Knitting Safari Goes to the Library

I love reading as much as I love to knit.  Getting lost in a story while working rows of stockinette or garter is always a joy, and if a project is too complicated to turn pages as I turn rows, I turn on an audiobook.  I especially enjoy books, usually reference, that relate to spinning, knitting, and crochet.

 

A couple weeks ago, I dug out my library card from the hidden depths of my wallet and drove to my local library after work.  

Boy, that brought back memories.  I had been going to that branch since the 4th grade.  I remember how my orthodontist was located right across the street, and after every tedious (and occasionally excruciating) visit my mom would let me check out a video or two to enjoy over the weekend (these were the days before Netflix, don't you know).  I remember gathering research material for school projects in the kid's section, and hours spent planning for classes years later when I was in college.  

I waltzed through the nonfiction shelves and narrowed in on my target.  Books on knitting, crochet, and yarn stuff in general were all there waiting for me.  It was time to explore.  I browsed the stitch dictionaries and pondered pattern books, occasionally having to stifle my laughter at the now comically outdated specimens featuring overused novelty yarns.  

After collecting a stack that would have made Hermione Granger circa The Philosopher's Stone proud, I plopped myself down to sort through the possibilities, and welcomed six books into my life for six weeks (I have since renewed my checkout). 

So for fun, here's what I'm reading and why I chose these particular titles.  In no particular order, we have:  

Knitting from the Center Out, by Daniel Yuhas; published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York

After completing the main design (up to round 100 if I'm not mistaken) for Bethany Kok's Shipwreck Shawl (Knitty link, Ravelry link), I discovered that no, double-ended needles, magic loop techniques, and simple ring casting on are not scary.  In fact, once you learn to tread the waters, they're actually incredibly fun!  Mr. Yuhas' book breaks down all the different shapes that can be knit in the round (from tubes to flat circles to ruffles), and how to go about achieving those shapes.  That way, not only can you learn the patterns in the book, you can branch out and design your own patterns.  Projects include hats, socks, shawls and blankets, and much more.  Look out socks, shawls, and teddy bears, here I come!

Fiber Gathering... by Joanne Seiff; published by Wiley Publishing, Inc.

 

Ever since I had become truly serious about knitting and crochet, which was soon after I had first learned cables and stepped into an actual LYS (local yarn shop, for the uninitiated), I had longed to go to a fiber festival.  I had heard endlessly about this event known as "Rhinebeck," and wondered if there could be anything like it on my coast.  While not quite up to the level of the New York State Sheep And Wool Festival (and that is why they shorten it to the name of the town in which it's held), I went to my first fiber fiesta last year in Vista, CA.  Just a quick drive from my house, I was able to arrive at the start, shop around, learn to spin cotton, pet baby alpacas, and come back home in time to get to work!  I absolutely loved it, and I am counting down the weeks until this year's fiesta. 

Ms. Seiff organizes her chapters by region--Northeast, South, Midwest, and West--with each chapter focusing on a major festival. She includes major features at that particular festival, fun patterns, and new techniques for every type of fiber artist.  You can even read up on how to clean a fleece--sweet!

Respect the Spindle, by Abby Franquemont; published by Interweave Press

 

The spinning wheel has been a popular Chekhov's gun in fairy tales.  You know:  Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, and probably more that I haven't heard of.  But the wheel is really a fairly recent invention when you think of it.  The hand spindle, on the other hand, has been around as long as textiles have been around.  Also, while in the aforementioned stores and others like them the wheel is viewed as a rather oppressive and imprisoning device, spindles are perfect for on-the-go work (I can't tell you how many times I've carted my spinning-in-progress to work, in the car, in my handbag, etc.).  Ms. Franquemont reflects on her experiences growing up in Peru and learning to spin with the local girls her age, gives a brief history of spinning in general, and covers everything the beginner needs to know about the craft.    You can geek out over the rotational physics, make your own spindle, learn to turn fiber into yarn, and enjoy projects at the end of the book designed for your own handspun yarn! 

This is one of my favorite resources, and actually the second time checking it out of the library.  I might just break down and buy this one.

