No Pressure

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As some of you know (mostly the Canadians, admittedly) it is hard for yours truly to do the tour thing in Canada. I want to do it, I love to do it, it’s easier to do it…BUT…. It’s a very big place, and for reasons that are pretty complex (my publisher is American, I am Canadian, there is a complicated bit of border business in between) the US publisher shouldn’t be the ones booking stuff in Canada. The Canadian distributor is responsible for events here, and for reasons that are similarly complex (bigger country, more kilometres to cover, 1/10th the population, fewer cities to stop in and the fact that they only make a small portion of the profit – a hint is the difference between the Canadian and American prices on the back of all books) it doesn’t make a lot of sense (no matter how much I want them to…) for them to behave and spend money the way the US publisher does.

Understanding all this (or not understanding it, but coming to realize that “cost -efficiency” is everything in business, and while I think of this as knitting, they think of it as business) there have been only as many Canadian dates as they can manage. I did Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston…and more Canadian stuff is coming up, as fast as everyone can sort out all the complicated stuff. I decided though, that while everyone was doing the math, that there had to be an event here, at home in Toronto (considering that I live here- it’s not like travel was an issue) and started trying to figure out how to give local Canadians knitters the same chance to gather in an alarming herd of knitterliness that our friends to the south get.

Enter the esteemed Rachel H. the fountain from which all goodness springs. (Ok. Not all goodness, but a whole darned lot of it.) Rachel decided, since she had to go to Ann Arbor for a big knitting party – and since she would really, really like to go to another one, that it was in her own best interest to help me get it together. Since it is pretty much impossible to book anything with a bookstore without a publicist, Rachel decided she would marshal her considerable professional abilities and intellect, and become my personal publicist for the purposes of said event. I was grateful, but worried.

Rachel H. has some mad skills, but she knows not what it is like to try and convince a bookstore that you need chairs. Marketing an – well, marketing anything is easier than selling a bookstore on a “knitting event” but I gave her my blessing and she set off.

After a string of phone calls, emails and persuasion of various sorts, Rachel H. has managed to convince an events guy that if he builds it…we will come. I won’t tell you what she had to say to him about the sub-culture of knitting that runs fiercely through Canada, (nothing dirty) but I assure you, there is nothing I would enjoy more than shocking the daylights out of this store that is worried that a Knitting Event can’t pull enough people for it to be worth their time. (I forgive them everything, even the suggestion – when we asked for a downtown location with space, easy TTC and parking, that we might be happier in a “suburban” location. They just don’t know. We will show them. The scope and diversity of the knitting bookshelf at Indigo should be forever improved by this representation of knitting might.)

Your mission, my fellow Canadians (and any American Comrades who would like to aid in the revolution), should you choose to accept it:

Indigo at Bay & Bloor

(That’s the Manulife Centre)

Friday May 25th

7:00pm

It’s free, as always. Suggestions for a big honking afterparty location gratefully accepted. (It is Canada on a Friday night after all…there must be beer, or our National reputation will be shattered and the Drunken Knitters Club will be devastated.) The Hat lady for Toronto will be, well…me, and I’ll be laying your knitty love on StreetKnit.

Hope you can come, and I hope they have enough chairs.

All hail the mighty Rachel and the Indigo guy who decided to take a shot.

PS. If you were thinking about going to the Webs event (you’ve got to know people are doing it right when there is both associated charity events AND a cash bar) but were worried about space, never fear. The Webs people have your back and have moved the event to The Calvin Theatre. I think the is space for hundreds more knitters, (This threatens to be a very scary event – to say the least. Hundreds of knitters with a cash bar? Be afraid.) but they would still like you to register. I am trying hard not to interpret this move to a larger space as pressure, while being simultaneously giddy about that many knitters in one place.)

PPS. Amy is launching her book tonight at Lettuce Knit. Always a good party. If I can stop hacking up a lung long enough to be there…I will be. I do feel a little better. Though I did have to switch to a nice simple sock for knitting.

Switchtosock0506

Cold meds and cables DO NOT mix.

178 thoughts on “No Pressure”

  3. I wish I lived closer to Canada. Good luck with the cough. I have had the same thing since the middle of March. Got to love Spring.

  4. As I was reading I started to plan a trip all out! I wish I could be there.

  5. All Hail the mightly Rachel H. But crap on a plate, I can’t make that date!
    I’ll just have to persuade you to come to Aurora – veggie quesadillas, overstocked beer fridge, the promise of cooler weather…

  6. That’s the first bookstore I visit when I go home to TO–blocks from my parents place–so I’m hoping it does have a great positive influence on their knitting book shelf! I’m sending the tour info to my Mum, so she can attend for me. If I hadn’t just invited the whole neighborhood to a bonfire at our house that weekend I’d be there myself.

  7. I want to go!! Alas, I’ll have to settle for driving 500 miles north from San Diego to be at your Petaluma gathering 🙂 Have a wonderful time. I hope you’re feeling better soon!

  8. Afterparty? Hm. Ye Olde Spotted Dick? One of the patios at Hemingway’s? The rooftop patio at the Pilot?
    Yay! Event in Toronto!

  10. YAAAAYYYY!!!!!! I’m sooo there. So bummed that I missed Represent – and now you’re just down the street! Man, Indigo is seriously in for it. Thanks Rachel H! That’s some crazy magic you’ve got!

  12. My daughter is an Assistant-Manager at Chapters Queensway. I’ll let her know to let them know this is going to be big. I mean really big. Seriously big. I’ll be there (dabble knitter) and I’m bringing my Mum (the real knitter).
    Cheers and feel better soon.

