The choice of yarn is entirely up to you.

• Use currently available yarn and colorways when possible
• 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.
• Super luxury yarns are not the best choice unless the project is small.
• If the yarn you use is discontinued by the time your pattern is submitted, please list an alternate that will produce similar results.

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. If you have not yet been published in Knitty, we require a full and complete submission to consider your work for publication.

No. Knitty doesn't require or recommend you have your pattern tech edited before you submit it to us. We have a team of skilled, dedicated tech editors who will do that for you, making sure the pattern works and matches Knitty's style sheet and conventions. We do expect you've done your best to make sure your pattern is knittable, and your math and grading (if applicable) is as good as you can make it.

Knitty does not have patterns test knit. If you wish to go through that process before submitting your pattern to Knitty, that's up to you. Having a pattern test knit does not necessarily influence our decision when choosing what patterns to publish. But it may be extra assurance for you that your pattern works as you intended.

The honorarium ranges from $200-300USD per published submission (thanks to our Patrons, we have been able to increase the fee we can pay for designs). More complex designs, such as sweaters, or uniquely constructed garments like super-creatively built socks, will merit the top end of the scale. 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(s) 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Payment to all contributors happens around the time that the issue's Surprise goes live -- midway between your issue and the next.

Yes. If you've been contacted about having your pattern translated into Danish (most frequent) or any other language, it's up to you to give your permission or not. We're happy to have Knitty patterns translated into other languages with the permission of the designer. Remember, you retain the copyright to your work, so as long as you're okay with it, it's fine with us. We ask that the translation include a note that you have given your permission for the translation, and a link back to the original English version on Knitty.

A complete written knitting or crochet pattern that adheres to the Knitty style guide in a Word or text-only document without images; do not send PDFs. Download this template in RTF format and follow the conventions carefully when creating your submission

• 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.
• Garment patterns must 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. This page will help you with sizing standards and information about grading a pattern to different sizes. 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.
• For shawl/wrap patterns, we prefer designs that can fit a variety of bodies. Shawls that have a more generous wingspan, or can be worked to the knitter's desired width are ideal.
• For sock patterns, this table is a helpful reference:
  • for adults, please create 3 to 5 sizes, to fit feet between 8 and 11 inches in circumference.
  • for adult women, 3 sizes to fit feet between 8 and 10.5 inches in circumference
  • for adult men, 3 sizes to fit feet between 9 and 11 inches in circumference
• For hat patterns, this chart, created by Woolly Wormhead, provides standard measurements. Please provide hat patterns for adults in at least 3 sizes.
• Measurements should be provided in both Imperial (inches) and Metric (millimeters/centimeters).
• 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 work will be edited to match Knitty style.

Upload each photo as an individual file. Do not include photos in your pattern document. Knitty's editor will retouch, resize and crop photos as necessary.

• A selection of clean and crisp digital images [JPG, best possible quality] of the finished project at 300dpi, at least 1500 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 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! Take lots of different shots from a variety of angles and have fun with the poses! Non-traditional poses and photos that feel natural are what we love best.
  
  
• Photos must be well-lit and in crisp focus.
  
  
• Please do not include any other knitted or crocheted garments in your photos; just show the one(s) that you are submitting for publication.
  
  
• Want a chance to be on the cover? Shoot some great images in landscape (wide) format.
  
  
• 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.

• Garment patterns require a schematic of the shape of the garment [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.
  
  
• Unless they are a very unusual shape, other items do not require a schematic.
  
  
• The schematic should be provided as a GIF, PNG or EPS file. Clean, hand-drawn sketches are acceptable.

If your pattern requires a chart or charts, send them as individual files.

• 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/don't haveStitch 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).

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.

Tutorials should be between 1000–3000 words. Introduce the technique(s) you are going to talk about in a paragraph or so, then use clear wording as you describe each step of the process.

• Compose the tutorial in either Word or a rich text file. Do not send PDFs.
• Note the filename of each image in the location you feel it belongs in the document (ie IMG1234.jpg).
• Do not include images in the tutorial document.
• Include URLs of supporting techniques or video demonstrations in the appropriate location in the document.
• Your work will be edited for length and format, in order to match Knitty style.

Supporting graphics or photography are essential. As an example, see this article.

• Images must be clean, crisp, and well-lit.
• A solid white background is usually best (choose a contrasting yarn/fiber that will show up well against the white).
• Format: JPG, best possible quality, 300dpi, at least 1500 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.

A txt, RTF or Word document with the following information:

• 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, so we can pay you
• 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

A signed, dated statement that the tutorial you are submitting is your own original work. Please copy the following text, sign below and include it with your submission:

By submitting a 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.