I have been so sad all day (it started last night). I live in Baltimore and my brother-in-law (whose home I was at for dinner on Sunday) lives 10 minutes outside of Annapolis, so you know how close I was but on the wrong day. I had your visit in my planner and everything. Then my husband (with whom I work) scheduled a client meeting for 2pm yesterday. No problem I foolishly thought to myself, I'll leave when I need to and head down there on my own. Then the car that my son drives was stolen, so he needed to use mine in order to get to his classes and take an exam. So I thought, still foolishly, we'll be done with this appointment with plenty of time for me to still get there. Wrongo! The paperwork for the client got to be finished at about 7pm. Soooooo, here I sit, with no talk, no signed book, no much-anticipated chance to meet you and your sock in person....nothing! What a rotten stinking Monday yesterday turned out to be for me. Glad yours was so much better.

Ooooh! I know what the mystery sock yarn is! Knit my daughter a pair of Jaywalkers from it last year - those are a lovely sample of that particular colorway, too!

De-lurking to say, I live by the motto that airline baggage is either carry-on or lost. See www.onebag.com. If you absolutely must pack more than can fit in one carry-on bag, there are baggage shipping companies which will ship your bags for you, oftentimes from door to door so that you just have them pick it up from one hotel and it is waiting for you at your next hotel. Pricey, but it may be worth it to you.

I am glad that Maryland was good to you! I so wanted to be there... but I had to have an arthroscopic knee surgery, so am not allowed to drive:( I did not realize in enough time that the surgery and your visit coincided; so I was not able to arrange a ride. So I shall have to go buy the book now... I was gonna buy it at the talk!

Woohoo Maryland!!!
Also, your sweater works both in theory (artfully lit modeling session) and in practice (harsh artificial lights in a Borders Books) -- in my home state no less.
I hope you had a crab cake sandwich!

I tried to buy your new book this weekend (I'm in Regina, SK) but they didn't have it at Chapters, or any other store in the city :( Any idea when this will become available at all stores? I'm real excited to read it!

Thanks so much for coming to Atlanta. Your speech was great! I think you had to entire theatre laughing the whole time. All your talk about Canada truly makes me miss living there, even though I'm back atleast once per year.

You and the Must Have cardi are looking pretty good for travelling together all week! Keep the magic coming--you can see how many are touched by it. So glad to know the Calgary "cowgirl" story is getting around--my stomach ached from all the laughter after that one!

Cheers, Barbie O.

That story about Kimberly? About her just happening to be shopping in the store you were going to be speaking in that night? Kismet, obviously. How exciting!! (I mean, I'm sure all the other knitters were very exciting, too, but it still doesn't compare with finding a long-lost friend.)

Ack! Please buy some of that sock yarn fast so you can tell us what it is. I need some! (I don't hold it against you at all for keeping it secret, I would have done the same thing.)

Loved those babies. Hang in there. I love the crowd pictures and it helps me feel like I was there. Your cardi looks great!

I had no idea you where an LLL leader HOW COOL! I paid a lactation consultant to come to my house, she SUCKED. I called a local LLL and she SAVED ME. I still BF and i actually BF'd while you spoke lol!

It was lovely meeting you!

It was such a great night - I nearly wet my pants when you talked about the "Cow girl" underpants episode!

It was great seeing you again!
-jody

Those socks you love look awfully like Regia Nation Color and if they're not and you buy up the world's supply at least the rest of us can have the Regia Nation :)

You know, the Universe (or Yarniverse) has a way of connecting you with the people that you need to have in your life at just the right moment. Moreover, when you are feeling disconnected (as you must be after all this traveling) the Universe has a way of reconnecting you! I'm so happy you found your "cousin"! It makes the traveling a little more like "Home"!

I'm so sad that I didn't get to come to Atlanta (I was on call last weekend). Won't get to come to Nashville, either :-( Just have to keep it in perspective, I guess; if I don't work there's no money for yarn. I also missed shopping at Knitch. What a fabulous store!

Glad your luggage caught up with you quickly. My dad went to the Olympics in Athens with the International Softball Federation, and it was several days before his luggage got there.

Wishing you happy, safe travels!

Cincinnati would be so very happy to have you here. Please!! We're landlocked and we have to agressively pursue our fun. We NEED you!

