Adapting to Changing Trends: Staying Relevant as a Knit or Crochet Designer

Hey, gosadi makers! Today, let's dive into the wonderful world of design and how you can adapt to ever-changing trends while staying true to your unique brand voice. We know it’s not always easy to balance changing trends with the needs of your audience! Luckily, we’re here to help.

As designers, it's essential to keep an eye on the latest trends and innovations in the knitting and crochet community. While staying true to your brand is crucial, incorporating fresh ideas can breathe new life into your creations. 

Sure we encourage you to embrace change as an opportunity to evolve and grow, but that doesn’t mean that you should embrace EVERY trend. Pick the ones that feel natural to you and your brand voice. And let’s be clear: we don’t suggest doing a complete overhaul of your design library based on a trend. We suggest throwing in a few new ideas every couple of patterns. This will keep your audience engaged but more importantly, it will keep YOU excited about your designs. 

Here are some small ways that you can shake up your creations without ripping up your whole sketchbook.

We all have our go-to yarns. But don't be afraid to explore new fibers and textures. Step out of your comfort zone and experiment with unique blends or sustainable options. Your experienced eye for color and texture will guide you in making choices that align with your brand while adding a modern twist. Sometimes the trend is in the materials itself not the design, giving you an opportunity to show off your design skills and be trendy!

As seasoned designers, you're likely already familiar with a wide array of techniques. Incorporate classic stitches that never go out of style, and mix them with modern techniques to create stunning contemporary designs. 

Adapting to a trend could be as easy as incorporating a popular stitch or technique into an updated version of an existing design! Your stitch library is your superpower, so wield it wisely!

It's essential to strike a balance between staying true to your brand identity and adapting to new trends. Your audience comes to you for a reason – your unique style! Infuse your personality into your designs, and let your creations tell a story that resonates with your community.

Trade shows like Premiere Vision, typically a trade show for the fabric world, offer swatch inspiration displays. This show takes place twice a year and has a corner, sometimes a room full, of swatches that you can touch and take photos of to open your mind to new ideas. This show also, adds its videos to its online portal so that you can view them even if you can’t visit the show. 

Take what you like and don’t feel pressured to use the rest!

Connect with other designers and artists to foster a supportive community. Collaboration can spark fresh ideas and provide invaluable insights. Share your experiences and learn from others!

Inspiration vs. Copying: Unraveling the Differences

At the end of the day, this is the only point on this list that TRULY matters. As an experienced designer, your instincts are finely tuned. Trust them! Trends come and go, but your intuition will guide you to create designs that are not only trendy but also true to your vision.

Remember to adapt and never stop experimenting but you are the only one who knows what’s right for your designs. If you stay true to yourself and your core audience, you’ll naturally create timeless designs that entertain, inspire, and empower our wonderful community!