  13. Hmmm… somehow I don’t think my boss will let me have more time off in May (I work in TV, it’s sweeps, no one gets time off) She’s already very wonderfully told me I can have the 30th so that will have to do! (Can’t wait! Yay!)
    Get better soon!! Those lungs need to stay inside your chest!

  14. I would so love to go to the Indigo thingy and scare the Muggle book store owner but I am 9 1/2 months pregnant now, the baby due May 18th. My husband just laughs and says NO!!! I did try and tell him that you are a doula, still says NO!!.POOP! Come to Ottawa!!!!!! Cheers Lulu of Yarn Forward

  15. Wow. I want to live in Canada, not for the opportunity to see you on your home soil (though that would be cool) but to have access to a national resource the likes of Rachel H. Is there anything the woman can’t do? From book parties to sawdust fires, she da man.

  16. I’m so sad, I can’t come, I’m in an art show in Stratford that night, sob, sniff. Have fun, will mail hat asap.

  18. Graduation week in Iowa so won’t make the event. Know it will be a grand party. Good job Rachel and thank you Indigo.
    Glad to hear surgery went well for your friend with the new Big Pink but will keep prayer wheels spinning.
    Get the cold dealt with and don’t spread it around to knitting friends if you are still feeling blech! tonight. Take care of yourself please. Enjoy your party on the 25th.

  19. Oh my god! I am actually planning to be in Toronto for work that day, hmmm… must check flights to come home on Saturday instead of Friday night.
    Also? Vancouver? You came to Vancouver and I missed it? Where the heck was I? I will be at the Victoria reading/signing at least. But Vancouver? Was I drunk?

  21. I wish I could come but a HS graduation has to win.
    I’ve seen you handle hundreds of knitters with access to a cash bar and you were hilarious.

  22. Can’t do Toronto on the 25th but I have been signed for months for the WEBS event! I think it’s so cool you’ll be at the Calvin. I’ve been joking at the Knitty Coffeeshop that it’s too bad you can’t have a backup band called The Muggles for your Calvin appearance. I mean, it IS a music theatre…
    Hope you feel better, or at least well enough for cables, soon.
    P.S. I’m the idiot who, when I ran into you and your mother-in-law by chance in Central Park in March, gushed about your bedroom renovations rather than your knitting. Arrggghhh!!!! Wish I could do that moment over.

  23. Cash bar + knitters = Be afraid. (Got it and right you are.) Cash bar + charitable cause = verry, verry smart.

  24. “Your mission, my fellow Canadians (and any American Comrades who would like to aid in the revolution), should you choose to accept it:”
    …and, I assume, if we are caught or killed, you will disavow all knowledge of our actions??
    Annie (call me Cinnamon)

  25. Well, from Texas I don’t think I’ll be there. But Stephanie, please get your “cold” looked at (if you haven’t already)! Please? I can’t stand reports of coughing and hacking for weeks at a time…

  26. Fantastic! I’m so excited, I will definitely be there and maybe even knit a hat. I have friends in different cities who have gotten to go to an event and I’m so excited to join the fun.

  27. WoW I can’t wait. I was really hoping you could do a Toronto Location. Praise for Rachel and the Indigo dude for making it happen. Gonna bring all my books of yours and buy another one of Cast Off to send to a friend. I love your books and they got me through a really bad 5 days in Scarborough General with pneumonia……Stephanie you rock. I may even bring DH. Of course must bring a scarf so I can knit along being a brand new knitter at 63 lol. Yeah Yarn Harlot

  28. I have been registered with Webs since before they announced the move to the Calvin. Impatiently waiting for May 30.
    Take care and continued blessings to your friend.
    See you soon

  29. I am so excited I could just just just…… SPIT!!!! (couldn’t think of anything else) I’m hopping up and down and typing and figuring that my dil will have to come with me because I just don’t know the subways and things and I’m gonna see the Harlot!!!!!!! And I don’t care if she is bored (how could she be!) ’cause she has to get me there! I’m gonna see her and maybe she will sign my book! And thank you to Rachel for arranging this to be close enough that I can go! Soooooooo happy!!!!!! Happy happy happy!!!!! samm near Niagara Falls

  30. I wish I could join you all, but I do send my best wishes and I certainly hope you knock the socks off of the Indigo staff.

  32. When I was at Webs for class last weekend I saw the move to the Calvin. The space is large and gorgeous–just right to welcome you back.
    No pressure on you–just on us to show how well-behaved knitters can be, even where a cash bar is involved.

  36. I’ll do my best to be there. I’d love to see all the Indigo folks looking agog at the crowd of knitters and if that helps them improve the selection of knitting books at their stores – better still.

  37. Can’t make the event, but I was already privileged to see you in Denver. May I suggest, for the cough, tincture of Osha Root? It is very, very, very nasty, but it really does work. Sort of like aged celery that hasn’t been washed. Some suggest diluting it in water or juice, but I just take it straight because diluting it only prolongs the nastiness.
    I suspect it works because, after a couple of doses, our bodies say “Whoa! We don’t want to have to have THAT again!” and straightens up. But that’s just me.

