I am super excited that you all are starting to see our latest issue. If you aren’t a subscriber and haven’t see it yet, prepare yourself! It’s a gorgeous issue with amazing projects! And yes, I may be a little biased but I still think the statement is completely true. (And go here and subscribe so you don’t keep missing out!)

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We start of the issue with the amazing cover design, the Autumn Starburst Afghan, by designer Rebecca J. Venton. You create this fun blanket by building off of the previous section in strategic colors to form blocks. Then join the blocks as directed to form the starburst shapes.

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We round out our regular issue features by working a blanket with front cross stitches, Milk & Honey Blanket by Katya Novikova, working up an intriguing shawl, the Longlac Shawl by Cindie Bennett, and creating simple textured block colored kitchen pieces, Striped Kitchen Set by Rose Tussing.

Just Threads

In our Just Threads chapter, we bring you 2 more squares in the Resplendent Squares series, a lovely filet crochet table runner (Bees & Sunflowers Runner by Joyce Geisler), quick and easy mug rugs using thread scraps (Autumn Flash Mug Rugs by Gemma R. Owen), and a truly unique openwork doily (Clematis Doily by Charles Voth).

Kids Play

Since Halloween falls in the month of October, I wanted to insert a bit of play in here for the kiddos. But these pieces are not just limited to Halloween. I think the littles will enjoy some imaginative play with them year round! We have one more set of thread pieces (Fairy Wands by Lori Zeller) that will work up quickly for the little magical fairy in your family. A Wizard’s Spell Magic Cape (by designer Heather Singell) would go great with the star wand and round out a fun, easy costume. Then we dress up the head with a crown (Royal Play Crown by Andee Graves), a lion’s mane completely with curliques (Lion Headband by Mary Forte) and a scary Monster Hat (by designer Donna Childs).

Entwining Cables

The last chapter is all about cables. The squishy extra thick fabric that cables create will keep you super toasty as the weather cools down. Haven’t worked them before? No worries! We will help you work through them. Need video help? Bonnie Barker has created both left- and right-handed video tutorials to go along with her Caramat Cabled Set. Jennifer E. Ryan also gives you a helping hand with a short photo tutorial for her Exton Cabled Headband. Then you should be ready to tackle some simple cable repeats in the Upsala Cabled Hat by Rosann Fleischauer and the Ogoki Fingerless Mitts by Lisa Briggs of Fire Side Crochet. We gradually bring in more complicated pieces, like the Magic Beans Lapghan by Cecilia Esparza, a fun unique hemp basket (Boho Star Basket by Crow and Finch) and the Twister Poncho by Laura Gebhardt. Once you feel you have mastered cables, give the Inishmore Wrap by Kathleen Berlew. Then for the truly adventurous add an extra technique with the cables in Bendy Carter’s Two-by-Two Cable Poncho design. It uses two yarns at the same time but then works the cables with just one of the colors. This pattern will keep you on your toes but will truly be worth the effort. Be sure to also get ahold of her book, Two-by-Two Crochet: 2 Colors, 2 Rows, for more how to information!

Hello everyone! Tara here—

If you missed last week’s post about submitting a design to Crochet World or Crochet! Magazine, check it out HERE!

Once your design is accepted by one of the magazines, it’s incredibly important for you to ask questions. Most of the information you need to know is covered in the acceptance email we send out to let you know we want your design in the issue, but some of it isn’t and it’s important for you to talk to us if you have ANY hesitations.

#1- What’s Expected of You?

This is the most important question. This information gets covered in the acceptance email Britt and I send out, but it’s still good to talk about.

When your project is accepted, we’re expecting you to send us your ORIGINAL pattern and a crocheted sample of the project that has been blocked properly. The pattern and sample should be turned in by the project deadline included in the acceptance email—we try to give our designers as much time as possible, but you’ll only have 6-8 weeks to complete the design and send everything in to us.

If you designed a project with colorwork, you should send in a colorwork chart along with your pattern. We also ask for an assembly diagram if it’s necessary.