Knit the Sky, by Lea Redmond; published by Storey Publishing

 

With a whimsical title, Knit the Sky is contemplative, clever, and has projects that give you quite unique results.  Not sure what colors to put in those striped socks?  A gumball machine can help with that.  Get to know your new neighbors, and knit a cowl with stripes to match the houses on your block.  Ms. Redmond takes ordinary life experiences and creates an extraordinary knitting project from it.  I am head-over-heels in love with this concept!  One of my family's favorite expressions is "it's the little things," and this book creates big--might I add, occasionally functional mementos from everyday, and not-so-everyday moments.  Every idea easily translates to other projects, and the possibilities are as endless as the sky.

No Sheep For You, by Amy R. Singer; published by Interweave Press

Amy Singer is among my favorite people in the knitting world.  She's the editor of online magazine Knitty.com, and she is the author of the very first knitting book I ever picked up, entitled Knit Wit.  (I bought it at a book fair in the 7th or 8th grade, and it is still a proud part of my crafting library.)  Something else to note:  Ms. Singer is allergic to probably the most popular fiber for knitting:  wool.  Hence the creation of this book.  In No Sheep For You, adorned with a very cheeky cover photo, she discusses silk, cotton and other plant-based fibers, and synthetic sources; their production, their properties and how they compare to wool and other animal fibers, and even how to dissect and analyze a skein of yarn (needless to say, one that you have already paid for).  And, did I mention, the patterns are incredible!  No-wool socks?  Yes, please!    There's even a cable-knit pullover in cotton!  COTTON!  I was drawn to this book because of the fact that wool is not a feasible fiber for most of the year in my region.  I love the softness and cushyness of wool and other wool-like animal fibers, but when wool weather only makes an appearance a month or two out of the year, it's hard to cozy up to it.  This book is a great resource for all your non-wool knitting needs!

Spinning, Dyeing, and Weaving (Self-Sufficiency series), by Penny Walsh; published by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

 

To some, making a hand woven or knit something-or-other from absolute scratch--that is, starting with the raw materials then processing, spinning, and dyeing it one's own self before working it into a final product--is a little too extreme.  For others, it's a happily accepted challenge; they know just what they're getting and where it came from.   Between these two sides of the spectrum, I fall somewhere in the middle.  I originally checked this one out for another perspective on handspinning different materials.  And then looking at the title and reading a little more thoroughly, the dye bug hit me.  I'm a sucker for pretty colors, and an entire section (and heck,it's even in part of the title) of Ms. Walsh's book shows how to source and prepare natural colors, and make sure they last on whatever natural fiber you choose.  Before that, however, there's an entire section on fiber sources--both animal and plant, one on prepping the fiber, and another on spinning it.  Finally, after dyeing, there's the weaving.  Weaving has crossed my radar before, especially on Ravelry, but I had never really given it much thought until now.  Working at a loom didn't much appeal to me.  After all, I like being able to take projects with me to enjoy during breaks at work or during down time when I travel.  But each time I look at what other people have made, the urge gets harder and harder to resist.  Ms. Walsh's guide in this section of her book makes it easy for a weaving newbie to get started, even giving directions for making a loom of your own--even a mini-sized version to cart along with you!  She gives info on loom types, setting it up, different weaving styles, and finishing techniques.  Looks like I'm ready to take on a new hobby...

As I keep going to the library and different booksellers, I can't wait to see what other books I find, whether they spin a new perspective on a current fiber arts favorite (get it?) or lead me in a new direction, and I can't wait to share more with all of you.  

Until next time,

Alex

P.S.  Have any books on knitting, crochet, or other fiber arts that you've enjoyed?  Share them in the comments below! 

I Did It!!

Folks, it's finally finished!

Shore Thing has finally been knit, bound off, and seamed, and guess what:  I can actually wear it in public!  




I completed my last seam stitch at 11:08 last night, and wove in and trimmed the loose ends at 11:09.   

I will say, I did have some worries about whether or not I would be able to wear it in public; my hand-sewing abilities have rather a poor reputation, and using the sewing machine was not an option, just with how thick the material is.  This tutorial from a back issue of Knitty saved my bacon.  And my project.  http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html. 

Once I get some pictures of myself actually wearing it, I will get those up. 


Until nex time, have fun and make cool things!


Alex

It's finally here!

Hi, everyone!  It's been a while since I've had a post up.  I've had a lot on my plate: working two jobs, visiting with friends, and...getting The Harp And Beagle up and running!  That's right, I finally have the new blog, and something posted on it! 

I know I was debating between this and another name; when it all came down to it, though, I really liked how this title reminded me almost of a pub, and I want it to reflect that atmosphere. 

