Submission Guidelines
Interested in getting your pattern or tutorial published in Knitty?
Diversity statement
Knitty is for everyone, and it's important that the designs and photos we publish reflect the diversity of our audience.
Our readership is diverse in body size, age, gender identity, physical ability, cultural heritage, and skin color. We especially encourage Black people, and all People of Color, to submit their work to us, and we encourage all designers to embrace diversity in the people who model your designs, and the choice of images you send us. We want people to see themselves in our pages.
FAQ for designers and authors [Last update: March 29, 2021] NOTE: Please download the latest version of our style guide before preparing your submission.
Q1. What types of patterns are you looking for? A1. We are now soliciting knitting and crochet patterns for our Deep Fall 2021 issue which goes live September 2021. We're now back on our usual schedule - knock wood, no more disruptions! Also a reminder that we accept crochet patterns now, including Tunisan crochet! We also are happy to see your combo crochet/knit designs. We recently updated our Knitty Style Guide Template (the thing you write the pattern on) to include Crochet as well as the new "Yarn Characteristics" descriptor, which will help people substitute yarn if they need to. Please be sure to download the new Style Guide Template and write your pattern into that document. Your Tech Editor will love you for it. (And make you do it if you didn't in the first place, so...ya know. Please do it.)
The deadline for Deep Fall 2021 is June 15, 2021. This has been moved forward as well.
Deep Fall is when Knitty gets to share quintessentially dreamy knitwear with our readers! Cardigans, pullovers, cozy sweater vests or jackets...all of those are exactly what we're looking for! Shawls, cowls, hats, mitts, and socks are great, too. For Deep Fall, think about featuring rich colorwork, or deep texture, and anything stylish and cozy. A reminder: crocheted patterns are now welcome at Knitty, as well as combo knit-crochet patterns! Imagine what you'd wear as the cool weather finally arrives, and that's what we're looking for. Think about how to turn your design into something extra special...a twist in the construction, an unusual stitch pattern or technique. And remember: we also like weird things that make you gasp or giggle. We're open to whatever you can create, especially if its got some sort of twist in the construction or design details. What we love most is innovation: what twist can you bring to your design that will catch the eye of our readers? Be creative! Note: Our own Kate Atherley wrote a great beginner's book about how to write knitting patterns, if you need guidance.
Deep Fall is when Knitty gets to share quintessentially dreamy knitwear with our readers! Cardigans, pullovers, cozy sweater vests or jackets...all of those are exactly what we're looking for! Shawls, cowls, hats, mitts, and socks are great, too. For Deep Fall, think about featuring rich colorwork, or deep texture, and anything stylish and cozy.
A reminder: crocheted patterns are now welcome at Knitty, as well as combo knit-crochet patterns!
Imagine what you'd wear as the cool weather finally arrives, and that's what we're looking for. Think about how to turn your design into something extra special...a twist in the construction, an unusual stitch pattern or technique. And remember: we also like weird things that make you gasp or giggle. We're open to whatever you can create, especially if its got some sort of twist in the construction or design details. What we love most is innovation: what twist can you bring to your design that will catch the eye of our readers? Be creative!
Note: Our own Kate Atherley wrote a great beginner's book about how to write knitting patterns, if you need guidance.
Remember: we also like weird things that make you gasp or giggle. To get an idea of what we mean by Deep Fall patterns, here are some suggestions: 2020 | 2019 | 2018
We don't do novelty yarn, and we rarely publish children's garments or accessories, unless they're exceptionally clever or unique. For the best chance of being published, submit your designs for men's or women's sweaters. We prefer saturated semi-solid colors over neutrals, unless a neutral is the perfect thing for your design.
Remember, as you design for Knitty, ask yourself this: what makes your design unique? Tell us about it when you write your e-mail to us. Bullet points are fine. Be clear and succinct.
An important reminder: Knitty is religion and politics neutral, so nothing related to any religion or political party will be published. Submissions must be new -- not previously shown in any form [even just a picture] in another mag or on any website, including Ravelry or Instagram. Once your work is published in Knitty, you may include a picture on your website with a link to the Knitty website. After the issue has been archived [3 months later], you may do whatever you wish with your work, including self publishing or submitting it to other publications. The copyright for your work always remains with you.
An important reminder: Knitty is religion and politics neutral, so nothing related to any religion or political party will be published.
