You don’t want to be here

Posted on by

I am profoundly boring. I have just returned from the hospital (where the twins continue to thrive) and

Boringhatsocks2

I am knitting a plain hat, and plain socks.

(I can’t believe I took a picture of that. I am even boring myself.)

There are better blogs to visit today.

1. Go see Sam’s spinning. The woman is to the spinning wheel as Zenobia was to the rule of Egypt. There is no chance that she would take more than two years to spin corridale for her mate’s gansey even though she was being pestered by a wild Rams.

2. Ted is spindling and knitting for lace. (This is, you will realize when you get there, is the understatement of the century. If you doubt me, see this, and this or this. Now close your mouth before flies go in.)

3.Eunny. Enough said.

4. Pacalaga has a baby worth peeking at.

5. Freshisle Fibers has watermelon sock yarn to go with the hat.

6. Wannietta (The fastest knitter in North America) and the Toronto Spiders are participating in the Back to Back Wool Challenge at Riverdale Farm this weekend. Go look. It’s really cool.

For Canadians who are interested, I’ll be trying to to humiliate myself on CBC’s Fresh Air tomorrow morning at (and I can’t tell you how much this works against me) 7:30am. That’s startlingly early for my sort of person, and will probably result in a good chunk of incoherent babbling about knitting. Might be worth turning the radio on for if you’re up anyway.

I shall endeavor to be more entertaining on Monday. Maybe I’ll knit lace.

Update: Apparently (thanks for the tip Lauren) you don’t have to be in Canada to listen to the CBC. I haven’t tested it, but it looks like this page (I’m in Toronto) will let my 7:30am ritual humiliation be heard by a wider audience. Excellent.

102 thoughts on “You don’t want to be here”

  2. Hearing you on the radio would be worth getting up for — even at 7:30 on a Saturday! We’re heading for a month in Baddeck next week — I’ll say hi to Pat for you (and might buy half of her Fleece Artist yarn — have you tried the Goldilocks? soooooo soft!)

  4. The chance to hear your ‘there’s no way in hell I could have had enough coffee by this time in the morning’ self is definitely worth waking up for. I’m just not sure my ‘there’s no way in hell I could have had enough coffee by this time in the morning’ self will be coherent enough to remember to turn on the radio.

  5. Sorry, honey – this chick does not get up at 7:30 on a Saturday for anything! Well, almost anything – I do have a smallish child. But we make him stay in our bed until at least 8:30am. So far it’s working.
    I’ve been drooling over Eunny’s jacket (and shell, and shawl…) for a while. Lovely stuff.
    Go Toronto Spiders!

  7. Nothing wrong with ‘plain’! And, besides, after ‘fancy’ one needs ‘plain’ to put one back on keel!

  8. Wow, a mention on the Harlot’s blog! (My kid is cuter than I thought. hee hee) Now my blog will be outed!

  9. I am completely your sort of person. Anybody who knows me knows that if you want coherent, linear thought, don’t even think of trying before 10 a.m., and even then it’s iffy.
    You are a real trooper to be giving it a go that early. Sending good vibes your way for no babbling.

  11. I am amazed at the amount of knitting and blogging that you get done, and now with TWINS!!!
    KUDOS to YOU, Stephanie!!!
    I just started knitting about a year and a half ago, and am really impressed by the generosity of people in the community sharing patterns and encouragement. Also, I enjoy your blog.

  12. Darling, you couldn’t be boring if you sat without saying a word. So there. I find plain knitting soothing on occassion and you’re using spectacular colors.

  13. I have been in a severe knitting funk for over a week now, so I sympathize. You are way more productive than I am at the moment.

  15. “I’ll be trying to to humiliate myself . . .”
    Okay, there’s a comment in here somewhere about how I’m sure that no matter how hard you try “to to humiliate” yourself, you won’t succeed because you’re so eloquent, but I can’t make it take shape in my brain so I can put it down on (figurative) paper. So I guess I’ll just say “good luck,” and maybe suggest that you consider getting up early and having a cuppa (or two or three) — just pretend you’re on the east coast and dealing with a time change.

  17. Since I have somewhere to be and will be in a nice quiet car (worth getting up early for) I will tune in fer shure!!
    Thanks for mention – can’t have too much positive energy!

  18. Good grief! You could never be boring. Besides, you’ve got that “wonder what color’s coming next” thing going on with the socks. That’s always addictive. And the hat? Meditative!
    Once again, wishing I were Canadian. Would love to hear you on the radio. (Could you guys just annex Washington state, please?) Have you thought about napping this afternoon and getting up around midnight to ensure you have time for optimal caffeine intake? Or, is anyone you know having a party that you could just stay up all night at?

