Whether you’re a seasoned writer/designer or putting fingers to keyboard for the first time, we absolutely know you can write for PURL! We want real knitters, authentic voices, strong narratives, great stories, practical advice, and passionate words.
Issue theme and content
Each issue has a theme and everything in the issue relates to that theme. The mood board will explain the theme, give you some ideas of what we’re looking for, show you the color palette, and tell you the proposal due date and when you’ll hear a yes or no.
PURL‘s focus is on articles that explore the hows and whys, the what ifs, and practical experiments. Each issue will also include 4-5 patterns, and each pattern will tie in to at least one article in the issue. So while we definitely want to hear your pattern design pitches, you should consider what elements within the design might fit with the theme and an article idea that could go along with it. (We’ll help out with this, but if you have ideas, share them in your proposal.)
Prior writing experience not necessary
Feel like you’re not the best writer in the world? We don’t care! It’s easy to help with writing, but it’s not easy to find somebody who knows what you know. We want your voice, your story, your knitting. We want you. That’s right, our goal is to get as many voices in this magazine as possible.
Feel like you don’t know enough about a particular topic? We still want you. While it’s true that some dense and heavy topics might require lots of knowledge and years of experience, we also have experimentation articles, learn as you go write-ups, knitter profiles, guild pieces, tip jar tips, etc. There is something for each and every knitter (to both read and write!).
Won’t you write for us?
We promise we’ll do everything we can to make it an easy and gratifying experience. Plus, it pays, and because we value the creative process, we only borrow the rights to your work. Twelve months after publication, the work reverts back to you and you’re free to do whatever you like with it.
Contributor list
Wanna be notified each time we put out a new call for submissions to PURL? Or when we are searching for a writer for a specific article? Sign up for our contributor list!
Current mood board
Winter 2027 – Necklines
Knitters and designers have so many choices when it comes to necklines for garments: boatneck, square, circular, V-neck, turtleneck, mock turtleneck, Henley, shawl collar, cowl-neck, off the shoulder, and more. This issue will dive into all the different types of necklines and the specific concerns of each.
How do you choose a pattern to knit when considering the neckline? Do you know how to choose a neckline style that will be a good fit for your body? What about modifying the neckline on a pattern, from smaller modifications such as adjusting the size to larger modifications such as substituting an entirely different neckline? How do you choose the yarn, especially if you’re working on a turtleneck that you want to stay up or a cowl-neck that you want to be drapey?
What tips do you have for working necklines? What cast ons or bind offs work best for different necklines? How do you fix the gap at the point in a V-neck? What about working short rows or other shaping methods to raise the back of the neck? How do you make the “stairstep” bind off around a neckline look smoother? What decorative finishing options can you add, and how do you block a garment to keep the desired shape of the neckline and prevent creases? How do you fix a neckline after the fact, from smaller fixes for tightening up a too-loose neckline to sweater surgery for completely redoing or replacing a neckline?
Let’s talk about style! How do you wear a sweater with a shawl collar or a cowl-neck? What can you do to change the neckline of a garment without changing the garment itself? What can you wear under or over the garment, such as a separate collar, cowl, or dickey? What about different ways of styling shawls around your neck to create various effects?
We also want a few stunning projects to go along with the theme and articles. We’re looking forward to hearing your ideas!
Article and project proposals due by October 1, 2026.
You’ll hear back from us in November 2026.
Final articles, samples, and projects due by April 15, 2027.
Issue ships: November 2027
Submit your proposal
Fill out the form below with your proposal. Please submit one form per idea rather than multiple ideas in one form. If you are submitting a design proposal, please upload sketches using the link on the form.
Previous mood boards
Autumn 2027: Finishing
Summer 2027: Seam(less)
Spring 2027: Ribbing
Winter 2026: Hands