With that, I'll be able to focus a little more on my crafting-related things here, and everything else on Harp And Beagle.  I really think this is going to be fun, and I hope you guys enjoy it as well! 

Toodles for now,

Alex

Life Lessons I've Learned From Knitting and Crochet

There is something to be said for being a crafter.  In learning a new skill and honing it, not only can you get some cool stuff as an end result, but you also sharpen the soft skills--preparedness, patience, problem-solving, etc.  Yes, I realize there are about a million of things like this on the internet, but here are some of the best lessons I have learned from knitting, crochet, and other crafts...

1.  Have patience.  Even the best knitters start with miles of garter stitch that look more like Swiss cheese than a scarf, and good musicians start with sour notes (prodigies excluded, of course...)


 

2.  Keep your eye on the ball...er, the row.  And the pattern.  Just be sure to keep track of what you're doing with your repeating patterns so you don't lose track of where you are. 

3.  Choose quality over quantity.  If you're debating between a yarn you like and a yarn that is easier on the wallet, go for the one you like.  Especially if your eventual finished-object is for someone else.  Believe me, you will like the end results much more than you would if you simply got a good deal. 

4.  Measure twice, cut once, and get more than you think you'll need.  What's the worst that could happen?  You have a little yarn left over.  No biggie compared to being a foot of yarn short of completing your last row.



5.  Shoot for the moon!  Even if some technique scares the jeepers out of you, jump right in and go for it.  How else would I have gotten addicted to cables and lace?

6.  Finish what you start.  I'm really bad at this one, and I can attest from experience that getting one project off the needles (or hook, or spindle/wheel) is far more satisfying than starting one when you have another only partially complete. 

If you have to wait that long, you may want to reconsider.

7.  Know what you're doing before you do it.  Read the entire pattern before you dive in.  Check your gauge and make sure it matches, perhaps even practice any unfamiliar techniques. 

8.  Take it one step at a time.  Reading the entire pattern start-to-finish before getting the yarn on the needles can help you get an idea of what you'll be doing, but it can be overwhelming.  Just work stitch by stitch, and if the designer is active on Ravelry, you have an excellent resource at your fingertips if you really get stuck.

9.  Have a sense of humor.  Sometimes, even if you knit the pattern to the ink, achieve the right gauge, etc., it might not turn out quite right.  Sometimes it might turn out hideous.  Or you decide to jump on the latest bandwagon and some years later it looks stupidly dated...*coughfunfurcough*  That's okay!  Before you frog it, break out the camera, don your creation of ugliness, strike a goofy pose and a funny face, and take a few pictures.  And maybe post on this Ravelry thread...

And finally,

10.  Enjoy the ride!  After all, it's not always about the destination--it's about the trip!  But if it does get tedious, just keep your eyes on the prize.  You'll get there!  

Playin' Hooky: An intro to crochet

Hi, guys!  It's been a very long time coming, but as promised, here's my spot on crochet...hopefully the first of many.  

Even though I call this "The Knitting Safari," knitting is but one of the three main fiber arts I enjoy, the other two being spinning and, of course, crochet.  

Crochet tends to be the mostly-overlooked cousin of knitting, and for quite a few crafters, it can be devicive.  Some people love it, some hate it.  Some will incorporate it into their knitting projects, some wouldn't dream of having the two near each other.  Some hold crochet with the same regard and esteem as knitting, others...not so much.  

I pride myself in being fluent (-ish) in both crochet and knitting, even though the last few months my current knitting project has rather monopolized my crafting time.  Because my grandma crocheted (as well as my great-grandma, if I'm not mistaken), I've been able to see it at some of it's greater potential.  Here is just one of my favorite examples:  

That's a close-up of one of Grandma's many blankets.  I love the chevrons that span the width, the solid corrugated stripes alternating with the delicate lacelike stripes, and oh the yarn!  As fluffy as a cloud, and soft as a baby bunny's bottom.

Okay, that's an exaggeration, but you get the idea.

Unfortunately, crochet is sometimes looked down upon, with opinions too numerous and too inflammatory to cover here.

But let me just say that if it's good enough for...



Yes, that is indeed Her Majesty Queen Victoria

 

...it can't be too bad! 
 

Hopefully I'll be able to shed some light on the subject and give the humble crochet the respect it deserves.  

Part 1:  Defining Crochet

Crochet is distinguished from knitting by several factors.  One is that crochet uses a single hook, rather than a set of needles.  This is one of many reasons I like crochet, especially for travel.  Another distinctive feature of crochet is the look and texture of the fabric produced.  