  19. I’m never up that early, but for you, dear Harlot, I will set the alarm! I heard the “teaser” about your appearance tomorrow on my drive home today. 🙂

  21. Your probably going to be the most interesting thing on CBC tomorrow! Not that I live in Canada, but we go up there to see the in-laws a couple of times a year, and there is like 2 hours where that’s all we can listen too! good thing I always have my knitting! I like the sock and the hat! And I think that choosing something that isn’t something you always choose makes you more interesting, not boring!

  22. Ummm…that sock doesn’t look boring to me. The yarn is fascinating and would keep me amused even though I was slogging through stockinette stitch. But then, I’m easily amused. Have a wonderful weekend and good luck with the interview!

  23. I think the sock yarn is gorgeous… but then I think I’m a bit boring myself. What is that lovely yarn anyway? 🙂 Patti

  24. Poor Freshisle Fibers! I loved the watermelon sock yarn and contacted them about it. They were already overwhelmed because they had sold out and were expecting new yarn that they could dye for the yarn. Then lots of your readers have contacted them (just like me!). But the yarn is so lovely that I had to put my name in the queue for when more is ready.

  25. Thanks for the heads-up for the CBC tomorrow. I’ll be listening.
    Lace? Sounds like a good plan. And the socks and hat are sweet.

  26. You know the definition of ‘adventure,’ don’t you? ‘Adventure’ is someone far, far away having terrible troubles.
    Our family motto: “Boring Is Good.”

  27. Stephanie, my body generally refuses to acknowledge the existence of 7:30 a.m. (the spirit is willing, but the flesh likes sleep), but I will be up tomorrow in bleary eyed solidarity. I did a quick check and am thrilled to realize that my computer does indeed enable me to listen to Canadian radio. I’ll drink an extra cup of coffee on your behalf.

  28. I like the sock yarn too…and could that be a melon hat for Parker? As for boring, you never have been and never could be. Genetically impossible. Calm yourself and drink some coffee.

  29. This might look like a blog written without a topic but you show your generosity to other knitters by pointing us in the direction of such skilled and talented people. We know exactly why you crave knitting in the round – cheering on the twins’ mother is exhausting! Thank you for the blog.

  30. Wait. No. I can’t listen to you tomorrow morning. If it doesn’t work for your schedule, IT REALLY DOESN’T work for mine. I live out on the west coast. That means I’d have to be awake at 4:30 A-FREAKIN’-M?!?!? No. Sorry. I do love radio and I do love knitting, but I can’t wake up that early to turn on my computer and catch you on the air. That is one request this knitter can’t do. Darn it!
    But I finally got a copy of “Secret Life of a Knitter” from my library. It was on hold for months… You’re too popular… 🙂

  34. oooh I have to get up early tommorrow and write up a pattern or two and get some stuff done! I’m in!Hmm though I am afraid to bring my coffee near the computer.. hmmm

  35. The watermelon stripe yarn is yummy! You may have started something that Freshie Fibers may regret (but only for a little while).

  36. At least I know now what I will be doing at…let’s see….6:30 or is it 5:30 in the morning tomorrow? See you there!

  37. Love the sock yarn, are you going to let us know what it is? I would love to be able to get up and listen to you on the radio, but living here in Oklahoma…….enjoyed all the sites, yowza, that lace! Amazing, stunning, incredible. Had to mop up the drool on my desk, couldn’t get my mouth to shut in time. No dear, you are not boring.

  38. I am in awe of Ted’s spinning and knitting. In a state of shocked awe. It’s not humanly possible, is it? And, forgive me, guys aren’t supposed to have such great small-motor skills. GADS. I am humbled. Is that *really* a penny?
    PS, flies are very nasty.

  39. Ok. Now you’ve done it. Are you happy? You have just caused a fairly novice knitter to *gasp* begin a stash. Yes, it’s true. I simply must have that watermelon self-striping yarn, for that day in the future when I very well may attempt to knit socks. Well, maybe not on my first attempt. That yarn is too cool for that. My first pair of socks will be some boring color. I guess before attempting socks, I must first attempt the purl stitch. Can’t be getting ahead of myself. 🙂 Any words of advice for beginning a stash?

  40. At least tell me that you’re an hour behind Boston. You are, right? I can do 8:30, maybe. For you. *sigh* Geez, Steph. Get you publicist in here!

