Petite Purls is a magazine that specializes in baby and children's knitting patterns. We are looking for clothing for babies, toddlers and older children (girls, boys and unisex, in a nice variety of sizes (up to size 8 or 10), functional accessories (blankets, hats, mittens, socks, you name it!) and whimsical accessories (toys, other fun accessories). Our style is fresh, functional and fashion-forward. For articles, we are looking for articles that somehow relate to handcrafts and children. We do not intend to accept any articles that discuss strong opinions about parenting styles. We're just not interested in opening that can of worms. We would like everyone on this site to "play nice" :) Feel free to pitch us your article idea anytime. More information and deadlines for articles can be found below.

We are happy to announce that we now accept crocheted patterns! We plan to have 1-2 crochet designs per issue.

April 2013: We know you are all superheroes, now we want to see it! We want to see garments and accessories inspired  by superheroes. Aviator hats, belts, capes, just for starters. And definitely don't forget the superheroes friends like Spidey's girlfriend Mary Jane! Submissions should only be inspired by, not knocked off, as we want to stay away from actual characters.

July 2013: Special Issue. No submissions will be accepted for this issue.

October 2013: We want to see knits inspired by fairy tales, so get your Grimm's out and start imagining!

Currently, each submitted designer will receive a one-time honorarium of $50-100. As well as the honorarium, we offer professional tech editing and yarn support if needed. American payments will be processed via check, and all international payments will be made via PayPal. Payments will be delivered sometime after publication of the pattern on Petite Purls, and prior to the next issue going live. Each published submission will include the designer's bio and a link back to the contributor's website of choice. This serves as great exposure for the designer, helping generate more traffic (and hopefully sales!) for their own pattern line or other handcraft products.

Submissions must be new designs: never been seen before on your blog, Flickr, Ravelry, another magazine (web or print). Once your submission has been accepted, we ask that you continue to keep quiet until the issue goes live. When the issue goes live, you may post pictures of the design on your website, with a link directly back to Petite Purls' pattern page. In three months time, when your design becomes archived, you are free to do as you wish with the pattern, including (but not limited to) future submissions or self-publishing.

Currently, each submitted designer will receive a one-time honorarium of $50. As well as the honorarium, we offer professional tech editing and yarn support if needed. All payments will be processed via PayPal and will be delivered sometime after publication of the pattern on Petite Purls, and prior to the next issue going live. Each published submission will include the designer's bio and a link back to the contributor's website of choice. This serves as great exposure for the designer, helping generate more traffic (and hopefully sales!) for their own pattern line or other handcraft products.

The designer of the submitted work will retain all copyrights. By submitting work to be published in Petite Purls and accepting the honorarium, the designer gives permission for the pattern and all related images to be included in Petite Purls magazine in its current format and other electronic or computer-readable distribution formats. Back issues of Petite Purls will remain available online indefinitely.

Petite Purls is a religiously neutral publication. Nothing specific to any particular religion or holiday will be published.

Our editors choose what they feel will match the style and quality of the Petite Purls brand, along with what they believe Petite Purls readers will like. The quality of the handcrafted item, written pattern and the images that accompany the submission are all equally important.

No payment is accepted by Petite Purls in exchange for publishing a design. If it's on our site, it is there because we think our readers will enjoy it.

Petite Purls reserves the right to postpone or deny any pattern to be published at any point in the submission process.

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Submission Deadlines

Our submission process has two deadlines per issue. First, a sketch and swatch (image) of your proposed design is needed. After we have reviewed all proposed designs, and have notified designers of their accepted proposals (within 14 days of initial deadline), all accepted proposals will have approximately 6 weeks to submit a complete pattern accompanied by photos. All deadlines will be 11:59 pm (Mountain Standard Time). Submissions received after this time will not be reviewed.

