Not caught up.

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This post is going to be seriously long…but the important thing is that at the end of it I’ll be all mostly caught up, which is awesome, because I’m leaving in the morning again. (I feel like I just had a 48 hour layover with my family. Bizarre.)

After trying so hard for so long to get out of Chicago, it was with a great and burning fear that I went to the Detroit Airport the evening after Ann Arbor to make my way back to O’Hare. I tried not to flinch when I saw the customer service desks that had caused me so much pain the day before. This time it was uneventful, and I fell into my bed ASAP, which is awesome, since I had to be up at 3:30 to take the sock to a news thing at 5:00AM. I think that was the most difficult thing of this tour…the sleep deprivation and early mornings. (Actually, lets not kid ourselves. 3:30 isn’t morning. That’s night.) I am the exact opposite of a morning person, and being up at 7AM makes me feel like I’ve been mistreated. I went down to the studio as presentable as possible, but this whole thing must be getting to me because they kept saying “Are you camera ready?” sort of like maybe they thought I wasn’t….

I don’t remember what I said during the tv thing, all I know is that I staggered back to the hotel after, encounted the civil defence sirens and was totally awake after that. Awake enough that I should call Franklin and get on with my day. If you are ever in Chigago, I highly recommend asking Franklin to show you around. He’s very good at it.

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We went to the bean. I Love the bean. The bean fills me with a singular joy.

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We looked at the totally trippy way that the trains run.

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With the tracks above ground so that all the streets have trains for lids. (We did some other stuff too, things Franklin and I both enjoy. Any rumours you may have heard about Franklin and I in the American Girl store looking at dollies is grossly exaggerated. We were only there for a moment. We mistook it for…um…a yarn shop. Yeah. As soon as we had a good look around realized our error, we were right out of there. The very idea that Franklin and I would consider having lunch at the American Girl Cafe is laughable. No matter what he says.) Onward to the mighty Chicago knit huddle.

Yo. Knitters of Chicago!

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Good looking bunch. There was Megan.

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See that little scrap of knitting in her hand? That’s her first knitting. First ever. Learned to knit while I was talking. I was so impressed.

There were 1st socks from Leslie,

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Amber,

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and Nancy ,

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There was Kris with a great shirt (Knit on: It’s a lifestyle)

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There were the Children of the corn. (You had to be there.)

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And Ariel, from the Knitting club at U of I.

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It’s Jan with an Illinois dishcloth…

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I met and thanked Chicago’s hat lady, Mandy.

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Johnathan and Meg. Repeat offenders (and the cutest knitting pairs team ever.)

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and with that I went back to the hotel and put my head straight on a pillow…which was really the only think I could do, since I had to get up at 3:30 to catch a flight to..

Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Guess who was born in Minneapolis and grew up in St. Paul?

Yup. I got this shot as I rode towards the Yarnery for the event, chauffeured by MaryLou (a nicer drive was never had by two knitters.) I swear, there is something different about the stuff run by Yarn shops VS bookstores. Some of the bookstores do fantastic jobs, and there is something really, really fun about watching a couple of hundred knitters mess with their reality, but the yarn shops do it in a way that seems…I don’t know. More knitterly? Yarn shops always do it in a way that makes the whole thing seem like a National Holiday in Knitting. The Yarnery had more than 400 knitters to manage, but when I got there, they seemed calm, co-ordinated and wonderfully cheerful. They had it well in hand. Jayme-the-wonder-publicist had sent out postcards for them with a typo on them…..They had referred to “The singing” instead of “The signing” and they fine ladies of the Yarnery had decided not to take any chances regarding truth in advertising, and therefore:

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There was singing. (O Canada, both National Languages. Very moving for the Canadians in the room – I think there were six of us.) Hard act to follow, but follow I did. For better or for worse…

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Holy knitters batman. Tons eh?

Here’s Lisa…ready to produce another nice knitter to join our ranks.

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Nice knitters everywhere: Flan and Kathleen, Kathleen’s from Alabama.

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this is Eileen and her Koigu and KSH blanket.

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The young man is her son Brennan, who is so proud of his mum and her knitting that he insisted on showing me the blanket while his lovely mum blushed away. Took her a year to knit, and it’s beautiful work. Brennan’s right to be proud.

This is Chris!

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(Don’t tell me you never wondered what she looked like.) Chris has done an excellent job of doing the link-o-rama that I should have done and would have done if only I weren’t home for so short a time and determined to spend at least some of it with the kids and Joe. Follow her links will ya? Awesome.

Here’s Majka and Philip. See how happy they look?

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Got nothing to do with me. They are on their honeymoon…married five days. Totally Charming. Gretchen with a North Dakota washcloth…

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Remember Shelly? I challenged you to bury her in leftover sock yarn?

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Thank you very much. The blanket is really, really beautiful,

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and since I know that 500 of you are going to ask more about it, Shelly has a tutorial on her blog, and if you look at her sidebar you’ll see it.

Susan was there in her beautiful Bohus. ( I don’t know whether I was more star-struck by her – I read The Rainey sisters all the time, or her wild apples sweater. ) – but I was too stunned to meet her to get her picture. The evening wound on and on…the knitters kept coming and coming and the whole thing took on a surreal feeling of really only living in a world of knitters and knitting. Brilliant.

When it was over, I grabbed this shot of the brilliant Yarnery ladies who pulled it all together.

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And went back to my hotel room, drank two beers, ate two cheese strings (thanks Cathy/cate room service was closed when I got back) and went to sleep, ready to get up at 6am (which totally felt like a treat after all the 3 and 4 Ams) to fly to Denver.

Which is what I will write about next, after Easter dinner with my family. (Assuming they recognize me.)

174 thoughts on “Not caught up.”

  3. I hope this week will be somewhat more restful while you are at Camp Cockamamie. At least you won’t have to be up at 4 or 5 every morning to catch another plane!!

