How to get your crochet pattern published in a magazine

Are you a budding crochet designer? Do you want to know the secret to getting a crochet pattern published in a magazine? That was me three years ago, and since then I have had many patterns published in UK crochet magazines. I also had a design featured in the 2023 Hobbycraft Granny Square Month CAL. I’ve written this to give you some tips to help you with the process of applying to magazines and how to go about your design submissions. Let’s get your magazine crochet design career started!

How do you get on magazine designer call lists?

Each crochet magazine is different, but if you look on their social media pages and websites, you will normally find a link to a form to fill in to join their mailing list for submission calls. Some may want you to email them rather than fill in a form. However you apply, you will normally need to give links to places where they can see examples of your design work, e.g. your social media pages or website. Often, you won’t know whether you are on their list until you receive an email for the next submission call. The frequency of these varies, some are every 3 to 4 months, others are 6 months so it might be a while before you get the chance to submit any ideas.

What happens next?

When magazines send out submission call emails, they will normally have a series of trend boards to inspire you. The format these take varies – some send you a PDF, others have a Pinterest board. I normally have a look at all of them, then give myself time to process them before trying to generate ideas. My absolute top tip here is to link the trend boards to your own style. What do you like to design? How can you fit that into what the magazine is looking for? I’ll often write a big list of ideas and then narrow them down, crossing off any that I don’t think I’d actually enjoy making. Once I’ve got just a few design ideas, I’ll really focus in on turning them into full submissions.

When coming up with ideas, also consider how that design will fit into your portfolio of other patterns, and whether you have the time to make it if it is commissioned. (If you’re someone like me who takes a year to crochet a blanket, it’s best to avoid submitting ideas for really large projects as the deadlines can be very tight!)

How do you put together a crochet pattern submission?

The requirements for what you need to include vary, so make sure you read the email carefully. You don’t want to miss out on getting your idea published because you didn’t give them everything they asked for!

Usually, they will expect writing and some kind of visual representation of your idea. You’ll also need to make a swatch to demonstrate your ideas further.

Images and swatches

Swatches and drawings are really important for getting your ideas across. When making your swatch, consider carefully the yarn you use. Try to choose colours similar to the trend board to show how you are reflecting them in your design. (As swatches only need to be small, I keep a basket with leftovers of almost every colour of yarn I purchase so I have a ready supply to select from when making them.) When making your swatch, make sure you keep detailed notes. That way, if your design is selected you can reproduce, or at least build on, the swatch you created.

If you are like me and not a natural artist when it comes to drawing, I have a game changing tip for you. Make a swatch, e.g. one triangle for a string of crochet bunting and upload a photo of it to an app like Canva. Remove the background, then duplicate the image to show how your final idea will look! The photos below are the actual ones I included in my design submission to Simply Crochet. The pattern was commissioned, appearing in issue 148. I’ve also done this with wreaths and cushions made up of squares. Try to get the best photos you can and use a photo editor to help show off your skills. Of course, if drawing is something you are really skilled at then include that too.

Written description of your crochet pattern

Within your submission document, you also need to describe your idea in writing. This is your chance to persuade them. Give them reasons why your crochet pattern will benefit the readers of their magazine. You can also show off your expertise! How does your pattern match the brief given in their submission call document? Do you use any techniques which are new or unusual? Which yarns will you choose and why? Who is the pattern suitable for? What size hook(s) does it use? If it is a garment, what sizes is it written for? How is it constructed? Give as much information as possible. (Be aware that your yarn suggestions may not be used, depending on what the magazine has planned, but by sharing your ideas you are showing them your knowledge and helping them to see you as an expert!)

They may give you specific directions for how they’d like the information presented, for example 1 page per design in a PDF with your pattern name as the title. Make sure you double check this information before sending it off!

What next?

Once you have sent off your design submission (make sure it is in before the deadline!), it is a waiting game. The original submission call email will usually give a timescale for letting you know if you have been successful. This is normally from a week or two up to a month. If it is commissioned, they will be in touch and will guide you through the process of making your design.

What if my crochet pattern idea isn’t accepted?

First of all, don’t be disheartened – not all designs get into magazines. They will receive lots of submissions and will select them based on what else they have got lined up for that issue. If it didn’t get in, you now have a design idea all ready for you to turn into a self-published pattern! Keep an eye out for future submission calls and try again.

I really hope this has helped you and given you some encouragement to try designing crochet patterns for magazines. Good luck!

If you’re keen to get started writing your own self-published crochet patterns then my handy checklist will help you make sure your pattern includes everything it needs.