1. That sweater looks just gorgeous on you, Ms. Harlot.
2. Embiggen. Yet another word coined by the Harlot, destined to make this year's top 10 new words list. Move over, "kinnear."
3. Clearly, Bobby is giving Joe a run for his money in the Best. Husband. Ever. department.
4. Any moms out there having trouble getting their 14-year-old daughters to take up knitting? Send them that shot of Chris. 'Nuff said.
5. Happy baby noises are the bomb!

Last night was a blast even for us crocheters! I am now doing something that I have not attempted in years,once I remembered how that is,I have cast on and will attempt a very small swatch to see if I still know how to knit! The ladies in Annapolis Knit and Crochet won't believe it,you are just so funny and inspiring I had to try again(crochet will always be my preferred method however). I am wearing the socks that I finished last night. I don't know if knitting with a sling will be as hard as crocheting with one but I will soon find out. :)

Hey Lynn! Yes, we were there, had a marvelous time. Didn't get back home until 1:30am, and we got to talk to a state trooper to boot. We were going 74 in a 65 at 11:51pm. As soon as he let us go, he drove on to a State Police station and (we assume) ended his shift. Just had to get *one more* I guess. If you look at the photo of us, you'll see the DD in the background. There's an event in Philly in a few weeks, but I was unsure if we would be able to attend, so that's why we went 2.5 hours to Annapolis. I just wish I could knit while Mike drives, though. He's such a European driver that for the first time in my life, I get carsick. I have better luck knitting at red lights while I'm driving!
PS Hi Tan!

Raley thanks you very much for the knitting needle! Now, as soon as she has voluntary muscle control, we'll work on actually making something.
Loved the talk and the sock. Thanks for coming to Annapolis, and we'll see you again when you come back this way!

Oops, I see that "embiggen" was actually coined by Lisa Simpson. Sorry, Lisa. I feel, er, ensmallened by my faux pas.

Momma always said put an extra pair of underwear in your purse when you get on the plane. Then if your luggage doesn't arrive at least you have clean undies. Shove another pair in your knitting bag, too. Can't be too prepared.

How exciting to meet up with your friend. Have you started her knitting lessons yet?

Steph, I am very happy you finally got your luggage. What wonderful serendipity that you and Kimberly got to see one another! I'm sure your mother is tres impressed (and flattered) that you listened to her.

So so sad that I didn't make it last night. Nothing less than a death in the family would have kept me away.

I can see my mom in the Atlanta picture! She really enjoyed it, even though she doesn't knit..And I thought you were awesome..I was too shy to tell you when I was getting my book signed that I have to attend a speech and write a paper about it for my speech class, and I'm writing about this event..and it will be all wonderfully nice things, because I can't think of anything bad to say about it. At all..

That's my niece Sydney, with her mommy PixiePurls! She has gotten me back into knitting. When I was seven, my Grandmother taught me how to make little carpets and accessories for my doll house people. She has since passed, but I still use her needles. Knitting keeps us close, and makes the pain of loosing her hurt less. PixiePurls helped me finish my first hand knit (ribbon melody cardigan) after 3 years. I joined a knitting group where I live. I have since made more sweaters, bootees, hats, and baby bell bottoms. I even attended Stitches West and have many knitting friends. She is sending me your book too! Knitting brings people together.

Thank you!
sarah from san francisco
(meeko on Ravelry)

Love the 'must have cardi'. I finally found the pattern book and have the back half done. Can't wait for my very own! I will miss you in Northampton this year. My work is often on Sundays. Wouldn't you know that the 27th of April would be one of them!!!

that IS the best for last! don't you just love it when things like that happen?! and those babies..... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. now that's my kind of road trip!

I'm so exhausted for you. And, hey, my daughter is going to the University of Maryland in September - I'll tell her you were there, she'll be all "squee!"

Thank you for using the word embiggen in your blog.Now if you start referring to using the internet as "the online" e.g. "Look at this cool sock yarn I bought it on the online."You will be the champion of my linguistic revolution. Also I am bringing you beer in St Paul.
Knit On!

Lucky babies that get to hold the needles. You put needles in my 2 month old baby's hands, and she has such love and respect for Mama's "arn". She is almost 2 now and loves to watch me knit. I attribute it to her holding needles at such a young age :)

How fun to see an old friend!!! That is just amazing!!! Glad that you got your clean undies and were able to stay sane!

Am I tearing up because I love that you connected with Kimberly or that you will be in St. Paul in not-so-many-hours and I just can't wait?