  4. I lived in Chicago for 3 years and I both loved it and hated O’Hare. Glad you left Chicago with good feelings. Now I’m off to catch a plane myself and read your book! Which FINALLY arrived from Amazon!!!

  5. Wow, just what I needed to interrupt my studies – a nice long Harlot post! 🙂 Always a pleasure to read!

  6. this is my first time posting after lurking for… a shameful amount of time.
    reading this post made me tired. get some sleep!
    i can’t wait to see you in california…

  7. I love the shots of you taking photos of knitters who are taking photos of you. It just seems so, well, odd. There are indeed tons of knitters in those photos, it makes me wonder about how many there are living around me. Have some quality time with your family (and the washer), people who don’t do it think that travelling for work is fun but it isn’t, is it?

  8. Yay, Chicago! I hope you enjoyed, and that you didn’t fall asleep on your feet after all that signing – we were at the end of the line, and I was so impressed by how you were still so cheerful and friendly! I would have been a little snappish, I confess. Your talk was great, and actually inspired my friend Erin to rejoin us in the Land of Knitting. She taught me how to knit about four years ago, and after making three Harry Potter scarves in a row, swore off the needles forever. Who can blame her? But now she’s working on a baby sock, and we’re all very excited.
    All of which is to say, thank you for coming to Chicago, thank you for being so gracious and funny, your bohus sweater was GORGEOUS, and I do hope to see you again!

  9. I’m beginning to understand how the women of the past were able to run farms/households/families and still have time to knit. Your endurance is just freakin’ AMAZING. That said, if you come to Seattle, I will find you more excellent coffee to sample. Good heavens! *waves to Joe and the girls!*

  11. Stephanie, O Canada wasn’t moving only for the Canadians in the audience. I was nearly in tears at the end of the French version and that’s without even knowing what the words were. I did manage to get most of the English version recorded using the movie feature on my digital camera, and posted it on my blog.

  12. I saw the O Canada on You Tube, great stuff! Chicago is sure fun, wish I could have been there. Canadian Launch? The books have crossed the border.

  13. I’m sad that I missed your trip to Chicago—when are you going to come to Indiana? (snort—yeah, right) I had to send my mom to get a book signed for me. Thanks for being nice to her, and her Muggle ways. She was a bit confused—she was supposed to show you the sock knitting picture, not give it to you, but oh well. Love the new book!

  15. Thank you so much for coming to St. Paul and doing a great job at the talk/signing while being so sleep-deprived! When I met Jayme TWP at the Knit Out at Mall of America, she seemed so nice. To have put you through so many early mornings is downright cruel…tell her The Blog feels bad for you with your grinding schedule. I appreciate how you read your blog comments and took time to mention my birthday…I was shocked!
    Without gushing on and on…I must say that your Bohus sweater was gorgeous! It positively glowed while you were waiting side stage before you came out. I. Must. Knit. Bohus. Maybe I should learn how to knit a small project with 2 colors first, ya think?

  17. I was posting my pictures of your talk and realized that, at any one point in time, probably 80% of your eager and loving audience is staring, not at you, but at their laps as they knit. What an interesting view you must have of the tops of our heads! 😀

  18. This is actually a cry for help, not a response to today’s blog… My beautiful aunt has brain cancer and I want to knit her a toque that will function better than the one she has been wearing… she is wearing a standard, bowl-shape toque which looks like it is comfortable except that it keeps slipping down to her (now non-existent) eyebrows so about every 10 minutes she pulls it back and it starts to creep forward again. I’ve had a look at all the knit for cancer patients sites I can find and they’re all standard, round caps. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to modify a pattern or know of a pattern which would sit higher in the front and lower at the back (at the hairline)? If so, could you email me at mmmessy@aol.com? Thanks for any and all help!

  20. Oh my! Thank heavens that your last two (in and back out) laps of Chicago were better. The blogworld reports that you were marvelous in Denver, although I don’t think my dear friend out there made it to the Tattered Cover.
    Please come to Georgia. We’re getting to be just lousy with knitters.

  21. Wonderful blog! Travelling is always tough – especially being away from family. Hope you enjoy your time home before heading out again. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Lexington!!

  24. What a treat to find your posting as I take a break from preparing our Easter dinner. I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of the Represent Tour in NYC. Thanks for being an advocate for breastfeeding in addition to everything else. Learning that about you made me admire you all the more! I am certain your family will recognize you at the dinner table: You have been there for them on most occassions over the years, correct? Happy Easter.

  25. Thanks for coming to St. Paul! (And thanks, Gretchen, for representing the North Dakotans with your rockin’ dishcloth – you make this MN transplant to ND proud.)
    I’ve got a few pics on my blog as well, the photo with Madame Harlot and I turned out superexcellent. Worth the wait in line!

  27. Isn’t the Bean a sight? Thanks for coming to Chicago. It was great seeing you in person! Hope you can get some rest during the remainder of your tour!

  28. Ack! I am so envious. Why couldn’t I have been a little fly in Chicago, darting around my two favorite bloggers? Well, I suppose being human is a slightly better lot in life. Seriously, you could raise beaucoup bucks for MSF by raffling off a ‘Day with the Yarn Harlot.’ Though that could be a bit dangerous for you. Hmm.
    Have a relaxing dinner with your family and work on Jayme-the-Wonder-Publicist scheduling you for some night-time events, eh?

  29. I find that cooking for folks, especially family members, makes them remember who you are rather quickly. Enjoy your Easterly eating.

  30. Thanks for visiting St. Paul! It was wonderful to hear you again (I saw you on the last book tour in Eau Claire, WI sponsored by the Yellow Dog). Since I’m a “local” I was able to stay and get my book signed and a snap a wonderful sock photo, too. Thanks for your graciousness – I would have gushed to remind you of our previous email conversations but I didn’t want to make your long evening longer! I hope you can catch some real rest soon – and tell your family that “the blog” appreciates their sacrifice in having you on tour!

