...I call her my friend...

Anyone that knows anything about the knitting world knows who Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is.  She is the author of many knitting humor books, two of which made it on to the New York Times Best Seller list including her most recent book All Wound Up (#24).  Steph writes about everyday life things and told by anyone else I'm sure would not be half as funny.  She can take an ordinary situation and find great humor in it, and she leaves me in stitches every time.

I first met Steph about 6 years ago at Madrona where she was speaking.  As I sat there listening to her speak I thought, I think I could be good friends with this woman.  Our paths crossed many more times in the next few years and in 2009 I had the good fortune to work for her and Tina on both Sock Summit 2009 and 2011.  It was a pretty great experience.

I caught up with Steph briefly at Rhinebeck, which was the beginning of her book tour for All Wound Up.  She was swamped with knitters waiting to speak with her and get their books signed.  We exchanged a quick "Hi" and agreed that we would see each other at the other end of the tour when she got to Portland for her last book signing.

I met up with Steph before her signing at Powell's in Portland.  We caught up and it was great to spend time with her before she headed home to Toronto.  I'm not sure when I will see Steph again, but I know that when I do it will be like no time has passed.  That's the mark of a good friendship.

Congrats, Steph, on the success of the new book.  Well done, my friend.  Now get some rest....

...bi-coastal...

While with Marcy on my east coast adventure we decided to do a bi-coastal knit-a-long. We found a darling hat called the Lotus Blossom Hat from Green Mountain Spinnery.  It's from the book "99 Yarns and Counting".  We spied the sample in their booth at Rhinebeck and fell in love.  After many trips back and forth to better lighting we settled on a skein of their natural and a skein of hand painted Simply Fine Yarn.  

Fast forward to Marcy's house and us sitting down to cast on our hats.  One crochet provisional cast-on and 9 rows later I discovered that while Marcy was knitting along in fine shape  I was, however, merrily creating a beautiful mobius hat band, which you may know is impossible to get on your head.  At first there was denial on my part.  I kept looking at it and thinking this is bad, no this is okay, no this is bad.....

After coming to my senses that it wasn't going to fix itself, I ripped back the 9 rows of 160 stitches each and cast on one more time.  By this time I was sweaty, my blood pressure was elevated and I was more than a little pissed.  (There may have been some language involved.  Thank goodness her kids were in bed.)

I got three rows done and put it away for the night.  I headed to Stitches East the next day thinking, "I'll have time work on this hat and I'll be caught up to Marcy in no time."  Right.

Stitches came and went and I settled down in my hotel room on the eve of my flight home, ready to knit on the hat.  This is when I discovered that the hat was in the box.......that I shipped home.  It wasn't in my suitcase, it wasn't in my knitting bag, it was no where in my hotel room or luggage.  (There may have been more language at this point.)

I flew home and watched and waited until a week later when the UPS man came up the driveway.  I ran out and met him in the driveway.  There was the box.  He said, "You must really have something special in here."  I said, "You have no idea..."

So now I am caught up with Marcy (I threatened asked her to wait for me so we could work together on them).  We are knitting along, bi-coastally, as if we are sitting side by side on her couch.  We show each other how we are coming along during our daily iChat sessions.  We have a finishing target date of November 18.  I'm sure I can finish by then, after all I only have to make one hat band...

...east coast adventure, part 1

I just have time for a quick post before I head here to finish setting up the Blue Moon Booth.  I just finished up the best 5 days ever.  First up Rhinebeck.  What an event!

The fiber, the food, the animals....so much to see.  It's like no other festival I have been to.  I bought a few things (more later on that).  We started the morning on what Knittinggolfer like to call the "magic bus"which left from WEBS.  It was great being with all of those knitters for the ride.  There were goody bags for all and door prizes.  The best part was that we were dropped off at the entrance, given a ticket for admission and away we went.

We got to see Steph briefly.  She had a huge line of knitters waiting to get her new book signed.

 I ran into Anne and got to show her my Rhinebeck sweater.  So exciting! 

 There was fried dough....

We finally got back on the magic bus at 4:00 and headed back to Webs.  What a day!!

From there I head to Knittinggolfers house for some rest before Stitches East.  It was so much fun to finally meet her family in person.  Her husband was great and her kiddos.....so much fun!  

Needless to say with 4 of them Marcy stays really busy.  There is always someone coming or going from that house.  In one day we were in the car no less than 7 times.  While I was there I got to see Emily and Nicole play soccer,

 Zac play baseball (coming into home!)

 and Erin do cartwheels.

  The kids even made me a welcome sign.

It was so great to be with such a wonderful family.  Thanks Marcy and Rick for your hospitality!

Now I am in Hartford getting ready for the opening night of the Stitches East Marketplace.  It's going to be a great show.  If you are in the neighborhood, stop by booth #805 and see me!  

...on the road again...

Finally, after weeks of waiting and preparation I am leaving on a jet plane in the morning for my east coast trip.  First stop, Rhinebeck, NY and the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival.  And if you know anything about Rhinebeck you know that you've got to have a new sweater just to make an appearance.  Enter Bel Air.

 

Yup, this is the sweater I started back in August when I was in San Francisco at A Verb for Keeping Warm with my pals Stephen and Carrie.  We were lucky to be taking class from the master herself, Anne Hanson!  And this is the result of that fantastic class.  Let me tell you, Anne was right.  If you take your measurements and knit to them.....the sweater fits!  I love this sweater beyond belief.  If you see me wearing it at Rhinebeck I'll probably make you listen as I describe all that is lovely about it! Humor me.....

I'll be taking in  everything with my best pal, Marcy.  This trip is going to be one to remember!  We start by getting on what Marcy likes to call "the magic bus" at Webs  and riding from the shop to Rhinebeck with a bunch of knitters!  Who could as for anything more?

We'll be making stops to see Miss Babs and then to The Fold.  Speaking of The Fold, if you love
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock (and who doesn't?) get on over there!   Not only will they have a great selection of STR, but they also will have Silk Hankies!  Rumor has it there is a cowl pattern (free) that will be showing up there that can be knit from one hankie!

We'll be stopping by to see Steph at her book signing that kicks off the tour for her new book.  Can't wait to see her!

Once Rhinebeck is over Marcy and I will travel back to her house for a few days of rest before heading to Stitches East in Hartford.  I'll be hosted by our pals at Webs and will have a bunch of great Blue Moon yarns.  Tina has sent some beautiful garment yarns along with Socks That Rock so the booth will be packed with loveliness!  Please stop by and say hello if you get to Stitches.  I'd love to see you!

Well, as they say let's get this show on the road!