Meet Dana Sullivan of San Fernando Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Sullivan

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Knerdy Knitters and Crocheters of the SFV started with 5 moms. Some worked, some didn’t, they had kids around the same age but at different schools and involved in different activities. But they had 2 things in common, they were looking for a place to get away from the stresses of home and work and family. And they all knit.

Today we are a group of over 65 men and women (and growing) who participate in a number of fiber arts, including knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, sewing, quilting, cross stitch and embroidery. Our groups guiding principle is to be an inclusive, friendly, safe space for anyone who wants to enjoy crafting and the company of others. We offer zoom and in person events including casual meet-ups, classes, lectures by industry professionals, and volunteer and charity opportunities.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We were an active and vibrant group when the pandemic hit. Like so many other organizations, we had to move online and figure out from home how to continue what at the core was a social club. Zoom presented a number of challenges for us. You could not touch or try on the fabulous projects that our members were turning out. We could not share tools and notions. Helping answer a question and sharing our collective skills was more difficult when trying to diagnose a problem off a computer screen. Membership dropped and we almost fizzled out.

Since everything has opened back up, it has been a reboot for us. We have tried to maintain our online zoom meetups, as for some this is the only way to participate. But we have put the emphasis on reinvigorating our in-person events. It was hard to get back in the habit, but now that we have some momentum, we are having a great time and we are seeing a constant influx of new, mostly younger members!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our membership includes people who work in a wide variety of fields, from the film and television industry to non profits to dentistry to design. But in our free time, we are makers. Some of us teach and design. We work as fixers and finishers for people who need help. We donate some of our work to the homeless, women’s shelters, animal shelters, and a variety of other organizations.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Los Angeles brings together a hugely varied and eclectic population! We love exploring what the city has to offer, from casual dining to cultural events to the natural spectacle of the beaches and mountains.

Every year all of the small, local yarn stores have a 3 day event known as the LA Yarn Crawl, designed to motivate people to not only support the small businesses in their local area, but to get out and explore businesses all over the city who cater to fiber nerds like us.

Pricing:

• Membership is $10/yr and includes access to all of our events, our newsletter and a yealry membership gift

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.knerdyknitters.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knerdyknittersofthesfv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KnerdyKnittersSFV
• Other: https://www.meetup.com/knerdy-knitters-of-the-sfv/