  31. *sigh* Yes, that’s the signing I was going to be at, baby in tow to (hopefully) receive her first pair of knitting needles. So, when ARE you coming to Indiana??? See, I’m not the only one who thinks you should! Happy Easter! 🙂

  32. It was so much fun to see you again! I hope you enjoyed the beer (I brought the homebrew).
    Happy Easter!

  33. The MPLS/StP meeting looks like it was a blast! I’m still bitter over not being able to go. I reserved my seat 3+ wks. in advance, got a sitter and was ready. Then I had my gallbladder removed on Tues. morning.
    Tell me one day you’ll come back to MN?

  34. Happy Easter! It looks like a wonderful,tired time! I got Cast off yesterday, last one on the shelf at the book store!

  35. I’m so bummed! I was going to come but then it turned out I had to teacher assisit a class. I thought about it the ENTIRE night. My sister ended up going in my place with my mum, she’s not really a knitter herself, but we subject her to enough, she’s one though osmosis. And then I found out they gave away bags, and she got mine! But, lo and behold, this morning, instead of an Easter basket, I got a Yarnery bag filled with chocolate.

  36. What yarn is Leslie using? I need some. (Don’t let anyone who’s seen my stash tell you different.)
    I’m having the vicarious time of my life following you around the country and seeing all the gorgeous knitting. I wouldn’t even mind (much) getting up at dark-o-30. When they come on the PA on the 6 am flight and give you the prices for beer, do you turn a bit greenish? Back when I used to take those flights, I always found that the worst part.

  38. I’m soooo jealous of all the lucky folks who’ve met you. Love the photos and seeing the faces behind the comments. Please come to the UK, cos we love you here too.
    PS My copy of Casts Off should arrive from Amazon UK on the 11th. Can’t wait!

  39. I think you can be very sure that I was more star struck than you! Thanks for being so gracious and generous to everyone you spoke to –every blogger described how warmly they were greeted and many mentioned something that you remembered about them. Very cool!! Thanks for stopping in Mpls/St. Paul! Come back with your next book!

  40. Grief, woman, you’re posting on *Easter*?! Bless you, and much thanks – despite sleep deprivation, serious caffeine deprivation and disconcerting adventures, you’re writing great reports, as usual. Enjoy the day, get lots of sleep (hah), reacquainted with your family, and good luck on the next leg!
    PS: Tore through book. Awesome. Bruises from falling down laughing. Love Alice and co. Teared up at the finish. Told what few blog readers I have they must read. Still in condition of stunned awe at spot-on illustrations and way they fit writing. First scheduled re-reading later this week. 😉 Glorious! (Still pondering tour for pants design. [eg])

  41. Thanks for the fun in St. Paul! It was awesome to talk with you in person and to hold your sock. Love the sock love. Safe travels!

  42. My daughters and I enjoyed your talk in Chicago. And thank you for your policy on babies–mine decided he’d had enough just as we were ready to walk out of the store. There’s no way he would have been able to handle the line.

  44. Thank heavens that this weekend should afford you an opportunity to consume a little chocolate. Perhaps you should squirrel some away in your suitcase in case you miss room service on the next leg of The Adventure.
    When are you coming to the Prairie Provinces? I know of at least a few hundred knitters who wouldn’t mind seeing you in person.

  45. The “O Canada” signing on YouTube is fabulous. I agree with AllisonH that we should sing it wherever you go to see us – that would be neat!

  46. I also wanted to say thank you for your speech and signing at St. Paul. My husband and I drove from Sioux Falls, SD to see you. It was totally worth the drive 🙂 I was towards the end of the book signing line, and I was so happy (and mightily impressed) you stayed so late. Get some rest, you’ve earned it!

  47. Happy Easter! I’m so happy you made it home for a bit, Steph. Chris (stumbling over chaos) and I laughed in emails about our respective photos with you. 😉

  48. Wow! You are one busy lady! Hope you have enjoyed your couple days of relaxation! I thought you were marvelous!
    Oh, and I am glad that the Chicago pictures did not turn out too blurry! 🙂

  49. Wow — those are some awesome sock yarn blankets! The Bean is cool, too…looks like you and Franklin had a great time!

  50. Hey! I think Nancy and I may be related. We have the same smile and she holds the sock just the way I did (with some reverence and care!). Gald you got a few days with the family and sleeeppp!!

  51. Here’s the link to the online version of the Minneapolis paper article about you.
    http://www.startribune.com/389/story/1104777.html
    I said lot and lots of nice things about you to the reporter but he used the quote that made me sound like a bus stalker.
    I promise I don’t take public transportation in Toronto so you are safe but I confess I do sit next to,talk to, and knit with any knitters I see on the Mpls buses.

  52. Wow the “sock yarn” blanket is totally awesome. What a cool idea.
    I hope you enjoy your Easter Dinner with family.
    Chicago looks like a great place to visit…as long as I don’t have to fly to get there.

  53. Is it true only people from North Dakota would consider Minneapolis for their honeymoon?

  54. Thanks for coming to Chicago … read the book and loved it. My dd has proudly showed the book off to several people. She was so excited to get to meet you – a real, live famous person and show her your knitting!
    Enjoy your Easter and have a great next leg of your tour!

  55. Loved seeing you in St Paul. I knew you were running on little sleep and a few days of travelling frustration, but you were so funny and gracious as all of us lined up virtually around the block to have you sign our books. My Yarn Harlot book now has your signature in it along with those of my friends who have also read the book. I bought that book before I was a knitter. I was always a closet knitter, I’m afraid, and your book sent me over the edge. Wheeeeee!!!!!

