The rollercoaster of knitdesign submissions

Why again am I doing this to myself?

So, anyone having ever tried to submit a project, be it a knitting pattern design, an artistic project or a even a novel, knows everything about the ups and downs of the submission process.

For me, I will be super excited about the call for submissions at first. Getting so many ideas and my mind will just be buzzing in all directions, sketches scattered in different notebooks on different desks, kitchen tables, couches, you name it. Then comes the moment where you have to go over your ideas. And doubt creeps in. Nothing looks quite as bright as the moment you got the idea under the shower or just as you fell asleep the night before (anyone else have this inspiration process? please tell me you do!).

Next thing, I’ll be swatching and testing the knitting patterns and design ideas (after buying way too much yarn instead of checking what I have in my stash). And all of a sudden, the submission deadline is only 24h hours away, and you still have to put it all down in a document (a word file for me, I’m no graphic designer) and try to make it look comprehensible and convincing. Then, the worst part for me : sketching! There are a thousand and one reasons at least why I never chose artistic studies as such. I can’t draw for the life of me. So trying to convey my ideas through drawing is definitely a challenge. Once I take the pictures of my horrid sketches, and send it all off, there’s this mixture of relief and satisfaction of having sent it off, followed immediately by the 200% feeling of certainty that your submission wasn’t good enough and is never going to make it.

I’ve done this process with knitdesign submissions over the last years, and with novel submissions what feels like a lifetime ago (I am so relieved nothing ever made it to the next step, and no, you can not read any of it, because I honestly – I swear – have lost the files. Not kidding. A year of work floating around somewhere on a lonely usb stick).

But let’s get back to the knitdesign, my current half-artistic-slash-creative journey that I’m trying to squeeze in between that one hour of freedom between cleaning the kitchen after dinner and falling asleep on the couch (knitting needles in hand), the process of submitting is always a hassle. It’s this kind of love-hate relationship that I have, of the excitement of handing something in, of waiting for the result, and the hope that maybe maybe some time it will work out.

And this year, was actually the very first time that I had some success, and even twice (!) and it was indeed completely surprising! First, one design submission was accepted for the upcoming edition of Making Stories in Spring 2025, for a simple and fun sweater using a combination of Pascuali’s Manada and Puno yarns held together. It was just such a fun experience and I loved the professional collaboration with Hanna Lisa and Jen at Making stories throughout the process. All the documents and guidelines were so clear, it was all structured, the deadlines were totally reasonable and clearly stated, everything that makes the excel-nerd in me’s heart beat faster.

Then, luck came around a second time, for a submission with PomPom Magazine, which I did a bit last minute (again), and was super surprised that was taken. This was a completely different adventure, since it was a design featuring a new yarn that was only being produced at the moment, and the deadline was thus quite quite very much tight. But I do like challenges and apparently have a tendency of seeking for some pressure when I clearly don’t need it. So, without much ado, the pattern was designed and knit up in a breeze before this summer. The pattern collection Garland was released just this September 2024, and it feels so completely weird and unreal to see your knit garment and design featured in stunning, professional pictures from a real professional photo shoot. You can find the pattern for the Adorned Pullover for free on Hobbii’s website, in one of 11 languages (yes, 11!).

Woman wearing a blue Adorned sweater
credits: Pom Pom, Hobbii / Salsabil Morrison (photographer)

So, what is my general take on submissions? Will I be doing them again? Actually, I just handed one in last moth for Laine’s next year’s autumn and winter editions, mainly for two reasons. Making Stories, PomPom and Laine were my top three magazines that I wanted to be featured in. So this is on my bucket list of small successes I want to celebrate. Featuring in Laine magazine with one of my designs, would indeed be the last one I’d dream of crossing off of that list. I love their style and content, so that feels like a must. Did it work out? Nope. Does that frustrate me? Yes, somehow probably, although it does get way easier with the time. Also, the fact of setting myself this deadline to swatch and test some design ideas was a good thing for me (hello, procrastination…).

What’s up next? More swatching, more playing with yarns, and waiting for the next submission to come around for yet another roller coaster ride of emotions!

Have you ever submitted any creative work? I’d love to hear your experience about it!

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