Meeting Stephanie aka The Yarn Harlot

Last night I went with my muggle friend Doty to meet the Yarn Harlot at the Joseph-Beth bookseller in Pittsburgh, PA. Even though the event was not scheduled to start until 7pm, I wanted to be there early to avoid the rush. We arrived around 5 and it's a good thing. We got good seats, 4th row aisle, and we got in group A for the book signing.

While waiting for Stephanie to arrive, Doty and I chatted with the other knitters who were patiently waiting. Most of the audience was knitting. Many of them knitting socks. Many of them wearing their work. One gentleman who was there said he only wears handknit socks. The woman who knit them was next to him and let me tell you she does a beautiful job. Doty said they look like they were purchased in the store. It was great to be among my own kind. Now keep in mind, I do not live in Pittsburgh, in fact I live 350 miles from Pittsburgh. But I felt right at home with this group of knitters.

At 7pm sharp, Stephanie walked down the center aisle, close enough for me to reach out and touch that gorgeous Bohus sweater she was wearing. If you read Stepahnie's blog you know she takes pictures of her "tour" sock with the people she meets and with the landmarks she visits along the way. So she began by taking pics of her sock with all of us as the background.

Then Stephanie talked for about an hour. She talked about how muggles (non-knitters) underestimate us, how we knitters really step up to the plate when asked. It was humorous, inspiring, and great fun. My friend Doty thought it was great and she doesn't knit.

Joseph-Beth has a great system for book signings. As you come in, you get a slip telling you what group you're in. They have a path all set up for you to get to the author. It's kind of like trying to get to the cash register at Best Buy the day after Thanksgiving. Or trying to get on a ride at Disney World. Since we got there early I was in group A. And I got my picture taken with the Harlot, see above. And Stephanie took my picture to post on her blog. Click here to see the post.

It was a wonderful evening and if you ever have a chance to go meet Stephanie you should do it. You will not be disappointed.

I made it to the Yarn Harlot's blog

Check me out on the Yarn Harlot's blog. Click here to view it.

Yarn Harlot Book Signing

I'm going to meet the Yarn Harlot tonight. Stephanie's in town (Pittsburgh, PA) for a book signing tonight. I'm so excited. I've got my socks on their circular waiting to meet her sock on their dpns. It's going to be great. Hopefully I'll have pics to show tomorrow.

Scarf Exchange Update

Last time around, I knew pretty much exactly which pattern I was going to use. So I bought some yarn and got started. Other people were posting that they couldn't find the right yarn to go with the pattern they had picked out or they couldn't find the right pattern to go with the perfect yarn they had selected. I couldn't relate to what they were talking about. Until now.

I bought some 50% wool 50% silk yarn at the LYS, Heritage Spinning & Weaving, in pink. It's fingering weight and would make a great pair of socks but alas this is not a sock exchange. I swatched and blocked 4 or 5 patterns over the weekend. I didn't like any of them. The yarn was definitely the right one so I had to keep looking for a pattern. I finally decided. It will be feather and fan. A friend had suggested feather and fan in the beginning but I ignored her. Turns out I should have listened.



There's not much done yet. And it won't look really good until it's blocked. I leave for vacation in 2 days and I needed to make a decision so I can take the project with me. I can work on it while waiting in line to meet the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. She'll be signing her new book at a shop in Pittsburgh while I'm in town.

ISE4 - International Scarf Exchange

The 4th International Scarf Exchange (ISE4) has begun. Yesterday, I learned for whom I'm knitting a scarf. She does not live in the United States and it will be exciting to try to pick a yarn and a pattern that match her personality. I have until the end of May. Wish me luck.