  41. For goodness sake, can’t they TAPE your talk on the CBC or have they learned how to do that yet. Don’t get me wrong I listen to CBC and enjoy most of their programmes . BUT for the QUEEN of knitting I’d think they could accomodate you and their listeners and tape the interview . Most kittiers I know will NOT be up and alert enough to enjoy it at that ungodly hour. MOST knitters sit quietly at night after everyone else has gone to slumber land and enjoy the peace and quiet of knitting until the wee snall hours. Don’t these muggles know anything ? Try and educate them Stephanie IF you can. GOOD LUCK and I’m gald I’m not in your shoes –I’d never do it .

  42. …I have to be up that early tomorrow morning anyway…I could knit on MY boring socks (first pair – think good thoughts) and hear the Harlot speak at the same time!
    Yep, I’m a dork. The thought of catching your radio bit is almost enough to convince me to climb out of bed without being threatened with pain and torture.

  43. I’ll be up before 7:30 tomorrow morning. I have to drive my youngest daughter to work then I’ll be back home to try to listen to the show online down here in Massachusetts.
    I’ll have the coffee made and the computer all fired up and ready to go. I’m heading out for the evening now to go see my son-in-law’s band compete in a Battle of the Bands. I’m in for a late night and an early morning but it’s all worth it!
    What a great way to start a Saturday morning!

  44. P.S. you certaiy chose the right things to knit at this time . You’ve been on HIGH gear since before the twins were born and apparently needed a relaxing bit of knitting to do . GOOD for you , no need to overtax yourself with complicated patterns when you are enjoying the twins. Have a good weekend

  46. thanks for all the stuff to look at; it will make an interesting weekend. you NEVER bore us.

  48. Never! You rock!
    I know you get this all the time, so I feel silly saying the thing you know, but you are the best!

  49. Geez, imagine that. CBC has finally figured out who you are. I’ll be up and listening, cheering you on.
    I know lots of guys with great small-motor skills.
    Hope you come back to Owen Sound sometime.

  50. Oh, Stephanie, we Yanks see all kinds of stuff and hear it too from you Canadians. I even saw you on More to Life and you were adorable, as usual. This is on antenna only in Michigan. Most of us idiots here don’t know tvo exists. They are IV’d up to their cable.

  51. My computer is all set up and ready to listen. Now I just have to wrest my carcass out of bed to get a cup of coffee and listen up!
    For the commenters who aren’t sure if it will work…I live in western New York state; I have a Mac and was able to download the appropriate software from a link on CBC and it works.

  52. Not boring at all; I think I have that sock yarn (Trekking XXL color 90?) & it’s nice to see it doing something besides sitting in my basket looking pretty.

  53. Stephanie, plain is beautiful if the colors are beautiful. Your colors are lovely, especially the much admired sock yarn. It’s so pretty.

  54. Does this mean that I would have to be awake at 4.30am to listen to you if I’m in BC? Yikes. Do they have a recording of it on their website for later listening??? Still amazed by your productivity – wish I could have a deluge of cash and go out and start up a decent stash so there’s no need to break the knitting flow!

  55. I *am* a morning person, but 4:30 a.m. on a weekend is too much. Perhaps there will be an archive? Or you’ll be so fabulously popular that they’ll repeat it later in the day??? Please, pretty please?

  56. There is that yummy Trekking sock yarn again, but still no clue about what number the yarn is. *sigh* Help a girl out – I googled for hours last time searching for it, and I just don’t have it in me tonight. 🙂

  57. Your socks and hat are a little on the basic side, but basic is good. As for entertaining, that green sweater was very entertaining, but how much have you worn it recently??

  58. Hey look! You’ll be on in an hour. Except oh, that is 4:30 AM here in California. Oh dear.
    Will anyone record it and share it with the rest of us? Archive? Por Favor?

  59. She’s on! It’s funny! It’s witty and not incoherent at all! Yay Stephanie.

  60. Listening – right now. No arses yet. Goin’ good. You sound really awake. How much coffee did you have? Ewwwww, she had to put knitting and scrapbooking in the same sentence though. See? Nothin’ to worry about – you rocked.

  62. Wow – your voice was much huskier than I thought you would sound… or was that just the morning voice?

  63. I just heard Stephanie speak for the first time! A new Epiphany (second only to rediscovering knitting again for the first time in 15 years)! Funny, you sounded pretty coherent to me for this hour of the morning. Had you been injesting coffee for hours to prepare?

  64. I jumped out of bed this morning to listen to you. Hurray for the internet. It was 8:30am my time:) This was the first time that I have heard your voice. I’m sure lots of other people will tell you too but it wasn’t Lucy that knit the boat. It was Debbie New.
    I was knitting while listening to you.

