Skip to content
Backstory Books & Yarn, Portland, OR
ShoppingLocal FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

Backstory Books & Yarn

Backstory Books & Yarn is a shop in Portland, OR, part of the Portland, Oregon guide. Cost: free.

3129 SE Hawthorne Blvd · Portland, OR

Why you should go…

Backstory Books & Yarn is an independently owned used bookstore on Portland's Hawthorne Boulevard that also buys and sells yarn. The shelves lean toward textiles and fashion, nautical books, Black history and literature, books by and about women, and collectible illustrators, with trade credit offered for books and yarn. The shop opened in the Foster-Powell neighborhood in late 2014 and moved to its Hawthorne storefront in 2018. Open six days a week from noon to 6pm, closed Tuesdays, with later Friday and Saturday hours April through October.

  • #bookstore
  • #used books
  • #yarn
  • #hawthorne
  • #portland

What's around here?

The closest stops to Backstory Books & Yarn, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Hopscotch Portland

    Under $25

    A 23,000 square foot immersive art gallery with 14 interactive installations in a former hardware store.

    1.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Local Gem

    A Convenient Cycle

    Under $25

    An inner Southeast Portland bike shop renting, selling and touring bikes since 2009.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design

    Free

    Shop a friendly Portland yarn and fiber arts store stocked for knitting, weaving, and felting.

    1.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Foodie Favorite

    Portland By Mouth

    $50+

    Guided walking food tours through Portland neighborhoods, sampling local restaurants, markets and food carts.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Portland Saturday Market

    Free

    A sprawling open-air arts and crafts market under the Burnside Bridge, running weekends since 1974.

    1.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Tender Loving Empire

    Free

    A Portland makers market selling goods from local and indie makers, with several shops in Portland and Seattle.

    2.4 mi awayMore like this