Friday, February 15, 2008

Begging the Yarn Harlot for a visit

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, better known as the Yarn Harlot, has a new book coming out the spring and has just released the beginning of her tour schedule.  Generally, this would be cause for rejoicing, except that nothing in the Philadelphia area is listed.  So I have taken to begging.  I've offered up the new shop in Narberth for a book signing and event with Stephanie.  I'm not sure how far to go with the coordinated campaign of begging, but I'm thinking long and hard about it.

Too much construction going on for much knitting to be going on.  The HVAC guys are almost done at the new location.  I've chosen the carpeting and paint.  Drywall should go in next week.  Electrical is this weekend.  The phone guys come on Feb. 26.  Please continue to pray that everything is finished by March 1 when we open the doors to the public.  

No pictures lately.  I did knit a 4-skein Sinsations felted scarf for my Mom and promptly forgot it at home when I went to see her earlier this week.  I'll get a photo up this weekend.  

Cheers.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Knitter vs. knitter

Years ago, I read a story in the New York Times about the impostor syndrome.  Theory was that professional women were living with high levels of anxiety in fear that someone would figure out that they didn't know what they were doing.  The women who suffered from this the most were usually the best at what they did.  As a young attorney, I sometimes suffered from this syndrome, even though I was quite good at what I did.  The subject persists -- see this recent article in the New York Times.  

Similarly in knitting, there is the Knitter vs. knitter theory.  As explained by the Yarn Harlot has a theory.  We all start as knitters with a lower case "k".  At some point in time, some of us become Knitters with a capital K.  For some Knitters, the transition is steeking.  (See Vene, Vidi, Steeki in The Yarn Harlot.)  For some, it is colorwork, Fair Isle, or something else.  

I have wondered for some time know if I am a Knitter or a knitter.  Here I am buying a knitting, yarn and fiber store, and I don't know which category I fall into.  Kind of scary, eh?  

Well, today, while working at the shop, I realized that I'm a Knitter.  I helped a variety of people with what they considered to be huge problems (big enough to get into the car and come to the store for help with problems) and I was able to explain a variety of techniques and methods.  Even better,  they all understood what I was talking about.  I taught people about knitting today.  And I didn't even have to think about what I was doing.  It was all second nature to me.  

I had an epiphany.  (Cue the lightbulb over the head).  I am a Knitter.


Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Free At Last

Well, I guess I need to makes some changes at the blog.  I'm still a lawyer, but only practicing slightly part time because I'm buying a knitting and yarn store.  I'm so psyched.  My last day at the law office was Monday.  I worked the Super Bowl sale at the store on Sunday.  I worked in the store today.  I'm having too much fun.  Really.  I mean it.  :)