Out the other side.

Done, home and I couldn’t be happier. Holy crap.

The people running Knitty Gritty couldn’t be nicer (All of them. Even the director refrained from sudden moves and loud noises that could spook the queasy knitter.) and all of the other knitters were fabulous. (Huge thanks to Wendy, who went way, way above and beyond the call of duty) but the whole thing is pretty high pressure. They need you to be the networks version of yourself and for me, my version of myself is pretty hard to let go of. It’s a funny shift, and one that freaks me out. I’ve spent all of these years working hard at being exactly who I am – and then suddenly there are a team of 20 people making a TV show who all want editing rights on your looks, your skills and your personality. This led to a couple of retakes because I said “Crap” (though it would appear that they let “arse” slide. We shall see. I bet the next phalanx of editors get it )- and also led to me wanting to spend the whole day yelling “You’re not the boss of me…” which, of course – in this context….they are.

Day one was for rehearsal. I packed up my baggies of socks and half knit socks and walked to the studio (shocked gasps all around) found my producer Sonya

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and we rehearsed. It hadn’t occurred to me before I rehearsed knitting…but since you knit on all the step outs to practice what you are doing, then when the rehearsal is over, you need to unknit everything you did and reset them to be ready to go again. If you’re going to show how to pick up stitches, then you pick them up, then tink them back. Knit — tink back. Knit–tink back.

I met Annie and Drew

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Authors of Men who Knit and the dogs who love them.

Saw Michael

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Author of Knitting with balls (I love this book. I’ll show you sometime. It does much to address the lack of masculine how-to-knit books, it’s not like most guys who were interested would pick up Stitch n’ bitch.)

Amy O’neill Houck

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Saw Trisha Malcolm From Interweave, she was there talking about Lace Style (I need to see this book.) I saw Cookie A.

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Yes. That Cookie.

I met Lisa Shobhana Mason.

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Author of Yarnplay. (I haven’t read this yet. It looks beautiful.) It was like a parade of talented knitting people going by.

There’s a table called “Craft services” (I don’t know why they call it that. No one could tell me.) where you get all the free coffee and cookies and stuff that you could ever want. (Unlimited coffee. Nervous knitters. You do the math.) and you sit around, getting more nervous until the day is over. Then I went back to the hotel room and paced around it practicing what to say and the way you have to hold your knitting over this “target square” for the camera.

The next morning was filming day. I was going to do it without makeup, because I don’t wear makeup…but Wendy (she knits, blogs and does hair and makeup in LA) sent me such a desperate and eloquent note telling me that this was a mistake of such a serious nature that I gratefully accepted her offer of a bit of a do over the day of. Here’s Wendy.

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She comes with a big case of makeup that she puts on all parts of your face. When she was done with me I went “On Set” (See that? I learned some of the lingo.)

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I stood at the table. I sweated. I felt nauseous. They clipped a big box for the microphone to the back of my pants. (This made me very worried that on top of the whole thing my pants would fall down.) and taped the microphone to the inside of my shirt on the front. They put a big camera right over my head to film my hands.

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It looked like this to me.

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(I am convinced that they can see down your top. They say no…but really. Look where it is.)

I got Knitsters!

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I met Vicki Howell

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and I got through somehow. I’d say “it’s not that bad” or “it turns out it’s easy” but it’s not. It’s really hard to remember to say everything about socks that you meant to, it’s hard to face the right way all the time and not have a spontaneous moment. It’s hard to knit v e r y s l o w l y so they can film it. It’s hard to remember that not everybody knows what an ssk is, and that you have to be specific. When you are not specific, you have to not use unladylike language or they will make you do it over. (Ask me how I know.) You have to not lean over your knitting as you hold it over the “target” or you block that camera that’s looking down your top and the whole time it’s really important that you don’t wast time, because time is money.

I will say that other than the first 2 minutes of the thing, in which I was stunned to discover that I had forgotten anything I had ever known about socks, I think it went well. Vicki whispers helpful stuff if you forget what you’re doing and she really puts you at ease…and it totally feels like everyone wants you to do well. It’s intense and wild for two hours…then…. Your stuff goes back into a ziplock….and that’s it. That’s the whole thing. All the anxiety, all the knitting, all the carrying on and flying and the hotel room and the hair and makeup and all of it comes down to two hours of an out of body experience and then you leave.

If you’re lucky, then you leave with Cookie and Wonder-Wendy and go into LA from Burbank and go to a really cool restaurant and have hempseed crusted tofu and then drive back through these twisty crazy hills past Bob Barkers house….

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and you help Cookie wind yarn in Wendy’s car.

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Doesn’t it look like Wendy’s driving with her eyes closed?

The knitting? The real knitting was all on planes and in airports.

Leaving Toronto –

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Arriving in Denver-

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Waiting in Denver-

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Flying to Burbank-

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Leaving Burbank-

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Waiting in San Francisco (I did a little shopping.) –

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Flying home, knitting and watching “Firefly” –

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Home. Two pairs of socks.

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Let’s not talk about the green ones until later.

178 thoughts on “Out the other side.

  1. first?
    Congratulations! I wish we had DIY here! I dunno, looks like they might JUST be able to see down the shirt.
    Glad you survived!!

  2. Congrats! And I’m sure you did fine. (Isn’t there that whole “the weak ones get left to fend for themselves” philosophy? Being specific is overrated.)