For garments, we do expect more than a regular project. The pattern should be graded and include multiple sizes using the Craft Yarn Council’s guidelines as a starting point for your measurements. You’ll only have to send a crocheted sample in one size (we typically ask for a Medium), but you’ll have to send in schematics for the garment. The schematics don’t have to be too fancy, but they must contain all necessary measurements.

#2- What Are the Different Rights?

Our contracts have different rules and it’s important for you to know the difference between them.

All Rights: With All Rights, we would own the pattern completely. This is the option designers choose when they don’t plan on publishing the pattern on their blogs/ Etsy/ Ravelry, etc., because this contract means that Annie’s (our company) is the only one allowed to publish the pattern. Because we own the pattern, we handle any and all questions makers have when they are stitching the piece, so it’s one less thing for designers to worry about.

Shared Rights: With Shared Rights, we would be able to use the pattern more than once (in the issue it was submitted to and potentially on our website) and the designer is still able to publish the pattern on their online platforms as well. The pattern cannot be published in another Magazine, but Etsy, Ravelry, etc. are fair game. This is the option a lot of Bloggers and Influencers choose. We do ask that the designers wait to publish the pattern until the issue is on sale because it makes the pattern feel a bit more special. The pattern should look the same when we publish it and when the designer publishes it.

One Time Rights: With One-Time Rights, we would only be able to use the pattern once (in that issue alone). Like with Shared Rights, the designer is able to publish the pattern on their Etsy, Ravelry, and other online platforms. This pattern is the designer’s and they can do what they like with it.

First-Time Rights: First-Time Rights are a lot like One-Time Rights. We would only be able to use the pattern once (in that issue alone), but we would publish it before the designer does. Once we’ve published the pattern, the designer is then able to publish the pattern on their Etsy, Ravelry, and other online platforms. This pattern is the designer’s and they can do what they like with it after we’ve published it in the magazine.

#3- Are There Any Changes to the Design?

Sometimes we’ll ask you to make changes to your design to make it fit better in the issue. This isn’t always the case, but it isn’t unheard of. Sometimes it will just be the title of the project, sometimes it may be the colors used for the project, and sometimes it may even be the brand of yarn you suggested. More rarely, we may even ask you to change the size of the project (maybe we need a mug rug more than a place mat, or an afghan instead of a scarf). Regardless of the change, this is something we’re more than happy to talk about to ensure you’re as happy with the design as we are, and to make sure it looks as incredible in the issue as possible.

#4- What About Payment?

We usually send payment out after the signed contract comes back to us, which is sent out after the sample and pattern come in. The exact date will be in the acceptance email, but it’s usually a few weeks after the project deadline.

We know how much time goes in to designing a piece and we know how much the designs are worth, but the magazines do have limited budgets so we aren’t able to pay as much as we would like to. On top of the payment, you will be given yarn support for your design so you don’t have to buy any yarn.

Being published in the magazine is a good way to have your designs shown to makers that may not have seen your work before. Your piece will also be shown on our social media accounts, so you’ll have more exposure in the crochet community and you don’t have to create the online content yourself.

Plus, there’s just something so special about seeing your name in print.

#5- Should I Have the Pattern Tested?

No! Having people test your pattern takes all of the surprise out of having it published in the magazine. We have an incredible team of Tech Editors that will go through your pattern after the contracts go out and they’ll make sure your pattern fits our standards and reads similarly to how our other patterns read (similar abbreviations, formatting, etc.). They work closely with our designers and will reach out when they have questions and/or think there may be an error in the pattern itself.

#6- Then What?

Once the pattern has gone through tech editing, the only thing left for designers to do is wait. Britt and I will reach out a few weeks before the issue is set to be released and we’ll tell you the exact date the issue will be going on sale.

At this time, we’ll also give you information about working with our Social Media department. It’s not required, but it’s always wonderful to see our designers and their pieces being featured on Instagram and Facebook!

What questions do you have about publishing designs? Let us know in the comments below!

