**Melissa Nornes is a crocheter who enjoys gatherings at Sea Street Craft in Depoe Bay.** (Photo courtesy of Oregon Coast TODAY)

By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY

No matter how stunning the result, creating something with yarn only requires a few basic moves and can get pretty dull.

Enter the sit-and-stitch, a gathering of knitters, crocheters and even quilters who share their lives along with their projects and skills in regular gatherings at Sea Street Craft in Depoe Bay.

“We just have so much fun,” said Melissa Nornes, one of the knitters. “It’s so social and nice to be together.”

Carol Rupnow, another member of the group that meets at the shop, also turns up.

“At first, we just had this as a gathering place,” Rupnow said. “But once we started to get to know each other, we started meeting at each other’s homes on the other days, too.”

Being in a group does not speed up the knitter, they said, but it deepens their connection. “I actually don’t knit more,” Rupnow said. “But I sure do talk more.”

A little farther up the coast in Cloverdale, Rod & Reel Wool & Wheel also hosts a weekly group, with a second added during the longer days of the year.

“We’re loosely called the spinners group,” said Grace Mick, who owns the shop with her husband Jim, manager of the “Rod & Reel” side of the business. “We have people that do needlepoint, felting, all kinds of stuff. We mentor and help each other.”

Many people enjoy gatherings in Waldport at Tidewater Creations in Waldport, which hosts two gatherings a week, including on Thursday evening.

“Our Thursday sit-and-stitch nights have been a fun success since the opening of our store,” said Randi Stevens, who owns the store with husband, Mark. “It’s a friendly atmosphere where all stitch-abilities and needles and hooks are welcome. We sip our beverages of choice, stitch, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. It has become my favorite time of the week.”

The shop has complimentary mugs, coffee and a variety of teas available.

The shops also carry supplies, including yarn and accessories. Many crafters use them to make things for their family and friends and some also contribute to the community.

Sea Street Craft owner Christa Holmes was recently contacted by a school hoping some knitters would create winter hats for some of their students in need. Another knitter regularly makes hats for premature babies in hospitals.

But the primary purpose of the gatherings is the social connection.