  3. What about the important info – When will the show air?!? Surely they shared that little detail with you.
    (I suppose it’s not so surprising if you’ve forgotten that little detail…)

  4. So glad you’re back – safe, sound and having had some fun to make up for all the hard work you put in on all those socks/parts! Time to enjoy being home for a bit and then . . . dare we say it – Christmas knitting??? Chris

  5. So where’s the pic of TVYou?? My friend Jess (of Jessicurl.com) did a piece for the Rachel Ray show last month, and she described it as an out-of-body experience- sounds like you had the same kind of fun! Next step, you can’t believe how cool and lovely you look on TV after all that!

  6. Just an fyi to people who don’t get the DIY channel: They have recently started showing KNitty Gritty on the HGTV channel. Now I am happy, finally.
    Also, Congratulations Stephanie! I can’t wait to see your episode!

  7. Hoorah, she’s home. Let the holiday knitting commence… sans socks, which I guess ‘ya got covered!
    PS Knitty Gritty is not on iTunes… I’m going to have to break into someone’s house and watch you, just lemme know the date.

  8. I wonder if they stitch together all the down-your-shirt boob shots they edit out of the show and sell the video illicitly on the internet at knittygrittytitty.com or something…
    Welcome home!

  9. I’m so glad the in-laws got sattelite tv, I can set it to record Knitty Gritty!
    Also, good choice grabbing some Peet’s in SF. It always helps. I live off Peet’s.
    I’m sure you were just great and I can’t wait to watch it!

  10. Oooh, that looks like it was fun! (Nerve-wracking, but fun.) I think the camera above you was really a Skinemax camera instead of an HGTV camera. Convinced of it, in fact.

  11. I never thought that my previous life as a film Production Manager would come in handy.
    It’s called “craft services” because it is there to provide the other crafts (camera, lights, make-up, wardrobe, set, etc., etc.) with food and drinks. They are sometimes also asked to help out where needed.
    Looking forward to seeing your episode … you will let us know when it airs, won’t you?

  12. Stephanie,
    Congrats and Kudos! You survived with sense of humor intact. No one could ask for more.
    Can’t wait to see the finished project!

  13. Wow — I hope I manage to get a chance to see this one on the air!
    And you really like FireFly, don’t you?

  14. Glad you survived and came back and can tell us about it all. Sounds stressful, and wonderful too. Some beautiful socks! About that Peet’s coffee… I just tried some, it showed up in our Augusta ME grocery, and I’d seen it gabbed about on some of the blogs (and I was out of my favorite). AND I GOTTA SAY… It’s good, but I like our local roaster WAY better. Check them out, http://www.carrabessettcoffee.com, from Kingfield ME.

  15. It’s DONE!!! HORRAY!!!
    That’s Great! and two extra pairs of socks to show for it!
    Still waiting for the pattern on the pink one, and on the air date!!

  16. congradulations I am sure you are glad to be home and have it over with. Sounds like it was a great trip. Sorry that I can’t get Knitty Gritty here in Ontario. Love the fusha socks are they the feather and fan ones for Socks, Socks, Socks,? Do you have any idea how many yards of yarn they take to knit. I have some hand spun yarn and would like to make them but not sure if I have enough. Love the other pair you made also.
    thanks Lynn

  17. Just checked the HGTV program guide — KNITTY GRITTY is on Monday – Friday at 11:00 am Eastern time.
    (1st time poster, long-time lurker, abject fan of
    the Yarn Harlot.)
    XO
    Fiddlestix

  18. Congrats!
    I’m very happy you were on that show…I love it. My DVR (or Tivo as most people have) records it for me every time it’s on so I will be sure to see it 🙂
    “Craft Services” is actually “Kraft Services”. I think the reason it’s called that is because the company Kraft (makers of cheese and lots of other stuff) are the ones who provide the food, coffee and whatever. At least that’s where the name came from when referring to that sort of setup. I’m a Hollywood, tv, talk show buff and often celebrities refer to the Kraft Services table as the greatest thing when they are on movie sets and studios and such.
    Anyway, you’ve done it and now it’s over! Yay! Back to knitting and writing wonderful books 🙂

  19. oh oh oh What a wonderful T.V. education you got eh? Just reading about it made my head spin . It must thrill you to no end to be back in your own body and home again. We are thrilled to have you back .I’m another one that won’t get to see the show but I’m sure you were FABULOUS. Congratulations

  20. I will be unable to watch your segment, Stephanie, because we do not have cable. Surely you did a wonderful job and so great that you scored some Peet’s coffee…one of the best! For the very bright pink socks; is there a pattern?

  21. Whoo Hoo safe sound home and no self depantsing incident yeay you!! This needs to be streamed so canadaians can see it, someone call home and garden or the learning channel!
    How are you liking firefly?

  22. Mazel Tov on Knitty Gritty – can’t wait to see it and through all the stress, it looks like you had a great time 🙂
    I love the socks 🙂

  23. YAY! You made it! Congrats! “Pretty cunning, dontcha think?” You should check out Stargate: SG-1 after you watch everything Joss Whedon ever did, ever. Nine seasons on DVD. Could take a bit. Or, if you aren’t opposed to sports per se, I’d recommend Sports Night. I ::heart:: Aaron Sorkin nearly as much as I love Joss Whedon. If I could have their love children my life would be complete, I think.

  24. Woot, Woot! A TV star . . . we are all so proud! I can’t wait to see it, I am sure it will be tremendously awesome stuff.