  38. My sentiments lie w/ many others – I am seriously considering… but something about traveling a couple thousand miles for knitting and beer seems so difficult to justify when I do it on a regular basis in my own living room. Admitedly not doing it alone would be SO much more fun! I’m even working on a pair of wild socks. And how?!
    ::air fare from Wenatchee, WA to Toronto, OT — $755:: At that, I don’t think I can go 🙁

  39. Drats! I live in Canada and I still can’t go to it! Living all the way over on the west coast doesn’t allow much time to be in Toronto. 😉
    However, my friends and I are all ready for you in Victoria in June (A MONTH AWAY!!! YAY!) We should throw you an after party!!! Wait, do you know if there’s already an after party you’re going to in Victoria?!?!? Do you need a chauffeur? We, the Bitchy Bees (we’re not bitchy, we just knit) would love to show you all the best Victoria spots if you’ve got some time!
    http://community.livejournal.com/bitchybees/

  41. I’ve been waiting so long to see if Winnipeg would get lucky with your tour (I was unaware of the goodness of knitting the last time you toured here)… *sigh* Atleast I found out the day before my birthday and not on. The non-greater Toronto area Canadian knitters will be greatly missing you. But I’m glad there is atleast some Canada representation.

  44. Lulu: you want to scare Muggle store owners and you’re *not* going to bring your past due self to the event? What would work better? (I was asked to leave a Kinko’s once at 9 months… the only person working there must have been afraid I would explode.)
    Harlot: That does it, I simply must get a new passport and start putting money aside for occasions such as this.
    Can someone have a drink at my namesake Toronto restaurant/bar, Elizabeth Dooley’s, for me?

  46. Do you know I actually met a group of knitters -when I first moved to this fine city – that was horrified at my suggestion of drinking during a knit-in? Weird, huh?

  48. How very wonderful for Canada – their own Harlot in Toronto. I won’t make it from Northern California…but it all makes me smile big.
    hmm… about publicists in these here United States – perhaps Jayme could check in with the Petaluma location? The store is gorgeous gorgeous, full of fabo books and things. However, it is divided into two long narrow parts and both parts have gorgeous book racks – I don’t quite get where this will happen. If someone is driving up from Southern California (see note above) it seems a small squished place for this event. I’m keeping the panic and anxiety out of my voice here, (this has kept me awake nights…really) but I think they are planning on seeing maybe at max tops 150 ‘ladies’ show up with hair nets and sensible shoes. A Yarn Harlot event is not on their radar. At any rate, Bravo Rachel and Indigo guy – have a knitalicious time in Toronto.

  49. So glad that our fellow Canadian knitters will get the opportunity that we southerners have been treated to. Good on ya. . .
    How are you feeling, Steph? I’m telling you the nasal rinse is the way to go.

  50. Hehe, I love the ‘scaring muggles with your overdue baby-belly’ thought. I went clubbing at 8.5 months and they were worried about letting me in, I ended up with my own personal bouncers for the few hours I was there. The words when I left? “Boy, are we glad you’re leaving! Don’t walk too far – do you have money for a cab home?” So cute.
    I am SO COMPLETELY THERE on the 25th. Booking my night off on the calendar as I type. This is so exciting! Now I need to make hats… lots and lots of hats!
    Thank you Rachel, for bringing the knitterly goodness home!

  51. Toronto being a 24 hour drive/arm, leg and chest worth of plane ticket, I can’t come. I want to send a hat though. Where do I send it?

  52. On a relatively unrelated note – there are knitters in the southern half of the US who REALLY wish you would visit us down here, North Carolina for me specifically – we would represent – we PROMISE. We really do knit down here, even if it is hot as blazes already. Air conditioning is the best. invention. ever.

  53. I’m so disappointed!! I popped in today with the specific reason of figuring out some knitterly things to do in Toronto while I’m there for a conference later this month…hoping that you would be making an appearance, and you’re actually having party on the 25th?! Only 2 hours after my flight will leave! Ugh. 🙂 Have lots of fun!! I’ll be thinking of you while I’m knitting on the plane ride home.

  54. If you were at– say– the Soo, I’d SO be there. Toronto is way on the other side of Ontario, tho, and while I’d drive 6 hours, driving 25 seems a little excessive. Even for Canadian Beer. Have lots of fun, and kudos to Rachel for taking this on.

  55. I bought your new book at the Indigo on Rue St Catherine in Montreal in early April. I really didn’t go all the way from Maryland, US to Montreal to buy your book, but I would have. 🙂 Seriously, I couldn’t find it around here at all. And it makes it extra special to me that I bought it in Canada. It just seems right. Now if only you had been speaking in Montreal while I was there it would have been perfect. 🙂
    Feel better!!

  56. Dang! I’m going to the Joseph Arthur concert in T.O. that night. It’ll be my first night away from the baby!

  57. Oh, oh… it is a 5 hour drive from our home to the event. Husband and son will be fishing that weekend. It is just me and the girls. Rachel H. hung out in A2 with us… I hope this feeling leaves, because I could end up dragging the girls on an international road trip! I think we still only need birth certificates to cross the border… help.me.

  58. So excited! I was so jealous on the NYCknitters when I saw the pics. Now the “Florence of Knitting’ gets to represent. As for after-drinks, I think the Hemingways patio will be completely jammed on a Friday night. We need somewhere just as close but less over-populated. I will think on it. I may even go scope the ‘hood.

  59. Sigh…so very far away….so wishing I could be there, I’d need to win a really good sized lottery though…Rachel H., you are Queen of Petals.
    love the sock, feel better soon.

