Knitting on Zoom/ Staying Connected

More Zoom knitting  

In addition to meeting with a group from my class at Vintage House in Sonoma, I have been zoom knitting with others as well.   Over the years there have been various groups of knitters group in town.  We have met at Pubs, Parks and Churches.   There was no question that meeting together would be part of our Covid life, but the only way to do it was via Zoom.   My local friends (and those who have moved away) and I met weekly for a few hours...knitting or crocheting, sharing our lives and helping each other out not only with knitting tips but with emotional support.. we know that we have each other as friends.  Soon we will be meeting at the Pub..lunch outside, masks on and together.  

So I thought, what about those life long friends who knit....shall we meet also?    So yes, we have been meeting..once or twice a month.   It's been wonderful..and knitting had helped my friends refocus and create some calm in their lives.   It may be a long while til we are together again but that's OK, I get to see them now.   

Favorite Yarn Shops Bay Area

So Happy to say that Sonoma has a new yarn shop!!!!!!

 

Noma Knits is fulfilling our dreams of having a local shop back in town.  https://nomaknits.com

Our local knitters are very happy to see Marie's smiling face and the beautiful shop she has created.   

Wouldn't you love to shop here???  There is a coffee shop right next door and the library across the street.   Oh and did I tell you...it's located 3 blocks from my home....Love it.   

In addition to yarns by Berroco, MadTosh, Manos de Uruguay you will find locally sourced yarns and of course all the other needles and notions you will need to complete your project.  

There is an On-line shop and you can find Noma Knits on Facebook and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nomaknits/.   

The shop is located at 

730 W Napa St., Sonoma California 

Hope to see you there.....

Craft Strong- Sonoma Strong

You may be aware of the October fires in Northern California.  I live in this community and must say that people here wanted more then anything to help each other out, in any way they could.  There have been food stations, pet capture stations, fundraising,  facebook pages offering items, free give aways just about anything you could think of that could help those who lost everything.  5000 homes destroyed.  One group that appeared on Facebook.  The goal to create new handmade hats, gloves and scarves.   One women organized this effort and hundreds of items were knit or crocheted for men, women and children who had lost it all.   This had a healing affect for both the crafter and the recipient.    Knowing that each stitch made, with love and care, will comfort another is powerful.  

Knowing that someone cares about you, and in any way they can gives you warmth and acknowledgment, gives strength and empowerment.

Cat pods-a beginning

Right now our community is building up strength and resilience after the devastating fires two months ago.  Any and all kindness adds to that strength and helps in the grieving process.   When I first returned to Sonoma and witnessed the loss, it was overwhelming and sad.   In my other life, I'm a hypnotist and Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) practitioner.   I have been meeting with groups and individuals to assist them in grieving and moving forward.  Most who have lost their homes (over 5000 structures were destroyed) are still in shock, yet doing their best to figure out "what is the next step".   For some it is rebuilding, for some it is moving into a new life path, and for most who are in survival mode, it is about allowing themselves to grieve the loss and find some kind of normalcy again.   There have been many fundraising efforts and events.  There is a active search for lost pets and many have been reunited with their owners, every day.  People are going into the burned out communities and hanging holiday lights where nothing is left.    Light gives hope and peace.

This may sound strange but perhaps you have experienced this affect; I stopped knitting/crocheting for a while during and after the fires.   Just could not do it.  All my energy was focused on Tapping and there was no desire to create.  But I have so much yarn---bags, totes, plastic containers, baskets and drawers full of yarn.  If there is any type of container out there I probably have it and it is filled with yarn.   So what can I do with all this yarn?  How can I add kindness to this community?  My goal for 2018 is to create knit/crochet donation items.     I had to start with something simple.  

CAT Pods for the shelter in town.   I made bunch and now on to hand warmers.

Where have I been..so well intentioned and then life gets in the way

I have been very busy knitting, that's where I have been.   Although I promise to come back to this blog every year or so..it just gets away from me.     Having retired in 2009 you would think that there are many hours to fill with blogging..but my knitting/crochet has taken priority.

Here's the last finished project.. my daughter's wedding crocheted wrap in Sublime Baby cashmere, merino Silk DK

Date Night Wrap

Design by  Expression Fiber Arts

www.ExpressionFiberArts.com

Living the Good Life in Sonoma

I am very fortunate to have found a place to be, that is good for my soul.  Surrounded by beautiful mountains, flowers, vineyards and nice people.  One of those people has given me the opportunity to hone a new craft "Mosaics".  If you love putting together puzzles and you delight in color, than this could be a hobby or craft for you.   My most recent pieces:  Thanks Janey!!!  You know I can be knit'n all the time!

large pot 1

Large Pot 2

Lavender Field

             I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.   Everyday I look out my window and see the mountains and gorgeous blue sky (almost every day).  Sunday I was fortunate enough to travel North up the highway to Kenwood and visit the Sonoma Lavender Festival.   It was a lovely day.  The fields were in full bloom and the lavender was ready to be picked.   My first visit was to the chocolate shop --lavender infused truffles...absolutely delicious and then for a hand massage with lavender salt rub and lotions... there were cooking demonstrations and authorities in lavender cultivation giving presentations,  it was a perfect day. Lavender is healing and soothing..great to use creams on those knitting hands



sneak peak



new classes

I have 4 knitting classes scheduled for the winter   the Fair Isle hat,  Elizabeth Zimmerman's Surprise Jacket,

Sonoma Hoodie and a dog sweater!!!