– Tara Orchard, Editor of Crochet! Magazine

August 26th is National Dog Day! It’s time to give your furry friend some love and attention with a new crocheted item. Don’t have a dog? No worries, there are patterns below perfect for shelter animals as well so you can still spread your love!

Protect you furnishes with this gorgeous mat!

Snuggles Pet Blanket

Measuring 25.5 inches square and using worsted weight yarn this mat is the perfect size to protect your chair or couch seats. Or place it in Fido’s favorite napping location for a little added padding. The stitch pattern is addictive so you will have this done just in time for his or her special day!

Easily adaptable to any size!

Shelter Animal Bed

Featured in the August 2022 issue of Crochet World (pick up a copy here if you don’t already have it!), this bed is perfect for your own home or animal shelters. It’s made extra thick by working 3 strands of yarn at once. Pick up the issue to learn how to do this from 1 ball of yarn! Or grab a bunch of those worsted weight scraps and get busy. This bed is designed in such a way that you can work it to any size. Be sure to read the In the World of Crochet article in the issue to learn more about National Dog Day!

Send your pooch out and about in style!

Blings & Things for Dogs

Want to take your love for your dog to a whole other level! Check out this book packed full of fun projects just for your pooch. You will find everything from jeweled collars and sweaters to hair bows and tiaras in this 42-page book.

Keep your tiny dog warm in this colorful sweater!

Small Pooch Pullover

If you have a tiny dog and live in a cold weather climate then I am sure you have wrapped them up in warmth to head outside at some point. Crochet them this adorable little sweater for the chilly months to come. It’s designed to fit a dog from 2 to 5 pounds and some worsted weight yarn in your favorite colors.

Adoption Tote & Pet Food Mat kit

Caring Crochet Kit Club

This one isn’t just for making things for your dog but maybe you are really into giving, then I have a kit club right up your alley. If you choose to join the club, there are 4 patterns in the club so far geared specifically for your furry friend. But this kit club is for the true giver. There are projects for a wide range of charities, not just doggie/animal related ones. Each month you will get a pattern, information for sending the finished piece to a specific charity and the yarn to make the project!

—Britt Schmiesing, editor

Hello everyone! Tara here—

When I started crocheting, I knew crochet magazines existed, but I never thought much about what went into them. I thought that maybe the companies has a group of designers on staff that would just make all of the projects in the issue, but I’m happy to say that is not the case with Crochet World or Crochet! magazine.

You could have one of your designs published in either magazine!

Having a design published in one of the magazines is a really great way to get exposure as a designer. Even if you have a following online—there are still some makers that prefer print patterns and may be seeing your work for the first time in a magazine.

Plus, the process of having a piece published is easier than you think.

First, you have to know more about the magazine you’re submitting to.

Crochet World August 2022

Crochet World is published every other month. It’s a 68-page magazine that offers patterns, tutorials and technique articles for all types of crochet, though it does focus on projects and accessories for your family and heirloom pieces like afghans and thread crochet. Regular features that can be found in each issue include Beginner’s Luck; Fast, Easy, Fun!; Scraps Delight; Learn A Stitch; Touch of Style; Just Threads and In the World of Crochet.

Crochet! Magazine Autumn 2022

Crochet! is published quarterly, so each issue is dedicated to a season. It’s a 74-page magazine and offers patterns, tutorials and technique articles for all types of crochet. This magazine focuses mostly on garments and accessories, but will feature some home décor and afghan projects as well. Features include Done in 1, 2, 3 Skeins; What’s Hot; You Loved, We Listened; and Beginner’s Corner. Also included is a Crochet Tutorial 101 article complete with step-by-step photos and a finished project.

Each magazine also publishes two special issues a year, which each focused on one theme. There have been special issues like Crochet Home, Mandala-Style Throws to Crochet, Quick One-Skein Crochet, Scrap-Busting Crochet and so many others! You can find some of them here!

Once you know which magazine you want to submit to, you have to make sure you’re signed up to get Call Outs, which will let you know when the magazines are looking for new designs, what the deadlines for the new issue will be and what the themes the new issue will have.