  25. AAAACK! you were in Denver? I would have come to the airport to wait with you (since you’ve not yet graced us with your presence to talk about your books 😉 )! Can’t wait to see the episode, I’ll have to pre-empt baby girl’s “little einsteins” for a morning to watch!

  26. Congrats! You made it! I can’t wait to see you on Knitty Gritty. Were all the other knitters taping also? If so, it sounds like Knitty Gritty is going to have a great line up. Love the finished socks.

  27. I have been following your blog for months! Love it!!!! Now I have to see if my cable co. has this show!!!!! ((((crossing my fingers in Dallas))))

  28. Very, very cool! You are now a star! I don’t think we get DIY on cable here, so I don’t think I’ll get to see you. Unless, of course, I can watch it online. Congrats on two pairs of finished socks. I’d be lucky to finish one sock!

  29. I was going to tell you that Kraft Services provides the food, but someone else has already done so.
    Therefore, I will say – I can’t wait to see all these people I read on TV! You! Drew! Of course, I have to get DVR to do so, because, well Knitty Gritty comes on at 11:30 AM Mon thru Fri, and, generally, (because I like to have the money to actually afford the tv and DVR!) I have to be at work at 11:30 AM Mon thru Fri!
    But I can’t wait!! 🙂

  30. Did you see the Firefly convention, too? Can I tell you a little secret? I’m rather jealous that Cookie got to see them. I mean, dude, you could have had a Firefly cast member hold a sock.
    Just how cool could it be if Joss Whedon did a “Grrr Argh!” with a sock…

  31. Let us know when THEY let YOU know when the show will air, and everyone in Central WI is invited over to watch it at my house. Seriously. I’ll tape it too, of course. Whoever wants to come over, just e-mail me.
    I checked the Calendar at Vicki’s web site, and it said taping for seasons 7 and 8 of Knitty Gritty were taking place, what? The 4th through the 13th? So maybe they won’t have air dates set for some time.
    Congrats Steph!! It didn’t sound like you made any extra LA appearances, but you did good. What was the shawl you were wearing?

  32. So glad you made it back home in one piece! I’m sure you were your usual Amazing Harlot self. Can’t wait to see it! Now, back to Christmas Knitting. How many hours left? As Vicky always says, “Knit on”.

  33. HILARIOUS! My belly laugh for the day. I’m sure you were absolutely wonderful and can’t wait to see the episode. How did your hair behave????

  34. Looks like a job very well done. NOW can you relax and enjoy the holiday season? Tell me that you’re buying gift certificates for all of your friends and family this year, and not going crazy with the gift knitting, as usual?
    What’s the big deal about Peet’s coffee? If I see it many more times, I’m going to think I need to try it. Is it really that good?

  35. K/Craft services, Peets/nice weather/an out of body experience. Packing a lot of punch in a short amount of time. Toss in the two new pair of socks and that’s a mighty full time event.
    So, of course, a poem.
    To LA and back
    it’s quite a long way.
    The weather is nice
    and the people so bright
    But it isn’t quite what
    I think of as right.
    It isn’t home
    all cozy and warm
    That even in a raging storm
    It’s where I would want to be.
    The green knitting is done
    (I think it was fun).
    Perhaps in the future
    It will seem that way.
    So, to LA and back
    In just a few days
    Made for an interesting way
    To make knitting pay.
    To the craps that got zapped?
    It made us all laugh.
    To fit in the “arse”?
    There is just NO way.

  36. So when is your segment going to be on??? I drove my DH nuts last night trying to track you down on TIVO, it lets you look for a program by channel, time, name and lots of other stuff. TIVO also shows more of the future episodes than TV Guide but we didn’t find my favorite Harlot. Give me a hint and let me know when it will be aired or the name of the show. I know it can’t be the one on tube tops (I thought they might be talking about tube socks but I know your green socks have heels).

  37. Ahhhhhh…home at last! Congratulations, Steph, sounds like it’ll be a great ep, and brava for all the hard work. Wonderful long report, and great pix. I love all the different attitudes among everyone who held the sock. 😉 (Especially Drew and Annie – ROFL.) Hurray for Wendy, hurray for everyone being nice, hurray for everyone you got to meet, hurray for that gorgeous shawl, hurray for the *real* knitting, and hurray for surviving!
    Now, have a beer or three.

  38. Just wanted you to know: today I taught Kindergarden and left a note for the teacher that she needed “step outs” for the craft project she wanted me to do (Santa’s head, yeah, multicultural, don’t get me started). I even explained it to her.

  39. Woohoo!!
    Sounds like a rockin’ good time. I am glad you behaved yourself so well. Time for wine and chocolates (but not too much wine. There is still Christmas knitting to be done).
    Seriously, you must tell me how to make those fair isle socks that you just finished. Me in love. They are now the only socks I covet.

  40. Steph, why don’t you auction those step-outs off or have some kind of donation-based contest for KWB or another charity?
    Because, we would love that, and YOU wouldn’t have to knit them anymore!

  41. Stephanie, not that I would ever doubt your powers of survival… but it’s good to see you alive and sane. I’ll wait for your epizode on YouTube since we Europeans don’t have whatever cable the people are speaking of…
    And should you want some more green stuff, then check http://www.liska.etsy.com, I made some handpaints that make me really proud;)

  42. Congratulations. As my mother would say, that sounds very tension making. Bet you’re glad to be home where the makeup is off, the knitting untrammeled and the tofu unencrusted.