It was My Birthday last year on your visit. it is close to My Birthday this year. Very exciting!

You will not lose luggage to MN. But, if you need underwear, I'm your girl.

You were a LLL leader??!

Another reason to love you and your writing ... and another reason to agree that knitters are just plain tuned in to life.

"embiggen" is my new favorite word.

I SOOOOO ditto "Nancy in NC". I am still trying, however unsuccessfully, to work (it is, unfortunately tax season and I am a CPA), erstwhile you, amazing Harlot, are only 1 hour away in Charlotte. I am heartbroken, but I did call the store and request a signed book. I hope you and your panties continue to have safe and entertaining adventures - TOGETHER!!

Is anyone else worried that the word "underpants" and especially the phrase "reunited with your underpants" showing up in so many comments, especially given the blog name, might bring down some serious vice squad efforts?! ;-)

"(Click to embiggen these knitters.)"

You said embiggen. I love that non-word!!

p.s. I'm commenting before I'm done reading... so dibs on commenting again.

sigh. there's an 11yo in my house.

For some reason the idea of the bag chasing you across the state sounds like a premise for a very strange romantic comedy. Provided the bag was sentient and had feelings and looked like Tom Hanks did 15 years ago.

That said, I'm glad you two found each other again after all. It is a reunion challenged in its poignancy only by that of you and Kimberley, which I have to say is so groovy. Hopefully you two had a decent chat and are all caught up, and she is even as we speak angrily brandishing knitting needles at creepy folk on the bus. Or knitting with them. One of the two.

So if I use reinforcing thread, my socks might last 40 years? Good to know!

I second Carrie's & Vicki's posts - Come to Virginia! That's 3 votes - now you have to come!
The "must Have Cardi" is gorgeous.

Every time I read one of these I get jealous of all the knitters that get to meet you, then I rush over to check on updates to your tour schedule (as if you have the time to update it) to see if my begging has worked and you are coming to Phoenix.

My husband now thinks I'm crazy because I told him the next time we move, I want to go to Toronto so I can be closer to you. Like another poster mentioned earlier, you writing just makes me wanna be an IRL friend...what can I say, you are my hero.

Please oh please oh please come to Phoenix!! I've got that bottle of wine just waiting for you.

Hey Stephanie!

I'm so happy that your suitcase found you -- it must have been lost without you. Or maybe it did it on purpose? Anyway, you look fabulous as always!!

Wonderful you reunited with your friend. I'm so happy for you.

Thanx for being here -- so nice not to feel alone!

The gleefulness you generate on your book tours is infectious! So I figure you will probably never make it to OZ for a book tour (even though we could offer you a spectacular bit of summer in the midst of your northern winter blues - what a break that would be!), but in some ways it doesn't matter. Reading your posts on tour adventures, and reading other peoples' accounts in the comments and in their blogs, adds the kind of cheerfulness to my day that is a gift. Knit on, it's a great project you are on!

Wooot! My friend Karen saw you in Maryland and was over the top about it. Especially since she got to HOLD THE SOCK! I'm in awe. Watch out, when you come to Oregon, you'll be L&V Chummed. In a good way. I'm going to write on the Daily Chum about how my 3rd time attempting to see your talk will be the charm. Even if I have to wait in line forever to get my book signed :) No squirrels will be involved. I promise.

I just wanted to tell you THANK YOU for coming to Annapolis! I live an hour away and came to see and hear you. By the way you were hysterical! My favorite part of the night was seeing so many works-in-progress on the needles and the faces of people as they came up the escalator, "priceless" just as the commercial says. Thanks for visiting!!
My 2 friends and I were THRILLED!!

Sounds like 'travel' Murphy's on your trip. Trip advise, in the best of spirit, I roll up a clean t-shirt/shirt and a pair of underpants in the t-shirt/shirt and stash them in my over the shoulder case bag. Something about a clean T-shirt/shirt and underpants that makes me feel much better, while my bag is lord knows where. I try to put the lavender essential oil in a plastic bag on loss number two into a two-to-three week tour. I find it keeps me somewhat sane! Best of luck for the remainder of the trip.

Super fun, I hope you get a moment to catch your breath!!!

Thanks for coming to Annapolis!! And, yes, I loved watching the muggles (some of them were neighbors!) come up the escalator and wonder what the heck was going on! One muggle lady was perusing the books on the shelf behind where I was sitting, and after you spoke, asked me, "Can I ask you, who is this woman? She's hilarious!" We sent her downstairs to find your books and I think she was seriously going to buy one.