  56. Glad to hear you made it home safely and without travel trauma in Chicago. I hope you are able to take a few days and relax with the family before heading out again.

  57. Happy Easter Steph. Thanks for sharing your tour with us. Enjoy your family time.. and your own bed (I love coming home to my own bed).

  58. It was fantastic to see you in Denver – hope your few days home were somewhat relaxing. Just saw on Vicki Howell’s MySpace that your Knitty Gritty episode airs 4/17. I’ll being firing up the DVR!

  60. Happy Easter to you, Dearling Harlot, and your sweet family as well! I couldn’t get to St. Paul but got my book from Amazon, SOME consolation. I love it to pieces!! I was born in North Dakota, raised in Mpls, educated in St. Paul (Macalester) and had so looked forward to a trip “home” to see you. Oh well :o) My father worked for the Star & Trib, and Charles Schulz came over for supper once! That Wiki pic was taken at the Star, I think. Well – so pleased you get to have Easter to home and sleep in that beautiful room! Safe travels from here on and for that wonderful sweet book? Merci, cher, merci beaucoup.

  61. Stephanie, dear, you were fabulous in Minneapolis. I’m sure you were also fabulous in Chicago, but I was in Minneapolis and I can attest to the fact that you were fabulous. We (husband, daughter and I) were on a college campus tour for daughter and I insisted on planning the trip so that the Minneapolis campus tours were on Wednesday so that I could see you in the evening. Unfortunately, I did not get your autograph–I had read your post about the various travel problems getting to Detroit and I felt that the time you would have spent with me would be better put to use by having you in bed and sleeping for the additional few minutes! I know that knitters are energizing, but really, Steph, you need to get more sleep on these tours!! p.s. your sweater was also fabulous!!

  62. You’ve not spilt coffee on Jayme’s cashmere, have you? There’s got to be some reason why she books you in for these obscenely early interviews!

  63. Hey Steph – are you home safe & sound now? Did you ever mail back that self-addressed envelope to me? I could have sworn you said you tossed it in the mail before you left on tour – but no sign of it here yet! Let me know if it got mailed – Canadapost has been dragging lately…!
    HAPPY EASTER!

  64. LOL – you have a better picture of me than I have! It was great to hear you speak and meet you. I hope you get a chance to catch up on your sleep and figure out what you might have done to anger Jayme-the-Wonder-Publicist! 😉
    Here’s a link to the post o’ links:
    http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/?p=425

  66. I have been waiting with baited breath for your next post – and it was so worth the wait.
    Having been to Chicago last summer with spouse and three of five kids in tow – I can also concur with a) what a fab city it is, b) how amazing ‘The Bean, is c) how fabulous the shopping is. I can’t wait to go back and from the sounds of it am very grateful that I didn’t fly.
    I have been rationing your book – no more than 5 pages per day – so that it last a little while, although I have to tell you that I have cheated a little if I was at a particularly funny point of which there are many.
    After reading about your trials and tribulations of the US leg of your book tour – I just can’t wait for you to come back to Toronto for a formal launch in your hometown. We want to sing and adulate you here. :0)
    Travel safe.

  67. Steph- Happy and Hoppy Easter! I am so glad the rest of your trip was more enjoyable. I love that blanket made with sock yarn! I’ll have to visit her site for the tutorial! I can’t wait to see you @ Webs!!! Keep your strength up! Take care!

  68. Stephanie, you are absolutely amazing to take on writing, touring and blogging about something that I absolutely love, and you must too, knitting.
    I hope you’ve gotten all the icky travel stuff out of the way and the rest of the tour goes smoothly. Hope to see you in California.

  69. Thanks so much for coming to Saint Paul, you were wonderful and very very funny. And this is coming from a vegan Knitter who owns no wool whatsoever!

  70. Shelly…. has magical powers. Magical, magical powers… I’m still slightly stunned looking at that blanket thingy…

  71. Wow! It looks like an amazing time! I can’t wait to see you when you come to Petaluma. 🙂

  72. Stephanie, I think you are the nicest famous person in the history of everything.
    The Chicago event was so much fun…and I would like to give an extra shout-out to the woman who went up to the microphone and asked us all to show everyone else what we were knitting. That was so much fun to see everyone’s projects and all the lovely yarns. Everyone was so nice – I only wish I’d had the chance to meet more of you all!

  73. I keep our friend Harry up to date, (more later on Wed. night/Thur morning).
    And she totally thinks I’m a big fat liar about “sock camp”.
    It’s gone to far, she said.
    But it’s true right, your going to sock camp.

  74. I was at the Yarnery last Sunday and learned that you’d be at my alma mater. That’s the best thing that ever happened to that school…then I returned home to Chicago and missed you again. I can’t help it, I’m a harlot groupie!

  75. I enjoyed seeing you in St. Paul. Becca (knittymama)and I were the ones with the soakers. Leg cuffs for a crocheted soaker on dpns were the second thing I ever knit. I didn’t know it was supposed to be hard to knit with dpns.

  76. If I squint…I can just make out me, all tiny and grinning in one of the corners of the Oak Park pictures…
    This gives me something enjoyable to remeber as I pick up stitches for a button band on my first sweater ever. Wish me luck!

  77. Thanks for coming to Oak Brook Stephaine! I had the best time listening to you and meeting all the great knitters out there. I can’t wait to start grad school and catch up with the club again! Happy Easter!