  43. The whole wind-up boiling down to the two hours. Totally reminds me of a wedding.
    Thanks for writing about it. It’s going to make it even more fun to watch!

  44. we only get KnittyGritty on satellite / cable here and the eps are from sometime in 05 so it’ll be a while till I get to see you … how can I wait that long?

  45. Welcome home!
    (Damn. My love for those colorwork socks continues. I thought it was a passing thing, but no. It is deep and abiding. Sigh. I feel all aflutter.)

  46. I had the same thought as Jen- auction off those green step-out socks-as is-for TSF or some other worthy cause. Surely you don’t want to keep them, after all they put you through! Meanwhile, some worthy sock knitters out here in knitting land will have little pieces of harlot history ; )
    I’ll be keeping an eye out for you on DIY, and/or HGTV. Kudos!

  47. Your mention of the “network personality” they wanted you to have reminded me of a friend that I used to knit with who got a segment on an HGTV show last year. In real life this guy is kinda arrogant, kinda curmudgeonly, very sophisticated, and a tad shy until he gets to know you. Well, mom taped his show for me (I don’t have cable, and mom doesn’t get the DIY station, so your appearance will always be perfect in my mind) and OMG the man had turned into Richard Simmons! The pep and the charm and the wackiness – so NOT him. I could only watch it the one time. It was too disturbing. I’m glad to hear that you stayed you, language and all, throughout.

  48. I, for one, am quite excited at the prospect of seeing you wearing make up. I know I’m supposed to be excited about the socks and all but I just keep thinking about the make up. Sorry. 😉

  49. Now really the hard part will be all of us anxiously waiting for it to air.
    Congrats for getting through it.
    And really, I hope they leave one arse in there somewhere.
    🙂

  50. Everyone’s having a freak out about the pink socks, but I love the vareigated with black fair isle ones. Like a lot.
    That TV stuff sounds super hard, it sounds like giving a presentation in French class but with 1000X more pressure. I hope you get to take the weekend off!

  51. Yea it’s over! It sure sounds involved, but that’s TV, right? I thought I’d have to settle for hearing about the episode or having someone tape it for me (or, heaven forbid, upgrade my cable service), but today I found out that the Home & Garden network, HGTV, will start carrying Knitty Gritty this month. How exciting! Of course they’ll probably start with old shows, so it might be a while before I get to see your episode… hmmm… maybe I should get someone to tape it for me. Welcome home!

  52. I have always loved your blog and appreciated your shout outs to coffee. However, I must say that the fact that you bought Peets while in San Francisco just raised you in my esteem about 5 fold. I never acknowledge anyone else as a true coffee snob unless they love Peets.
    Yarn Harlot, I salute you.
    Also, I love Knitty Gritty and can’t wait to see you on the show!

  53. So glad things went well for you Stephanie! And look at that-two pairs of beautiful socks to show for it all! (note that I didn’t mention that which you said you didn’t want to mention…)
    Not sure if you saw on one of your previous posts that I finished up your 1 row scarf (I think that’s what you called it) and started another one…pictures on my blog if you want to see.

  54. OI I just got off the phone with Isela after her day of rehersal there.. woosh.. it is busy busy and exhausting sounding! Go relax with some nice Canadian brew, and some knitting that is as far from socks as you can get!! And send the girls out of the house for a few hours of quiet!!
    You deserve it!

  55. Maybe you should do that another couple of times in the next few weeks. Just think of all the Christmas knitting you could finish!
    (yes, I know. Go wash my mouth out with soap. On my way)

  56. Congratulations! You did it! What a huge weight off your shoulders, I’m sure. I can’t believe you really knit socks during your flights. I thought you’d switch to the most unsock-like thing possible, like knitting a rutabaga or something.
    (Also glad to hear you’re giving Firefly a try. Hope you like it!)

  57. “Just checked the HGTV program guide — KNITTY GRITTY is on Monday – Friday at 11:00 am Eastern time.”
    I wonder if I got my husband TiVo for Christmas & immediately added this show, would he figure out that the TiVo was really for me? I’m at work then. Waaaah. This may be seriously what makes me finally break down & get TiVo.

  58. What??!! You are not totally jonesing to finish that herd of green socks?? (Gaggle of green socks?)
    I may have to break down and bring cable tv into my my cable-tv-free home just for Knitty Gritty. I’m sure you were wonderful.

  59. Rather than auctioning the many green step-outs, when you can stand to look at and finish them, you’d be so many Christmas presents ahead… maybe for next Christmas!

  60. Did Annie and Drew mean to pose with the sock like the folks in “American Gothic”? Hee.
    Glad to hear the taping went well and wasn’t too crappy. (Yeah I know probably the 79th “crap” pun in your comments today.)

  61. um… looks frabjous – just one question – when did Trisha Malcolm run over to IK? I for one thought she was all about Vogue Knitting? just sayin’ …
    happy hols,
    mhv

  62. You’ll have to let us know when the episode will air. My family are fans of ‘Firefly’. It’s a shame it only lasted one season.
    So what are you going to do with 5 pairs of matching handknit socks?

  63. Don’tcha hate it when they won’t leave us no-makeup people alone??!! I don’t get “pay TV” so I’ll never see the show – but congrats! Sounds like a neat experience to have once in a lifetime!

