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What are the Steps to Having a Design Submitted?

1. Send a proposed sketch with swatches & yarn samples, OR a photo OR a completed item to our office: Fiber Circle Publishing, 3415 Custer Rd, Suite 140, Plano TX 75023. You can also e-mail in good quality photos to either Jean Lampe at spinknit@empnet.com or mksource@mksource.com

• Label everything with your name and address
• Keep an original copy of all materials in case something is lost/damaged/misplaced.
• Include reference sources for pattern stitches (such as stitch encyclopedias, etc).
• Use of designs for all purposes concerning the issue of INKnitters the design is chosen for will be considered part of design submittal. This includes web pages, promotional material, dealer newsletters and other publications associated with the INKnitters..
• Deadlines for submission are:

2. We hold scheduling sessions approximately every 12 weeks. We will decide to use your design then, ask that it be modified slightly and resubmitted, or be interested in using it but delay it's publication slightly. All designs submitted must be original; not previously published. If you are submitting a design for the first time, you will receive a certificate of original design to sign and return for our files. Future submissions will be covered by the signature on this document.

3. You will be notified by our design coordinator, yarn will be obtained for you if necessary, and you will be given a deadline that the item must be knitted by. Written directions must accompany the returned design at this time. All extra yarn from the company must also be returned to us at that time (we will use it to highlight in the magazine and obtain a gauge for machine knitters).

4. We will photograph your design. After your pattern is edited for grammar and technical accuracy, you will receive a proof copy to review. Proofread your pattern several times to be sure all instructions are included. Notify our production staff of any corrections by the deadline given.

5. Designs chosen for the current issue are returned ten to twelve weeks after the magazine publication. Designs not chosen for publication will be returned to the designer three weeks after the design submission deadline.

• Payment will be made on the 20th of the month after the mailing date. For example, if the magazine is mailed on June 15, payment will go out July 20th.
• Payments are based on a one-time use only. Payments depend upon creativity, complexity and workmanship of design, and will be less for patterns requiring significant editorial corrections and alteration on the part of the publisher. Ranges are $50 to $300 depending upon above criteria.
• The copyright of all published materials reverts back to the original designer two years following publication. Large designs which require computer disks for electronic patterning (i.e. DesignaKnit, Creation 6, PPD, etc.) will be created by Fiber Circle Publishing and made available to readers for a nominal fee or through our website for free with no expiration time. Payment for one-time use includes copying disks for this purpose.

What Must A Design Have?

When selecting designs, we look for: quality of workmanship; creativity and appropriateness to INKnitters style; unusual or new techniques of interest to readers; color choices that are current and easy to photograph; garments that are fashionable; designs that are wearable by a wide range of women/men of different ages, sizes and lifestyles.

MUST have a tag or label attached to the design/sketches/swatches identifying the designer.

Writing Pattern Instructions

1. Manuscript must be typed using Microsoft Word, Wordperfect or any other simple text editor (no handwritten patterns). USE A CURRENT ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE AS A GUIDELINE.

2. Indicate on pattern manuscript:

• title of garment or item
• designer's name
• shop name (if applicable)
• address and phone number
• a descriptive short paragraph describing your item

3. Follow the format used in the magazine, including:

• sizes - 3 minimum (additional sizes in parentheses), more are preferable. Sizes should be given in to fit #'s and finished #'s. For example Small (To fit 32" bust, finished measurement 36" bust).
• materials (yarn title & brand, content according to label, color name & #, amounts used). SEND A YARN BAND FOR EACH COLOR AND KIND OF YARN USED. Don't forget to include such items as zippers, buttons, beads, etc. Also, if you need any extras to knit the garment such as cable holders, yarn markers.
• needle sizes used in mm. Do not use just US5. Also include length of circular needles.
• gauge; # sts x # rows = 4", how gauge was taken (ie. after laundering, after blocking, after resting)
• Complete graphs covering schematic pieces (labeled for ALL measurements), stitch patterns, color keys and other necessary diagrams.

4. Use only those abbreviations listed in the magazine.  Be overly specific. Say what type of CO is used (long tail, two needle, cable) and what type of increasing (ie. M1 in back loop, side bar) and decreasing (on edge, full-fashion 2 sts in).

5. Include all graphics:

• flat pattern (including measurements -inches only; RC and sts not necessary)
• illustrations (original punchcards, graphs, copy of pattern design used, etc.) necessary to understand the instructions.

6. We encourage you taking photographs of tricky knitting techniques, unusual methods of doing things such as picking up stitches, etc. They often can show what is difficult to explain in words. We can scan photographs. If you are using a digital camera or wishing to scan photos yourself and mail them to us, use a minimum of 300 dpi at life-size dimensions to capture the detail.

7. Include any extra yarn from design if supplied thru INKnitters. We will use that for future swatching.

8. Send pattern to:

Design Coordinator, INKnitters , 3415 Custer, Suite 140, Plano, TX 75023. 

INKnitters uses Macintosh OS for word processing and layout. Software programs utilized are Microsoft Word,  Quark XPress,  Stitch Painter and DesignaKnit. If you have compatible software, please send a diskette, Zip disk, orCD-ROM disk containing your files. Save PC word processing files as MS-DOS Text file . Label disk with format type (IBM, Mac, PPD, pcx, pat, cut, etc.), program used, i.e., DesignaKnit/.pat, Bitknitter, .pcx, Creation 6/.cut, PPD, etc., and send along with a printed copy of the design. Diskettes will not be returned. Electronic submissions via the following e-mail address is also an option: mksource@mksource.com. Our web page address is http://www.inknitters.com. Please confirm with INknitters via phone at (972) 599-0804 of any file transfer.

Guidelines for Pattern Submission

• Be brief and to the point when writing your pattern manuscript, but do include all necessary instructions.
• Pattern instructions should be logical, clear and complete, so the reader understands exactly how to reproduce your design.
• All sizes of garments are considered. Pattern must be written to include a minimum of three size ranges (small, medium, large) with identification of measurements for all sizes where specified in written instructions and illustrations.
• Please refer to the chart of abbreviations found in INKnitters and use them in pattern instructions.
• Finally, proofread your pattern several times to be sure all instructions are included. After your pattern is edited for grammar and technical accuracy, you will receive a proof copy to review. Notify our production staff of any additional corrections.