Our beloved Yarn Harlot came to Austin and the knitters came out in droves. When I first heard that the talk had been moved to the Church next door to the yarn shop it made perfect sense. Hill Country Weavers, while yarny and wonderful, doesn't have the required open spaces for this kind of gathering. I parked my car, walked up to the side door of the church and started looking around for where the stairs to the basement would be (I'm from Canada, I forgot that Texas doesn't have basements.) Surely we'd be in an annex of some sort. You know, the place where they have the ROTC pancake breakfasts, where the Girl Guides gather for meetings, where the Sunday School kids go before the heavy sermon starts. Um, no. Dudes....she spoke IN THE CHURCH. On the pulpit and everything! Waaaaaay cool.
Everyone was enrapt in the pews, knitting, with Yarn Harlot books tucked into the pew racks with the bibles. If church was like this every week? I'd totally go. (Try not to notice the weird trees set up all around Stephanie. It was like they were preparing to decorate for Christmas and abandoned the idea mid setup. Something about vacation bible school, but whatever, it was odd.)
Stephanie was signing books in small groups in the garage beside HCW, so there was plenty of time to shop, shmooze and talk knitting. When it was my turn, I was happy to learn that Stephanie knew who I was so I didn't have to feel like a dope by introducing myself as "Caro Splityarn." Seriously, yesterday was like none of us had real last names, we were all, "Christine Big Pink Cookie," "Julia Yarnmaven," and "Katy Blogless." After we got some pictures with the sock, Stephanie had to take a quick break to do something Very Important (HCW generously provided us all with beer and she'd been in the garage for over an hour at that point.) She zipped out of the garage and we all stood waiting, camera in hand for her return. It seemed as though the thought hit us all at once. She totally left the sock unattended! The dozen or so of us in there took turns fondling and petting the sock and many, MANY pictures were taken. Sorry Steph, we couldn't resist! That sock saw some good times!
Afterwards we headed down to Guero's for some adult beverages and a debrief of the days activities. "Frozen, with salt please, and omgdidyoubuysomeoftheZephyr?" So. Much. Fun. Many thanks to all of the San Antonio gang (Janna, Mary, Susan and your crew,) the Houston knitters (Staci, Kelp and more,) the Austin folks (Abbe, Kristin, Sarah, Tina, et al,) Alicia, Hill Country Weavers and Stephanie. It was a spectacular day that I'd happily repeat.
Sounds like a good time.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 30, 2006 at 15:37
Lucky Caro! What a great time. It totally cracks me up that she was on the pulpit delivering the knitty gospel! :)
Posted by: Lolly | July 30, 2006 at 22:33
I'm still smiling it was so much fun! It was great to meet you, we are definitely going to have to do that again.
Posted by: kristin | July 31, 2006 at 10:43
Sorry I missed Guero's. Sounds like you guys had a great time. And again, that Orangina looks faboo!
Posted by: susan | July 31, 2006 at 10:49
Oooh, was it a Methodist church? Because we're totally liberal and would allow such a thing.
And Gueros. YUM! We have one of those here. Not sure if it is the same family, but they are so good.
Posted by: Kelli | July 31, 2006 at 13:40
So much fun to meet you on Saturday. Best visit I've had to Austin in a long time.
Posted by: Katy (Blogless) | July 31, 2006 at 15:22
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I hope to get to meet her one of these days too.
Posted by: Karen | July 31, 2006 at 19:35
I had such a great time meeting you on Saturday! That was the best fun I've had in a long time!
Posted by: Alicia | August 01, 2006 at 07:44
hi caro splityarn! i met you very briefly at the harlot show. i love all the stuff you make! are you going to sell it at STITCH austin?
Posted by: high-strung | August 01, 2006 at 15:41
Oh holy crap that sounds awesome! I love that everyone was introducing themselves with their blog alias' - such a cool crowd. I'm obviously wildly jealous. Oh! And I love that you wore your awesome sweater to the event. Super cool, Caro.
Posted by: FinnyKnits | August 01, 2006 at 18:25
Woohoooo Lucky Caro. I have the opportunity to meet Debbie Stoller but it's hot as he**(the event is outdoors), and I have sickly younguns at home, so no fun for me. But fun was had by all and I'm glad you got to be a part of that. In a church, too cute. But hey, take whatever space you can, right? Amen!
Posted by: LaBean | August 02, 2006 at 11:14
Seriously, I think we need to have those lunches once every few months in each city - Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas - how much fun would that be?!? Hmmm... my birthday is in late September, and I know plenty of good restaurants in Houston. Heck, I can even host a slumber party at my house! (I have cats though. Fair warning.)
Posted by: Christine | August 06, 2006 at 23:39
Oh, man...that is so awesome...I wish I lived closer to Austin! I love Hill Country Weaver's...they are a wonderful shop!!!
Posted by: Erin | August 15, 2006 at 15:42
Oh, man...that is so awesome...I wish I lived closer to Austin! I love Hill Country Weaver's...they are a wonderful shop!!!
Posted by: Erin | August 15, 2006 at 15:42