  64. Ooooo, I love Knitty Gritty. I load up my TiVo with two episodes per day. Can’t wait to see you knitting green socks 🙂

  65. Congrats on not throwing up during filming. One time I was on TV with 10 small children, singing christmas carols, and 4 of them threw up before we started. Turned out to be some virus going around rather than nerves, because they’ve done well since then… but it was not a happy time.
    Love the feather and fan socks.

  66. You TOTALLY have to build a frame to put all those socks in with a little plaque commemorating the whole thing, don’t you think???

  67. Stephanie, I don’t know that I’ll ever get to see the show. We don’t have cable or satellite or anything like. It’s the nature of where we live. Given Wendy’s handiwork, you do have to have at least one photo for your followers of you “camera” ready. Come on, you’ve got to share.

  68. OMG! You were in Denver for a layover and didn’t mention it? I so would have met you at the airport with a bouquet of yarn if I had only known. *wipes away tear* I fear that this layover will be the only time you get to Denver if your publisist doesn’t book you a signing out here (hint, hint).
    Stephanie, not sure if you have checked out my blog but I have a new name for all your fans. You know, the ones who live and die for every post from you; the ones who can’t hardly get through said post fast enough so they can comment first; the ones who sometimes have nothing better to say than “you rock” but somehow still feel close enough to you to just write that down. Well, here it is…we are the Harloonies. You know like the Loony Toones.
    My husband thinks it is real funny. Everytime I am on the computer he asks if I am reading the Harlot’s blog. When I say yes…he calls me a Harloony. Anyway, thought I would let you know that you officially have groupies!
    MarlyKnits
    http://www.knitthing.blogspot.com

  69. Congrats! Although, weird duality being who you are not just for TV. No wonder so many “stars” have such a hard time finding themselves. Deep thoughts for me on a Friday — but then again I did crawl under a pepperoni display at the grocery store today to retrieve a toddler’s favorite toy. Ichk…on so many levels.

  70. Hope you were wearing a/any fancy bra for the eye in the sky!!!
    Can’t wait to see it on the little screen! Way to be a TV survivor.

  71. I don’t even drink coffee, and I did this oh, cool! when I saw the Peet’s–the local stuff. I’m told it’s good stuff. Welcome home!

  72. Wow! That sounds like a fun and nerve-wracking experience all rolled up into one. I commend you for making it through.
    May I be the first to suggest that I would be willing to finish a green sock for you?
    No-longer-lurking Margaret

  73. I can’t wait to see it… and now I can thanks to Carolyn telling us that HGTV is carrying Knitty Gritty. Yea! I’m sure all your work and thought made for a great episode.

  74. Congratulations on surviving. I can’t wait to see your episode. When will it be on? Love your socks. I hope someday I can knit socks as fast as you.
    If they can look down your shirt, they never show it on TV. 😉

  75. OMG. You just made me SO FUCKING NERVOUS.
    So wait, Wendy is with the show? Or just helped hook you up??? TELL ME NOW! I need help.

  76. Glad it’s finally over and that things went well! And if we can see down your shirt when the show airs, at least your unmentionables are wrapped in a lovely shawl 🙂 Gotta think on the bright side.

  77. It looks like Knitty Gritty is going to be on HGTV Monday through Friday at 10:00 to 10:30 am. Now it’s up to you to tell us which day we can check out the socks and The TV Harlot.

  78. It looks like Knitty Gritty is going to be on HGTV Monday through Friday at 10:00 to 10:30 am. Now it’s up to you to tell us which day we can check out the socks and The TV Harlot.

  79. It is a fun but completely crazy experience, isn’t it! I was one of Cookie’s Knitsters yesterday for her episode and had all manner of fun getting there, traffic, a fender bender on the 134 (my bad, no damage thank god), I was over an HOUR late for my call time. 🙁 Nicest people EVER. They did not get crabby one bit.
    I’m glad you survived the experience. It IS a little bit… easy to freeze when that camera starts rolling, isn’t it? I can’t wait to see your show. Wish I’d had a chance to meet you!

  80. Hey!!! You made it through!! I’ve heard Peets is AWESOME but have never had it. Enjoy! The socks are really nice too! Are the wavy socks your own pattern? Are they diff?

  81. Welcome home Steph! Glad you survived it. Now just hide the green socks (what green socks?) under a cushion on the chesterfield and the world will start to solidify around the edges again.
    So how’s the Christmas knitting coming…?

  82. Glad you survived the ordeal, can’t wait to see it. So glad you’re home… can’t wait to see Xmas knitting!

  83. Wha? No picture of you in your fancy makeup and all??? I don’t get Knitty Gritty up here in the Canadian sticks. Waaaaaaaa!

  84. I didn’t know that it was possible… but you have just climbed a few more rungs on my respect ladder for being a fan of Peet’s.

  85. I made a pair of pink variegated feather/fan socks a couple of months ago. That’s a lie. I made one, and it betrayed me. It’s in the time-out chair until it thinks about what it did. Anyway, I’m glad you made it there and back, and got to meet Wen (and Cookie and all the others)! My husband says that Firefly is good (actually, he just said, “I approve.”) and that you should watch the new Doctor Who, too. I would like to know what kind of DPNs you have there in the pink socks, because that shade of blue is mesmerizing. Mesmerising. Also, you’ll be quite proud: I learned a French sentence yesterday that doesn’t refer to penises or Corvettes. Go, me!

