The Harlot cometh... (or, why it's cool to be a knitter)

So Thursday last, the Ottawa / Kanata area (well, the two Yarn Forward stores area) was visited by her Royal Knittiness, the incomparable Stephanie Pearl-MacPhee. I was totally prepared to skip work to attend, but didn't need to, as the Kanata event was in the evening. Stupid me, left the house without my camera, so these pictures are courtesy of Tara (thanks again!)

Stephanie arrived to a throng of knitters, packed into chairs and on the floor and pretty much everywhere. The "opening act", Louise (manageress of YF), tempted us with yummy new yarns to admire and fondle before the main performance. When I first saw Stephanie, I had two thoughts:

1) This woman looks tired. Bless her for being here.
2) My GOD, that's the WEDDING SHAWL! And with a t-shirt, how totally cool that is!

Stephanie's "talk" was all about how knitters are not cool, and how that is patently BULLSHIT! I love the idea of being a jock, not a "crafter." Woohoo!

So, the photos: First up is Her Harlottyness fondling my Knitting Olympics Shawl (which was, incidentally, admired by many there, so I had a fat head for that. Other people's stuff was gorgeous, I took the compliments gracefully for once). Notice I hold her book atop mine, as is right - she's thrice-published, I'm a novice. :)







Next, is La Harlot taking a picture of my book, which I signed to her since she was gracious enough to sign mine. Hers to me: "Obsession is normal." Mine to her: "Obsession leads to publication." I felt so legitimate as a writer! Oh, and thank GOD I was holding her sock needle-end-up. How humiliating would it be to drop the Harlot's stitches? Yikes!






Third and final is Me and Steph - two writers, two knitters, two crazy ladies with shawls that we agonized over and probably wear far too little. I'm bending my knees a bit because she was feeling short - least I could do! What a sweet person. Oh, and weird thing - for a little wee person, Stephanie has the most amazing DEEP voice! Of course, that could have been the tiredness. Get some rest, Harlot. We love you for making the trip.