 

A close-up of knitting

 

Close-up of crochet--two rows of single crochet with a row of half-double in between.  We'll get into the types of stitches later in this post.

The stitches look a little more like little clusters, or even twists of rope than the neat little row of "v" shapes found in knitting.  Also, the resulting fabric is thicker for standard crochet technique (not including lace), and because of how often the crocheter wraps the yarn around the hook for a stitch, may use a slightly greater amount of yarn.  That being said, it's easy to make a single stitch longer or shorter to produce different effects.  

Finally, there's beginning the piece.  In standard crochet, a chain is made to create the starting edge of the piece.  This is where I have mixed emotions about beginning crochet projects; the good news is that it's easier to adjust the width of the project, or height when working side-to-side, whereas there's a bit more prep-work in knitting.  The bad news, though, is that working that first row can be very tedious if the stitches in the initial chain tighten up, which they sometimes do.  Just keep those stitches loose, and it will get better.  Don't worry.

Part 2:  The Gear

As with knitting, the crocheter has his or her own set of gear for successful crafting.  Let's start with the basics.

The standard crochet hook.  I was lucky enough to inherit my grandma's set of crochet hooks, all some form of steel or aluminum.  I remember how excited she was when I joined the middle school crochet club; since she had stopped crocheting some time before, she was thrilled that she could pass down the craft to another generation. 

Most of my grandma's original hooks--a couple are occupied in other projects.

Crochet hooks are sized by the same standard as knitting needles, as set by the Craft Yarn Council of America, and diameters range from 2.25 mm, or size 1, to 19 mm (size 35; you might as well be using a broomstick).  While knitting needles stop there with their notation, crochet hooks go another step and use letters to indicate size, starting with B-1 through S-19.  And for those that did the math, it doesn't make sense.  I agree. 

They even come in different styles, too, that correspond with different styles of crochet.  Besides the standard, there's the Tunisian...

in US size 9; I have it next to the case to get an idea of just how long this thing is. 

...the double-ended...


I actually pulled this image from the web.  I've never seen a double in person.

...and the list goes on. 


Oh, and you will need something to actually crochet--really, anything goes!  From traditional yarns and aptly-named crochet thread, to the unconventional-but-lovely raffia grass or strips of old fabric (or even weirder yet, strips of plastic grocery bags!), if it's flexible and you have enough of it, you can crochet it. 

Part 3:  Styles and Stitches

Crochet can be found in many different styles, and there are countless combinations of stitches that go with them.  Shells and fans are classic motifs; Irish crochet uses a mesh background and gorgeous floral patterns.  Tunisian picks up stitches from an entire row much like knitting, with the simplicity of a single hook.  They all, however, start in the very same way:  the chain stitch.  This is the equivalent to casting on in knitting, only the stitches don't collect on the hook.  The chain is really the crocheter's bread-and-butter.  It's the backbone of every project, all the other basic stitches build on this technique, and it's even used as a stand-alone stitch in many patterns. 

Well, it all really starts with a slip knot at the beginning, but you get my drift.  And make sure the end that you pull to tighten it around the hook (or undo it altogether if it's not surrounding anything) is the working end.  To make the first link in the chain, you wrap the working end of yarn around the hook from back to front (another deviation from knitting, where you wrap from front to back), also called a "Yarn Over". 



Then, you'll draw that loop through the one on the hook.  



There!  You did it! 

I'll do other posts on specific styles of crochet, but I at least want to leave you with something else to practice in the mean time.  

Usually patterns will call for a number of these to start off a pattern, so go ahead and do that twice more.  I'll wait...

This is what they should look like from the front...

Almost looks like a single column of stockinet, doesn't it?

...and the back.  



When you do your first row, you'll insert your hook into both ends of the little "v" shape at the front of the chain.  You won't have to worry about that in later rows since it will be pretty obvious which is your working side.  Unless you're doing the textures like in the blanket example, then you'll only pick up whichever loop the pattern calls for.  Some even prefer to crochet from the little bumps on the back to keep a nice even edge, but we're sticking to convention for now. 

Now it's time for the nitty-gritty.  You're eventually going to wat to build on that chain foundation you've made.  Let's get crackin'.  

Oh, and this is where US stitch names can get a little hairy, but bear with me.  I'll also include the abbreviations, and the UK names for the stitches since those make far more sense in my mind.  The chain stitch is always just that, and it's abbreviated "ch." 

