Because many magazines, in whole or in part, are often dedicated to an upcoming holiday, as crafters are usually working on projects months before an actual holiday, publishing calendars may vary widely when it comes to specific publications. For this reason, many will send you a calendar with submission deadlines geared to specific holidays, or other requested material that they may have an interest. Check the publication you are interested in submitting, to see if they offer such a calendar or request list. Most will require you to send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) when requesting such lists.
What to Submit
Consider what craft is your specialty; though do not limit yourself to submissions in one field. If you are proficient in more than one area, submit across the board. Crafts that regularly have patterns and graphs in magazines include, crochet, knitting, cross stitching, scrap booking, beading, tatting, woodworking, stained glass, bead making, clay, painting, hemp work, macramé, wire wrap, and any other craft you can imagine. To say that this is a nearly unlimited field would be putting it mildly. If a craft exists, chances are there is a magazine or publication willing to purchase an original idea in relation to it.
Getting your Designs out There
Wait times to hear back on submissions varies greatly. It can be from a few weeks, to a year or more. In order to constantly have things coming in (Hopefully lots of acceptances!); you must begin a pattern of submissions. Your ideas must be out there circulating to sell. While this may not be a fast way to make money, it does have its own rewards, besides the possibility of any financial pluses. The thrill of seeing your name in print, next to a pattern you designed, is one of the greatest thrills a crafter can achieve.