Because She's One of My Favourites

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee,
aka the Yarn Harlot
in Edmonton, October 2014

This year, the Yarn Harlot was a tad late with her Annual Canada Day post...but as usual it was worth the wait.

If you don't know of her...you can read THAT POST and more on her blog...and look for her books on indigo.ca and amazon.ca or amazon.com and probably other places too.  I have them all and have read them all...and had a 'bucket list' item crossed off when a few years ago she came to Edmonton, and I was able to meet her, get her to sign one of those books, and knit on my sock.

In knitting circles, she's one of Canada's best and brightest for her wisdom, her humanity, her humour and her skills.  A yarn-lover's treasure -- and I'm grateful she's ours.

Practically Perfect Weekend - Part I

When I posted on Friday, I was headed to Edmonton to attend "Stix in the City", sponsored by River City Yarns.  It was a Big Deal for them -- and for those of us attending.  Many knitters and crocheters were able to attend the full weekend of events with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and Fiona Ellis...

I was just thrilled to be one of those at the Friday night "Comedy Club".  First, though, I had to pick up my entry ticket at RCY, the shop.  And of course, I had to browse...and though I recently protested to my daughter that I didn't want any more yarn (she gave me yarn for both Mother's Day and my birthday), this wee skein paid no attention and insisted on coming home with me...

"Wild Berries" - hand-dyed 100% merino
Indigo Moon Yarns, Gabriola Island, B.C.

What's a knitter to do?

I beat a hasty retreat!  Stashing the yarn in the trunk of my car, I dashed across the parking lot to Laser Quest and surprised my son at work.  Nothing like a hug from one's #1 son to start an evening off right.  :-)

When I got to the Hilton Doubletree hotel, knitters were already gathering in the lobby, waiting for the doors to open.  At 5:30 we trekked down the hall to the room, picked our seats, took up some wine and more knitting...

The Main Event was scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Just before that time, I made my way to the...ahem...facilities. Afterward, coming out into the hallway -- there she was!  The Yarn Harlot herself!  A typically inane, "I can't believe I'm talking to a celebrity" conversation ensued:

MB: "Hello!"

YH: "Hello!"

I put out my hand: "I'm Margaret." (smiling broadly)

YH (also extending her hand and smiling broadly): "I'm Stephanie".

MB: "I know." (grinning even more broadly) "Um...if you need the washrooms, they're right there." (pointing down the hall)

YH: "I'm okay...but am I going in the right direction [to get to the meeting room]?"

MB: "Yes...right this way." (pause; still grinning) "I have a gift for you."

YH: "I like you already." (grinning back)

By this time we were at our destination, so I ushered Stephanie to the hostesses for the evening and said something like, "We'll catch up later".  YH: "We sure will" (both still grinning).

Okay.  If' the Good Lord had come for me then, I would have been perfectly happy.

Blessedly, though, He didn't...and so I was able to enjoy Stephanie's anecdotes and laugh till my sides hurt and tears ran down my cheeks.

And to give her my wee gift, and  have her sign the book I brought, and tell me how please she was to see it had already been read (tell-tale dog-eared pages and a couple of coffee stains on the frontispiece...)

And to have her allow me to photograph her holding my sock..and to knit a bit on the ribbing...

That was the sweetest gift of all.  Thanks Stephanie.

 

 

Where I'll Be This Evening

I haven't a formal "bucket list" but if I did, seeing this woman would be on it -- and that item will be checked off tonight in Edmonton.

The speaker/author/knitter/teacher/humourist and proud Canadian?  Stephanie Pearl-McPhee -- aka the Yarn Harlot.  

I'm taking one of her books for signing, along with a wee knitting-related gift.  And a sock-in-progress.

More later.  A bientot, mes amis!

Be Still, My Beating Heart!

Oh! I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself!  I knew this event would be happening in Edmonton in October, but today it was finally announced: "Stix in the City" at River City Yarns -- featuring Fiona Ellis and ---- Oh!  Breathe! -- the Yarn Harlot herself, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.  I have all of her books.  I follow her blog.  If she had a podcast I would hang on every word.  This gal is a) Canadian; b) a prolific and talented knitter; c) a spinner; d) a mom; e) a knitting humourist extraordinaire -- with a big heart (her major charity is Medicins Sans Frontiers, but there are others).



The event runs October 24-26 and includes several options.  I'm opting for the Friday evening "Comedy Club" event with Stephanie, as I have to be home on Sunday to sing at church.  That said, there is a Friday afternoon kick-off at the store -- a "Meet and Greet" where I'll be able to have a book (or two) signed and get to talk to these remarkable fibre artists of the knitting genre.  The evening event is at a nearby hotel, and includes cocktails, a reception and a talk by Stephanie, including time for Q&A.  At the end of the evening (8:30 or so) I'll have the option of driving home or driving to my daughter's for the night...I suspect the latter!

And yes...I'll be taking a sock-on-the-needles with me.  :-)  I can hardly wait!

Let it be known!

I'm a Fan of the Yarn Harlot!

No; I've never met her.

BUT

I have read all of her books (and own them all)

EXCEPT

for her new one.

KIDS:

This one sits 

next to

Clara Parkes'

Knitter's Book of Socks

on the 

I WANT IT

Christmas wish list.

Love,

MOM

**Original post editted November 3, 2011.  Somehow, the other photo (i.e. same photo, but with a caption) had its link broken.  I don't know why or how, because to the best of my knowledge this photo is in broad circulation.  I don't want to offend Ms. McPhee, though, so will delete this post altogether if it becomes a problem.

Ya Gotta Love Her...

Stephanie, that is; i.e., Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka the Yarn Harlot....who's currently on a tour promoting (well, signing, actually -- she's so wonderful that the promoting bit is automatic) her new book. She just left Baltimore for Chicago...and recorded her Baltimore experience; Yarn Harlot: In which Baltimore Brings It*

Most of it is Essential YH -- i.e., a twist on what happened in Boston, and what's going to happen in Chicago BUT...if you scroll down to the end...read about running out of books. Too funny. I love it.

No? Not a knitter, eh?

Pity.

*'via Blog this'