  86. Can’t wait to watch the episode….though, like many others my daytime hours are full of that pesky work thing. Happily KG is rerun at all sorts of times, so I have faith I’ll catch you eventually!
    Great socks….and here I though I was doing will finishing *one* on a 4 day vacation… :/

  87. Oh, Stephanie, we are all so very proud of you! You made it through a full episode as a show’s co-star, and I am sure that the editors will catch all the “arse”s so that you look eloquent and fabulous, as we all know you are.
    Congrats! Now go enjoy your Peet’s with your loved ones.

  88. A lovely post. Thank you. I felt like I was there experiencing the whole thing. Although it sounds like you felt like a fish out of water, you probably did a fabulous job.

  89. Of course they’re going to let the “arse”(s) stay in — that’s part of a complex deal involving posting the cleavage-shots (you BELIEVED they do that for everyone?) (shush, Ken, you’ve given away enough) and small, unmarked bills. What I want to know is where the rumor got started that “crap” is cussing (my children believed this, too.) “Crap” is a euphemism for “shit,” my beloveds. “Shit” is cussing. “Crap” is pure as springwater. “Arse,” on the other hand, is not even a word in most American vocabularies, like all the “fook”s in Roddy Doyle books. It would pass — except that we arranged for closed captioning, with simultaneous English-to-English translations. And inset boob shots. Our pleasure.

  90. I can’t believe only one pic of you and we don’t get to see the hair OR the makeup! Your outfit was totally TV-worthy, though.
    Curious as to how you liked Firefly.

  91. Look how far you’ve come in just three years!
    Your first post had a mere 19 comments (two were from you, two were selling mortagages and one was offering free porn).
    Now look at you: hundreds of comments after every post, yarn named after you, 4 books (nearly) published, and now you’re a Mega-Super-Star hobnobbing with the fibre-y elite and appearing on international television!
    Do you ever get the feeling you must be doing something right?
    I’m fully expecting you to announce that you will be co-starring with Orlando Bloom in the upcoming blockbuster Lethal Knitting: Revenge of the Entrelac.

  92. You came, you saw — and you CONQUERED!! and even if I don’t get DIY, I will not rest until I find out how I can get a copy of your program (although I may nap now and then). Also, I too would like to know what kind of needles those are, in both the stunning fair isle socks and in the delicious pink-y ones. I’m stuck on Clover bamboos because they don’t fall out of my clumsy work, but if there are pretty ones that don’t fall out, that would be all kinds of fun! Congratulations, Steph, I’m tickled for you and proud OF you! (That sound you hear is little badger paws, applauding…)

  93. Totally cool, just tried to go to slowknitter.com to see if she had posted anything about you and was told that she exceeded her bandwitch limit.
    See what power you pocess! With only the mention of her little name you bring her whole blog to a screeching halt. Goes to show you that once you get the word out to the Harloonies about something/anything there is no stopping us!
    Marlyknits
    http://www.knitthing.blogspot.com

  94. stephanie, i’ve read you for as long as i’ve been knitting (01/06) and you’ve made me laugh from day one. love all the pics, stories, and “real life” experiences you share (my personal fave, the neighbor coming out in her “undergarments” to so sweetly introduce herself into the neighborhood. still dying to know more about that one.
    i bet (and understand) from other blogs that you were splenderific! i saw you here in austin and enjoyed every minute, while hoping for more with you and less of you with the “said ginormous spider”.
    take care and keep inspiring and making us all laugh and appreciate knitting so much. you truly have found your calling – a natural knitting comedian.

  95. Gorram, you made it! Yay!
    So glad you made it through without any unpleasant wardrobe malfunctions or other unhappy events (puking would totally count). Though wow… that camera over your shoulder? That would give me total wiggins.
    Congratulations! Can’t wait to see how it comes out! (Gonna have to bribe my FIL to tape it for me!)

  96. Craft services!! Yum! Hurray for craft services!
    I’m sure you did great! I never thought about what it must be like to knit on tv – thanks for the great post about it!

  97. You watched ‘Firefly’! What did you think of it? Did it live up to all the hype we gave it?
    The other stuff on today’s blog was interesting to read, too. 🙂

  98. HEY!!! It was great show I can tell!! This is charles byr the way!!!(Remember? i give you “sunset”yellow socks yarn) This is Charles!!!
    Where is the pic we took togeter?..I hope really want to see, how i came up with yarn and sock!!!

  99. Actually, we don’t ever *need* to speak of the green socks. Get Ken to finish all of the in progress ones and let it go at that…

  100. Yea for you and your baggie of socks! I am sure you did us proud.
    As a side note/questions – how much do you love Firefly? Shiny!

  101. I’m glad you made it back in one piece!
    And I swear I wasn’t driving with my eyes closed. You and cookie were making me laugh!
    I had a good time missus. Thank you.

  102. Imagine my joy when I found Knitty Gritty on HGTV this week. Must only be showing old seasons because there was someone the host called “Designer Extraudinaire” knitting step out socks on Thursday.
    Except all the steps were in charcoal gray on big-arsed bamboo size 5’s or bigger and her name was Karen Something or Other. Wonder how many years til your season rolls around? Actual DIY channel is 3rd tier level payment-digital cable plus.

  103. Hurray! Hurray! The Harlot is home and survived her TV experience! It sounds so much harder than any of us would ever think. I’m with you on the whole camera looking down your shirt thing. I don’t see how it couldn’t see down your shirt! The next time I’d wear a turtleneck LOL! I’m just amazed at all the knitting you managed to do. Those socks are stunning.
    How do you like Firefly? I just loved it and was so sad that they didn’t do more episodes. What a great cast and story. Make sure that you watch the movie in the extras that was made for their Christmas/Wrap party. Too funny. So after you’re done watching Firefly you’ll have to watch Serenity. It’s just awesome. Enjoy your DVD watching!