  78. Dear Steph, you are very welcome about the string cheese; it’s what looked good to me personally as I was dashing out of La Crosse, Wisconsin that day running on a few hours of sleep also (but no one else’s week could compare to yours, poor soul). So I’m glad it went to a good cause. Cheese may not be love, but it IS our friend.
    Thank you for your warm & funny talk and your gracious patience with the mile-long line of knitters. You know, I had all of your books in my backpack — even the first writing of yours I ever read, the skating episode in KnitLit Too (which I read out loud to anyone who would listen. My daughters GOT it. And laughed at all the right times! And they could totally see it happening. They’re knitters now…) but couldn’t ask you, at that time of night, to sign ALL those books… And that was before I knew the details of the O’Horror episode, as you posted that when I was en route along the Mississippi. Wow! I can’t believe that after all that and your schedule for the past week, that you looked that good, were that funny, and if you were smelly, I didn’t notice! (I hope your luggage caught up with you soonish.) And the signing line was one of the most fun I’d ever been in — everyone was a knitter! Everyone else ‘got it’ too! What a blast! The Yarnery staff truly did an awesome job setting it all up, and we all had fun singing “O Canada” (regarding which, j’ai peur que je le connais seulement en francais, so the English words were very helpful). Thanks, Yarnery!
    What a crazy tour, but I’m glad you saw your family at last, and now should have some slightly more relaxed and red-eye-free time at your sock camp.
    I love the Chicago Bean too. You went inside, right? Did the sock like seeing itself inside out and upside down?
    Hang in there —

  79. Thanks for coming to Oak Brook Stephaine! I had the best time listening to you and meeting all the great knitters out there. I can’t wait to start grad school and catch up with the club again! Happy Easter!

  80. Dear Steph, you are very welcome about the string cheese; it’s what looked good to me personally as I was dashing out of La Crosse, Wisconsin that day running on a few hours of sleep also (but no one else’s week could compare to yours, poor soul). So I’m glad it went to a good cause. Cheese may not be love, but it IS our friend.
    Thank you for your warm & funny talk and your gracious patience with the mile-long line of knitters. You know, I had all of your books in my backpack — even the first writing of yours I ever read, the skating episode in KnitLit Too (which I read out loud to anyone who would listen. My daughters GOT it. And laughed at all the right times! And they could totally see it happening. They’re knitters now…) but couldn’t ask you, at that time of night, to sign ALL those books… And that was before I knew the details of the O’Horror episode, as you posted that when I was en route along the Mississippi. Wow! I can’t believe that after all that and your schedule for the past week, that you looked that good, were that funny, and if you were smelly, I didn’t notice! (I hope your luggage caught up with you soonish.) And the signing line was one of the most fun I’d ever been in — everyone was a knitter! Everyone else ‘got it’ too! What a blast! The Yarnery staff truly did an awesome job setting it all up, and we all had fun singing “O Canada” (regarding which, j’ai peur que je le connais seulement en francais, so the English words were very helpful). Thanks, Yarnery!
    What a crazy tour, but I’m glad you saw your family at last, and now should have some slightly more relaxed and red-eye-free time at your sock camp.
    I love the Chicago Bean too. You went inside, right? Did the sock like seeing itself inside out and upside down?
    Hang in there —

  81. Sorry about the double post — the computer told me it had encountered a serious error and could not complete my request, so I posted again. Once was plenty!
    Knit on —

  82. Isn’t it wonderful that one of the photos (Amber, I think) has her in front of a “Happy Feet” poster holding the sock. Perfect!

  84. You know… I’ve often wondered “whatever happened to the lady who wanted leftover sock yarn?”
    Now I know. (And I am still in complete awe)

  85. You know… I’ve often wondered “whatever happened to the lady who wanted leftover sock yarn?”
    Now I know. (And I am still in complete awe)

  86. You know… I’ve often wondered “whatever happened to the lady who wanted leftover sock yarn?”
    Now I know. (And I am still in complete awe)

  88. We so enjoyed seeing you in Chicago — thanks so much for coming to the suburbs this time! We never would have made it otherwise.
    And what fun I’ve had clicking through to all of the Chicago commenters’ blogs — so cool to match faces and names, look at photos and videos, and especially to read the tale of the seven-year-old’s question from her mom’s point of view. Hee!
    And go Shelly! What a blanket!! I think I see one of my yarn dregs… 😉

  89. Hey, don’t feel embaressed about the American Girl thing. You have three daughters, right? Well, even 16-and-halfs like me LOVE American Girl place.

  90. Thank you, your various publicists, and your publishing company for saving the Twin Cities for after I had graduated college and was actually living in the area instead of the much colder Fargo-Moorhead area. It was a funny, amazing night for myself and your knitting group. I laughed very hard that night and hope you come back to St. Paul again!

  92. The great Yarn Harlot has been to American Girl Place. Now sacred ground is even more sacred. I LOVE American Girl Dolls, and proud of it!

  93. i thoroughly enjoyed seeing you in person, it was just too cool! i didn’t find out about the state washcloth t hing until the night before i left,so i owe you a nebraska cloth! and the lady who took our pic and i were quoted in the minneapolis paper, too! i’m up too late, or i’d include the link, lol! hope you can get a WEE bit closer next time around! (i hear they’ve got a mean yarn store in leavenworth, kansas,called the yarn barn. hmmmmmmm. doesn’t that have possibilities!)

  94. Beer and string cheese. I am the only one concerned about your tour regime? Denver, get this woman some real food. Or at least some stout.

  95. My mom and I didn’t think we would make it, since we got lost in between Minneapolis and St. Paul and ended up at the Metrodome. We ended up sneaking in late after parking illegally and cutting through the shrubs. Anyway, we both had a lot of fun! Your moms with babies get to cut in line rule is the best ever! I was afraid I wouldn’t get to have my book signed, because I had my 3 mo along (I didn’t want to overwhelm the babysitters with 2 under 2). I haven’t laughed so hard for months!

  96. It was really a treat to see you and the beautiful Bohus in Oak Brook Stephanie. I think the book store staff were a little overwhelmed–even though I was in on Sunday and told them to expect a HUGE CROWD (they thought I was nuts of course.) After seeing this one crowd and reading the Ann Arbor post, I think we all have to appreciate you even more. How do you maintain your humor for the blog and your books? I think I should have gotten you a gift card for a spa instead of the Mountain Colors! Hope you get some rest and enjoy your family before this next leg of your trip. –Sharon G.