  60. It’s very hard for me to say what I am about to say…I’m having a hard time liking you right now. I have been DYING to go to a Yarn Harlot event, be it a book signing, a chance sighting or a big honkin’ knitting party. I long for a Canadian tour and what happens? Two months after I move out of Ontario, y’all organize a big TO represent party. Only lived three hours from Toronto a mere two months ago. Could’ve taken the train. Now I’m an unobtainable plane ticket away. I’m so going to go and pout about this.

  61. Knitting & Beer….I so wish I could be there! I’ll have to be content to wait until you get to Powell’s in Portland next month! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
    Ya know, they’ve got tons of fine micro-brew here too. Just a thought…might want to mention McMennamin’s to Rachel… They could handle a large crowd ;o )
    Prayers out for you & the nasty still hanging on cough (((hugs)))

  62. An event in Toronto and I just live down the road!! Except – I am going to be in New York State that weekend, wouldn’t you know it? Grrr… Can’t you be in Cold Spring that day instead?
    (I see that very familiar green sock is shaping up. I had a little shock of recognition there since I made those very socks from that very yarn a while back.)

  63. First, good on Rachel H. for getting this done – I’m sure a good time will be had by all!
    Second, *ahem* I offered to do this down here in the Quad Cities, the response was: zip. nada. and zilch.
    Not that I’m going to go pout over my Tao silk yarn or anything, I’m just sayin’.

  64. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT FAIR. I had figured when you did the Toronto shindig that I would hop on the train and come over and spend a couple days and have some knitting fun. I’ll be in France on the 25th. This sucks.

  65. Delurking to say feel better! I know you have probably heard it a million times, but I am convinced that colds are solved by tea and positive energy, not to sound like too much of a hippy, so saying it once more can’t hurt.

  66. Have you considered setting up an Eventful page, and presenting that to the Canadian distributor?
    http://eventful.com/events?l=Canada
    It might help sort out where you’d be in demand, plus give some evidence as to just how many people might show up (for those dubious that you might need more than 5 chairs in a library, that sort of thing).

  67. happy event thee deep breaths then cough repeat
    here in florida we have events called bring your
    own folding chair and we do do you have camping
    chairs stuffed in a bag? i can just see a hundred
    knitters chairs on thier back knitting bags in
    hand walking into the bookstore we brought our own

  68. I keep waiting for the next Los Angeles tour… sigh… The closest so far is north of San Francisco, which is 5 hours away… So, until I can meet you, I’ll continue to read you…

  69. Hope you feel well enough to put a major dent in that cash bar and continue with your cables. Have fun:)

  70. I have registered for WEBS, taken time off work and will vow to drink for the cause. I just can’t wait!!! It will be so much fun!!!

  71. Yay! A rare de-lurk just because I’m so happy to hear about the Toronto event. I will be there to represent, and I will bring hats!

  72. A cash bar? WOOHOO! That gives new meaning to a yarn crawl — for those of us who have too much cash to walk upright back to Webs for yarn.

  73. Cool. Wish I could be there. Now that the company I work for has acquired a Toronto-based company, I’m working on getting my business trip invitation to “network” with our Canadian brethren. The problem is they all know my main motivation is for the knitters and knit shops. Don’t think it will work out soon enough for the event, though. So sad…

  74. Woo hoo!! I’ll be (attempting) to book that off tomorrow at work…now…how to convince the DH to come with me??

  75. Well, hell’s bells! If Rachel H. can get from Toronto to A2, I bet I can get from Toledo to Toronto!!! LOL I have to look at the calendar… It’s not *that* far.

  76. Hmm…I have to concur with Sarah, about pricing the trip…I would go Greyhound, though, I am only just in Ohio! [PS Round-trip from here to there is $72 USD ;-)]

  77. Unfortunately, I will be rehearsing before my first live hip-hop performance. I’m not kidding.
    Doubly unfortunately, May 25 is my 40th birthday. I would MUCH rather be spending it with you all drinking beer and reveling in the knitting revolution. Instead, I will be trying to imagine a thousand people in their underwear. Does that work for stage fright? Jeez, I hope so.
    Rock the house, dude.

  78. Can’t afford the airfare to Toronto at this point, BUT – doesn’t a knitting retreat in beautiful Whistler, BC sound good?? We could all go to the top of the mountain and KIP with the marmots and the bears. Seriously. Everyone has conferences in Whistler. It’s the thing to do.

  79. I live on the wrong coast, but I’m looking forward to June…I’m tempted to drive north to Alaska, but will probably content myself with floating across the water to Victoria, unless a mainland dealie happens.

  80. Excellent! I’m so glad for our Canadiennes (and Canadians, not to leave out the lads)! Can you imagine what an event would look like if we could get ALL the world’s YH fans to one majorly big Knit-In? Whoooah, ain’t that many chairs in the world! And Stephanie, dearling? Hot lemonade and honey! Tastes good, full o’ vitamin C, and honey provides instant energy. Yum-o (to quote another darling child).

  81. Sweet! Knitting, then pop upstairs to the Varsity Theatre for Pirates of the Carribean!
    I’m sooooo there!

  82. My friend and I visited Toronto in April and loved it – what a bummer we can’t come back for this event!
    Incidentally, we left a little goodie bag for you at Lettuce Knit. Did you ever get it?

  83. Oooh! Scaring the Toronto muggles. Excellent! You will triumph.
    Love the sock. What yarn? Hope the cold is better soon.

  84. bummer. there’s no way i can be in TO at 7 pm on the 25th. not with a wee one dependent on me. sigh. i’d love to be a part of the muggle-shocking.
    feel better!