  65. Knitting herpes? Of course in Australia right now I am sitting in a chair by the fire knitting, but that’s just because it’s cold and not because I’m old school.
    Great interview. 🙂

  66. Good job on not saying “arse”! Very entertaining (and also coherent!), especially for such a startlingly early hour in the morning!

  67. You sounded great! I was just lucky that I checked your blog this morning 10 minutes before you came on!! Thanks

  68. Thanks for the CBC link, Stephanie. You came through loud and clear down here near Atlanta. You (and the sock) did just fine.

  70. You were wonderful — and remarkably patient and good humoured with Karen Horseman, who was a bit of an arse (I thought).

  71. Yes, I too, flew out of bed (at 6:45 when a kid woke me up – I misread the clock) and logged on to hear The Harlot for the first time. I had the same reaction as Jo – in my mind’s ear you are a soprano. I have no idea why, but that’s what I imagined.
    You sounded coherent and better yet, patient, with her “standard” interview questions. They must drive you batty with some of those, again, and again.
    I found what you said about knitting skipping a generation interesting. That seems common in breastfeeding as well. I was lucky that my family skipped neither. My fabulous mother never blinked an eye at a nursinng toddler and now that the “babies” are older and I have more time for knitting again, she shares her stash. Lucky me!
    Keep on enlightening the world in all that you do.

  72. Thank you for the I-can’t-get-up-until-I-hear-the-Harlot-on-the-radio excuse for staying in bed an extra half-hour. You were very eloquent for so early in the morning. Thank you for getting up so early for us to listen to you. Now go have lots of coffee.
    Jen

  75. Don’t any of you have clock radios? I just lay in bed and listened to Stephanie. Bliss! But I don’t know which sock it was …
    And I’m sure it was Debbie New in K-W who knit that coracle. It’s in Meg Swanson’s lace book, right at the end. That is so deeply buried in my stash, I can’t think about trying to find it.

  76. OH OH OH the BIRDS wakened me in time to hear you on the radio. YOU sure didn’t sound half asleep or without coffee YOU did well for that ungodly hour. Kuddos to you Stephanie. I find it strange tho that they can’t seem to find an interviwer that knows SOMETHING about this craft to ask you questions. I just surfed around on here and came upon a note for knitters “”someplace on here —I’ll never find it again ) but they said that JUNE 10th is WORLD wide knit in public day. —is this true?

  77. Never posted to you before-but love your books & I did hear you on the radio.It was good-very good & perhaps you even managed to inspire a non-knitter like that guesthost to become one of us! Thanks Stephanie-keep up the good work!
    Nora

  78. I usually do get up that early, and actually remembered to log on and listen. Had a little trouble with my pop-up stopper, but got things working just in time to listen. It was great ! Yes, your voice wasn’t what I expected. I wonder why ? I am on a sock kick, and find that relaxing, rather than trying new things right now.

  79. Just to liven things up a bit, here’s a must-read article entitled “Women Accused of Stealing Yarn”: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/9268970/detail.html.
    All those people who say knitting is boring? Just show this to them and point out how easily it can lead to a life of crime, a life of constant danger! That’ll give them something to think about…

  80. How dare the interviewer compare knitters to scrapbook fanatics! Everyone knows scrapbookers are certifiable! 🙂
    Nice interview — made being up early on a Saturday morning worthwhile.
    -Liz, Newton, MA USA

  81. Aww… I checked the blog too early yesterday and therefore missed your broadcast today. But just so’s you know, I look forward to your posts (even the “boring” ones, whatever!) always.

  82. Anybody who likes to knit and dance as much as you, could never be boring.
    I did enjoy taking a look at the other blogs though and have added a couple to the regular viewing list.

  83. Sorry Stephanie but no way can you be called even remotely boring!! I read your blog every day and always get a laugh.
    One thing tho, I have done a little “blog surfing” and I have yet to find a boring blog! [ OK all comers do feel free to prove me wrong… point some out I am sure there are some I have missed]
    Some I admit are not quite to my taste/interest but I find it fasinating to read and share in others lives. When you throw in knitting as a common interest well…..!!!!
    Perhaps we can all “knit the world together” we seem to all have so much in common. [Including cats] To have a bad day , make a big mess of your knitting and to blog and read of others mistakes and to get encouragement and help from around the bloggy world is so mind blowing at times.
    So sorry you can’t get away with boring, not yet anyway you have to try a little harder…
    Knit on >^..^<

  84. You did wonderful yesterday on the show. I’m in Halifax and listened to most of the show while cleaning the kitchen and making breakfast. You’ve really got those radio interviews down pat!

