Yarn Shop Day Is Back!
Calling all crafters, the UK’s biggest knitting and crochet retail event returns for a sixth year!
On Saturday April 27, 2019 craft stores across the UK and in Ireland will be celebrating Yarn Shop Day, the annual event that focuses on our much-loved bricks-and-mortar yarn stores. On the day, outlets nationwide will be hosting special events, giving away goodie bags, offering big discounts and providing exclusive free patterns to customers – along with plenty of tea and cake!
Tiny Turtle Knitted Family, designed by Sachiyo Ishii
Patterns for the adorable Yarn Shop Day mascots will be available free in participating stores. This year the mascots are the Tiny Turtle Knitted Family, designed by Sachiyo Ishii, and Bubbles The Crocheted Whale, designed by Sarah Jane Hicks. Stores will also be offering additional patterns including an exclusive blanket and a colourful sausage dog, plus prizes and merchandise produced especially for the day, such as mugs and bags, and a host of other treats.
The Crocheted Whale, designed by Sarah Jane Hicks
Yarn Shop Day was launched in 2014 by leading publications Let’s Knit and Let’s Get Crafting, and is supported widely across the industry. Last year over 200 stores took part, and the event has grown into one of the most important days in the knitting and crochet calendar.
Let’s Knit editor Sarah Neal says,
Yarn shops are not just somewhere to buy needles and wool – they are often the hub of the local crafting community and offer advice, inspiration and a place to meet like-minded people.
“Our campaign aims to highlight the fantastic service they provide, and also create a day of festivities and fun that celebrates all that’s great about a local yarn shop. So for crafters everywhere it’s the perfect day to go along and support your local participating store.”
Wellbeing Benefits
Thanks to the widely-documented health benefits of knitting and crochet this is much more than just an opportunity to shop. As highlighted in a recent study by the charity Knit for Peace, there is evidence to show that knitting can lower blood pressure, counter depression, slow the onset of dementia and induce a sense of wellbeing. Stores taking part in Yarn Shop Day are therefore inviting those new to yarncrafting to experience the benefits for themselves, and opportunities to learn how to knit and crochet will be available in store.
How Can You Take Part?
A guide to the shops taking part can be found in the current issue of Let’s Knit magazine, and a digital directory of who’s involved is available at yarnshopday.co.uk, along with more information about the event.
Allison Hay
I joined the "My Weekly" team thirteen years ago and, more recently, "The People's Friend". I love the variety of topics we cover both online and in the magazines. I manage the digital content for the brands, sharing features and information on the website, social media and in our digital newsletters.
