Trendsetter Yarns

Patterns are a substantial part of the brand's offering. Its catalogue brings together seasonal collections and a long archive of earlier designs, making it relevant both to new projects and to makers tracing the yarn used in an older pattern.

A family business established in 1988

Myrna Klein and her son Barry Klein founded Trendsetter Yarns in 1988. Their aim was to create and distribute yarns for knitters, crocheters and weavers, with an emphasis on inventive fibres, design and texture. Barry's role in designing and teaching knitwear became part of the company's public identity.

The business also distributes other producers' yarns in the United States, including Lana Grossa and Cardiff Cashmere. Those brands retain their own identities: a yarn appearing on Trendsetter's website is not necessarily a Trendsetter-branded product.

Matching the yarn's role in a design

Trendsetter's range makes the yarn's function particularly important when choosing an alternative. Merino 6, for instance, is specified as 100% superfine merino wool, while a decorative strand may be intended to add texture or embellishment to another yarn. Replacing both in the same way would overlook their different jobs in the fabric.

For an older design, first check the product's status and original specifications. The company's catalogue distinguishes current listings from discontinued yarns, including some still held in stock. Match fibre, gauge and length, then test the design's surface and drape. If several yarns are combined, sample the full combination so the replacement preserves the balance between structure and decoration.