Party Animals get out of Crazy Town

Feel like you’ve been living in Crazy Town?

Probably because you have been.

Want to get out of Crazy Town? Pick up a crochet hook and some random yarn, and these party animals will help you out. I know this, because they’ve helped me.

How it started:

I found a collection of random yarn for sale on my needlework guild’s Junque Table, in a color palette I’m dubbing “Prom 1968.”

Eleven little creatures, concocted over one weekend, exactly twenty years after 9-11. Making eleven wasn’t exactly premeditated, but it was cathartic to dream up and create each little imperfect wild thing, designed to comfort grown-ups in uncertain times.

Of course I had to make some hats and other accessories for them:

This pattern is designed for whatever scrap yarn you may have, and will work no matter the yarn (DK, light worsted. worsted weight). I mean it--pick up a hook and grab some yarn; I guarantee you’ll feel chipper in no time!

LINK to pattern 

so you can crochet your own Party Animals

to help you get out of Crazy Town

So you want to be a crochet designer

 It's not complicated; you're applying for a job.

Email the magazine and request their submission guidelines. (Don't waste everyone's time--yours and theirs--by trying to submit something when you don't know what they are looking for.) Most magazines will send out a calendar or a seasonal call-out, with specific ideas about theme, colors, etc. 

Be familiar with the kind of projects each magazine publishes--ex. don't propose afghans to a magazine that publishes only garments. Pay careful attention to each magazine's requirements on how and to whom to submit, what forms to fill out, deadlines, etc. 

Pay attention to each magazine's format for pattern writing. Accuracy is essential--don't expect they will clean up your work for you. Deadlines are crucial! And your work must be 100% original, never published anywhere else, not even in your blog. 

They may ask you to make your design in a different color or yarn than you envision--get over it, or self-publish it. If you get rejected, don't take it personally--they may have something similar already on hand. It might be appropriate for a different magazine or a different season, so don't throw it out. Keep good records and notes. 

If possible, join CGOA and go to their yearly convention to meet designers and publishers. Don't overlook yarn companies--some, but not all, will buy designs from freelancers. 

One magazine is not better than another, in my experience, and they pretty much all pay the same. Editors don't seem to stay for very long. And lots of magazines are going digital-only--or disappearing altogether. 

Every famous designer started out like you, making sketches and swatches on their couch at home. 

Someone's going to get their designs published this year--why not you?