  97. Thank you so much for finally coming to the Twin Cities – I hope the experience was as good for you as it was for us (a mostly selfish wish, as I hope to repeat the experience again)! Next time we might manage to feed you a bit more than string cheese…
    The kid is very gratified to find himself and The Afghan on your blog. Part of our allotted 15 minutes of fame. I can’t promise we’ll ever make a knitter out of him, but he’s well on the way to being an appreciative Knitting Audience and someone who will not give his future spouse any guff about finding the occasional skein of yarn in the freezer and the tea pot. Those also serve who stand in for a swift..

  98. Thank you so much for finally coming to the Twin Cities – I hope the experience was as good for you as it was for us (a mostly selfish wish, as I hope to repeat the experience again)! Next time we might manage to feed you a bit more than string cheese…
    The kid is very gratified to find himself and The Afghan on your blog. Part of our allotted 15 minutes of fame. I can’t promise we’ll ever make a knitter out of him, but he’s well on the way to being an appreciative Knitting Audience and someone who will not give his future spouse any guff about finding the occasional skein of yarn in the freezer and the tea pot. Those also serve who stand in for a swift..

  99. I have found your blog quite resently, and I have enjoyed to read your text. Very usefull to practise my old english skills.
    Thanks!

  100. I am so in awe of all the incredibly talents individuals out there! It is amazing what they do. Thanks for sharing. I hope you and your family enjoyed a peaceful and joyous Easter.

  101. You are entirely too busy these days! ‘Course I’m just saying that ’cause you’re not coming to MY area. :~) Hope you enjoy your time with family!

  102. It was so much fun to have you in MN. This was my first time being in a room with more than one knitter (besides buying yarn) so the event was wonderful for me.
    Don’t forget to put a link up about your “all your yarn are belong to us” t-shirt. I can’t seem to find it on the web.
    Thanks again for coming, and get lots of sleep!

  103. I’m blogworthy! I feel like I “just got my pitcher on the cover of the Rolling Stone”! I laughed ’til I cried at your Oak Brook signing, and can’t wait until you write your next book and visit Illinois again!

  105. It was absolutely wonderful to meet you last Tuesday in Oak Brook. I could not even imagine how exhausted you must have been, yet you were warm and funny and chatted with everyone. I actually enjoyed just sitting and listening to you chat with the people in line to get their books signed. I hope you got some sleep this weekend….who would have guessed that being The Yarn Harlot would be so exhausting, hey?

  106. thanks for the update on the adventures, steph! and i encourage everyone to check out franklin’s version of events over on his blog. he has some awesome pic’s!

  107. Stephanie,
    I have to thank you for making my friend’s day when you visited Chicago. Kris was so excited leading up to your talk, and planned the evening for some time. Now she’s just so elated to have met you and given you her t-shirt. She’s walking been walking on angora clouds ever since. Good luck with the rest of your trip!
    mb

  108. Thanks for coming to Oak Brook Stephaine! I had the best time listening to you and meeting all the great knitters. Once I start grad school, I’ll be sure to catch up with the Knitting Illini and have more shirts made! Happy Easter!

  109. This trip has made for some great posts 🙂
    but I have to say – Your hair in the pix on Franklin’s blog..BEAUTIFUL! Hair commercial stuff even!

  110. You and Franklin in American Girl Place looking at dollies.
    Damn. I should’ve taken another day off and gone to Chicago with you.

  111. p.s. – Denny won’t be able to update you on last Wed/Thurs until I update HER on last Wed/Thurs.

  112. Good Grief, Charlie Brown! I’d be exhausted and ready to crawl in a hole and hibernate for a bit.
    Hope you have a Happy Easter!

  113. Happy Easter to you and your family! And I’ve reached an amazing conclusion based on the last two blogs – knitters are accomodating, calm, flexible, able to solve any disaster with charm and grace – damn, we should be running the world!

  115. Happy Easter, and here’s wishing you many sets of chocolate bunny ears to nibble. (This was my first Easter not making baskets for my girls – sob!)
    BTW, your link to the Rainy Girls is the same link to the blankie lady. Just sayin’.
    I so wish I was at a cockamamie camp this week!

  116. There were a few hundred knitters in Chicago and I can tell you, the ones on the front row arrived at 5pm for the 7:30 lecture. It’s always wise to bring some knitting along!

  117. the bean is the single greatest legume inspired piece of art around.
    and beer and string cheese sounds like a perfect way to end the day to me!

  118. 117? Wonder if you’ll get this far … however, fwiw, peppermint pure essential oil is a great lifter when you’re tired. Just unscrew the top, deep breath of peppermint and there y’ar – “camera ready”! Lol.

  119. Oh my what a trip. I have wondered about Chris for a long time. I am glad to hear that your last airport trip was uneventful (knocks on wood, crosses fingers, and many other non bad voodoo inducing charms…) Hope your Easter was very happy and that you, unlike me, do not suffer from a Jelly Bean hangover today. Can’t wait to see the next leg of the trip.

  120. I went to Macalester College in St. Paul, and the Yarnery was the first LYS I ever visited. I still think of it as the most welcoming yarn store I’ve been to. Your post made me miss it all over again! I wish I could have been there – it sounds like the event was wonderful.

  121. It was so cool to finally get to meet you (I was at the 400+ knitter event in St. Paul.) I also have to say that I live out in the boonies of Minnesota with very few other knitters and so it was so amazing to feel like a part of a larger community.
    We even corrupted my mom (she confessed to you that she crochets) and she is now attempting to learn to knit. I’m excited to have a knitting buddy too!
    Thanks again. It was a blast!