Email Editor@Crochet-World.com and Editor@CrochetMagazine.com to sign up for Call Outs from the two magazines.

You can also receive our Editorial Calendars, which will let you know what themes we’re planning on having in each issue for the year. This lets you plan ahead of time so you don’t have as much of a rush with the submission deadlines.

With each Call Out, you’ll receive a Project Submission Form.

Project Submission Form

This form lets us know what you’re thinking about making for the issue. You don’t have to have a completed piece to fill this out and submit it!

You must submit an original design. It has to be a project and pattern that you have created yourself. If your patterns is accepted, you will be given a deadline and asked to send in the pattern and a crocheted sample of the design (if you submit an afghan or sweater, you will be expected to mail in a completed afghan or sweater).

As editors, we use this form to see what type of project you’re thinking of making, how big (or small) you’re thinking about making it, how hard you think it will be to make, what category/section of the issue you think it would fit in the best, what stitches you plan on using to make the piece and what kind of yarn you think would be the best to use.

The most important part of this form is the sketch/swatch/photo section.

This section lets us see exactly what you’re thinking with the design. The photos and drawings don’t have to be fancy! You can even send inspiration photos like the below example.

Example Submission for Chevron Tile Throw

If there’s stripes, it will tell us what you’re expecting the stripes to look like on the piece. If you’re combining a few different stitches to make a textured pattern, a small swatch will let us see what the texture is going to look like. The more details you give us, the better!

Once you fill in the Project Submission Form and have a photo/sketch/swatch ready, send it in and let us know which issue you’re submitting it for.

It can take 14 business days AFTER the project submission deadline for us to make our decisions, so don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear back from us immediately! With only so many pages available in each issue, we can’t fit every project we receive (though we would love to). Don’t let that discourage you from submitting more projects in the future. There’s a very good chance that we loved your piece and just didn’t have the page count or budget to include it in the issue you submitted it too. We may even ask to hold on to your design for a future issue if we think we can make it fit better there.

If you could publish any pattern, what would it be?

– Tara Orchard, Editor of Crochet! Magazine

 Do you know how to knit? Submit a design to our Annie’s Halloween and Annie’s Christmas Special Issues! 

Mod Triangles Pillow by Tammy Hildebrand

In our August issue of Crochet World (available here), designer Tammy Hildebrand gives you a fun take on scraps of yarn in interlocking triangles that come together to form a square pillow top. Have I mentioned before all the geometry in this issue??!!

These interconnected triangles are worked off of each other one at a time in strips and in a specific order. It all magically comes together in the end. It’s all highly addictive and this would look just awesome in totally random scraps of yarn. So gather some up and play with these triangles as I give you some photo assistance with bringing them together. Disclaimer: I am summing things up here and giving mostly visuals. Get the full pattern in the issue.

Create the first triangle…

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For second triangle, work across one side of first triangle…

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Completed first 2 triangles…

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Work third triangle off of the side of the second triangle, continue to make first strip…

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TIP: Work over yarn ends as you go for less weaving in at the end!!

Work corner triangles on ends of strips…

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Work first triangle of second strip off of side of first triangle…

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Work second triangle of second strip off of side of first triangle of the second strip…

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When you get to the end of the row where it meets the first strip, slip stitch into the tip of the triangle on the first strip…

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Work third triangle of second strip off the side of the second triangle, when you get to the end of the first row, skip a row on the triangle in the first strip that is beside where you are working and then slip stitch into the next row on that triangle, then turn and work across third triangle. Skipping a row and slipping builds the row up at the same time you are connecting to the first strip…

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Continue to work triangle in that manner.

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Once you have mastered the above steps you can whip this piece together in no time! Continue connecting triangles in a similar manner and adding corner triangles to the ends of the strips.

I am sure you will find it very addictive to keep making the triangles. And if you make it completely scrappy, you will have a super unique pillow top!

Don’t miss an issue! Subscribe today!

—Britt Schmiesing, editor