Ins and Outs - Trend Predictions for 2026
Image by maedstudio_
Image by Eniko Katalin Eged
This week we say goodbye to 2025 and celebrate the arrival of the new year, accompanied by all its hopes, whimsy, and possibility. In the Chinese zodiac calendar, 2025 was the year of the snake. In the likes of a snake shedding its skin, 2025 was a quiet, observant year marked by the wisdom of a snake; one that brought attention to what is and isn’t working, and allowing us to shed the things that we don’t need. In contrast, 2026 is The Year of the Horse. The Horse symbolizes movement, momentum, power and courage. As we run boldly into the new year, ready to embrace all it may bring, here’s our list of ins and outs for 2026.
ins
THE YEAR OF THE ACCESSORY
We have already seen this emerge, but 2026 will be less about the garments and more about how we style our clothes. Here’s what I’m excited to try:
Skull caps
Hair clips
Scrunchies (the bigger the better) - see this crochet option
Small scarves
Statement Bags
Decorative Jewelry
Image credits in order top left to bottom right:
1) ElifHerbalShop 2) Ettika 3) Pinterest 4) MerryStitchStudio 5) DidiShopArt 6) Pinterest 7) LOOSENDS by Florine Pellachin 8) Dova Pryce by Florine Pellachin 9) Dova Pryce by Florine Pellachin
MIXING TEXTURES
We’re sure to see more colour blocking, layering textures, mixing crochet with other mediums like beading, sequins, metals, etc.
Photo credits 1) Pinterest 2) Pinterest 3) @chezbibii 4) Pinterest
HAND MOTIFS
Shout out to Mandy Lee who named this prediction that we definitely agree is on the rise for 2026. If 2025 was all about the foot (tabi shoes, toe shoes, etc.), 2026 will be about the hand. See the Tabi mittens by Montreal’s very own Chloe @planetchloeee999.
SUSTAINABILITY
(Eternally in). This one’s a no-brainer. See how we’re committing to sustainability every day with our handmade crochet bags & reclaimed t-shirt yarn!
Image by LOOSENDS
FIBRE ART-ifying UNCONVENTIONAL ITEMS
We’re talking lampshades, slippers, collars, leg-warmers. Crochet moving from clothing to homeware.
Image 1) Pinterest 2) Pinterest 3) TanjasCrochet
FELTING
Starting to see this everywhere and obsessed with this trend. Again, shoutout Chloe who is one to watch this year.
ASYMMETRY
We’ve already been seeing this from notable brands like Boheme Goods, Kotn and Sezane, and we think it will only grow more mainstream in 2026, perhaps in more unexpected ways too. Think asymmetrical hats, scarves or shoes–I love an unexpected fashion moment.
Image by Boheme Goods
Going analogue is EVERYWHERE. We absolutely love the online space for being able to make connections across the world and make connections with those we may never have crossed paths with IRL, but we also see people being burnt out from constant 24/7 doomscroll content. 2026 will be all about community practices and gathering. For us, this means more markets, pop-ups, and maybe even a crochet club???
COMMUNITY
On that note, community is IN in a really big way. Join a club, host an event, volunteer, introduce yourself to your neighbours! We are approaching half a decade since COVID and we are re-establishing the third spaces we lost. After reflecting on our recent Holiday Marche, we’re excited to see our in-person community flourish.
outs
DUPES
Image via Refinery29
Dupes are out and durability is IN. Hot take here, but I think rather than giving our money to copycats who reproduce and steal designs, let’s normalize supporting the original artist for their work. No more “vegan leather” (newsflash, it’s just plastic), 100% polyester, or SHEIN. Instead, let’s bring back outfit repeating and having versatile, durable pieces that last the test of time.
FAST FASHION
Need we say more? Check out this post for a more in depth elaboration on this topic…
OVER-CONVENIENCE
Friction is in!!! Life’s greatest pleasures are on the other side of difficulty.
Who else remembers the days before Am*zon (yes kids, there was a time before amazon), when the excitement of ordering online was the month-long wait time, building anticipation for an item you really care about?
Does ordering uber eats really provide the reward of going to the store, interacting with your local grocery clerk, bumping into a neighbour or old friend, peeling and chopping your own vegetables, putting on your favorite album and spending some time crafting yourself a beautiful meal? Don’t make the easy choice, make the harder one and thank yourself later.
AMAZON STOREFRONT
Image via theperfecthoop
Let’s stop pretending Am*zon is ok just because your favorite creator recommended it. Remember friction!!! Window shop, romanticize a walk in your neighborhood, to the pharmacy, your local coffee shop, or through your favourite thrift shop.
LABUBU
Labubu had a chokehold but is reflective of being a follower, buying into the trend cycles. Consumerism really inched its way onto our bags this year, highlighting our obsession with useless stuff. No more of this in 2026!
DOOMSCROLL
Last year was doomscroll, clickbait, overwhelm, 2026 is intentional media.
This year, we’re cooking up an intentional media diet - subscribe to your favorite creators for in-depth, thought provoking content rather than endlessly scrolling the FYP skimming several influencers showing their 5th PR haul of the month (shamelessly plugging our Youtube channel, where founder Bennett pulls back the curtain on what its really like to run a sustainable Canadian small business). This year, things like Youtube, Substack, newsletters, and blogs will replace hours of pointless doomscrolling.
BALACLAVA IS OUT
Sorry crocheters, this one might hurt, but the bonnet is simply the new and improved balaclava, and now that we’ve arrived here we can’t look back.
Image by @amazingishgrace
APATHY
The doomscroll can be so overstimulating, shooting us into freeze mode, and fostering an apathetic disposition. Don’t succumb to the numbness! Water your metaphorical garden, harvest your interests, stay curious, hopeful, and optimistic and welcome habits that foster that disposition.
Pro tip: Keep a running list of things “to research.” When you’re out on a walk, reading a book, or chatting with friends and something peaks your interest, add it to the list. Curious people are the coolest, guaranteed.
BUSYNESS
Goodbye romanticizing hustle culture. Slow down, pick up your unfinished projects, lay on the couch, count your stitches and take your time!
OVER -CONSUMPTION
Empty your cart, delete that inbox; I know you have 10,000 screenshots on your phone-it’s ok, so do I. Get the clutter out of 2026 and don’t let capitalism take over!
Image by Louis Dazy
In all seriousness, don’t take this list too seriously. These are just some trends we look forward to, and the trend-setting creators and artists we are excited to watch to continue to inspire us in 2026.
LOOSENDS feels aligned with the timeline of establishing itself during the year of the snake - a year marked by following our instincts and observing the needs of the brand; I look forward to channelling the horse’s energy in 2026 through forward mobility as the brand continues to grow!
