Profile of the Week

Name: Mrs. Aikawa

How was life affected by March 11, 2011:  Mrs. Aikawa lives with her daughter and family on a lot with two houses in Hanabuchihama, a minutes’ walk from the beach. On March 11, 2011, she was in her house with her daughter when the great earthquake happened. Tsunami sirens began to alert everyone of an impeding 6-10 meter tsunami, At first Mrs. Aikawa did not believe that a tsunami would come and refused to move from the front house to the back house. But then they started to see the water rising to such a great level that they did not think that even the back house would survive so between the first and second tsunami they ran to a nearby neighbours lot which is on higher ground.

The water reached a meter into the back house, and unfortunately her front house could not be saved.

First started coming to Yarn Alive: July 2011

Favorite color to work with: Brown

Favorite project: Flowers!

Current Project: Putting together a pink scarf and hat set for a local 1st grade girl who lost both her parents in the tsunami. She loves to be able to make things for other people because it brings so much joy to them.

What she enjoys most about Yarn Alive: Meeting her friends and talking with one another

From miniature golf, to temporary housing, to yarn alive fun

Welcome to the Yarn Alive Wednesday class.

Every other Wednesday, these ladies meet in one of the temporary houses which is now vacant and used as a community room.

These temporary houses are located in what use to be a miniature golf park.

Each one of the houses have either 1,2 or 3 tatami rooms, a small kitchen, shower area and toilet. The ladies meet in a 2 tatami room house.

So the Yarn Alive class starts off by everyone arriving and crowding into one of the rooms. They look excitedly at each other's new creations.

Over the next 2 hours, the ladies get settled and begin their projects. It is not unusual to see someone's project end up in another's hands as they all help one another.

The 2 hours seem to fly by, and before you know it, the midday bells are ringing.  The ladies gather their belongings and then pick out any yarn available to keep them going for the next 2 weeks.

But the fun doesn't stop there. Every week the vegetable man arrives at noon, providing fresh local vegetables. With a small truck with makeshift poles, cover and blinds, this entrepreneur is surrounded by the ladies!

With smiling faces and arms full of yarn and fresh vegetables, these ladies finally say their goodbyes and head home.

Profile of the Week: Reiko Suzuki

Full Name: Reiko Suzuki

Location: Shichigahama for the past 28 years.

Currently living: Temporary Housing (another location close to where Yarn Alive meets)

How was life affected by March 11, 2011: Reiko was in her house when the earthquake happened. With her husband, she quickly fled by car to a high hill. Unfortunately, they lost their home to the tsunami in Hanabuchihama.

First started coming to Yarn Alive: Autumn, last year (October)

Crochet or Knit? : BOTH

Favorite color to work with: Pink (likes to mix colors though)

Favorite project:  Small items (flowers, purses, scarfs, neck warmers, vests)

What she enjoys most about Yarn Alive: Meeting her friends and talking with one another