  85. dropping in again to tell you i went to look at Wannietta and discovered that i’ve made her Knotted Openwork Scarf multiple times. thanks for showing us that

  86. Here in Ottawa, the early morning show on Saturdays is “In Town and Out”. I woke up early on Saturday – nothing. Then I thought it was this morning because I know for sure it’s on Sunday morning. Nope. Very disappointing, but I was able to knit while waiting, and then sleep again once 8 o’clock came around. I should have logged on the CBC website, and clicked on the Toronto link. AAACHHH.

  88. I’ve only recently been excepted to the blogging ring and am starting to make connections, however it was in March when I read an article about your blog in our local newspaper that I discovered what blogging is all about. You are certainly anything BUT boring!!! I do hope that the twins continue to thrive and that hearing from people around the globe will help to cheer you. Keep knitting, it’s great therapy!

  89. I’ve only recently been accepted to the blogging ring and am starting to make connections, however it was in March when I read an article about your blog in our local newspaper that I discovered what blogging is all about. You are certainly anything BUT boring!!! I do hope that the twins continue to thrive and that hearing from people around the globe will help to cheer you. Keep knitting, it’s great therapy!

  90. As nice as Ted’s spinning and knitting are I don’t
    think any of it is as beautiful as the Snowflake shawl you made last November. I still go back from time to time to look at it. Thanks for the links.
    I liked the watermelon sock yarn. Thanks for your nice blog and for you being you!

  91. Hey now, plain hats and socks (and other items) need to be knit too. Don’t think of them as boring…they are simply “taking a break from more difficult items” knitting.

  92. I’m glad to hear the twins are thriving. That’s awesome! 🙂 I just finished knitting your Daisy (from Knitty) pattern and let me tell you something you already know … that is a GREAT pattern. I didn’t do daisies or snakes … I did Star Trek. *lol* Happy knitting!
    PS. There’s nothing wrong with posting plain socks and hats … knitting is knitting and it all rocks. 🙂

  93. Your title “you don’t want to be here” got me. It’s 96 (F) degrees in the shade here, so I beg to differ. Plus I just got back from a weekend in Houston, where it’s slightly cooler but oh-so-much-more humid, that I don’t want to be there either.
    BTW the “F” is meant as Fahrenheit, but other adjectives come to mind. Your sock is lovely. And that yarn would be . . . ? (Not that we’ll be wearing wool socks around here anytime soon.)

  94. Plain socks, plain hats, need no apology. Plain is the whole-wheat bread of knitting. Multi-color yarn or a wild pattern can cover a mistaken stitch that would show in plain knitting. Plain knitting has to be done better to look as good – there’s no hiding a gauge error with extra cables, no disguising a misjudged neck opening with another ring of yet another color. Simplicity takes talent and skill.

  95. This is going to sound self serving, but it’s not, honest. I just wanted to mention that there are instructions for dyeing the self-striping watermelon yarn in YARNS TO DYE FOR. Okay, so I wrote the book, but I’m not suggesting that anyone buy it- check it out from the library. The process is a bit time consuming, but not difficult, and it is such fun to your own dye self-striping yarns.
    I lurk here as a rule, but this is just my 2nd post. I love everything about this blog.

  96. I have no idea why, but things from your blog have decided to slip into my subconscious. Last night I dreamed I was looking through a paper, and stumbled across a vacation photo with Rams in it. She was on some sort of floatie with a friend. And in the paper she was either in Colorado (although I don’t know if it would be warm enough to be wearing a bathing suit and on water in Colorado) or she was from Colorado.
    Rams if you are listening, does any of this sound familiar? If not just disregard.
    Cause I am sure it’s just too much time her on Stephanie’s site.
    But then there isn’t any such thing as spending too much time here.
    Ok, carry on.
    🙂

  97. You are not profoundly boring, in the least. Get over it . . . sometimes the soul requires stockinette . . .
    🙂

  98. Stephanie, you are NOT boring. And for anyone who’s in the knitting funk that seems to be enveloping some of us, check out Kaffe Fasset’s book, Pattern Library. You will be inspired!

  99. No no no… you’ve been helping with babies all week–you’re confusing BORING with SOOTHING… and SOOTHING is a greatly appreciated necessary trait. Besides–(and I only wish I could have heard it) I’m sure listening to you talk before your coffee would have been anything but boring… (As my 1st period students have frequently assured me, I am much more fun when I am punchy from sleep deprivation…it’s good that they say that, because I wouldn’t remember…)

Comments are closed.