You rock, Stephanie! Thanks for giving me a laugh almost every day.

love reading about your travels, but i want to know when you are coming to tampa/st pete? its lovely in the winter!

All perfectly cromulent.

Hmmm.... Rhonda's sock yarn. Could that be Opal Feelings yarn?

You were a LLL leader also!?? I KNEW there was another reason I liked you! I really think your stories of your tour experiences are way more interesting than any travelogue I have read in a long time.
Mary E

Thanks so much for coming to Atlanta! That was great! And, I'm really glad to hear you got your luggage back with clean underpants and all. I hope the yarn bowl makes it back up your way without damage. You will have to let me know how it fared. Thanks again! Hubby and I had a great time!

Okay, so I was in the Atlanta airport at the same time as the YARN HARLOT and didn't even know it! Holy schnikees! The good news is it was a quick trip to Florida for business. The bad news? I did not have my socks-in-progress with me. Bummed and waiting for my Tsock Flock club delivery. Hoping to make it to Carmel, IN later this month!

How nice to see an old friend!! Can't wait til Webs. I'm bringing my baby with me. She's awfully cute.

Ah, dear weary Stephanie --

As a road warrior who has logged years with 150K in air miles (yes, it sucks), I have 2 small pieces of advice for you:

1) Carry-on.

2) FedEx.
Particularly with a trip this long and near-daily stops, consider shipping stuff ahead to the hotels (it also allows Step 1 to be easier). Build it into the budget. It's worth your sanity.

And hey, even when it all falls apart, who can blame you when you show up in your drop-dead-fabulous Must-Have cardigan?

Just a cyber ((hug)) going out to you.
All of us out here knitting solo, completely appreciate what you do to bind us all together.
Your efforts, your humor, your unflagging energy do not escape our notice.
May the travel gods be with you for baggage arriving first off the go-round, may the beer (and maybe a bourbon sour?) be plentiful, may the knitters be wild and crazy for your continued, well earned success... and may all of them be brave enough to sit and chat you with. You're marvelous.

Reliving happy memories of meeting you a year ago in Cleveland
but posting to say I am completely in love with baby Joe and his all-out GLEE.

See!!! This is what happens when you get SUCKED into nursing school!!! The Stephanie was Here, right here, seconds from my very own house and did I even KNOW about it. NO!!!! Oh someone just shoot me now!!! I cannot believe it. I can scream at my house and you can hear it at that Borders and I had no idea at all. Sigh! Well, I am glad that you enjoyed your trip here. And I do apologize I was not in the crowd, but exams, lab compentencies, and clinical rotation will take my attention away at times.

Sigh!
Ann in Maryland
(hanging her head in shame!)

Stephanie - Repeat after me - I will get a carry on suitcase with wheels.......I will get a carry on suitcase with wheels.......I will get a carry one suitcase with wheels..........You are famous enough now that you should be able to demand that Jayme the wonder publicist provide you with one pronto! ;-)

What a trooper you are!! You are spiraling around the US--not in a linear progression from east to west, or north to south! Brave woman. No wonder the luggage gets lost, the alarm clock is funky and the time zones get mixed up!! Wish I had a baby to bring when you are in Madison, but alas, mine are 31 and 16!!! And, they don't knit!

YAY ANNAPOLIS! Your talk was absolutely fantastic -- totally worth getting hopelessly lost trying to find. (The Severn River and I, who had never really met before, became very good friends that day.)

Next time you're in Atlanta! So close, yet so far! It's really a small world, no?

Thanks for coming to Annapolis! I loved your talk, I loved that you shared your Calgary story, painful though it was. I can relate to the repetitious knitting-as-way-to-avoid-trauma advice - my dentist makes me tap my teeth when I get novocaine for the same reason. And I like thinking that time spent knitting in theta is time spent training my brain. So, thank you for a wonderful evening!

I'm glad you liked the yarn. I was too shy to ask to take my picture with you, especially with it being so late, so how perfect - to my surprise I'm in the back of the picture of the princess Colleen - that's me on the left, in the brown sweater! Thanks.

Thank you for taking the time to post, despite alarm clock and luggage (near-) disasters...you are a trooper!

Looking forward to seeing you at WEBS again.

Say, how on earth do you keep track of all the knitters' names??

