Although Knitting is my sixth book (seventh if you count Spiky, which I do), I have never had a book launch. It has just never happened. Now, as I said to some people on Saturday, I don't exactly live a literary life; I don't drop names because there aren't any names to drop, I don't have a bazillion followers on Twitter (maybe because I don't tweet), I don't get invited to literary dos, and I don't get free books. So I never wanted a big brassy book launch anyway, but a small, friendly, cakey launch wouldn't have gone amiss.
Which is exactly what I got on Saturday at Loop. Loop is a wonderful place (it sounds daft but I didn't realise until Saturday that there is an upstairs as well as the ground floor and basement for classes. Duh, as the teenagers would say.) It's full of everything a good yarn shop should be: amazing yarns (obs, as the teenagers say), places to sit, books and magazines, beautiful knitted projects, and masses of inspiration. Very importantly, they also have knowledgeable staff who are passionate about knitting, and I don't know anyone better than Juju (who works there part-time) for advice, guidance and knitting knowledge.
Loop's owner, Susan, was on holiday, so Juju was in charge. She made the room look fantastic, and organised fabulous cake, scones and strawberries so that the table I was sitting at looked like a dream indoor knitting picnic. Phoebe and I brought cakes, and everybody else brought the atmosphere.
It was a lovely occasion. I met so many enthusiastic knitters and long-time blog-readers. I signed books and I talked (oh yes, I talked), and I enjoyed every minute of my Loop launch which has set quite a standard for future launches. Because now that I've found the way to have my sort of launch, I'm going to make sure there will be more.
Thank you to Juju and Susan and everyone at Loop for hosting and helping and making it all go smoothly. And thank you to everyone who came. I was quite overwhelmed by your interest, generosity of spirit and kindness, and talking to you all is what made the event so special for me.
Well, your book is beautiful and I do hope I can find it here in Denver VERY soon. It looks like the perfect present for me. Maybe I'll launch my summer holiday with it.
Posted by: Pom Pom | May 23, 2011 at 12:59
Hi Jane,
I am so sad I missed your book launch. I need to be more on the ball!
It sounds like a great and fun event. Well done!
All the best,
Ingrid xx
Posted by: Ingrid | May 23, 2011 at 13:55
I'm really pleased you have yet another fantastic book out - it really is wonderful. All the best - Cassandra
Posted by: Cassandra | May 23, 2011 at 13:58
Thank you for sharing pictures so we can vicariously enjoy the event - and cakes. I was at Loop last February and can easily picture the whole scene.
Of course now I wish even more that I could have come; but your book will soon arrive to console me.
Posted by: Isabelle | May 23, 2011 at 14:03
Thank you and Juju so much for the most wonderful afternoon! Now must get started on those Tosh socks.
K x
Posted by: kristina | May 23, 2011 at 14:38
Hurrah! I'm glad you had such a successful launch. Well done! Well done! May there be many, many more.
Anna Marie
Posted by: Anna Marie | May 23, 2011 at 14:58
I wish you would come out to Northern California for a book launch - lots of nice knit shops - Cast Away and Article Pract are excellent, and many avid knitters around here!
Posted by: patty | May 23, 2011 at 15:23
It was a fabulous afternoon. In great excitement, I blogged about it here: http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/the-gentle-art-of-knitting-jane-brocket-at-loop/#comment-2171. I've nearly finished my Chanel-style bag!
Posted by: karen | May 23, 2011 at 16:05
I am so sorry that I missed it - but I have been enjoying the book. The cakes look wonderful!
Pomona x
Posted by: Pomona | May 23, 2011 at 16:50
Looks wonderful! Do you know if you'll have any book signings this summer? I'll be in the UK for a bit and would love to meet you if you are.
Posted by: Kristin | May 23, 2011 at 16:54
It looks like a lovely do, hitting just the right note of sumptuous catering and colour. I'm just sorry I couldn't get there too.
Posted by: Oxslip | May 23, 2011 at 17:38
Loop sounds just like the shop in The New York Knitter's Club. It sounds great. The catering looks fabulous too. Here's to many more cakey book launches! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | May 23, 2011 at 17:50
Hi Jane! Sorry to miss the event at Loop, but I was playing Brahms haydn and Wagner in Putney. May I bring my Brocket book collection ( - minus Spiky as I don't have it) for you to sign? That would be wonderful!!
Posted by: geraldine | May 23, 2011 at 18:19
Oops! Sent last post before checking properly - I meant to add "at Mrs Moon's when you are there"!
Posted by: geraldine | May 23, 2011 at 18:21
What a nice party that was! You're right, it does indeed look like a "dream indoor knitting picnic." I'm glad that you were so well feted.
Posted by: Laura | May 23, 2011 at 19:22
I pre-ordered your book and received it recently. It is absolutely beautiful and I hope you don't mind but I put a little write up on my own blog at www.needlecraftcorner.blogspot.com
Please keep going with the books as they provide me with lots of inspiration.
Best wishes Paula x
Posted by: Paula Rusling | May 23, 2011 at 19:55
Sounds like a fantastic afternoon and a perfect way to launch your book. Looking forward to seeing you at Mrs. Moon's Yarn and Haberdashery next month!
Posted by: Monica | May 23, 2011 at 21:13
Thanks so much Jane for launching your book at Loop, everyone had so much fun x
Posted by: Rachel A | May 23, 2011 at 21:55
Wishing you great success with your book.
Posted by: Lydia | May 24, 2011 at 01:02
Can't wait to buy your book, your one of my favorites!
I have to say I'm with you, it does sound perfect, not too flashy, honest, lovely, fun!
Posted by: Linnie Joy | May 24, 2011 at 03:14
It was a real priviledge and joy to be at your very first book launch - worthy of all the excited anticipation and nervous energy that travelling to Loop from North Yorkshire entailed. I hadn't realised though what a special occasion it was for you as well, Jane, so that makes it even better. It was all the things that you have described here and as Karen also describes in her blog (her comment is above). I couldn't have enjoyed a birthday treat more. Thank you Jane, Phoebe and Loop.
Posted by: Jude Patrick | May 24, 2011 at 09:12
It was a lovely afternoon. It was a pleasure to put a face and a voice to the blog after all these years. I was slightly nervous that the 'Jane' I imagine as I read your posts and look at your lovely pictures would not be as I imagined - but thankfully the warmth and intelligence that shines through your blog is as real as I had hoped. Here's to the next launch. I'm also doubly delighted as I had hoped and hoped that you would include a pattern for the flower square crochet that I have hankered after since you posted about a couple of years back. And you did! I can see a flowery summer coming right up.
Posted by: Lucy Murphy | May 24, 2011 at 23:41
Just received the book. My daughter and I enjoyed the British Amazon letting us know that it was"dispatched" -- a more anticipatory word than the American "sent." what a lovely collection, and I totally agree with you -- knitting should be pleasurable, not tension-producing or competitive. I found it to be the best therapy when I suffered a serious fracture to my arm and wrist earlier this year. I am inspired by your sections on crochet and will attempt to learn this summer. Thank you for a wonderful treat of a book.
Posted by: Tess | May 25, 2011 at 02:35
If you use the mouse to scroll up and down just one notch, your cakes on the cake tray do a funny little dance!
Posted by: Lesley M | May 25, 2011 at 16:13
Jane,
I saw your new book yesterday and loved it! Although I'm not a knitter (one day I'll get there) I loved the book's structure, projects, use of colour, styling and photography.
Congratulations on yet another very successful venture!
Posted by: Concha | May 25, 2011 at 19:51