Local Yarn Store Day happens every year in April and is one of the best, coordinated marketing events of the year! Local yarn stores throughout North America (and some around the world) band together to promote each other, promote yarn crafts, host special events and create special offerings for their customers.
This year, LYS Day is on Saturday, April 25, 2026!
We always find it best to start preparing for LYS Day early, otherwise it sneaks up on us and we don’t get as much bang for our buck when the big day arrives. So we figured we would share a few ideas on what to start planning and promoting, so you can get a jump start too!
First, an easy one: start sharing with #28daysofyourLYS throughout the month of February. Follow the prompts below that TNNA has provided to help yarn stores create buzz on social media during the quieter months of the year leading up to LYS Day.
Even if it’s a simple picture and caption each day, it goes a long way towards getting your customers (old and new) invested and connected with you and your store.
Next, start planning an in-store or virtual event of some kind for the day of Saturday, April 25th. Give your customers a reason to come into your shop or log on to a video call to learn something new, craft together, shop or just chat fibre arts!
Again, you don’t have to have a big budget to plan a big event or have a big sale, even just a free/low cost workshop, presentation or knitting circle that you don’t normally have helps create community and get people interacting with your store.
Tip: even if your workshop /event is free, get people to register & email out a reminder closer to the day. In our experience, this makes it more likely people will remember to show up!
Other little ideas: Offer a little giveaway / door prize / raffle / contest / fashion show of finished objects on LYS Day!
Even if you’re not quite sure what your event will be yet, let your customers know to expect something / set that day aside with a save the date post, email, Facebook event or poster.
Want to plan something with us the week of LYS Day? Take a look at our event/workshop options>> Let’s see what we can do!
A free beaded knitting workshop we offered at our Open House.
Another idea to start thinking about is a special display in your window or front of your store. You could make this display last for just LYS Day, the week leading up to it or even the full month of April if you wanted. Switching up the layout / look of your shop keeps it feeling fresh to customers and gives them a reason to come in.
Again, it’s always a good to post/email/tell your customers about a new display or feature that’s coming or has just been installed! Build up excitement and don’t expect people to wander in without you telling them why they should.
Looking for an idea for a special display?
Every year for LYS Day, Koigu offers special LYS Day products & offers, so keep your eyes peeled for when we announce this year’s! We feature all of the stores that order the special items in a blog, email & post series leading up to the big day.
LYS Day display of Koigu at Shabby Sheep 2025.
Last year’s special LYS products for yarn stores
Koigu LYS day products from last year.
Want something unique for your store to offer on LYS Day?
Create a custom dyed colourway or palette with us! Send us inspiration photos or ideas and we will come up with a special colourway or palette named after your store, town, region etc. We can dye a custom colourway on any of our yarn bases or curate a special pencil box or paint can. Email merike@koigu.com and lets dream up something awesome for LYS day!
Limited edition colourway we dyed for Knit City Toronto.
Pencil boxes (10 x mini skeins) & paint cans (5 x mini skeins).
Don’t want to order new product for LYS day? Create special bundles or kits with what you already have in stock!
Repackage yarn & tools into a cute tote bag or box with a special label or add a free pattern, sticker or a little value add. This goes a long way and makes products ready for no-brainer shopping.
Yarn made into a hat kit with a bag, stitch markers & label.
Ultimate knitters pack at a discounted bundle price.
Don’t have the bandwidth or man power to do any of the above but you carry Koigu? Email us some photos of your Koigu display and your shop and let us promote you leading up to LYS day!
Marketing / events questions: merike@koigu.com
Orders / wholesale questions: orders@koigu.com
