Independent craft shops in North Yorkshire are coming together to launch a yarn trail across the county to encourage people to buy local and get into knitting.
The North Yorkshire Yarn Trail is running between September 17 and 24.
Thirteen shops will be taking part, including Yarn etc and the White Rose Sewing Machine Co in Harrogate, Knitting Pretty in Knaresborough, and Masham’s Each One Unique.
The trail is happening as part of the UK Hand Knitting Association’s first ‘Yarnstravaganza’ where wool shops nationwide host special knitting-related events.
The shop owners hope it will encourage people to use local businesses and not buy their materials on the internet.
Fiona Burks, who owns Yarn etc. on Knaresborough Road, said:
“We’re trying to keep people offline. It’s a very tactile thing, buying wool. It’s the colour, it’s the feel, the texture. It’s an experience.”
People who want to take part can pick up a “yarn passport” at a participating shop. They then get a stamp for each one they visit.
Anyone who visits all 13 shops will be entered into a prize draw. The winner will receive a £100 voucher to spend in the participating wool shop of their choice.
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The yarn trail will take in 13 shops across North Yorkshire (photo: North Yorkshire Yarn Trail)
Ms Burks also wanted to promote what she saw as the mental health benefits of knitting. She said:
“To knit or crochet, you need to spend time and process and there’s lots of repetition. It’s really quite a good and meditative thing.”
Along with Sharon King, who owns fellow participating shop Ewe and Yarn in Thirsk, the Yarn etc owner had the idea for a yarn trail a few years ago. However, the pandemic delayed their plans.
Both were inspired by trails they saw being run by wool shops in the United States. Ms Burks said:
“The ones in America are just huge. They cover big areas but they’re amazing… They have these wool shops and they’re huge. They have cafés in them – basically, they’re absolutely brilliant.”