  104. Can someone please put this Knitty Gritty on You Tube as we don’t get it here in the UK! Thanks.

  105. Yay! Looks like you had a great time. Sadly, we don’t get Knitty Gritty in the UK as I would have loved to have watched it….

  106. And do you now love the Firefly?
    Sorry, I’m a little obsessed. I even made a Jayne hat (you’ll understand when you get to “The Message”).
    Otherwise I’m sure you did great! If I actually got the channel Knitty Gritty is on I’d be glued until after your episode airs. Besides, now you get to have fun finishing all your green socks!

  107. …you always start my morning with an *out loud* laugh..thanks for that..but Stephanie ( may I call you that? – it’s my first time commenting) you do not have enough knitting on the go…so I’m inviting you to join our LYS in Moncton, NB in a wee project starting January 7, 2007 http://thewoolworks.blogspot.com
    BTW you have broken the stereotype of us knitters (… you know what I’m talking about!)…I lift my coffee mug to you in salutation……

  108. Geesh, commenting on comments, but…
    Rams? Right on. When did crap start being touted as cussing? Shite. 😉 ::mutters about mealy-mouthed younger generations::
    And Eclair – “…co-starring with Orlando Bloom in the upcoming blockbuster Lethal Knitting: Revenge of the Entrelac.” ROFLMAOWTIME!! Perfect! Only, um, don’t you think Stephanie would prefer to star with Johnny Depp? [eg]
    Wen – One of these years, when things die down and bandwidth is restored, I hope to finally make it to your site. Whaddaya think, 2010 or so?

  109. I love how you put things. I would SO be thinking they’re filming my boobs!
    Very interesting summary. How sad am I that I was more interested in the glimpse of your laptop background picture that I think is your wedding shawl?
    Yeah, sad.
    Glad you’re home safely and that you love to write!

  110. Glad you’re home safely, where there are no cameras to look down your shirt. 🙂
    I’m also glad to see your iPod shuffle in that second-to-last photo. I was in a teacher training the other day, learning how to use iPods and Podcasts, etc. The lady from Apple actually giving the workshop made fun of those of us who still have the “old, long” Shuffle, rather than the new, chic, clippy one.
    But if the “old” one is good enough for YH, it’s good enough for me. 🙂

  111. Between his last blog post and his comment here, I am now officially, hopelessly, truly, madly, deeply in love with Ken.
    And Steph? A photo of you with honest to goodness professionally done make up on what I’m sure was a bra-wearing day would make a treasured Christmas gift for your mother.

  112. I emailed the nice folks at DIYnetwork.com and they said new episodes of Knitty Gritty will start airing mid to late ’07 Didn’t specificaly ask about The Harlot’s show.

  113. was it more nerve-wracking being on tv or talking to martha stweart? i am sure you were marvelous!
    gotta know, have you watched the firefly episode with jayne’s hat yet? are you tempted to knit a jayne hat?
    for funsies, when you have a spare moment (ha), on the 4th firefly disk, select Special Features. Then select More to go to the 2nd screen of Special Features. Press “down” on your controller to highlight “Joss Sings the Firefly Theme” but instead of pressing “enter”, press the “left” arrow. The filigree pattern to the left of the picture will light up. Press the “enter” button on your DVD remote and you will hear Adam Baldwin sing the song “Hero of Canton” from the episode “Jaynestown”. He even wears the knit cap that Jayne wears in the episode “The Message”.
    i can’t believe that cookie saw adam baldwin in person. squee!

  114. Hey, that’s not only Peet’s, that’s Major Dickinson’s Blend no less.
    I’m a House Blend type myself, but good choice. Did they have any of their season offerings like chocolate covered cherries? MMMM!
    Oh, sorry, knit blog, not food! I’m sure you were fine. If you weren’t they would have told you. They aren’t polite Canadians out that way! I’m loving those fair isle socks. Loving. I just bought the new Mac OS sock wizard, so it should be sockorama time here.
    Green tea and sewing time for me.

  115. What!!!!!! No pictures of you with makeup on???Did they do something to try to change those Stephanie curls?? I hope not! But I would love to see a picture of you with the hostess-with makeup on!!
    I bet all those celebraties thought”Wow, I met The Yarn Harlot”!!!!!!!!! Believe me-they were more impressed with you than you with them!!
    Save those sock parts-you will need them for your next foray into television land!

  116. Yahoo Stephanie! Don’t you just hate people who say “I told you so,”…I know I do; however, I am saying to you “I told you so…that you had a future as a TV celebrity!” I couldn’t be happier for you 🙂

  117. I tried to visit Wendy’s blog, but apparently so did all the rest of your readers. But I will go back later, when everybody else stops trying. But everyone else probably will too. Oh my. This could take a while.
    Congrats on getting through the taping. I’m sure you were wonderful. I don’t think I’ll ever see it though. Anyone know if Knitty Gritty airs on any channels we can get here in Ottawa?

  118. You bought Peet’s! It just doesn’t get any better as an I-made-it-through-the-scary-experience-of-taping-a-TV-show than Peet’s coffee. Unless you also bought See’s Candy. That, with a cup of Peet’s, can pretty much fix anything. Congratulations!

