THE STORY OF YARN SHOP DAY
Find out all about Yarn Shop Day and its continuing success since it started in 2014
2019 - THE CELEBRATION GOES ON!
This year a new digital online guide was introduced, making it much easier for the public to find their nearest participating yarn shop. Huge events took place up and down the country, including at Wool n’ Stuff in Wakefield who scheduled the grand opening of their much bigger premises to take place on Yarn Shop Day. Some fantastic work was done for charity, with Crafty Stitches in Cheshire handing over 500 knitted pandas to the local police force as part of the Pandas4Pandas initiative, and over £600 raised on the day at Wool for Ewe in Aberdeen. Shops took advantage of dedicated merchandise including mugs, canvas bags and hanging signs produced by sponsor Vanessa Bee.
2018 - PACKED STORES, NEW FACES, BIG SALES!
The 5th anniversary of Yarn Shop Day was a real celebration, with mascots, patterns and goodies galore! Trunk shows and pop-up shops were held across the country, and amazing prizes were won in the great Yarn Shop Day raffle, including yarn bundles and a spa day. Customers loved the special YSD mugs and tote bags!
2017 - PACKED STORES, NEW FACES, BIG SALES!
This year saw a significant increase in the numbers of consumers attending Yarn Shop Day events according to stores that took part. Many reported a dramatic increase in sales for the time of year, with some recording their best day of trading ever! Shops welcomed new customers as well as their regulars, who turned out in their droves. A popular incentive was the pattern for the Primavera blanket designed by Debbie Bliss, available exclusively to participating stores. Also much sought after was the limited edition run of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply yarn, dyed in the Yarn Shop Day colours!
2016 - A FANTASTIC EVENT
This year's campaign was sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board and the Campaign For Wool. A record number of stores were involved and knitters turned out in force to celebrate our bricks-and-mortar stores. From meeting celebrity knitters and taking part in workshops, to eating cake and stroking yarn, crafters were spoilt for choice with venues to attend. Mascots Tiny the elephant and Chris the monkey also went down a storm.
2015 - BIGGER & BETTER
On the same day that Prince George made his arrival in the world, we celebrated our second Yarn Shop Day. Supported by ICHF Events, over 180 shops took part. Many stores saw their best ever day of trading, while others used the day to raise money for local charities. Designers Sue Stratford and Janine Holmes designed special sheep and mouse mascots for crafters to recreate.
2014 - YEAR ONE
The first ever Yarn Shop Day took place on 3rd May. Launched by Let's Knit and Let's Get Crafting magazines, it encouraged people across the UK to support their local bricks and mortar craft shop. More than 160 stores got involved, hosting special workshops, competitions, book signings and more. Celebrated designers such as Louisa Harding, Libby Summers and Val Pierce also took part and the campaign was supported by the UK Hand Knitting Association, the W.I. and publishers Search Press.
"I really enjoyed yarn shop day – it was a pleasure to be involved and I’m already looking forward to next year. It seemed hugely popular and it was great to see so many shops and people being creative and wanting to learn new techniques"
2014
"The exposure we got from Yarn Shop Day brought people into the store who were previously unaware of our existence and of the services we provide. On the day we had an eclectic mix of regulars, new customers and tourists who spent time with us as we solved their knitting and crochet problems."
2016
"It was well worth it, one of the best days in the last year. My customers and my teachers went away beaming and looking forward to next year."
2016
