Knit Now Magazine has announced its Spring 2018 call for design submission and the deadline is at 9am UK Time 30th of October 2017.
Read the press release below.
Our latest call for submissions is now available to download here.
We’re looking for fresh and inspiring designs for our spring issues.
Deadline: Please send in your submission to me at kate.heppell@practicalpublishing.co.uk by 9am UK time on Monday 30th October.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
p.s. The Knitter of the Year competition is open again! Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced designer, we’d love to see your ideas.
This call is for the Spring 2018 issues (on sale in April, May & June; 3 issues) of Knit Now. I’m looking for a wide range of stylish and wearable knits for the spring/summer season. Knit Now caters to a range of ages and ability levels so beginner, intermediate and advanced patterns are equally welcome – the beauty of the design is what is most important.
The Collections
Country Rose
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/kateheppell/country-rose/
This issue will be our gentle transition from winter into early spring. There’s still a nip in the air, so cosy knits are very welcome, but touches of lace, pretty colourwork and brighter colours are creeping in. This collection is quietly feminine, with a soft, vintage feel.
June Wedding
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/kateheppell/june-wedding/
Knits for summer celebrations. We want to see elegant, beautiful knits fit for a bride. Remember we’re in the UK so even summer weddings call for cover-ups and cardigans as well as shawls – but think beyond that too, to accessories, favours and decorations.
Sugar and Spice
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/kateheppell/sugar-and-spice/
Inject some colour into your knits this spring! We’re looking for simple shapes that are enjoyable to knit. Think cool cotton layering pieces, quick accessories and fun homewares.
What I’m looking for…
Each issue will include;
5 or 6 accessories. Quick knits and one-ball makes such as hats, scarves, mitts, bags etc. Each issue includes at least 1 shawl & 1 pair of socks.
2 or 3 garments. Generally pitched at an intermediate skill level, we tend to print patterns which are primarily wearable and stylish. All garments must be sized up to at least a 5X.
1 or 2 babies’ and children’s knits and 1 or 2 toys. We have a preference for contemporary, gender-neutral designs but we’re open to more traditional patterns too.
1 or 2 Home knits. Beautiful, useful, sometimes unexpected things. Cushions, gadget cases and tea cosies are welcome but we draw the line at egg cosies!
In each issue, about half of the patterns should respond directly to that issue’s theme; the
remainder can simply be beautiful, inspiring, seasonally-appropriate knits.
Submission requirements
Your submission should include a sketch and accompanying paragraph describing the item, a photograph or scan of your swatch and ideas for yarn choices. The submission should be presented in a PDF document, with your name and email address on every page. All information should be included in the submission document, including pictures. Please also tell us where we can find other examples of your work – a link to your Ravelry designer profile is ideal. You will be commissioned to write a full pattern (including any alternative sizes) and knit a sample. We will take care of photography.
IMPORTANT: Please create a separate PDF for each idea and name the file in the following format: YourName _PatternName_KNspring18.pdf
Deadline
The deadline for submissions will be 9am UK time on Monday 30th October. You should hear from us either way within 2 weeks of the deadline. Deadlines for final patterns and samples will be 23rd January.
Send to/contact
Please send your submissions to me by email: kate.heppell@practicalpublishing.co.uk
Compensation/Support
We have recently reviewed our fee structure and can give the following examples of fees;
Hat in 3 sizes: £70-£100
Baby garment in 5 sizes: £120-£150
Adult garment in 7 sizes: £300-£400
The exact fee will depend on a number of factors including the complexity of the design.
4 months after publication, rights will revert to you and you will then be able to use the final tech-edited version of the pattern (including charts/schematics) as you wish. We arrange yarn support for all designers. Your sample remains your property, but we will hold onto it for a while in case we get pattern queries, or for display at shows. We will return your sample to you at the same time as your publication rights.
About Knit Now
Knit Now launched in the UK in October 2011. It is a monthly, national newsstand title, widely available in supermarkets, newsagents and craft stores across the UK as well as select retailers worldwide. We also publish digitally. Our main focus is on quick, simple, stylish knits. For an idea of our style, you can find all of our patterns listed on Ravelry here;
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/periodicals/knit-now
Hints and tips for submissions:
I wrote a blog post a while back with submission tips www.knitnowmag.co.uk/item/193submissiontips-for-designers
Warning – this is an old post and the themes and deadlines mentioned are for
that call, not this one! I will also be talking about this a bit on my vlog – Kitty Knits. You may in particular find this episode useful: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxiX6RignZw
Swatches and sketches – There is no need to submit a photo of a finished item, but your submission will need nice swatches, in a representative yarn, photographed in bright conditions. If you’re having trouble getting the photo to focus, either switch to the macro setting on your camera (the one with the little flower) or consider scanning your swatch rather than photographing it.
Formatting – Of course our main focus is on the quality of the idea, but it’s much easier for me to see that when the submission is cleanly formatted. Remember, the submission must be a PDF document sent as a single attachment, not an email with photos attached.
Yarn choice – Be flexible with your choices. I will be wanting to use the new season’s yarns, some of which won’t be publicly available yet. Talk about the qualities your project requires, don’t just say what you used. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you know what you’re talking about!
FAQs:
Return of samples – We’re happy to return samples to you. Any unwanted samples are donated to Knit for Peace.
International Designers – You are very welcome to submit, but remember that Knit Now is a UK magazine so we’ll be using British terminology and you will need to use yarns which are available in the UK (which we will arrange to be sent to you).
Photography – We will be taking care of all the photography for patterns, but the rights to photos will remain with us, so if you don’t want your sample back, consider taking photos before you send it in.
Crochet/sewing/other non-knitting elements – We’re open to any and all good quality patterns, and if it needs a little crochet, sewing or embroidery, that won’t rule it out. If it’s 100% crochet, contact the editor of our sister mag Crochet Now, Amy on amy.caddick@practicalpublishing.co.uk
Tech editing – We do have tech editors, but they will only be polishing your patterns – they won’t be doing any grading for you.
Multiple submissions – There’s no limit on the number of ideas you can submit. If you receive multiple commissions, we will work with you to spread out your deadlines.
Previously published patterns – As a general rule, I am not looking for patterns which have
previously been published at all. If you’ve posted a couple of project pics online, that’s fine – but the patterns should come as a nice surprise for our readers when we publish them. Your commission is confidential until a week before the on-sale date of the magazine.
Future calls – If you want to add yourself to the mailing list for future calls, just fill in your details at http://eepurl.com/hKL0o
Testing – We’re happy for you to arrange to have your pattern tested, but we are working on a tight schedule, so this is by no means mandatory.
Digital Issues – The magazine is available digitally, and digital editions are available through the Apple Newsstand and the Pocketmags app.
