Newbury Yarns began with Aldrich Robinson, who first learned to knit in Bristol, England in the 1970s with the help of her two aunts. What started as a quiet creative practice soon became a lifelong path in knitwear design, rooted in curiosity, craftsmanship and the joy of making something by hand.

After moving to the United States in the early 1980s with her husband and two young children, she began designing sweaters under the label Aldrich-ar, working with knitters across Massachusetts and New York to bring her ideas to life.

At the heart of Aldrich’s work is a deep respect for the process itself, from selecting materials to shaping garments meant to be worn and loved. That same approach carried forward as she built Newbury Yarns, a space shaped as much by conversation and connection as by the yarns on its shelves. For her, knitting has never been just about the finished piece, but about helping people feel confident in the act of making.

Today, that spirit continues at Newbury Yarns, now located on Beach Street in downtown Boston. It remains a place grounded in natural fibers, thoughtful guidance and the belief that every knitter deserves support at every stage, from first cast on to final stitch.