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It's nearly Spring which means SAKURA!

Sakura (Cherry Blossom) is richly symbolic in Japan. Hanami festivals celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom and for many, are a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful view. This involves the centuries' old practice of picnicking under a blooming sakura or ume (plum) tree. Here's Yarn Alive's tribute to Sakura:

来週の木曜日予言カフェにてグッズを販売します！新春シーズンのネックレスとスカーフをチェック！

Next Thursday, Yarn Alive will be sold at Yogen Cafe、Tokyo! Why not check out the new Spring line of necklaces and ruffle scarves that will be available for purchase!

住所：東京都新宿区高田馬場４−２−３８宏陽ビル１階 高田馬場

日時：３月２１日、17:30−20:30

Address: Koyo Building 1F, 4-2-38, Takadanobaba, Shinjuku,Tokyo, 169-0075

Date & Time : March 21, 530-830pm

野球、水と毛糸の共通点は？ What does baseball, water and yarn have in common?

このエリアは、いろいろ変化しました！災害後、水道水が止められていた時、この野球場は七ヶ浜町の配水場として使われました。さらに4ヵ月後、この同じ野球場で仮設住宅が建設され、その中で Yarn Aliveが始まりました！ いつもそこに希望があることを感謝しています！

This area has seen a lot of change! From a baseball field, it became the central water distribution for Shichigahama when there was no running water for nearly a month after the disaster. Four months later, the first temporary housing units were built and soon after Yarn Alive was birthed!

We are thankful that there is always hope!

2 years on...

On the second anniversary of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, we want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have sent us yarn and needles and hooks and /or have made donations to help us.  Many of you have supported us by buying some of the hand made things that the ladies have made.  We can not tell you how thankful we are for all of the support and love that we have received over these past months.  It has been amazing to watch as the boxes of supplies have steadily come in.  We have had donations from church groups and knitting circles and grade schools and yarn companies and yarn shop owners and university clubs and from countless numbers of individuals.  Yarn has come from America, England, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and of course Japan. It is always fun to tell where the  yarn has come from.  All of these donations really help the women know that they are not forgotten!

Most of the people who lost their homes are still living in temporary housing.  It will be another two or three years before a complex for the elderly can be built.  We continue to meet every week or every other week.  Everyone waits eagerly for the "handing out the yarn" segment!  At first we could not understand how anyone could work through that much yarn every week.  Then we found out the secret!  Many of the women meet everyday to work on their projects!  They talk and laugh and encourage each other as they wait for the next big change in their lives.  Sometimes they make things for themselves, sometimes they make things for their friends and sometimes they make things for Yarn Alive to donate or sell.  They have all become so creative!  it is wonderful to see the joy and happiness in our groups of almost 40 women.  Your kindness has helped make this all possible!  I will never forget what one member told me at one of our Christmas parties, "I have no hope and no future, but I have yarn and I am so thankful!"  All of us at Yarn Alive are so thankful!
ps.... We plan to continue as long as the people want to continue to meet.  We are also looking into starting Yarn Alive branches in other areas.  The need for yarn and needles is on going.  Feel free to pass the word along.  Remember, EVERY BALL HELPS!