April 2013: Sketch & Swatch due January 4, 2013; Final Pattern due March 4, 2013
July 2013: Final Pattern due June 10, 2013
October 2013: Sketch & Swatch due July 1, 2013; Final Pattern due October 1, 2013

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Issue Publication

New Publishing Schedule for 2012
Spring: April
Summer: July
Fall: October
Winter: January

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Submission Format

Sketch/Swatch Example (PDF document)

Pattern Format Guide and Template (MS Word document)

Photography Guide

Article Submission Information

All submissions must be sent via e-mail, and this is currently the only acceptable format. Submissions should include a word or plain text file including your written pattern. Photos should be attached separately or included in a zip file.

As mentioned above, there are two components to our submission process. First, a sketch and swatch must be submitted for consideration. It is essential that your sketch is a clear concept of your design and we would like to see two swatch images: one in stockinette stitch, one in the pattern stitch or one post-felted (if applicable). For an excellent example for a sketch and swatch submission, please click here to view Kirsten Kapur’s sketch and swatch (PDF document) of her Pembroke vest.

Once your sketch has been accepted, you will have approximately 6 weeks to complete your design.

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Your submission must be received by the deadline stated above in attachments to your email. Please include the following:

1. A complete written pattern that adheres to the Petite Purls pattern template. You may write this in a Word or text-only document. Do not add photos or charts to this document. These items should be sent in separate attachments.
   
   You can find our standard knitting abbreviations table on our Pattern Index page (link). Please read these and adhere to them. List any unusual or unconventional abbreviations in the “pattern notes” portion of your pattern.
   
   It is imperative that your pattern includes all information regarding your chosen yarn. If you use a yarn that has been discontinued prior to the issue launch, please include an alternative that will work as an acceptable substitute. You must also include a gauge indicator (a 4x4” square) in stockinette, and your pattern stitch, if applicable. Please follow all sizes and measurements according to the CYC sizing standards.

   

2. Please resubmit your original sketch or a modified sketch if you’ve made changes since your initial submission. Again please refer to our example (pdf document) for requirements. Your sketch does not have to be beautiful, but it does need to be clear and can be hand-drawn. Please use a jpg or gif. attachment for your sketch.
   
   
3. Clear, high quality photographs are paramount. Please attach these in jpg form. Do not crop or compress your photos. Send them to us as the original/large file, and please do not add borders. You may adjust the lighting/contrast for correction as needed but please keep in mind that photos that do not look natural may not be accepted. It is important that all design features are visible in your photos. Please refer to our photo guidelines for more suggestions. Please have fun with your photo shoot ! We encourage you to send a number of photos. The more we have to work with, the better.
   
   
4. Please send the following contact information:
   
   - your name as you wish to have published
   - your Paypal information (name and email address attached to your account)
   - a valid email address where Petite Purls and our readers can contact you.
   - the URL to your blog or website, if you choose
   - a short bio
   - a head shot (jpg)
   - name of photographer used
   - name of models used in photographs if you choose. Since most of the photographs will be of children, you may simply use initials if you choose.
   
   
5. A signed and dated statement that shows that the work you are submitting is your own. Please copy the following text, sign below and attach to your submission.
   
   By submitting a design to be published in Petite Purls, I verify that I am the original creator of the work, and that I have not infringed upon the existing intellectual property rights of any third person in the creation of the work I claim as mine. I also verify that my work has not been published in any capacity (print, electronic, photographic) prior to submitting to Petite Purls. I understand that Petite Purls is not responsible for any expenses, losses, liabilities, damages or third-party claims that may arise from any violation of said intellectual property rights. Along with my one time honorarium for this work, which serves as full compensation, I understand that I retain the rights to this work and am free to use my work however I see fit once it has gone into Petite Purls' archives. This notice serves as my written permission to allow my pattern and all related images to be published in Petite Purls magazine in its current format and in any future format in perpetuity.
   
   
6. Please send all submission materials to: submit@petitepurls.com. The subject header of your email should read: Petite Purls [chosen season and year] submission: [title of your pattern].

Good Luck!