FAQ for designers and authors:

Q1. What types of patterns/articles are you looking for?
A1. Knitty will feature a wide variety of garments of any type for all ages [babies to adults], home decor and whimsies. We are anything but traditional.

Our next issue is due out in March 2003, so designs submitted for this issue should have a springy feel. As long as your project is appealing to the Knitty audience [hip & fresh], well designed, the pattern is clearly written and your photographs are clear and bright, you have a good shot at getting your work published.

I also ask that this be a new pattern, not previously featured in another mag or on your website. Once your pattern is published in Knitty, you may include a picture of your design on your website with a link to the Knitty website.

We are also looking for articles on any knitting-related topic. If it's interesting, we'll be pleased to consider it for publication.

Q2. What do you pay for submissions?
A2. Knitty is unable to pay for submissions. Instead, we offer you a highly visible, professional place to show your work to a large, well-connected audience. If you've dreamed of becoming a published knitwear designer or author, this could help you get there. We think it's a fair trade.

You [the creator of the work] will retain all copyrights to your own work. By submitting work to be published in Knitty, 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 in any future format. Back issues of Knitty will remain available online indefinitely.

Q3. May I send you my submission by snail mail?
A3. Knitty is unable to accept snail mail [paper] submissions. All submissions must be sent via e-mail. If you do not have a digital camera or scanner, this information may help you.

Patterns

All design submissions for the spring issue
must be received by FEBRUARY 1, 2003,
and include the following:

1. A complete written pattern that can be understood by all knitters. Submit files in MS Word or as text-only documents. Do not submit formatted web pages, please. I reserve the right to edit your work for clarity and format. Take a few moments 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. Patterns must include the following: brand name, colors and fiber content of yarn used; yardage per ball or skein; quantity of yarn required per size.

IMPORTANT NOTE: please download this MSWord document and follow its conventions exactly when creating your submission. If you don't have MSWord, here is a text-only version.

You must include a gauge indicator [4x4" square, over stockinette stitch, showing stitch AND row count] for those knitters who wish to substitute yarns.

Patterns sized from S to XXL will be greatly appreciated by a wider audience -- if you are able to provide a variety of sizes, please do so.

2. A clean sketch of the silhouette of the pattern [see example at right] that shows all relevant measurements. 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 clean digital image [JPG, best possible quality] of the finished project at 72dpi, at least 500 pixels wide and no larger than 1MB. You may include more than one photo. If the item is a piece of clothing, it should be worn by a model. If your item is displayed flat and you are unsure of your photographic skills, it is safest to use a plain background in a contrasting color [such as a sheet or smooth wall] so that the item is clearly visible. In any case, please ensure all relevant design features are visible in the photo, since this often helps people follow patterns. The quality of your photo is very important, so show your work to its best advantage!

Note: if you do not have a digital camera, most photo developers are able to provide you with a photo CD for each roll of film you have developed. This gives you a good-quality JPG file for each photo.

You can also take your developed photos to a place like Kinko's where they'll scan them in for you and give you an electronic file that you can attach to your e-mail submission. Some Kinko's might even e-mail the photo for you. Print out this page, bring it along and point them to item 3 above so that they know what resolution and file size you require.

3a. We will place one design on the cover of each issue. In order to improve your chances of making it on the cover, here are some hints:

• shoot the photo in a well-lit [natural light] place

• the background of the photo should be interesting and contrast with the garment/item but be non-distracting

• the model should be pleasing in appearance

• the clothes they wear should be compatible, but not take away from the garment/item

• remember: this is a publication with a sense of humor and we're not afraid of different; we prefer it.

4. Contact details: Please include your name as you wish it to be published and an e-mail address where readers can send questions. Please include a short bio [100 words max], a blurb describing the item in question and a headshot of you. If you're very shy, the headshot may be omitted. Also, please provide the name of any models featured in photographs you submit as well as the photographer's name.

5. 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. I also agree to the terms of distribution as described in item A3 above.

Please send all submissions to:
amy AT knitty DOT com

Articles

Written submissions must be received by FEBRUARY 1, 2003. Submissions can be from 500 to 2000 words in length, give or take. Submit files in MS Word or as text-only documents. I reserve the right to edit your work, being as respectful of your original document as possible, following the rules of grammar and punctuation that guide my universe.

Please include the following:
1. Where appropriate, supporting graphics or photography are appreciated by the editor and bring life to your story. 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.

Image guidelines: Clean digital images [JPG, best possible quality], 72dpi, at least 300 pixels wide and no larger than 500k. You may include more than one photo. The quality of your photo is very important.

Note: if you do not have a digital camera, most photo developers now offer image scanning to CDs so that you end up with a good-quality JPG file for each photo.

2. Contact details: Please include your name as you wish it to be published and an e-mail address where readers can send questions. Please include a short bio [50 words max] and a headshot of you. If you're very shy, the headshot may be omitted. Also, please provide the name of any models featured in photographs you submit as well as 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 article 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. I also agree to the terms of distribution as described in item A3 above.

Please send all submissions to:
amy AT knitty DOT com