  86. it is only $378 roundtrip from NYC. of course, i was just at sheep and wool festival and have plans for lacrosse related trips later this summer (I know – not as cool as knitting, but close). so i don’t know. tempting though. very tempting.

  87. Oh how I wish!!! Three cheers for Rachel. It’s gonna be a mob scene. In a good way. Mystical things happen when knitters come together en masse. Case in point: Last weekend, at MD Sheep & Wool, I came home with a spinning wheel. This might not seem terribly extraordinary at first glance, except…I don’t spin!

  88. Toronto sounds fun (doesn’t it always though?), and so does Webs. I’ll raise a beer on the respective dates as the United Knitters of the World gather. Rock on sister!

  90. You’ll love the Calvin! It was one of my favorite places to catch a movie when I was in college (although it was and continues to be a “regular” theatre as well, where they have some big-name concerts, and I think no movies nowadays). And there’s plenty of room for quite a large crowd, with a balcony even. I wish I could be there, but it’s a bit far from San Francisco for the day…..

  91. I keep thinking about you and your friend. Best wishes and rapid healing to both of you.

  92. Canada, I fear, is beyond my reach (drat!), but I have *so* already registered for Webs, and booked myself a space in the local carpool. So. psyched. (You may get an idea of how psyched I am when I tell you that I, the Spelling Mafia, am having trouble remembering how to spell “psyched.” I think I have it right. If not you may point and snicker forevermore.)

  93. wish I could be in Toronto. maybe I could convince my boss that you need some insurance…
    have I got a remedy for you. Try a rubbing Vicks on the soles of your feet and slip your knitted socks over them before you go to bed. It works!! Tried it on my son last night. He’s been coughing out his lungs the last few nights leaving no one with any sleep! We all slept last night… It’s some old wives tale but it works better than cough syrup!

  94. Oh my. I may just have to be there! I’d have a 10yo in tow. I’d be looking a little harried about driving into Toronto on a Friday night. But… Yikes. I might have to do this! I promise to say “eh” often and to drink … what is it? Beer? Oh my.

  96. Wouldn’t you know it… I’m out of town on May 25. Since it will certainly be a big success, could you do it again sometime? I can’t believe I’m going to miss it. It’s such a great idea.

  98. I wish I was still in Canada now… Especially since it’s colder there and down here is getting irritatingly hot. But otherwise, let them know the power of the knitter!

  99. Sigh. I will be in western MA the weekend of May 19 and 20. I will be back for the entire month of June. The weekend of the 30th I’m in Virgina. I wonder if I can persuade my sister the quilter to take a knitting book over and get it signed for me.

  100. I’ve been away (at Webs, with my knitting daughter…a very good time was had by all!) and missed the Big Pink Post. Just wanted to say that I’m glad the Big Pink Thing had lots of healing thoughts and prayers, as well as the fun, music and even a little beer to share with your friend. She sounds like the kind of person who would appreciate the fullness and complexity of your life, as well as your knitting.

  101. Day booked OFF…check
    Hat(s) started…check
    Started the search for a bar/pub that can hold X number of knitters in the Bay/Bloor area….let me get back to you
    Soooooo excited…..the knitting shelf at Indigo needs a revamping!

  102. I am sooooo gonna be there! I’ll try to bring all my knitting doula/midwife friends too! Can’t wait to freak the muggles!

  103. I’ve been incommunicado for a few days, so I just now saw your explanation of the Big Pink Thing. What you did is the nicest kind of magic– putting all your love and skill together with good thoughts for your friend’s health. Bless you.
    Besides being good mojo, it’s also a heck of a pretty shawl.

  104. OH OH OH! D’OH! I got all excited reading the start of your post, then saw the date… I’m returnin to TO from 9 years in Japan on July 3, not even close. I’ll be waiting for the next one!

  106. Again with the standing up to be counted … yup, I’m in.
    Rachel, you want I should bring a veg ‘n dip plate or somethin’? Cart in an emergency stash of those folding chairs you sling over your shoulder to take to the park on the weekend? Maybe move Etobicoke two steps to the left?
    Oh Captain, my Captain.

  107. Ummm….I think you may be confused…Vancouver, WA (USA) maybe, but not Vancouver, BC, CANADA???? If REPRESENT were here and I missed it, I would be very disappointed. I have officially come out of lurkerdom to say, “No…please don’t say I missed you!!!” I will be going to the Fibre Festival on Friday and if you were going to be anywhere in the general Vancouver area, that would be the place to be. Come pet the angora bunnies with me! It’s will be a miracle if I get through another year of the Fibre Festival without bringing one home with me.

  108. Woohoo! I’m making plans to be there.
    Work has me booked that evening, but I’m going to worm out of things for an hour or two. Must start a hat or two now!

  109. Although I cant make it to the Toronto get together (I wish I could) I will be amoungst the hundreds at the WEBS event. I’ll be the one knitting, see you there!

  110. Rachel H., you ROCK.
    Spending my birthday with knitters, freaking out muggles and alcohol after? I’m all over that 😉

  111. Super Duper Awesome! I will be in Southern Ontario for 3 weeks in May! I can’t wait!!!!!!!

  113. Woohooo! I’m registered for the WEBS event and I can’t wait! I registered way back when it was first announced that you were coming to our neck of the woods again to visit. I had talked to one of the people at WEBS during a visit and they said that they had a 375 chair space. I told them that they needed more space than that LOL! I’m driving in from NY (I live about an hour away) and so are my friends. We can’t wait! (No pressure there!) I’m sorry that your countrymen don’t have as many opportunities to see you as we do. All my friends who’ve attended one of your events had a great time and absolutely loved it. I hope your Toronto event is the biggest one yet. That will show all the Muggles!