  122. I, too, love the Bean…. and Millenium Park…. and Chicago. I’ve got some Chicago pics up on my website, though I left just before you came. *sad face*

  123. Two things:
    If you get stuck at O’Hare again and are headed to Ann Arbor, rent a car and drive. Four hours and you’re there – straight shot. Or, if you’re leaving Detroit, but can’t get to Chicago, call me, I’ll drive you.
    How in the heck to you keep track of who is in the photos and their blog links?

  124. Quand vous venez en Louisiane, nous chanterons “O Canada” seulement en francais.
    Illinois does indeed look like a sock. Which means that now you have to come to Louisiana to get your washcloth for the state that looks like a boot.
    Stunning blankets. Kudos to the knitters and to the enthusiastic son! That part moved me deeply, a teenage boy attending a knitting event with his Mom and not crawling under a chair, but actively showing off her work. Beyond cool.
    And I am so glad you had an uneventful leg of your journey. Except for the 3:00am part. I used to have to do that for work. Ick.
    Hope you had a Happy Bunny Day. Forget the freakin’ eggs, dude. I hope the Easter Bunny rolled around on your rug and left you lots and lots of angora to spin.

  125. Would any of you technically advanced knitters be willing to YouTube some of the Harlot tv appearances?

  126. They sang O Canada for you, in English and French? How cool is that. I can’t believe they did that for you. Well, actually, knowing more and more about this wonderful knitting community of ours, I *can* believe it.
    And, as someone already noted earlier, Illinois does indeed look suspiciously like a sock.

  127. You wrote, “I am the exact opposite of a morning person”, and I must say that I am the same way! I’ve often said that there are only two kinds of time: Night-time and Non-time – anything before Noon is Non!!

  128. Q: What would you get if you crossed the Easter Bunny with an overstressed
    person?
    A: An Easter basket case!

  129. Many years ago, a friend and I took a cruise/land tour of Alaska. Part of the trip put us on a BIG articulated bus on the Al-Can Highway. We spent the night somewhere in Yukon at a little hotel that did dinner theatre for the tourists. The next morning, one of the actors, dressed in a bright red Mountie parade uniform, got on our bus and sang O Canada for us in French to start our day and our journey. I still get misty when I think of it and know you must have been thrilled.

  130. My scientific mind knows why the knitter pictures (the panoramic-style shots of hundreds of knitters) are so blurry.
    You (your mind, hands, and the camera) are all collaborating to save your sanity from the knowledge of the hundreds of knitters, so you can get through your talks in one piece!
    (I hope to see you again for your talk at Webs.)

  131. Dear Harlot (yarn variety),
    Stumbled upon your blog and added it to my personalized home page. Read it religiously because you seem so like a person I would like to know. Thanks for all your effort and time spent away from knitting. If you can post and knit at the same time you are a better woman than I!!!
    Would you (or some of your readers) please tell me what: 1)is a bohus, 2)are muggles, 3)is the hat project (for warmth or cancer fighters)??? Looked up “bohus” and only got a definition for a medieval fortress. “Muggles” sounds like a cartoon character. Would be very willing to knit a few hats for either purpose.
    My email is janes_lucky_2@yahoo.com. I check regularly, even when travelling. Although I am mostly a bobbin lacemaker, I am knitting a memorial sweater from yarn my husband picked out before his death. That got me back to knitting and to the WarmUp America afghan project—a great use for old (or new) yarn stash.
    Don’t want to load you down with too much, but hope you will write another book; thus requiring another book tour that I may be able to attend. …and we’ve just met!!!
    Thank you for helping me through a really rough time in my life.
    Just Jane

  132. Oh dear, oh dear. In my earlier comment I referred to the city in Minnesota that you visited as “minneapolis.” Oh my. I made a BIG mistake. I received an anonymous comment on my blog saying that I should get it right, the city was St. Paul. Forgive me, dear readers. I was on a week long college tour with my daughter and that day we were visiting Minneapolis. Although, we did visit a college and a university in St. Paul–wonderful city. Home of my favorite author and my favorite story teller. My apologies to all St. Paul-ites.

  134. 2nd post….. just a thought: who keeps that bean thing so shiny? and HOW do they keep it so shiny????

  135. Funny, our group knits at the Bean every Monday! In Florida…I knew I loved that place for reason besides great coffee:)

  136. Hi Stephanie! I was wondering if you had any plans to come visit(read: give any talks in) the American Southeast any time soon(or not so soon). I’ve been dying to meet you, but all the places you tour through are hours and hours away from where I live(and yes, I did check the tour page. Just thought it might not be quite up-to-date.)
    Also, I would love to see a picture of the “copper and gold wrap” that you mention in both “Yarn Harlot: secret life of a knitter” and “Knitting Rules” if that is at all possible or convenient.

  138. Whoof…get some Rest!! Now, how would I go about contacting Jayme-the-wonder-publicist to ask her if you could come to a CT Yarn store whilst you’re in MA?

  139. Yeeps! Get some sleep! (If I had to get up at 3:30, I think I just wouldn’t go to sleep. My theory is that if you get up at 3:30 it’s way too early in the morning, but if you’re still up at 3:30 it’s just a wee bit late at night.)
    Once you’ve rested, a suggestion: If you are a Charles M. Schulz/Peanuts fan, you absolutely must, must, must see the Schulz museum in Santa Rosa when you come to California in June. It is only a few miles from where you will be in Petaluma, you can do it in a couple of hours, and it is well worth the effort. Check it out at: http://www.schulzmuseum.org. Schulz lived and worked in Santa Rosa for many years, and they love him there. There are giant statues of various Peanuts characters all over town. The sock can meet Charlie Brown and Snoopy up close and personal.

  140. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day in Chicago than with Franklin, except maybe a day in TO with you (and the rest of the TO crowd). A copy of Casts Off is finally in my possession!

