Monday, July 27, 2009

I support the Yarn Harlot.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, go read this entry. I do not want to throw a bucket of kerosene onto the flames, so let me just say, plain and simple, I support the Yarn Harlot. She has the right to say whatever she wants on her blog and she is a shining example to all of us how taking the high road -- being civil and kind, in addition to all the other things she is, like funny and smart -- is the way to go. (And I know that I fall short of her standard sometimes, since I am way too fond of going for the cheap laugh.)

Please don't link to any other blogs in the comments or name any names, but if you too support the Yarn Harlot, stop by her blog and leave a nice supportive comment.

The internet has the capacity to do amazing things, to bring people together, to foster the sharing of knowledge, to nudge our creativity, to create links where none would otherwise have existed. But, alas, like everything else in life, it also has the capacity for harm. Today, I'm standing up for someone who is an inspiration to all bloggers: she blogs regularly and impeccably, she has parlayed a love of knitting into a successful career, she has helped create all sorts of connections within the crafting community, and she has done so much to further the craft that we all love. You may not always agree with what she writes (or you may!), you may not read her regularly (or you may!), but you have to respect her. She has earned that, and more.

I support the Yarn Harlot.

27 comments:

Camille said...

Found the thread on the KFO board and went over there to leave a positive comment. I haven't read any of the YH's books, but I sometimes read her blog and I always love listening to interviews with her on the podcasts. She seems like a fabulous human being.

And I'm SO sick of these phony-patriot crazy people. :[

Unknown said...

Very well said!

P.S. My word verification is "joystopr." Hmmm...

Heather said...

Here, here!

Kathleen Dames said...

I read her post yesterday and commented supportively while trying not to be inflammatory. It's amazing how weird people can be, especially in the anonymity of the interwebs.

Barb B. said...

Good post! Totally agree.

Anne said...

I love the Yarn Harlot and I have all of her books. I read her blog every day. I don't know who the poor, pitiable soul who felt compelled to spew such drivel about Stephanie and what she writes, is, nor do I care.

I also enjoy reading your blog, Carol. Thank you.

Rabbitch said...

Agreed. xo

Knittah said...

Having already left a supportive comment over at YH's, I am more than happy to do so here as well. What I admire most about YH is her spirit of service: the blog is free, her patterns are free, her work on Sock Summit has been free (although I hope she and Tina get BIG checks after all is said and done). There are always haters, and perhaps no good deed goes unpunished. But no good deed doer should go unthanked. So I thank you, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, for everything.

And thank you Carol, as well.

Anonymous said...

I was amazed how hateful the "other bloggers" posts were and how she keeps complaining that Steph won't shake hands and agree to change her postings.

Well, gee, I wonder why ... Steph didn't do anything wrong! I wouldn't shake that woman's hand either. :::rolling eyes::: I can't understand why the other blogger can't see that Steph is taking the high road by disengaging from the conversation. She seriously needs a hit with a clue.

I think I'll head over to Steph's and send a little bloggy-love.

Abigail said...

AGREE(10000)

:)

Erin Taylor said...

Oh My God.
This American feels like she lives in a whole 'nother America than that hateful blogger.
Totally agree with you carol.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing what is happening. I am one who has often read Stephanie's blog, but never wrote to support her.

I just did.

Linda

Teresa in Virginia said...

I spent time both last night and today skimming over the comments of support on Stephanie's blog (now numbering well over 3300). I too, left a comment of support for her and I was also able (with a bit of research) find the blog of the guilty party. Note: Last night, she had written some really nasty comments about Stephanie and her readers, but I noticed that this morning, all of the nasty comments had been removed from her blog. I won't name her here, but I hope the authorities have gotten to her. This person not only seems to be jealous, but could use some quality time with a mental health professional...

Carol said...

Some blogging sites, social networking sites, and so on have Terms of Use that prohibit doing things like making threats, using their bandwidth for comments that could be construed as harassment, and so on. I have no personal knowledge, wanting to stay away from the individual who is causing YH the problems so as not to instigate more crazy-ass behavior, but it wouldn't surprise me if websites like Blogger or Typepad or whatever take complaints of harassment and threats very seriously and remove offending comments. Speaking purely theoretically, of course.

anne marie in philly said...

rah rah carol!

I will go over and leave the YH a little american agnostic luv.

we have some f-ing crackpots in this country!

Carol said...

I've been going along merrily in my own world always aware that there are extremists 'out there'. This brings home how scary some people can be. I'm ashamed that this person is even a knitter, much less American. I sincerely hope this person is only made of words and not sticks & stones (or guns or bazookas). She seems unhinged and ready for martyrdom. It's truly petrifying.

Barb B. said...

I have noticed a lot of Americans apologizing for this whack job. As a Canadian, I thought I'd mention that I in no way whatsoever connect her with your country. There are crazies everywhere!
And yes Carol, that is one scary individual. Fanatics always are.

Phro5gg said...

As I have said before, the "anonymity" of the internet makes some people feel they have the right to be flaming turds. One should always stop to think "would I want my Grandma reading this?" before they post anything.

JelliDonut said...

I have this really whacky thing I do when I don't like someone's blog--I stop reading it. Call me crazy, but it works. I also left a supporting message on YH's blog.

On a happier note--I recently knitted a pair of socks with Black Bunny yarn. Heaven! It's an outrageously bright colorway (Happy Meadow) and I can't wait to wear them.

willyg said...

Yay, Carol! It is well put, and I support you supporting the Harlot. Not that it's supposed to be about taking sides...as you said, it's a matter of showing respect to a person who deserves it well. Way to go!

The Queen said...

I echo Barb B.'s comment - we Canadians know that Name Withheld (as we're referring to her on the Ravelry Yarn Harlot fan group) does not in the least represent American knitters - despite the fact that she obviously thinks she does!

EB said...

JellyDonut - yeah, isn't it AMAZING that all browsers now have that little X picture which makes it all go away?

If I were a conservative Christian American (I'm batting 0 for 3 here), I would be dreadfully embarrassed right now.

Elizabeth said...

Jeez Carol, what are you? Some kind of Canadianist Anti-American Pinko commie trouble-maker? :)
Love you!

Tara said...

I, too, found the blog in question and was not surprised to discover it's a whackjob I've run across before. I forget what drama led me to discover her site back then but she was nuts then and she's nuts now.

It's people like her that give Americans a bad name.

Anonymous said...

Well said, Carol. I have left a note at the YH's blog, too. I find this so painful...knowing she is going through this awfulness for no earthly reason. It astounds me.
Suzanne

Laiane said...

Thanks, Carol.

The Harlot's blog was one of the first knitting blogs I started reading regularly. She is a remarkable lady, and I've learned a lot of things from her besides the Knitting Stuff -- how to take the moral high road is one of them. Stephanie is a gracious and giving lady. The world needs more people like her.

Dianna Rubidge said...

I admire Stephanie as a human being. A lot.

You are a class act yourself!