  114. i really want to be there. a wedding in hawaii prevents me. while i’m not complaining – it is hawaii, and i’ve never been – i will miss the knitting and the wool. and freaking out the muggles. i guess i’ll have to sit tight til your visit in june.
    but the toronto knitters will rock their world. i just know it.

  115. Way to go Rachel H! I hope the Canadian Party goes well, that y’all show the Muggles what’s up, and that there is much Knitting and Drinking, but hopefully not too much Tinking, at the Afterparty. 🙂

  116. why? why? why???? did it have to be the 25th????? why why why. We were in Ann Arbor (which was fun and exciting and knitterly…and in Toronto, we would NOT have to wait while YOU were in a NO-COFFEE-drinking-limbo trying to get to us) and I would totally try to convince my peaceful friends to go to Toronto to see you…..BUT it is my son’s birthday. Not sure how he would feel if I was away on a knitting holiday! oh…well……maybe next time…..and Toronto is such a nice city! :::silent weeping:::

  117. I, having just returned to work without a lick of vacation time, am going to miss you at WEBS. I will be sending mad props your way for a grand time and many, many, giggles.
    xo,
    w.

  118. The Calvin is perfect for WEBS. I remember going to dollar night at the Calvin during college. Too bad the Iron Horse is gone- would have made a great after party place.

  119. Wheeeeee! I’m in Kingston, but I’m going to be in town on the 25th! Well, we’ll be driving into town on the 25th, but I’ll have dh just drop me at Bay and Bloor on our way into town.
    I was really bummed that I couldn’t manage the NY Represent event, so I am beyond thrilled to be able to catch this one!
    Rest up, and feel better soon!

  121. Let’s hear it for Rachel H.! No reason all of us down south should have all the fun!
    And BTW, just how many sock needles do you have. By my estimates, you have A. L.O.T.

  123. #*%@$#! I have to go to Edmonton that day. Just that day! #*%@$#!
    Have a great time, I wish I could go!

  124. You know, The Calvin is right across the street from the Hotel Northampton. The Dalai Lama just had an event there yesterday. I bet there’ll be some great karma in the air for your event! See you there!

  125. Are you freaking kidding me??? In Toronto??? I will certainly be making the trip! A mere two hour drive with a 5 month old should be peachy, RIGHT???
    Is it sad how excited I am?? AND, you really must put your needles in the baby’s hands.

  126. So, my hubby says to me the other day “I’ve HAD IT with this job.” He’s been there 7 years and hated every day of it. So I say “Hmm, I’ve been looking into Toronto (cause i have a bit of a wandering eye when it comes to my country of origin), I think you’d be able to find a job there…” I’m not sure what his thoughts are, but I doubt we’d be there by the 25th anyway. Drat.
    And what sock yarn is that? That’s really cool.
    I sincerely hope you are feeling better soon, whatever you have, it sounds nasty. Thinking of you.

  127. We love you, Yarn Harlot. Please come back to Edmonton. We have beer and cookies. (Not at the same time, unless you’re into that kinda thing.) Brownies and port. (Now that’s a better combo.)
    You’ll know us by the socks on our DPNS.

  129. Hey, maybe I’ll even ride my new bike to the event. Mmmh, but what about the drinking? Ah, I guess I’ll take the TTC.
    MARIA

  130. I am so excited for your trip to WEBS! Just an FYI the Calvin holds about 1000. Wouldn’t that be amazing?! Can’t wait!

  131. Wooo hoooooooooo!
    Gabillions of knitters at Bay and Bloor???? I can’t wait – will get babysitter and be there with bells on.
    I LOVE you soooooooo much for not having it in the burbs.

  132. Yay!! A knitting even that I could even walk to – how great! (More thanks for opting for “downtown.) I’ll be there, with socks on the needles 🙂

  133. stephanie,
    i hope you are feeling better today,
    my mother sent me a note the other day about treating a cough,i don’t remember where she said she had gotten the info but it works.
    put vicks vapo rub on the bottoms of your feet and the cough should subside in about 5 mins.
    the cough may not go completely away but you should feel some relief.
    hope this helps,coffee and choclate don’t hurt either…warm quite thoughts…
    lorie

  134. Someone already mentioned the Textile Museum fundraiser on the 25th and 26th – the link is http://textilemuseum.ca/PDF/YardageSale.pdf
    Loads of great knitting stuff amongst other things – all donated! Yarn bargains, knitting humour (did you know you started this category at Toronto Public Library?) and a pub – I’m so there. Now to decide on a hat to make…

  135. Cheers to the events person for jumping in! If he doesn’t believe in the power of the knitters, just have him give me a call. . . . . . I’ll tell him all about the 500 people we have registered with 3 weeks still to go.
    Just get yourself healthy!

  137. To Cecelia (and anyone else) who’s a bit worried about the Petaluma shop: I’m very close friends with one of the employees of Copperfield’s (my significant other’s sister has worked there for at least 5 years). I’m doing my best to prep her, and get her to prep the rest of the staff, for the mighty Harlot event. She says when they have an event, they move ALL the shelves in one section to the side and they’ve accommodated more than 200 people there in the past. But I’ll do my best to keep warning them to expect more knitters than they think exist!

  138. I work just a five minute walk away from that Indigo!! How exciting, I can’t wait to go! I am so happy that there is finally an event in TO, and it is even downtown. You rock Rachel H! Thanks Harlot!