It was so cool to see you! It was great to be surrounded by other knitters... thanks for coming to Annapolis!

i don't know why, but the whole kimberly thing just brought tears to my eyes. i'm so glad that you reconnected. the universe is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

You wrote: "This, this is Bobby, who's wife is Marianne. He just happened to be in the area and saw I was coming and scored her a book. Dude stayed for the whole talk and stood in line and held the sock. That, my friends, is a man who loves his wife."

Don't discount the possibility that he may have actually enjoyed you and your event. You are witty and entertaining in a way that even non-knitters can recognize, should we care to look.

(I still think of myself as a non-knitter, even though I have taken two knitting lessons and am about 4 inches into my first project, which I have designed to teach me the skills I need to make my second project a pair of socks out the yarn I won from you quite some time ago now.)

Enjoy the rest of your tour; may your luggage never lag too far behind you.

PhilB

how wonderful!! I love stories of lost friends being found -- that's great! And a photo of Pixie and the itty-bit -- thank you! i was wondering what was keeping her from the podcasts .. now I know ;)
I have got to tell my daughter about Colleen ... my princess started knitting at 6 yr but hasn't been willing to tackle anything larger than a dishcloth. Maybe this will inspire her.
Oh and airline travel -- darling, that's why you should always keep one set on nicities in your carryon baggage, nothing bulky but something you wouldn't mind being seen in.

May I suggest that you go out and find the loudest most obnoxious print bag that you can find. I had one for years that had purple and green parrots on it and it commanded so much attention that it never, ever got lost.

Plus it was so much fun to carry around.

By the way, Boy had a very similar alarm clock experience the other day that involved him showing up way, way, way too early for the Yankee game.

Maybe you could arrange to get your Frequent Flier miles on where your LUGGAGE goes instead of where you go---I'm sure you'd get free flights a lot faster. :)

Princess Colleen and I loved your visit to Annapolis. Come back for MDSW. I love LLL now Colleen and I get to bond over fiber.Thanks again for a visit to our area.

I see I'm not the only one who's eyes welled up with the story of finding a very dear friend. For all the hassles you've had - and it's only just begun - this will be the memory that will bring one of those warm fuzzy smiles to your face.
Safe journey and what size undies would you like us all to bring to each of your speaking engagements????

Must....have...sock...yarn....

Seriously, those socks are delicious. you must promise to share when you do buy some so we can gobble up the rest.
Glad to hear of your reunion with your cousin. It's nice to be reminded that "it's a small world, afterall"

How cool to see your friend(cousin) like that. That is so cool.Just so you know I will so be pouting all day Thursday. You will only be fifteen minutes away on Thursday and I won't be able to be there.*sigh**pouting with arms cross-don't care if it seems two-ish*OK I'll be grown up, actually my daughter has a track meet. It will be fun I'll cheer for her and knit socks and be in St Paul in spirit. Still wish I could go though so does she.Safe travels.Please bring spring flowers for the others though its been a long winter here too.

Whoa! And Kimberly stood in line? Bless her polite heart! I think all of us would have agreed that she had a legitimate reason to pass to the front! What good karma that she happened to be in the right place at the right time!

You did snag a few muggles. Those of us at the very back were having fun - even during your "how do I explain what I write" thing - there were some very puzzled people wondering what the heck was going on. The head Borders guy finally went with "she's very funny writer. She's a comedian."

And I'm sorry I did not make sure someone organized it so that you at least saw more of Maryland than a view of the inner harbor on a grey day - for instance the inside of McGarvey's Pub. Or Chick and Ruth's. Or - even better - Bertha's Mussels in Baltimore.

Anyway, it was indeed very good meet you. My mohair cardigan enjoyed getting out and visiting with the other sweaters as well.

Travel safely! Try not to meet yourself coming or going!

Oh Harlot, we wish you to come to Dallas!!! Borders!!! Store 146! (I work there. And yes, I know its selfish, but can you blame me?)

Stephanie, you may never read this, but that baby you put your needle in her hand-you put it in her left hand, according to the myth, you just made her left handed.
We left hand folk, who actually knit left handed are filled with glee. :)

That baby Joe is the cutest little thing I've ever seen! What a smile! I'm amazed at your stamina Steph, you never disappoint and it's no wonder so many show up! I only wish I could've gone.....sob

I'm so glad you enjoyed being in Atlanta--except the bad luggage experience at Atl/Hartsfield. :( It broke my heart that I had to miss you. Oh, how I belly-ached to anyone who would listen.