  141. De-lurking for the first time. I saw you at FIT in NY and really enjoyed your talk. I want to say thank you so much I just turned my first sock heal using the recipe in Knitting Rules and feel like a real knitter. What is it about socks any way. Even a lace shall did not give as big a felling of accomplishment. BTW Amazon finally sent my copy of Casts off , It was waiting for me when I got home so I have some fun reading to look forward to. And I’ve broken out the knitting in public there’s no turning back

  142. Stephanie, as a former Chicagoan, I’ve gotta say that it’s too bad you have your issues with O’Hare and Chicago (Tuesday mornings, especially), because you have perfect hair for the Windy City – check out the pictures of Stephanie on Franklin’s blog. You look sexy, lady, like one of those fashion shots with big fans to blow the model’s hair.
    Of course, all of us current and former Chicagoans are also familiar with what happens to the hair when the wind’s behind you.

  143. what a nice long post!! I just LOVE the two Sock knitters – they are one of my favorite knitting/blog teams. You need to get some serious rest though – getting up in the middle of the night and then being tricked into eating at the American Girl cafe. Oh my…

  145. thank you for all the shareing its almost
    like being there florida is a nice state do come
    for the lady looking for chemo hats or any one else go to headhuggers .org lots of
    free patterns ever so pretty
    you all are so pretty in the pictures
    even franklin

  146. What a trip — literally and figuratively. Love the bean. Before I saw the photo, I thought you were referring to a coffee shop. Your hair looks so beautiful on Franklin’s blog. See you at Webs.

  147. We loved, loved, LOVED, you in MN!!!!!! Even my Husband (who kindly, albeit somewhat begrudgingly, accompanied me) said he had a great time. I think he came away a little more afraid of knitters LOL (and definately searching nooks and crannies at home for hidden yarn) but we both had a fantastic time. My children, who are more accustomed to be bombared with knitting and knitterly talk rushed me in the morning to see if I had “really” gotten your signature. Thank you again for coming this way. We really enjoyed meeting you. Next time you come to MN though, I really think we should book up the XCel center downtown 😉 (that would REALLY scare the muggles)

  148. Your hair looks really pretty in the pix on Franklin’s blog. All windblown and carefree. Your site has become quite important to me and I join everyone in thanking you for sharing your thoughts and humor.

  149. Congratulations! You have been nominated for a Thinking Blogger Award.
    I chose your blog, because I love the way you write about your favourite craft, knitting, and because you inspire me to keep on going.
    The thinking blogger award comes with a challenge: should you decide to accept the award, you have to nominate 5 other blogs for this same award. And write a post on your blog where you mention the person who nominated you: Margreet, at
    http://margreetsmusings.blogspot.com/
    in which you also give the links to the 5 nominated blogs. You can go to my blog for more info.
    Whether you accept my nomination or not…I will keep on reading your blog, because it gives me joy, and we can’t have enough of that!!

  150. It figures you’d be in Chicago, when I’m down in school at U of I! No fair… Isn’t Chicago a riot? I wish I had been there to see my fellow Knitting Illini…

  151. So glad to have seen you in Chicago, Stephanie! My dad showed up at Borders to say hello to me, and stayed for a bit of your talk. I think we may have freaked him out a little bit. (It’s all right – I gave him a nice new hat the next day, so I’m sure he’ll get over it. grin!) He mentioned later that he liked the part about “stop insulting my grandmother!” My grandmother knitted for decades until her vision deteriorated, and I know she would have appreciated the dose of knitterly pride.
    (P.S. Mandy? Are you out there?! I was so excited by all the happy, crazy knitters, I completely forgot to give you the hat I’d knitted for the occasion. Please email me at thornacious (at) gmail (dot) com to let me know where I can mail it. Thank you!)

  152. One more anecdote about the St. Paul event:
    As I drove up, I FINALLY got to listen to “Cast On” podcasts, which I had downloaded eons ago, but have never had the opportunity to listen to (funny, my family refused to let me play it on our recent trip!). In the first episode, Brenda Dayne begins by talking about a ‘knitting culture’; she says something to the effect that if she were in a room of knitters and mentioned “The Yarn Harlot” and “Clapotis”, that 90% of the people in the room would know what she was talking about.
    THEN, 2 hours later in St. Paul, The Yarn Harlot stood up in a room of knitters and talked about…Clapotis. WOH.
    (And there were several awesome Clapotis in the room too, just to mention.)
    How cosmic is that?

  153. Thanks for coming to the Twin Cities, I was so nervous to talk to you. I hope your coffee helped you on your travels and your flights have been better. You were the second celebrity I’ve ever met and you were so kind unlike John Sanford a local author of mysteries that would visit our Borders Store. He wasn’t mean but he was just generally indifferent to cranky at times. You were wonderful and I look forward to seeing you at your next books signing if you come to the Cities again.
    Take care.
    S

  154. I enjoyed your talk in the Cities! (I’m the one wearing a green sweater in Lisa’s picture.) I sure hope you’ve recovered from this whirlwind tour and are relaxing and having fun at Camp. : )

  155. Thanks to my two best friends in the world, Mary and Sue who traveled to the Chicago Border’s signing for me since I have moved down here in Texas, many miles from the Harlot. (You can even see my friend in the background of a couple of the pictures you took.)
    They were nice enough to get your autograph and mail me your book pronto, which I have already read from cover to cover. It is wonderful! Great Job!

  156. I remember Franklin standing near me with his camera while he knitted lace during your Oak Brook chat, so I thought I would link to his blog and check out what pictures he had taken. Turns out, he included a shot of me and my friend Rachael as we laughed and knitted. I am impressed by his lace lettering!

  157. Wow–thanks for the pix of Shelley–some of that sock yarn is mine!!! It looks wonderful… and that Brennan kid is adorable…how wonderful that he was that proud…

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