Submissions must be new -- not previously shown in any form [even just a picture] in another mag or on any website, including Ravelry or Instagram. Once your work is published in Knitty, you may include a picture on your website with a link to the Knitty website. After the issue has been archived [3 months later], you may do whatever you wish with your work, including self publishing or submitting it to other publications. The copyright for your work always remains with you.
Q2. What yarn should I use? A2. The choice of yarn is entirely up to you. We encourage you to use currently available yarn and colorways. Please be aware of the total cost of the project as you choose your yarn; we want as many people as possible to be able to knit your design in the original yarn, if they wish to. If the yarn you use is discontinued by the time your pattern is submitted, please list an alternate that will produce similar results.
Q2a. Does Knitty arrange yarn support? A2a. We try to facilitate this when possible for established contributors to Knitty (ie we know you and your work). Established contributors may email the editor with your concept, sketches, swatches and yarn requirements as far in advance of the issue your work is planned for as you possibly can.
Q3. What do you pay for submissions? A3. The honorarium ranges from $150-200USD per published submission. Payment will be by Paypal and contributors can expect payment by the time the issue's surprise goes live -- midway between your issue and the next.
In addition to the honorarium, we offer you a highly visible, professional place to show your work to a large, well-connected audience, plus a link back to the website of your choice. Our designers and authors can enjoy significant traffic as a result of their Knitty exposure, and often see a spike in their pattern sales as a result. If you've dreamed of becoming a professional published knitwear designer or writer, Knitty could help you get there. It's also a great way to build an audience and generate sales for your own pattern line or other knitting-related product.
You [the creator of the work] will retain all copyrights to your own work. By submitting work to be published in Knitty and accepting the honorarium, you are giving your permission for your pattern or article and all related images to be included in Knitty magazine in its current format and other electronic or computer-readable distribution formats. Back issues of Knitty [our Library] will remain available online indefinitely.
Once the current issue that showcases your pattern or article has moved to the Library [our archives], you are free to do as you wish with the pattern or article, which includes submitting it elsewhere or self publishing.
Q4. How soon can I expect to hear back about my submission? A4. Consideration for each issue's designs begins after the submission deadline has closed, and it can take between 2 weeks to 2.5 months to receive a final decision on your work.
Once the submission deadline has passed and all potential designs are in hand, we begin the selection process. We endeavor to let every designer know if they will be included in the next issue as soon as possible. If you have not heard from us by two weeks before publication, please write the editor and inquire.
Patterns not given an initial YES or NO response are being evaluated for possible publication in a future issue. Should we wish to hold your pattern for a future issue, we will write and ask for your permission to do so.
Q5. My submission was not accepted. Should I resubmit it in the future? A5. Thank you for asking, but no. If your design might work for Knitty, but just not in the upcoming issue, the editor will ask your permission to hold their design for consideration for a future issue. If the editor thinks your design would work with modifications, she will contact you to discuss this.
Q6. How do you select what gets published? A6. Our editors choose what they like and/or what they think Knitty readers will like. The quality of the knitted item, written pattern AND the images that accompany the submission are very important.
No payment is or has ever been accepted by Knitty in exchange for publishing a design. If it's in our pages, it's there because we think people will enjoy knitting it or be inspired by it.
Q7. What are your deadlines for future issues? A7. Please take careful note of our deadlines below, and check this page every time you're starting to prepare a submission. We don't want you to lose out because a deadline changed and you missed it!
Q8. How should I prepare my charts? A8. Knitty uses Stitch Mastery software exclusively to prepare all our charts. If you use this software, please submit both .knt2 and .jpg files for charts. The Tech Editors will thank you. If you cannot use Stitch Mastery, please refer to the Spreadsheet portion of this article for instructions on a simple way to chart with free software (or Excel or Numbers, should you have either of those).
Super-cozy cool-weather garments + accessories
Transitional cool-weather layers + things to knit early for holiday gifting...no mohair or angora!
Q8. When does each issue go live? A8. See the schedule below
Deep Fall 2021: September 2021 Winter 2021: December 2021 Spring+Summer 2021: March 2021 First Fall + Holiday Headstart 2022: June 2022
Deep Fall 2021: September 2021
Winter 2021: December 2021
Spring+Summer 2021: March 2021
First Fall + Holiday Headstart 2022: June 2022
Q9. My work was published in Knitty. When will I be paid? A9. Payment to all contributors happens around the time that the issue's surprise goes live -- midway between your issue and the next.
Please read and follow all instructions precisely.