Darned if that'll happen again! I will catch you next time.

Still, thanks for coming here!

Dear Harlot, I am very happy that you got to meet an old friend. It must have been wonderful! I am envious of all of the knitters who have already had the opportunity to snatch up your book. Today is my 21st birthday, and I have been celebrating, and thought to read your blog before I went to bed. It sounds like you're having great experiences (despite temporarily lost baggage) thus far on your tour, and I greatly look forward to seeing you in Portland on the 22nd! Keep on keepin' on!

The lure of Rhonda's socks is indeed hard to resist - I knitted my husband a pair in that yarn last year and they're wonderful. I won't say what it is to spoil the surprise but you can get it here: www.webofwool.co.uk!

Hee, glad you like happy baby noises, I'm bringing mine to your London do in September, he's only two weeks old as I write and on the whole he's very happy :o)

Looks like you're having a great tour. Apart from the bag thing, hopefully the British Airports Authority will have the disaster that is Heathrow Terminal 5 sorted out by the time you arrive here, I'd hate for your bag and any knitting it contains to be sent all over Europe before it got back to you!

All these travelling pictures keep reminding me of the wonderful tickets I have sitting in the drawer for when you eventually come to LONDON! I haven't told my sis-in-law (partner-in-crime, when it comes to all things knitted...) yet that I've bought tickets. I want it to be a surprise and she's not very internetty, so she won't know about the event until I tell her. :)

It's amazing how much you appreciate the little things like clean underwear, clean socks, a hairbrush and hair products, and a change of clothes when you don't have them because your luggage has been lost! I'm really glad that you got your luggage back and aren't sleeping face down on the floor anymore! Hurray for clean underwear! Thanks all the great baby shots and all your hard work! I have to admit though, I'm seriously jealous of your international tour of yarn shops! Man! I could get into serious trouble that way!!!!

I love your posts in general, but I had to make a comment today because all the Happy Baby pics lately have made me... well, happy. Those twins the other day and the ones in this post are better than chocolate. (and that's saying a lot!)

I have a ball of that stuff or something extremely similar, Regia somethingorother in 'Parrot' or 'Bright' or 'Myeyesmyeyesowow' so if anyone wants it...

I am so impressed by these young knitters! It must be fun, if tiring to go about and see all these folks.

Sorry about your troubles with luggage. I hope your tears have dried. :)

Yes Yes !! Come to Halifax !!!
(I'm in Moncton but will gladly, happily drive to Halifax !!!)

PLEASE come to the Philly area.....
I just adore reading your blog.....and I love the books!!!

I was one of the crazed knitters last night in Charlotte. Great fun was had by all!! I will admit that I felt a little bad since EVERYONE (practically) had gifts...I alas...had nothing. But I did buy three books so I'm hoping that buys me a little slack.
We drove down from Greensboro for the big event. I say we when it was my husband who too loves his wife since he sat in Borders all evening, and then drove home at midnight while I slept. Gotta love a good man!
Stephanie was great! It was fun meeting/seeing her in person!!
When is that next book coming out??? :)

Re: azaleas and wisteria. Atlanta probably had winter this year. It's just gone. In the south, spring actually starts in March. When we moved from Alabama all the way "north" to Virginia, it took a few years to get used to spring (flowers and budding trees) not starting until April here. Felt so late! I can't imagine it still being winter anywhere.

Annapolis looked like a blast. I am so sorry we missed you. A family emergency will kept us away from Annapolis and Charlotte. Hopefully, all will be well by the time you get to Philly (no, we are not stalking you).

I really need to know the name of the rainbow sock yarn. Really need to know. Really.
And I love the book tours. Dude, your next book could be stories from the road - meeting long lost cousins, losing luggage, hell there's a chapter just on underwear. Or maybe not...
But I really need the rainbow sock yarn. Really.

Call it the pregnant hormones, but when I got to the part about Kimberly I cried! How lovely and what a nice suprise.

I wish you would come to Florida. It's summer down here all the time. You would love it. We have a joke down here. You can always tell when the Canadian tourists are down here, they are the only ones swimming in November when the outside temp is 75 F and the water is in the 60's. The floridians are inside with the heat on and the Canadians are in the water and sunbathing.

