Knitting Rockstar Design Journal

This is Part 5 of Mini Series: Designing for Rockstars

You’ve got some fabulous designs? Check.

You’ve had them tech edited? Check.

You’ve had them test knitted? Check

You have a dream to get big coverage? Check.

If your ultimate dream is to get into a nationally printed magazine, this post is for you! The highlight of most knitters will be when they get published into Vogue Knitting. I know it will be one of mine!

It can feel a little scary, but hopefully this post will help you to get over your submission proposal fears.

Here are 5 things for you to think about…

What’s Your Specialty?

If hats are your best constructed garment, take a look at previous published hats to see if yours has a different pattern, or a different construction. The likely hood that your pattern gets accepted will depend on your uniqueness. The more of a wow factor that you can bring, the better.

From Sheep to Sweater

Finding the best yarn for your project can be daunting. Luckily for you, half the battle is already done. Check out the previous patterns/magazine to see if there is a featured yarn supplier or check out the free patterns that Vogue Knitting has published already. If you pick a yarn that Vogue has already had experience with, the more chances of getting in!

Stunning Pictures

A good sketch and description of your design is a must. If your design is for babies, how old is the baby? If your design is for women who are out on the town wearing her favorite Stiletto shoes, explain why that women needs your product. Adding pictures of colors, shapes , of what inspired you is also welcome.

‘Tis the Season

Magazines are usually ahead of the seasons by 9 months, so keep that in mind when you are planning out your heavy winter sweater. Most websites have a design submission page with details on submission deadlines.

Above All Else

Don’t be discouraged when you are flat out rejected the first, second, or third time. It might just be because the magazine wasn’t taking that particular design for the season. Magazines like Vogue gets tons of submissions, so stay positive and keep those pattern ideas because you never know when you will need it!

I hope you enjoyed this mini series and that you are ready to get down to business and get those patterns out of your head and onto paper.

This week I helped you through the process of designing, but now I want to introduce you to a whole new way to writing patterns! I’ve made a 6-page knitting design journal that is pretty and very useful for not forgetting your details which includes 2 pages of information that is essential to pattern writing.

You can find all the details here, http://knittingrockstar.com.

Let’s go be knitting rockstars together!

Lisa Savage is a stay-at-home-mom-knitting-designer. She has two young boys who keep her on her toes. She turned to knitting when they were babies and hasn’t stopped since. She hopes to bring other adults into her knitting world, one stitch at a time.