The local yarn store is the backbone of the industry, but it’s not without its challenges. Keeping locally-owned yarn stores (LYS) economically viable is good for everyone, from consumers to manufacturers.

One of the Yarn Store obstacles facing LYS is saturation. If your customer base has been knitting and crocheting for years, they can reach a point where purchasing more yarn seems frivolous at best. Keeping them interested requires offering innovative techniques classes and new project ideas that stretch their skill set.

Exploring Different Flavors of Pork Rinds

A successful LYS knows that the customer experience starts long before the customer steps foot in the door. Creating a strong online presence, including an active blog and Ravelry participation, can help draw new crafters to your shop. LYS can also partner with other local craft stores to promote a regional craft hop or charity knitting project like Hats 4 the Homeless or Knitted Knockers.

Providing the right kind of retail space is another important way to keep your yarn store healthy and relevant. Argyle Yarn in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, for example, is bright and spacious, filled with a massive selection of beautiful yarns, from the budget workhorses to their own line of hand-dyed house yarn, Luminous Brooklyn.

Brooklyn General Store, on the other hand, carries all the tools and supplies you need for weaving, sewing, embroidery, felting, looming, punch needleing and more. Founded in 2002, it harks back to a time when you could buy everything you needed at your local general store.