I am so sorry I missed the fun in Annapolis...sometimes life sucks! But it has been fun reading your comments and those of the faithful preserved here for posterity. The pics are great....I know that escalater well...I am happy to rejport that I got by the store yesterday (Tuesday) and was able to get a signed copy of the book, and a copy of Knitting Rules as well...and considered them a birthday present as well...today is the 'big' day.....and I am working on at least 3 pair of socks right now...have finally managed to get rid of all my store bought socks...guess I will have to make converts of the family and friends....I am running out of drawer space.....hope the rest of the tour goes well, and that you return to the area again so that I can be there in person, not just in spirit.

So sorry I missed you in Annapolis (my baby, who is almost 6, had his first little league game that night). I do hope you'll come back again.

Through the blog and your books I feel like you have become a close dear friend. You've inspired me to keep on knitting even when I'm ready to rip my hair out along with all the rows I've had to frog yet again.

For those of us who were not privileged enough to hear you speak in Annapolis (or anywhere else) can you share some of the stories you share when you speak--like the Calgary incident and how the publisher reacted to your first book idea--with us in the blog. Thanks.

P.S. I just finished my first sock.

it's always fun (and instructive) to read your posts but I also got a lot of knitting done today while reading all the comments. I hope the fun everyone had makes up for the travel issues, which are NO fun -- just sucks the stamina out of me. I make mental lists to torture myself about things I hate about traveling, but decided one of the worst things is ... polyester (aka not fresh smelling) bedspreads.
But really, it was asked above: how do you remember people's names when you are taking their photos?

What a lovely picture of you and your friend. That is so awesome that you found each other again. What a cool post with all the people lucky to be where you are!

I totally love those Rainbow socks! My middle name is Rainbow and I made a pair too.
http://emilysaid.blogspot.com/2006/12/rainbow-brite.html

I have been catching up on your archives at my very boring temp job (you have a lot of archives, but I have A LOT of free time) and I enjoy them so much! You say it is wierd for you to blog about something that happened two days ago...it is a little wierd for me to finally be reading you in real time. Now I will have to go get your books to get my fix. Reading your blog made me want "knitting friends", so I showed up at a knitting group last week, introduced myself, and now we have plans to drive 2 hours to see you at WEBS in a few weeks! Also, I was thinking about the way you see random knitters in airports and other places, but are too shy to say something to them. I was on a train yesterday, and saw a girl knitting on a sock, and I was so excited that I just wanted to say something (but the fact that I was so excited made me think that if I did say something it would come out really manic and strange). I didn't have my knitting out because I was only going two stops, but I thought we should have a code word. One that you can say that means "hi, I see that you are knitting on something lovely, I am a knitter too and isn't it nice to find a kindred spirit out in the world? I just don't have my knitting out now since I am only going two stops.", but it doesn't make me worry that someone is going to think I am a freak for wanting to talk to a stranger on a train just because she has some wool in her hands. I know this is a long comment. I have been saving them up for a month.

You actually own tall shoes?????

How wonderful!!! Finding an old friend must have been AMAZING. (And I'll let the cat out of the bag...the rainbow yarn is Regia... I know because it is this brand of yarn and only this brand of yarn that my, uhm, cat loves to haul out of the uhm, bag!)

Yeah! I made the blog! Thanks for giving me and my giant sock our 15 minutes of fame. If anyone wants to see Stephanie with the sock (much funnier than my picture is) visit my blog (just click my name and it should take you there.)

A bit early, a little lost luggage, a lovely man (who does not knit) listens and waits patiently for a signed copy of your book and reconnection with a very old, very dear friend.

Just goes to show you that even though you've done book tours before.....each one has it's twists and turns. This tour is off to a bang up start!

Hey, you should try bringing 1 day's change of clothing and essential toiletries (deodorant, shampoo) with you on board every plane you go on. My husband does this when he travels in case the airlines lose his luggage. Then you'll always have fresh clothes no matter what they do with your luggage!

Rock on! Wish you were coming to Chicago!
Cathy

You got some great ink on the Knitch event. (Can you tell I used to be a PR wonk?) I'm sure your publicist sends you this stuff, but in case you missed it, check out the Atlanta Journal Constitution's article on your event.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/living/stories/2008/04/06/knit_0407.html

Cherry on top of the Atlanta Sundae!

