What is the New York Fiber Trail?
The NY Fiber Trail was born in Fairport, NY right here at Lift Bridge Yarns. Jessie is one of the organizers of the trail and HOLY COW it has grown from the initial vision! The idea for this trail was to create a yarn crawl experience that would connect customers to new shops, farms and studios. The trail lasts from May thru October to give folks plenty of time to wander the state and find their new favorite fibery spaces.
The trail also sprung from the fact that so many die hard fiber enthusiasts search for all the yarns shops before traveling, and it's hard to find them all, especially rural fiber farms. We decided to do all the researching for you AND add a little incentive to check out as many shops as you can!
The NY Fiber Trail is a self-guided tour of our historically- and agriculturally-rich state. We've put together a page for each shop that not only gives you all the shop details and a preview of what to expect, but we've also included many shop-owner-recommended places to eat, stay, and activities to do (after yarn shopping of course!).
Unleash Your Inner Fiber Artist
As you travel along the New York Fiber Trail, you'll encounter a plethora of shops that will make any fiber artist's heart skip a beat. From colorful skeins of yarn to luxurious fibers, these shops have it all. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting out, you'll find everything you need to unleash your creativity and bring your fiber dreams to life.
Supporting Small Businesses, One Stitch at a Time
One of the highlights of the New York Fiber Trail is the opportunity to support local small businesses. These shops are owned and operated by passionate fiber enthusiasts who pour their heart and soul into their craft. By purchasing from these shops, you're not only getting high-quality materials, but you're also supporting the dreams and livelihoods of these talented individuals. It's a win-win!
Fun For the Whole Family
The trail is more than yarn- while visiting new places & spaces, be sure to visit local businesses, see the sights and experience new things! On each business' listing on the NY Fiber Trail website you'll find recommendations of what do so, see, taste & experience while you travel.
While visiting farms, you can see and interact with the sheep, goats, alpacas and many other farm animals during tours! One customer even got to bottle feed baby goats with her kiddo.
There is truly something for everyone on the trail!
Documenting the Fiber Trail
Even if you can't make it to ALL the shops and farms, that's ok! There are people who are visiting dozens of shops and documenting their progress as they go and integrating it into their summer and fall travel plans, like Bailey of The Copycat Stitch on YouTube! Be sure to check out her video podcasts and follow her yarn shop adventures!
Get Your Fiber Trail Passport Stamped
As you visit each shop along the trail, collect stamps on your passport. It's a fun way to keep track of your fiber-filled adventures and show off your progress to your fellow fiber enthusiasts. Be sure to submit your passport by the end of October for a chance to win a $300, $150 or $75 gift card to the participating shop of your choice!
Special Thanks
Special thanks to The Empire Sheep Producers Association (ESPA) for their generous support of the trail in it's inaugural year! Funding was also received by two amazing local organizations- OCED & the Fairport Perinton Partnership.
We can't wait to hear about all the adventures, hidden gems, and new memories made! Thank you for supporting small businesses, and happy fiber trail exploring!