Aside from posting articles about techniques, events, and educational topics, I've also started posting more about the craft industry itself. Make no mistake, these pieces are meant for my entire audience of crafters, designers, LYS owners, and yarn companies alike. I've always enjoyed looking at what's coming next in fashion by observing the world around me and reading about fashion and color trends. I enjoy the process of compiling information, gathering some images, and figuring out what that means for the future. Even before this was my profession, it was a childhood game for me to clip and save the images that I liked from fashion magazines.

I'm trying to tell you that trend reports are not just for the professionals. In this article, I want to break down a few different ways that each type of person or business can use my crafting trend reports for their own purposes.

How can crafters use a trend report?

Do you remember that scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda Priestly explains to Andy how a cerulean blue sweater ended up in a discount bin? It's the crucial moment when Miranda breaks down the fashion industry's influence on everyday consumers. She describes how a color choice that seemed insignificant to Andy—a simple blue sweater she picked from a clearance rack—actually trickled down from high fashion runways through department stores and eventually to the bargain bin where Andy found it. Miranda's point is sharp and unforgettable: Nobody is immune to the influence of trends. You can try to avoid them, but they'll still make their way into your wardrobe

Knitting and crochet operate on a completely different timeline than fast fashion because handmade projects demand significant time and skill, but that doesn't mean our yarn choices are exempt. The trend cycle moves much more slowly and some people argue this is reason enough to ignore trends altogether, but I'd actually say it's the opposite. When you're investing months or even years into a single project, you want to make sure it will feel relevant and beautiful for years to come.

Think about the biggest investment in any craft project: it's not the yarn or materials, it's your time. That's why being intentional about your choices is so important. Before I start planning a project, I always consider what aesthetic I'm drawn to and which materials will best bring that vision to life. I also try to make sure I'm not hopping on the shorter lived fashion trends too quickly. 

Maybe you're someone who gravitates toward timeless styles and you don't adhere to trends. But here's something worth considering: what felt timeless in 1970 looks very different from what we consider timeless today. When I'm working on something designed to last a decade or more, I look ahead as much as I can to ensure my choices won't feel dated in just a couple of years. A trend report helps you identify which colors are beginning to feel tired versus which ones are gaining fresh momentum. It's a practical tool for discovering new products and styles, and for making thoughtful decisions about how to round out your wardrobe with pieces that will age well.

How can a business use a trend report?

Trend reports are windows into the zeitgeist - they capture what's resonating with your customers right now and what they're interested in exploring. Understanding these shifts gives you a competitive advantage in how you stock, market, and plan for the future.

When we talk about trends, we're really talking about  vectors with momentum and direction. imagine watching a river. as the water flows, you can see what is in front of you right now, but you also understand the current and can guess what's coming next. If you've historically sold a lot of vibrant, saturated colors, but lately your customers are gravitating toward softer, more muted palettes in their projects, that's a signal that their aesthetic preferences are evolving. A trend report helps you see that pattern clearly.

By layering trend report insights on top of your own sales data and inventory, you gain valuable insight for strategic planning. You can see which product categories are gaining traction, which color stories are emerging, and what customers will want. This allows you to make informed decisions about what to stock or dye, what to feature, and how to promote your business for the coming year. 

Read the 2027 Yarn and Crafts Trend Report

How can designers use a trend report?

Designers sit at an intersection of the topics I've covered above. Everything I've mentioned  applies to us as well, but with an added layer of creative decision-making. Trend reports help us see which styles and project types are gaining prominence in the market, allowing usto make intentional choices about your own design direction and put our time in to projects that make sense.

You might decide to lean into emerging trends like silhouettes or construction techniques that are gaining prominence. Or you might choose to stay true to your established aesthetic and ignore the trends altogether. Both are valid approaches, but the key is making that choice from a place of knowledge rather than in a vacuum.

Regardless of your approach, it's important to know the landscape of materials available to your customers. Even if you're not designing trendy pieces, you need to know what yarns, fibers, and colors shops are stocking and what your audience has access to. This knowledge shapes what's actually possible for the people who will make your designs. A trend report helps you stay connected to  what's going on in the wider world.

Trend reports are a tool for anyone.

Whether you're a crafter planning your next project, a business owner making strategic decisions, or a designer charting your creative path, trend reports offer clarity. They help you understand what's going on in the zeitgeist so you can make informed decisions. You don't have to follow trends to benefit from understanding them. In fact, the most confident creative decisions often come from knowing what's happening around you and then intentionally going in your own direction.