Hope to see you in Portland in a coupla weeks. I'm supposed to teach Annie Modesitt's "Backyard Leaves" scarf at my knit shop that night, but so far nobody's signed up and the one person who tried to got talked out of it by me, who now has ulterior motives for that evening. :)

Go Harlot! You are almost half way to Salt Lake City! Tomorrow (the 10th) you will be over the halfway point! Hang in there! We love you and your crazy schedule! :)K

Only three days to Sock Camp!

Wow, that's my dream, right there - to be magically reunited with a childhood friend (in my case, Andrea). Kudos to you for keeping composed and not flipping out that the universe just tapped you on the shoulder and gave you a hug.

If you have time to read and you find yourself in a bookstore (!) get Barbara Kingsolver's book of essays where she talks about being on a book tour. It is so funny and I think you will appreciate her stories. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the book but actually, no matter what book of hers you pick up you will be delighted.

I would really like to knit a pair of rainbow socks for my daughter, who just broke her arm and can't knit herself right now. (I am hoping that last part persuades you to give up the name of the yarn.) If not, I can wait.

I really enjoy your blog and books. Thanks for so much interesting information about knitting.

I almost always travel with a pair of scrunched-up underwear in a small ziploc in an inner pocket of my purse, whenever I go on a flight, just in case. I figure I can survive without most other things, or use the little hotel-thingies... or beg, borrow, or buy... but that is just for my own sanity.

Great to see you again in Atlanta! I'm glad you finally got your bag, but you looked fine at the event. Hope you enjoyed the wine.

I love reading about your trips. Even if you were completely freaked out, you come across with such panache. I'm looking forward to WEBS (for more reasons than are probably allowed by law).

Oh, and I loved the thing about the tall shoes. I don't need tall shoes, but love ones with a extra bit of heal anyway.

Is it just me, or do knitters always have cute and happy babies? Must be the yarn influence, or something.

Let's see, you've hit -- what, five cities? And the suitcase has been lost twice. This is not good . . .

Being a knitter/author made you cool.
Finding you have been a doula made you cooler
And now that I know you have been an LLL Leader, You are the coolest!

Thank you so much for helping me cut my first steek last night! I don't think I've ever shaken so hard in my life! I really appreciate you cheering me on.

I made those rainbow socks too - I call them my Pippi Longstocking socks.

I'll bet reconnecting with Kimberly made up for much of the stress, waylaid underpants, and bad airport food. What a wonderful coincidence. Good things she's at least a reader.

Did she buy your book? If so, I'm sure she's halfway to the Land of Knitting by now and just needs to decide what route she's taking there.

I had a great time at the Hilan on Sunday. I am so glad to have finally heard you in person! During the knit-in, I was mesmerized by all of the hands knitting below me from my vantage point on the middle level of the theater. It was fascinating to watch 20 or 30 pairs of hands all knitting at once!

I have just written my cousin in Portland and DEMANDED that she come see you, as my proxy. I so wish I could be there in person. The book still has not arrived and my breath is bated!

Dear Shephanie!
(My new very best friend)... :)
I So enjoyed meeting/hearing you in Atlanta! Please make it a yearly visit. You're so warm, entertaining and we all love to laugh at ourselves.
P.S. No more trekking in the snow.

In re: happy baby babble -

My senior year of college 1992-1993 Gloria Steinem came to speak on campus. Since I went to Mount Holyoke and Smith is right over the hill from us, you can imagine the bedlam. Folks were lined up on the quad at 6am. It was like waiting for Stones tickets. The space had room for about 1300 people and easily three times that were hanging around out front, hoping to score. As students, we had priority so I was one of the lucky few.

So Gloria was on stage being inspiring and brilliant and amazing and there was a woman with a really verbal baby in the middle of the main floor, maybe 10 rows back from the stage. We were in the balcony so I had a perfect view of the whole thing. The baby wasn't crying or anything, just being very very chatty, and the mother was trying a bunch of different toys and snuggles to quiet him/her down, but the kid definitely had something to say and wanted to say it a lot.

After about 10 minutes of this, the mom stood up to take the baby out of the room. The minute she stood up, Gloria stopped mid-sentence and said "Please don't take that baby out. There are so many worse things we could hear than a baby laughing."

The whole room burst into applause, the mother and baby both stayed, and Gloria went back to her talk. That moment has always stayed with me.

(BTW - this is my first YH comment. I feel like I should mark a calendar or something.)

In PA we are still waiting for the wisteria.Sock makes me jealous.

How amazing and serendipitous that Kimberly was shopping at the Borders booksigning! So cool, I love hearing about stories like that.

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