Submitting a design proposal to a magazine or publisher can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your very first time answering a call. However, after thirteen years of knitwear design submissions (and teaching others to do the same, at the time of writing), I want you to know that what we often see as “rules” are actually invitations for creativity.
Whether you are a student submitting questions to the Designer Hub (one of the community spaces for my flagship course, Knitwear Design Initiation), or a knitwear enthusiast dreaming of your first pattern credit, these five insights, or knitwear design submission tips, will change how you approach your next call.
1. Don’t be Afraid of Digital Space
When an editor asks for a one-page design submission, they are usually looking for a general view of your concept. The size of the page doesn’t matter, especially if it’s a digital submission. Don’t cram your beautiful ideas into a tiny A4 box. Use a larger digital canvas like A3 or even A2 to ensure your sketches, swatches, and notes are legible and impactful. Canva and Procreate are brilliant for this! Don’t rely on the templates; pick a custom size and experiment with layouts.
2. Interpret the Design Brief Creatively
If a call asks for “plaid,” they aren’t looking for a carbon copy of a Scottish tartan (unless they say so!), although it’ll probably be in the mood board. They want to see your version of plaid. Interrogate the brief: What do you love about the theme? What do you hate? Use those answers to guide your needles and articulate your position.
3. Make the (Knitted) Corner Gorgeous
A tight brief can feel like being painted into a corner. Your job as a designer is to make that corner so beautiful that the editor wants to sit down and stay a while. Your unique perspective is your strongest branding tool.
4. Listen to Your Intuition
Some designers love the freedom of a vague brief, while others thrive on technical constraints. Use the tone of the submission call to gauge whether a specific publisher aligns with your creative process. Sometimes that involves learning through experience, but either way, trust your gut feelings. Sometimes, they’re all you’ll have.
5. Value Process Over Perfection
You don’t need a finished garment to get a “Yes.” In fact, it’s better if you don’t. A rough diamond — a clear sketch, a thoughtful swatch, and an honest note about construction options — shows an editor that you are a flexible collaborator. They aren’t looking for the finished, polished product…but they are looking for someone with whom to collaborate in order to produce it. Remember: publishing a design is a team effort.
So, there’s your five knitwear design submission tips! If you’d like to find out more about my courses, or join the waiting list for my Knitwear Design Initiation course, you can do that here. Or you can start today by dipping into one of the taster courses. And if you found this post helpful, let me know in the comments, pin it, or share it with other knitters who are thinking about their first design proposal. If so, I wish you the best of luck with your knitwear design submissions! 😊