Knitty Patterns [see below for additional Knittyspin pattern guidelines] All design submissions for our Deep Fall 2021 issue must be received by June 15, 2021. If you are close to having a pattern ready on that date, but need more time, please write the Editor and provide details. Your submission must include the following, sent as individual files (not one PDF that has the pattern text and images in it) using our online submission form:
1. A complete written knitting or crochet pattern that adheres to the Knitty style guide in a Word or text-only document. Please download this template in RTF format and follow the conventions exactly when creating your submission. Your work will be edited for clarity and format. Do not send a formatted PDF pattern with photos included. Please use the template provided, and upload the photos and schematic as individual files. Measurements should be provided in both Imperial (inches) and Metric (millimeters/centimeters).
IMPORTANT: Take some time to read patterns we've published and follow our conventions. A table of Knitty's standard abbreviations can be found here. List any unusual abbreviations and their definitions at the beginning of your pattern in the Pattern Notes section.
Please use current, commercially available yarns whenever possible. "Commercially available" means, at minimum, that the yarn can be ordered from a website, all over the world, without difficulty. If the yarn you have used is discontinued by the time your pattern is submitted, please list an alternate that will produce similar results. Your pattern will be edited to meet our standards.
We now require all designs to be sized from XS to 5X for women's designs and S to 5X for men's. Knitty requires all patterns to follow CYC sizing standards. Please do not create your own size increments. These standards need to be applied to every pattern submission, and if your pattern doesn't match these numbers, we'll ask you to revise it in order to be able to publish it. Need help with sizing? Ysolda has created a brilliant chart that we highly recommend.
Visit our new page that will help you with sizing standards and information about grading a pattern to different sizes. Need help with sizing? Ysolda has created a brilliant chart that we highly recommend.
Please pay particular attention to fit as you grade the sizes upwards, and note any possible pattern adjustment recommendations such as bust darts in the Pattern Notes section. Patterns must be graded to the requested size range by the designer before submission to Knitty.
2. A clean sketch of the silhouette of the pattern [see example at right] that shows all relevant measurements in Imperial and Metric. If your pattern covers multiple sizes, please indicate their measurements as well. The sketch should be provided as a GIF file, or EPS artwork, if you are able. Clean, hand-drawn sketches are acceptable.
3. A selection of clean digital images [JPG, best possible quality] of the finished project at 300dpi, at least 1000 pixels wide. Please include as many photos as you can -- pretty shots for atmosphere, and a variety of clear detail shots showing the piece from all sides. Do keep your original, unedited photos. If chosen, the editor may request more photos, or larger versions of the ones you've submitted. Please note this addition as you plan your shoot, and choose the setting and person(s) who will model the items.
Please ensure that all relevant design features are visible in the photos you send, since this often helps people follow patterns. The style and quality of your photos is very important, so show your work to its best advantage! Have a photo shoot, take lots of different shots from different angles and have fun with the poses! Non-traditional poses are what we love best. Photos need to be well-lit and in crisp focus.
Are you a designer that's new to Knitty? [as in we haven't published your work before]: It's absolutely essential that your submission photos be clear, in focus, bright and of the style that we request above. The quality of the photos is an essential component of everyone's submission. In order to evaluate each submission properly, every submission MUST contain photos that are good enough to publish. As always, if you are unable to provide images that meet all our guidelines by deadline, but will provide them soon after, let us know in your submission notes and we can likely work something out. We know that taking great images can be a challenge for some, and if your design is fabulous, we can help you get there with a little coaching after deadline.
Photography tips:
4. A signed, dated statement that the pattern you are submitting is your own original work. Please copy the following text, sign below and include it with your submission:
By submitting a design to be published in Knitty, I verify that I am the original creator of the work, and that I have not infringed and/or violated the existing intellectual property rights of any third person in the creation of the work I claim as mine. Further, I agree to hold Knitty and its editors and publisher harmless from any and all expenses, losses, liabilities, damages or third-party claims that may arise from any infringement and/or violation of such intellectual property rights. The one-time fee paid by Knitty is my full compensation for all electronic and/or computer-readable media distribution rights. This notice will serve as my written permission to allow my pattern and all related images to be published in Knitty magazine in its current format and in any future format in perpetuity.