1.  Slip Stitch (sl)
Simple enough, really.  Insert your hook into the chain stitch or stitch from the previous row, yarn over, and draw the YO loop through everything.  This one is often used to secure rings when crocheting flat circles, which is why my example starts on the further end from the hook.  



The last two pictures are flipped around, but I think it better displays what's actually going on. 

2.  Single crochet (sc), UK double crochet.  Insert your hook just as with the slip stitch, and yarn over.  When you're starting your first row, you'll want to skip the link in your chain closest to the hook, 1 for a single crochet and more for taller stitches (for other rows, just chain before/after turning).



This is where regular stitches turn away from slip stitch; instead of drawing the YO loop through everything that's currently on the hook, you will draw through only part(s) of the stitch that you picked up from your chain (or previous crochet row).  

Since we picked up both sides of the "v" in our stitch, we're going to draw through them both at the same time. 

Then yarn-over and draw through both of the remaining two loops.



So why draw through two loops?  If you draw through only one at a time, you're basically just creating another chain.  That could be interesting, but that's not what we're going for at this time.  You're looking for just one loop on your hook when a stitch is complete. 

Here's what a row of three sc looks like:

Okay, the last stitch in a row of three.

Note the two ch stitches at the end...remember, you'll always chain before your next row!


3.  Half double crochet (hdc), UK half treble crochet (htr)
This is where the terminology starts getting weird, and where the British crocheters have it right.  I promise I didn't invent this!

Anyway, this time you'll do another yarn-over before inserting the hook, elongating the stitch.  

Yarn-over...



...and start the stitch

Complete the stitch as normal:  YO, draw through the chain or previous row's stitch, then draw through two loops at a time until only one remains on your hook.  

At this point, pictures are going to be redundant.  All that is changing now is whether or not you have a YO at the beginning of your stitch and how many.

The sequence goes just like this for stitches like...
4.  Double crochet (dc), UK treble crochet (tr); YO twice before inserting hook
5.  Triple (or treble) crochet (tr, sometimes tc), UK double treble (dtr); YO three times before starting your stitch.
6.  Double triple crochet (dtr, or dtc), UK triple treble; YO four times.  

Theoretically, you could even go more, but let's stop there.  

Yeah, it's a lot to take in, but in time you'll be making stuff like this...

 

Sweet!  

Until next time...

A Night At the Spreckels

On March 10th, 2016, just over two weeks ago, I got to go to an incredible concert at the Spreckels Theater in downtown San Diego. 

For those of you who don't know already, I am a big fan of Loreena McKennitt.  Her music is primarily Celtic, but is often infused with a myriad of other global influences.  I've been hooked since the seventh grade, courtesy of my Literature and Language Arts teacher Mrs. Rienick.  We were studying Alfred Noyes' poem "The Highwayman" in class and she played Loreena's recording at the end of that week.  After getting the entire album (The Book of Secrets) for my 13th birthday, I had been enjoying song after song, and eagerly awaiting each album for close to eleven years. 

I had missed out on seeing Loreena twice since I had been introduced to her music.  The first time was when she performed at Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay; I found out she was touring the day after the concert.  The second time I missed her was just after I had booked my flights in and out of Seattle (I was planning a visit with my aunt) when I found out that she was scheduled to play at Woodland Park Zoo on the day of my flight back home.  I guess the third time really was the charm, and being able to attend in such a beautiful and intimate venue as Spreckels more than made up for the close calls and temporary disappointment. 

And speaking of charm, take a look at the theater...




The stage, all set up...

...and directly above.  I had to crane my neck for this shot, but oh was it worth it! 

To the left of the mural...

...and the right.  Can you imagine all the work that went into every beautiful detail, and then the work of maintaining it all?

The concert was a trio performance with Loreena herself, guitarist Brian Hughes, and cellist Caroline Lavelle.  They were all absolutely incredible--Brian and Caroline are stellar musicians in their own right, and it was wonderful to see their talent shine as they each played multiple instruments.  Alongside her cello, Caroline was wonderful on the concertina and recorder; as was Brian on acoustic and electric guitars, bouzouki, and oud.  The concert opened with "Samain Night" from the album Parallel Dreams--I was thrilled to hear that one in a live performance, and it was the perfect starting piece along with "All Souls Night" (The Visit).  Her live rendition of "Annachie Gordon" had me on the verge of tears; the recording on Parallel Dreams is already emotionally loaded, but the atmosphere in the theater took it to another level. 