  139. Hmmm, I wonder if I could scam up enough money. I love TO and the husband has never been there… I could have my knitting and he could go in search of cuban cigars! 😀

  140. I am so there. I knew there was a reason I moved to Buffalo! There will be a carload of muggles being held at needle point…but isn’t that part of the fun?

  142. Awww, shucks. If I left work exactly at 4, I still wouldn’t get to Toronto until at least 8:30 or 9:00 if I never stopped. If you ever do an event in Ottawa, though, I will be there!

  143. Maybe Jenny and I can get together and pine over the fact we live in Ottawa and can’t get there to see you!

  145. Let’s see…I DO have friends in Toronto who keep saying I should come and visit…maybe next weekend!! I don’t think it will work out. How about coming down to the lower 48 again, central New Jersey??

  146. I wish you’d come to Britain! (And, dare I confess, I don’t even knit…..)!!

  147. I’m so excited that WEBS got a bigger space! I’m registered, and looking forward to it! Already have a hat ready, too!

  148. GAH!!!!!!!!! Of course, reading the entry the whole while I am thinking I NEED to be in Toronto for this event… And then it so happens that I am actually flying to Canada that VERY NIGHT, however will only stop in Ottawa on my way to Vancouver. Boooo! This is a sad, sad day in knitfreak-land. Well, next time! And you better show that Indigo books a what-for 🙂

  149. Yesss! And I was starting to think us Torontonians weren’t important enough anymore. I will definitely be there!

  150. Wait. Cash bar. Knitters. The two are mutually exclusive. Because if you’re buying drinks, how can you buy yarn?
    I can’t believe, after New York, that you’re worried about filling a space. And you call that a simple sock?

  151. I would so be there, but damnit, I’m going to be exploring nature on a stupid, dumb canoe trip. Poo. Don’t get me wrong, the canoe trip will be great, but the timing is just horrible now. 🙁

  152. When I called Copperfield’s for tix as soon as I saw the date, I warned them they were in for a mass of people. This was right after NYC, and we had hard evidence that a Harlot invasion can be an awesome sight – but I didn’t get the sense that they believed me! Jessica, you should tell your friend to check this blog if they don’t believe what they are in for…
    and the cold? Take the lemon and honey and hot water and add the warming liquid of your choice – if you can afford it, good Scotch is the way to go, but brandy works too. Not only does your throat calm down, nothing bothers you. But I don’t recommend lace when undertaking such treatment!

  153. I hope I can come, I’ll be fresh out of dental surgery. I’ll be scary looking, but still my sweet lovable self. Thank Rachel H. rock on.
    Yo Juno, sell some yarn dude and get yourself a train ticket.

  154. It shows something about my knitting addiction that, even with gas at $1.05 a liter, I’m trying to figure out how I can get there (I live in Ottawa, btw. A fair dinkum distance from TO.)

  155. Any chance that you’re going to be visiting Virginia at some point on your tour?

  156. I won’t be able to make it, but I was up in Canada twice during the past couple of weeks. We had a lovely time, especially this week when we visited a beautiful park just over the border and Niagra Falls.
    Best,
    firefly

  157. Dear Yarn Harlot,
    I have been checking into your blog site on and off for about 6 months now. I am fascinated by your work, and more your ability to connect to people. I work in a gallery in Australia and we are putting together an exhibition about knitting, but in particular knitters who blog.
    Below is my letter with an invitation to participate.
    10 May 2007
    Hi,
    My name is Barbara McConchie and I am co- curating an exhibition titled Knit1 Blog1 to be held at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre in Canberra Australia from 13 July to 26 August this year. My fellow curator and knitter extraordinaire is Bronwen Sandland.
    This exhibition is part of the Festival of Contemporary Art, Canberra. The theme for this festival is IN PUBLIC, and expounds on a multitude of things in public including knitted constructions that end up on blogs, portraits of the artist as a media superstar, projected art onto buildings around Canberra, art in school zones and the unfiltered and inspired moments of the private realm through documentary art.
    Bronwen and I have set up a blog ourselves – go to http://knit1blog1.blogspot.com/ where we have been slowly but surely adding to our blog about this very project. Mainly what we have been spending time doing is checking out everybody else’s blog spots looking for an interesting read and better yet examples of some great knitting.
    The aim of the exhibition is to expose this great world of knitters who connect to each other through blogging. The new world kitchen / lounge room is now only steps away on the computer and available anytime. Make a cuppa, pick up the needles and read and blog away just like that. Knitting seems to bring people together, it appears to be at its best when shared and talked about. Comparing notes, patterns, suppliers, disasters, and successesses is all part of the experience. Yet it has become more fascinating than ever now that we can meet people virtually and experience some of their daily life even if they are on the other side of the world.
    The exhibition will consist of knitted works by knitters who blog. It will also have a number of computer terminals set up so that we can have blog sites up and running on line, prompting our visitors to send a blog message about the knitted works on show, or about a blog, or just to connect and say hello. We hope that this will inspire more people to get involved and pick up their needles and enter the wonderful world of blogging.
    I am writing to ask if you are interested in participating in our exhibition. We would like to source up to two finished knitted pieces and show them in our gallery. Once the exhibition is finished the works will be sent back to you.
    If you are interested please email me at barbara.mcconchie@craftact.org.au or post a message on our blog. We would like to get a sense of what people would be interested in sending as well and so would ask if you could send an image of your knitted piece (or one similar) as well. This will help managing the number of work and how we go about displaying the work.
    The organisation Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is a not for profit incorporated association that promotes contemporary craft and design. Our core business is our exhibition program and to provide exhibitions that are fresh and exciting in the world of objects for the people of Canberra.
    Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you,
    Barbara McConchie
    Executive Director
    Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre
    http://www.craftact.ogr.au
    I hope you will contact me soon.
    All the best
    Barbara

  158. I’m so sorry that I will miss the Oh, Canada party! I represented in St. Paul. I was disappointed, however, in that the hats were not displayed and we never heard how many hats were collected. I recommend that in Toronto you have a table (not a bag or box) where the hats are put and that you announce or take a photo of the donated hats and then put the photo on your blog. Thanks!

