We're partnering with our friends at Deramores to create a mini-collection of patterns for their Studio DK yarn. For this collection, we're looking to work with one toy designer to create a quirky collection of 12-15 toys, based on a standard 'base' pattern, with changes to limbs, colours, techniques etc used to create different designs. This could look like Zoo Animals, Dolls, Princes & Princesses, Fairy Tales, Imaginary Creatures, Dressing Up - your imagination is the limit!  Ideally this collection will be created by one designer and will follow some sort of theme, however we are happy to consider strong individual submissions too - we can be flexible with this collection depending on your amazing designs!  

Check out our mood board for inspiration.

Submission requirements

Think of this project as a base pattern for a toy, with variations to the pattern to create a range of toys. For example, a basic body and head, with different colours and limbs or outfits to amend. The theme will be based on what you submit to me!  

Your submission should include sketches and an accompanying paragraph describing the toys, your chosen theme, colours to be used, and a photograph of your existing work, or a small swatch. 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 full patterns for the agreed designs, and create all the samples required for photography. We will arrange photography.  

IMPORTANT: Please create a separate PDF for each idea and name the file in the following format:

YourName _PatternName_CNTOYS.pdf

Deadline

The deadline for submissions will be 9am UK time on Friday 31st January 2020. I am aiming to get all commissions sent within a week of this.  

Deadlines for final patterns and samples will be 6th April 2020.

Send to/contact

Please send your submissions to me by email: jenny.conduit@practicalpublishing.co.uk

If you are sending multiple submissions, please attach them all to one email if possible rather than sending multiple emails.

Compensation/Support

A final fee will be negotiated with the designer at the time of commission, but as a rule we usually offer £60 - £70 for toy commissions in the magazine. 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

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

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.

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 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.