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With our sixth Annual on the way, it’s time we look ahead and get inspired for the next issue.  

This time we are looking for submissions for Annual 8.  

Annual 8 – A Modernist Murder Mystery  

Twists, red herrings, turns, dark secrets, bodies piling up about the place, and gathering together for the big reveal – who among us doesn’t relish a good Murder Mystery? The queen of the genre, Agatha Christie, spent much of her life in Devon and, as voracious consumers of her inventive prose, we wanted to pay homage to detective fiction with this issue.  

Christie’s novels are set in the first half of the 20th century, so we’ve been inspired by the Modernist movement with its bold abstraction of form and sumptuous textures - all whilst sipping away at a cocktail, of course... let’s hope it’s not laced with arsenic!  

As always, we’re looking not just for knitting and crochet designs, but also for games, puzzles and written works (either fiction or non-fiction). We are eagerly awaiting a glimpse of how you’ve translated your love for murder most foul and vintage fashion with your submission. 

You’ll find the mood board for Annual 8 below. We are so looking forward to seeing how you translate this theme.  

Explore The Mood Board

How To Submit

If this has galvanized your creative juices, then pop your submission, including any sketches and swatches, and an outline of your bio in an email to marketing@jarbon.com. The deadline for submissions is 31stJuly, 2026. The mood board is there to inspire and inform but not necessarily dictate. We're so excited to hear where it has taken you, please just fill us in by explaining your creative thinking in your submission. Please feel free to submit multiple ideas for this theme.

Designs

For this issue of our Annual we are looking for an equal split of garments and accessories. We are after patterns that won’t take too much space to print, but will still have enough engaging details to be a joy to both make and wear. We will be printing 5-8 patterns depending on length of pattern text. All crafts are encouraged; show us your knit, crochet, embroidery, or tapestry ideas. Can it be made with our yarn or tops? We’d love to see it! 

Articles Or Other Ideas 

Did our mood board get your creative juices flowing? Did inspiring topics and ideas start fluttering through your mind? If you think you’ve had a brilliant idea for an article, illustration, puzzle, game or anything else then we’d love to know!  

Compensation And Support

We will, obviously and happily, provide the yarn needed for your sample. Any and all of our ranges can be used in your design, and we would love to know if you have a favourite. As with previous Annuals, all designs will be worked up in multiple samples, to show off as many of our bases as possible. For this reason, designs which can be made in more than one thickness or gauge are welcomed. 

Compensation is offered on a scale of difficulty of the design. We will provide tech editing and testing for the finished pattern and the designs will be professionally photographed. The designs will be beautifully presented in print and PDF format. We will retain full rights to the design for 12 months after publication, after which the rights will revert to you. 

We will pay the designer on a sliding scale between £300 and £450 depending on complexity of pattern. All other submissions like recipes, illustrations, puzzles and articles are also compensated. Payment is by bank transfer in the UK and PayPal or Wise if you are abroad. Each contributor will receive a printed copy of the Annual. 

Annual 8 Timeline

  • Submission deadline: 31st July, 2026 
  • Designers notified of selection: September, 2026 
  • Patterns due: 30th March, 2027 
  • Samples due: 30th March, 2027 
  • Tech editing: Between April and June, 2027  
  • Test call out: 21st January, 2028 
  • Test starts: 7th February, 2028 
  • Test finishes: 7th April, 2028 
  • Publication date: September, 2028 

Want To Submit?

Please provide a design proposal in PDF format with your design, swatch, suggested yarns and / or tops, design inspiration and how it will work with our issue theme. Please also include a little bit about yourself
and your previous design work. Please email your design submission to marketing@jarbon.com We look forward to hearing from you!

Questions?

Please email us at marketing@jarbon.com.

Diversity And Inclusivity

We believe a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment is one where all employees & customers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, religion, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach and to keeping all John Arbon Textiles spaces (be they at our Mill, our Shop, a yarn show, or online) safe and enjoyable for all. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and wish to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.