  159. Toronto is a long way from Edmonton, and I didn’t know you when you were here last, to my sorrow. But I might just go down and work at Indigo that evening. It would be representing from the far side.

  160. oh no, i’ll be missing the canada party! it’s not that far of a drive from buffalo, but there’s no way i can make it. sounds like such fun too! now, if you wanted to have another event, say, the first weekend in august? that would be perfect – i’ll already be in TO for my annual yarn shopping visit. =)

  161. Yes! I’ll be there. It’s just a short hop on the TTC.
    Alas, I wish my idea of a “simple” knitting project was that sock. My idea of simple is a poncho.

  162. Oh, I wish I could make Webs, we live in MA but we’re far enough away that it would be a hike . . . and since DH ususally works at night I’d have to bring the baby . . . what’da think, up for having a todder running the isles at the event? Ah well, someday when he’s bigger I guess.

  163. Some of us from Seattle will be making a trip to Victoria for the Fibre Fest… anything cool going to happen up there? (Besides you being there, of course…) Will you still be collecting hats at that event? I even convinced my mum to come along! (She’s only knit dishcloths thus far, but I’m determined to start her on something circular during that weekend.)

  164. I want to come!
    Unfortunately, I don’t think I can justify taking a day off from a required course to travel to Toronto. Boo!

  165. Well, for those who want to drown their sorrows in not being able to see the Harlot, sign into your facebook and join “Facebook Knitters” and tell them what you love about Steph – the Angelina of knitting!

  167. I was not happy at missing Represent (as I went to NYC on a previousy scheduled trip two weeks later), but this will do just fine. Think I’ll leave work a bit early so I can subway up there for 5 pm – or maybe I should go earlier – like 3! or even noon!
    I’m definitely up for knitting and beer after, too!

  168. Hey, I tried to search the comments for this, and I am not sure if any of you have mentioned it or not, but The Harlot SO deserves the vote for the best “hobby” blog (Knitting is a life choice, not a hobby), if not the vote for the best blog ever! Please vote here: http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com
    She already has about 90 votes but hey, there are at least 750 of us readers (fans) out here – Represent!

  170. Well, doesn’t THAT just figure – I can’t make that date, but I just had to write and tell you why: I can’t be in TO because I’m going to be knitting, in Windsor, in an art gallery! Artcite has asked me to be a part of their 25th anniversary, at which they want me to knit, and teach others to knit. So while you’re “representing” in Toronto, I’ll be doing my best to spread the love (and the wool) down in Windsor. Good luck to you!

  171. Here I was trying to figure how I could manage to get there, and maybe get Husband to wrangle a business trip into it so we could fly to TO since he works for Manulife, (of the building you will be speaking in)when the date of your launch hit me. The 25th! We will be on a plane for a business trip…to Hawaii.. I am actually very disappointed now.

  172. hmmm, i recently emailed you about coming to st. johns to read and possibly take part in a weekend of crafting and drinking… could this post possibly be a response?
    just to let you know, as part of the craft year project we are looking into flight $$$ and the like…
    would love to hear from you about this, missus….

  173. I love the mixed veggies. You should check out the “Peas and Carrots” at Cider Moon (really beautiful yarn–independent dyers).
    https://st75.startlogic.com/~cidermoo/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=397&osCsid=c945e3c492304adaae19f4950e046a9e
    They also have things like “Polenta,” “Stir Fry,” and “Sweet Potato Pie,” but my absolute favorite is “June Carter” in their Glacier yarn–fat sock yarn I knit with while doped up and recovering from surgery! Love it–the yarn that is. The drugs were gave me bad dreams!

  174. Oh man, so unfair! I’m actually going to TO to visit my brother, but *next* weekend, not the one after.
    And after I just bought my very first spinning wheel today, too (at FibreFest – btw, Abbotsford is *much* further away from Vancouver than I realized). I would have brought it with me to have you knock it for good luck or something, but the timing doesn’t work… I’m in Vanc, so I will look into this whole Victoria thing people seem to be alluding to..

  175. Goodness – I hadn’t realized how complex this book touring thing could be (being a Muggle when it comes to book publishing)
    I just assumed I had missed the previous Canadian spots as I was late to the party – now I am triply (sp? is it even a word?) excited about Victoria.
    Thank goodness I stopped in again – I haven’t made any hats!

  177. I’ll be at WEBS! Can’t wait. I have actually taken a half day from work, as I live 2 hours away.
    So if you spot a redhead who looks like she’s just stepped out of a time machine from the 30s, you’ll know I didn’t get sidetracked by the Tunnel Bar (a place you really need to check out…it’s a bar carved out of a Victorian train tunnel. Much atmophere, great drinks, and Really Comfy Chairs. Yes, I do KIP there).
    Looking forward to getting the new book and hearing your talk on the 30th!
    —Eileen (lindydiva on Knitty)

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