After "Between the Shadows" and "Bonny Portmore" (The Visit), the first set wrapped up with a series entitled "Tears of Grosse Île," named for an island near Quebec--Canada's version of Ellis Island, if you will.  After starting with the lively Morrison's Jig (Featuring crew member Errol Fischer on the fiddle), Loreena read aloud passages from her own journal entries as well as narratives depicting emigration from the famine and the notorious Easter Uprising some decades later.  I was absolutely swept away; although I had read about these instances through my own curiosity, and had learned further from my own trip to Ireland with my family, the emotion was so strong that is was as though I were learning of these tragedies for the first time.  The readings were peppered between "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," "Down by the Sally Gardens," and "The Emigration Tunes" (The Wind That Shakes the Barley).  The set finished with a particularly gorgeous rendition of "Lark in the Clear Air."  I love the version from her debut album Elemental, but with Loreena opting for the piano instead of the harp, this had to be the best rendition I had ever heard. 

After the intermission, the second set picked up with "On a Bright May Morning," followed by favorites like "The Stolen Child" (Elemental), "Penelope's Song" (An Ancient Muse), "The Lady of Shalott" and "The Old Ways" (The Visit), with talks and introductions in between.  The concert finished with "Dante's Prayer" (The Book of Secrets) as the "official" ending piece, but our troubadours were kind enough to return for an encore, with "The Mummers' Dance" (The Book of Secrets) and "Full Circle" (The Mask and Mirror). 



***

Loreena's talks in between songs seemed more like conversations than just introducing the next piece; when "Annachie Gordon" had me all choked up during the first half, her humorous anecdotes about her past travels, as well as the journeys between cities on the current tour, had me in stitches! 

Her stories also revealed much about us as a society, and how we parallel, converge, and diverge with others.  The accounts that particularly fascinated me were those of the importance of oral tradition around the world, and how those that still practice oral tradition can memorize verse after verse of epic ballads. or even an entire family tree; also fascinating was her input on connection technologies (or as Loreena so aptly puts it, "distraction technologies") and how they actually tend to disconnect us from others and the physical and natural world that surrounds us; I also noticed that it often removes us from true human interaction such as face-to-face conversations, eye contact, and the list goes on.  Yes, even as I write a blog about my experience, I agree.  Technology can be really cool sometimes, helpful even.  But we do need to just step back from the screen and be a part of the world we're trying to connect to. 

After the concert, I was debating whether or not to stay in the lobby, just in case Loreena came up for a meet-and-greet.  My mom, who attended the concert with me, waited a few minutes but wanted to get on the road soon--the drive back home is an hour, 45 minutes if we're lucky.  After going back and forth between the lobby and downstairs to check on the parking garage conga line, I heard a voice announce that Loreena was upstairs in the lobby meeting the remaining concertgoers.  I sprinted back upstairs and finally got to meet her!  She was so sweet, and very gracious!  I brought the booklet from my copy of The Book of Secrets, which she signed along with the program.  I really wanted to talk some more, but I flubbed by not letting myself.  I wanted to tell her about my introduction to her music starting with "The Highwayman" and how other songs of hers had helped me through other projects up through high school.  I'd hoped to be able to say how I originally wanted to be a veterinarian, too, and that connection struck a chord with me.  But a combination of excitement and just being frazzled from the week's events made it difficult for the words to come out. 

On the other hand, we did get a great picture...



...believe me, even from the look on my face you will never know just how wonderful the experience was and just how much it meant to me. 

Here's to great music, an incredible night, and a wonderful memory!  Thanks for everything, Loreena! 

A Sister Blog!

Hi, everyone! 
Lately, it's come into my head that I should have another blog. 

Alright, alright.  I can hear some gasps.  No, I am not abandoning Knitting Safari, nor did I suddenly go crazy.  The thing is, while I'm having a lot of fun with this blog, I need something fresh, and that invites a wider audience than just people that share the fiber arts connection.  These two blogs will work side-by-side advertising one another, maintaining a bond while keeping their own unique identities. 

So with that, I have two titles in the works, and I need some help deciding.  Is it going to be...?

Harp and Beagle

or

Orange Blossom Special

Please vote in the comments below; or if you have a suggestion to combine both into one title, I'd love to hear it! 

Thanks a bunch!