*Gasp!* The Crochet me submission procedure has changed, and we think it's for the better. Things are a bit more formal, now, but that doesn't mean you have to wear pantyhose and put your hair up. The formality is just so the dedicated Crochet me staff can keep our sanity. The lighthearted tone of this site won't be changing a bit, so don't forget your good humour and wit when preparing submissions.

Also, we're transitioning into a formal publication schedule. That's right, we're becoming a real internet mag! We'll publish a new issue bi-monthly (that means six issues a year, to the mathematically challenged), and we'll be accepting submissions on a continual basis. Keep your eye on this page for an official production schedule.

Now, here are the submission details:

1. Think long and hard and decide you've got something fun and original and funky and related to crochet (a pattern, technique, story, photo, tutorial, illustration) to share with the world.
2. Put your hand to your chin and recall that this something is your own, original work. We will not accept work that is plagiarized, copied, or in any other way stolen from someone else's hard work.
3. Prepare it.
   1. Patterns Download our Pattern Submission Guide (this is a MS Word document. You should have no trouble opening it on your computer, but let us know if you do). Read through it, and prepare your submission accordingly. Then save it, and e-mail it to us (with photos and images attached to the e-mail, not in the Word doc).
   2. Written pieces should be accessible even to a novice crocheter; the more entertaining, the better. Download our Reads Submission Guide (this is a MS Word document. You should have no trouble opening it on your computer, but let us know if you do). Read through it, and prepare your submission accordingly. Then save it, and e-mail it to us (with photos and images attached to the e-mail, not in the Word doc).
   3. Tutorials are most welcome! They should be as clear as possible (obviously), and should include visual aids as appropriate. Please use the Reads Submission Guide.
   4. Photos should be in .jpg or .png format. They should be a minimum of 600x800 pixels in dimension, and files should be under 1MB in size. Don't compress .jpg files too much; we'll take care of all that fun stuff. Failure to include photos and/or illustrations will greatly decrease the likelihood of your submission being accepted for publication.
   5. Illustrations should be in .gif, .jpg, or .png format. Please see photo requirements, above.
4. When you send us your submission, please outline the gist of it in the body of your e-mail. And say hi. We're people too, and we love getting to know you.
5. Also, before you send it all in, check out Creative Commons, and tell us (in the Pattern or Reads Submission Guide provided) which license you'd like to cover your work under if it's accepted. We'll be posting more information about why we're changing our copyright policy, but for now, just know that every piece published by Crochet me will be licensed under Creative Commons, but all contributors will still maintain the rights to their work.
6. I decide what gets published and what doesn't. Just because Crochet me is an internet magazine does not mean that every submission will be accepted. The whole goal is to collect fun and funky projects and related pieces, so I will use my judgment regarding what I think fits that bill. Yes, it's all determined according to my whim. That said, I know that I can't possibly speak for every reader, and I will certainly keep in mind that every one of you has your own style and preferences and may want to see something I don't happen to like. What I will definitely be weeding out, however, are the following:
   
• Boring things. If it's already been done a million times, don't submit it. If it's been around since before the flood, hold on to it. However, if you've got a fresh take on the tried and true, send it on! We're always open to being convinced.
• Poor quality things. Incomprehensible patterns, blurry photos, writings fraught with grammatical or spelling errors.
• Random things. A pattern without a photo (unless you're very charming and have a good excuse), a photo without a description, recipes, etc.
• Stolen things. As mentioned above, we will absolutely not publish a pattern that is not an original creation of the submitter. Plagiarism is just wrong.
• Mint green things. I detest mint green, and I'm the editor. I believe that nothing cool can possibly be mint green (except mint-chocolate-chip ice cream, and that's okay because you eat it). If, in your opinion, you have crocheted a spectacularly cool project in mint green, submit it at your own risk. If your submission includes a witty and otherwise well-executed missive convincing me that your project is, in fact, cool, I will consider disregarding this rule and my better judgment.
7. You may not hear from us right away. Don't worry! If you don't hear from us within three weeks of your submission, send us a gentle reminder.
8. When you're notified of the acceptance of your submission, call your mother and gloat. For now, we can't pay you, but we'll do what we can to promote you. If your submission is not accepted, please go back to the proverbial drawing board. I guarantee we'd love to hear from you again.