  119. This is too cool. I have DIY and started DVR’ing it about two weeks ago. When I went back through my shows this week they had an episode called Stuck on Socks and for a moment I thought maybe you were the guest – but it would have been too soon. Do you know when they are airing your episode?
    I have to tell you I love those socks with the blue is it “fair isle’? They are really stunning.

  120. I take it by the double post you are still a little rattled by the whole crazy experience. Lol.
    Sounds like you did well and it surprising that daytime soaps can say much naughtier words, but daytime knitter’s can’t say crap. I’d be lost.

  121. Awww… you were in Burbank and you didn’t visit… that’s too bad. I’m sure you did really great. I will look for the episode. You slay me!
    xo

  122. You have to let us know when it is going to be aired. I actually get HGTV at home, and if I can find it, I will tape it.
    Katherine

  123. Yay Firefly and knitting! The socks are beautiful (the new and fully complete ones, not the brain-sucking-out green ones).
    I’ll join the masses and say I want to see this episode.

  124. My daughter’s first grade class was asked what peace is. My daughter said, “Peace is silent. Peace is when my mom is knitting.” And so it is. Happy Holidays!

  125. As one of the “crafts” people in the entertainment industry, I have to weigh in on the subject. The crafts’ services table is named because it provides food for the craftspeople, and others at the jobsite. Professional caterers are used to provide craft services, or sometimes someone on the crew has this job.
    I somehow doubt that offering Kraft Corporation a monopoly on catering would ever be considered the highpoint of a movie shoot by most film stars. If *they* don’t understand the origin of the name, I don’t blame them, because it isn’t their job to understand what goes on behind the scenes.
    (I like the idea of a shadow-box frame to documnet the life of the socks-in-progress.)

  126. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and I just have to say I’m really excited that you’re going to be on Knitty Gritty. I, too, must ask — when will it air? Also, what are you planning to do with all those parts of socks? Good to know everything went well for you.

  127. Sounds like you had a blast, even with all the nerves.
    Did you see Cookie’s new pattern on the Winter Knitty? I love it — added to the alreay-too-big-pile of socks to make. 🙂

  128. You watched “Firefly”…? Sign of a brilliant, beautiful person! My husband brought the DVD of the series home from the library over the summer and we fell in love with it. Great characters, interesting storylines, and perfectly cast. I managed to get a big crush on Mal; the “Trash” episode didn’t help matters any. If you haven’t already, pick up the movie, “Serenity” which follows the series after it was cancelled. Joss Whedon, the creator, was also the creator of the “Buff the Vampire” series and is writing the “Wonder Woman” movie. I just ordered a book from the library called, “What Would Buffy Do?” which is about the spiritual and ethical issues explored in the series. Have a great holiday, Steph. Good work on the show.

  129. What an experience! Glad you survived. I love the book Knitting With Balls (how can you not love anything with that title?). Not so much for the patterns but for the tips and directions and stuff I still need cause I’m a self taught knitter (which is why it took me 20 years to learn).

  130. So cool. I read about the winding in the car at Cookie’s. 😉 Craft sevices are just that. Services to the “craft”. (actors, camera folks, makeup peeps etc.) Can’t wait to see the episode!

  131. DUDE!! That was Cookie! I love her, she rocks! I wish I had cable to watch the show… I have friends with cable, I think I will big them. When is it going to be on? Love the socks, you knit really fast!

  132. When you watch Firefly, pay really close attention to Saffron’s shawl in the episode “Our Mrs. Reynolds”. It totally rocks, and boyfriend was kind enough to let me pause the DVD and look at it.

  133. Congrats on surviving! Does anyone know if you can watch Knitty Gritty on the web? I don’t get it on TV here.
    Welcome back, Stephanie

  134. Wow. I recently did a little video thing for my blog that was just about the parts of my new spinning wheel, and _that_, I almost gave up because I had to redo so many times. So to do a knitting program, on REAL TELEVISION, with various samples of examples of the same thing in various stages, knit and reknit and unknit and demonstrated for a looming eye with no face and wearing unccustomed makeup…quite frankly, I’d kak and cry simultaneously and be totally unsuitable for teevee.
    So hats off! I salute! We already knew you are amazing, but this adds a whole new dimension.

  135. ok they all look fabulous and you met more famous knitters!
    also i think you posted this twice but thats ok!
    we still love you and you have to let us know when it airs!
    hugs
    jackie

  136. The green Socks: How about if you auction them off with the proceeds going to the Knitters without Borders. A person could bid on a pair of the green unfinished socks and the winner would get a partially knitted pair of Yarn Harlot socks with enough yarn to finish the project. A win, win, win situation.

  137. Very interesting — you’re back, but with the Blue Shirt Manifesto deleted. Hope you did that yourself/ves…

  138. If you take your photos into Photoshop and reduce the resolution to 72 ppi, then your photos will not take up as much space on your site. If you need detail you can experiment in the save for web preview pane and adjust until you can see stitches clearly.
    Aloha, a knitter/singer/web person from Hawaii.
    P.S. I tried spinning cotton that grew in my back yard, but the fibers are too short. Any tips will be appreciated.

  139. Maybe you could auction off some of those step-out pieces for Knitters Without Borders. Let someone buy a bit of TV memorabilia, raise money for a good cause, and get them out of your sight once and for all.

  140. I just got your book for Christmas so I decided to read the blog — I knit while watching “Firefly” too! I thought I was the only one…

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