To send us your submission, use our direct-submission method using our simple online form. If you are unable to use the form, you may send the submission by email to the Editor. Kindly title your e-mail: "Knitty Deep Fall 2021 pattern sub: *yourpatternnamehere*"
Tutorials [see below for additional Knittyspin article guidelines]
Tutorials of unique techniques, or techniques that have not yet been covered by other articles in our archive are most welcome. Tutorials require clean, detailed photography and clear step-by-step instructions. Do you have a unique skill related to knitting or fiber? Share what you know! To have the best chance of being published, a tutorial should accompany a pattern designed by you. See pattern submission guidelines above for the full requirements.
Tutorials for our Deep Fall 2021 issue must be received by June 15, 2021. Submissions must be from 1000 to 2000 words in length. Submit files in Word or as text-only documents. If accepted for publication, your work will be edited for clarity and format.
Your submission must include the following, sent as individual files (not one PDF that has the pattern text and images in it) using our online submission form: 1. Supporting graphics or photography are essential. As an example, see this article. The photographs of the process, yarns and color key were supplied by the author. This is a very good thing. Important: Note the name of each image in the location you feel it belongs in your article.
Image guidelines: Clean, well-lit digital images [JPG, best possible quality], 72dpi, at least 1000 pixels wide. Please include as many photos as you can. We will crop and retouch as needed. As with patterns, photo quality is very important.
2. Contact details -- please include:
- Your name as you wish it to be published - an e-mail address where readers can send questions or feedback - your Paypal e-mail address - the URL to your website or blog, if you wish us to link to you - a short bio [100 words max], written in 3rd person - a headshot of you - the name of any models featured in photographs you submit - the photographer's name
3. A signed, dated statement that the pattern you are submitting is your own original work. Please copy the following text, sign below and include it with your submission:
By submitting an tutorial to be published in Knitty, I verify that I am the original creator of the work, and that I have not infringed and/or violated the existing intellectual property rights of any third person in the creation of the work I claim as mine. Further, I agree to hold Knitty and its editors and publisher harmless from any and all expenses, losses, liabilities, damages or third-party claims that may arise from any infringement and/or violation of such intellectual property rights. The one-time fee paid by Knitty is my full compensation for all electronic and/or computer-readable media distribution rights. This notice will serve as my written permission to allow my article and all related images to be published in Knitty magazine in its current format and in any future format in perpetuity.
To send us your submission, use our direct-submission method with our simple online form. If you are unable to use the form, you may send the submission by email to the Editor. Kindly title your e-mail: "Knitty Deep Fall 2021 tutorial sub: *yourpatternnamehere*"
Knittyspin Patterns Knittyspin is for people who want to knit with handspun yarn, whether they have spun it themselves or not. Handspun yarn is used in a lot of beautiful accessories and we get many accessories submitted each issue. We really want to encourage you to submit patterns for garments, especially garments that combine handspun and commercial yarn.
Knittyspin follows the same guidelines as our big sister, Knitty, but we have our own style guide. Please download this MSWord document or the text-only version and follow the conventions exactly when creating your submission. The Knitty pattern guidelines apply for the rest of your submission.
To send us your submission, use our direct-submission method with our simple online form. If you are unable to use the form, you may send the submission by email to the Editor. Kindly title your e-mail: "Knittyspin Deep Fall 2021 pattern sub: *yourpatternnamehere*"
Knittyspin Articles Articles about all aspects of spinning, and all aspects of knitting with handspun are welcome.
Knittyspin follows the same guidelines as our big sister, Knitty. Read the requirements for Articles above. In addition, please include any of the following details that are applicable to your article:
Fiber: (include company, colorway and where it is available to purchase) Preparation: Drafting method: Ply: Wheel system: [double drive, scotch tension or bobbin drive] Ratio (singles/plying): Wraps per inch: Twist angle: Yardage used: Yarn classification: (please include a commercial substitute) Yardage used: Finished size: To send us your submission, use our Direct-Submission method with our simple online form. If you are unable to use the form, you may send the submission by email to the Editor. Kindly title your e-mail: "Knittyspin Deep Fall 2021 article sub: *yourarticlenamehere*"
Fiber: (include company, colorway and where it is available to purchase) Preparation: Drafting method: Ply: Wheel system: [double drive, scotch tension or bobbin drive] Ratio (singles/plying): Wraps per inch: Twist angle: Yardage used: Yarn classification: (please include a commercial substitute) Yardage used: Finished size:
To send us your submission, use our Direct-Submission method with our simple online form. If you are unable to use the form, you may send the submission by email to the Editor. Kindly title your e-mail: "Knittyspin Deep Fall 2021 article sub: *yourarticlenamehere*"
