Crochet Now Summer 2021: Call for design submissions!
Send your submissions to us before 1st February!
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Do you want to see your designs featured in Crochet Now magazine? Read on for our Editor's call for submissions...
This in an open call for designs for the summer issues of Crochet Now. I want to hear from designers new and experienced, young and old, near and far, eclectic and traditional! I'm looking for a collection of patterns for all levels, with the majority of patterns aimed for the advanced beginner/intermediate crocheter. Advanced/complex patterns and beginner friendly are also considered! I want to see your submissions for:
- blankets and throws
- shawls
- scarves and cowls
- toys
- hats
- garments (including poncho's, cardigans, pullovers, graded from XS-5X according to Craft Yarn Council standards)
- Tunisian crochet
- children/baby clothes
- children/baby accessories
- cushions and other home decor
- novelties
- quick-makes and stitch patterns
- seasonal makes
I have prepared some mood boards for inspiration, but please don't let these limit you, if you have a great idea for a design which you think would fit in well to a winter/spring issue of Crochet Now, I'd love to see it!
The Collections
BRIGHTON BEACH
It looks like we will be spending the summer in Britain again, so let's do it with a smile on our faces and a crochet hook in our hand! Take the modern and vintage feel of a trip down to the Brighton seaside with strong pastels, loose fitting style, some vintage inspiration, and fun in the English sun! Ices, beach huts, deck chairs and carousels are just some of the things you can look to for inspiration in your accessories, toys and homewares.
TASTE OF SUMMER
What's your favourite taste of summer? Fruit? Ice cream? Doughnuts at the seaside? Whatever tickles your tastebuds is what I want to say in your summer crochet submissions! Cutesy ice cream toys or tasteful ices shawls, yummy fruit-salad home decor and everything in between! Although you will spy a lot of crop tops here, our readers might enjoy a 'cropped top' but I don't want to show too much tummy and shoulder if we can! :)
COFFEE & CREAM
Imagine wrapping up for a brisk autumn stroll with an indulgent latte or hot chocolate in hand, and channel that into your Crochet Now submissions! On sale mid-August, we will be looking ahead to autumnal snuggly makes across a tastefully light colour palette as the days take their time cooling down. Light layers, snuggly home makes, and some fun toys are on my search-list, along with the usual amazing decor, baby makes, and everything in between!
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 crochet 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_CNSUMMER2021.pdf
Failure to meet the submission requirements may mean your design is not considered.
Deadline
The deadline for submissions will be 12pm UK time on Monday 1st February 2021 12pm UK time. I am aiming to get all commissions sent out within a week and a half of that date, and you will be notified if you are successful or not.
Deadlines for final patterns and samples will be Tuesday 6th April 2021.
Send to/contact
Please send your submissions to me by email: jenny.conduit@practicalpublishing.co.uk
Compensation/Support
Compensation is on a sliding scale, depending on the size and complexity of the project, taking into account the amount of labour required (that means you can earn anywhere between £50 - £250).
Yarn support is offered to all designers and payment is made by Paypal for international designers.
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.
Brief Description
Crochet Now is a monthly newsstand title, widely available in supermarkets, newsagents and craft stores across the UK as well as select retailers worldwide. We also publish digitally. For an idea of our style, you can find all of our patterns listed on Ravelry here:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/periodicals/crochet-now
Hints and tips for submissions
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
Tech editing
We do have tech editors, but they will only be polishing your patterns, they won't be doing any grading for you. You MUST ensure your completed pattern adheres to our style guide, or this will be returned to you for resubmission.
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 Crochet 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% knitting, contact the editor of our sister mag Knit Now, Kate on kate.heppell@practicalpublishing.co.uk
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 sign up to our mailing list here.
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.
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