All posts by Sonja Hakala

I have been a professional writer since 1987. I've written for newspapers, magazines, worked in the book publishing industry, and published novels and non-fiction books. In addition, I've guided numerous authors through the process of independent publishing, and offer workshops in that same vein. I'm the founder of the Parkinson's Comfort Project and over the course of six years, we gathered and gave away over 500 handmade quilts to people with Parkinson's disease.
Tiny Curiosities

Keep Calm and Crochet On!!

For those of you in the Upper Valley, I just wanted to give you an update on the Hats for the Haven project.

I’ve been making a point of checking in at rePlay Arts, the magical store in White River Junction (seriously, you never know what creative inspiration you will find there) to make sure that their supply of donated acrylic yarn is stocked, that the wooly donations are on the shelves, and to check out the progress on hat donations.

As you can see in this first photo, there’s a lot of talented, generous folks who have already created warm head coverings for folks in need during our cold months. And it has been very, very cold.

Mel and Jamie, the two women who founded rePlay Arts, report that LOTS of you folks have availed yourselves of the opportunity to re-home the yarn at their store. We are tickled pink, purple, red, blue and green!!

Which means that if you have plans to de-stash your yarn collection or have inherited a yarn collection from family or friends, now would be the perfect time to tote it over to rePlay Arts because, believe me, it will help folks stay warm in a very real way.

A couple of notes—you are welcome to knit or crochet a hat, scarf or mittens in any pattern you enjoy. The only requirement is that the yarn you use is wash-and-dryable.

And please don’t feel constrained to participate by holiday deadlines. Winter lasts longer than December here in the Upper Valley and so does our Hats for the Haven project. We will welcome your knitted or crocheted creations from now through the month of March.

All of us yarny types know that knitting and crocheting are meditative acts, ones that bring comfort and warmth to the maker as well as to the receiver. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.