Member Benefits

Do You Want ... ?

To share with designers across the country the joys and frustrations of freelance designing?
To find new marketplaces for your work and have your classes advertised nationwide?
To have access to a list of the best designers, teachers and pattern writers in the industry?
To take advantage of new opportunities open to you in our industry?
To network and 'talk shop' with other designers of your own caliber and skill level?
To hear about new yarns, time-saving tools, and programs before they appear on the market?

THEN COME JOIN US!

If you can say 'yes' to one or more of the above questions, we invite you to apply for membership and start receiving the benefits of AKD's excellent Programs and Services.

With two levels of membership, Professional and Associate, we strive to fill the needs of designers at every level. Already established and proven designers enjoy relaxed entry requirements. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible while maintaining our professional standards.

For AKD membership application forms and submission procedures, see end of this web page.

Programs and Services

NEWSLETTER
Design Lines, the Newsletter of the Association of Knitwear Designers, is published six times annually and mailed to all members free of charge. Among other topics, the newsletter contains articles on publishing, employment opportunities, design and color trends, as well as member news. Complimentary copies are also provide to the industry, free of charge.

TEARSHEET SERVICE
Members are able to participate in a tearsheet exchange service, where they receive multiple copies of their published designs. Amounts distributed depend on the number of copies received from participating members. There is no charge for this service.

MENTORING PROGRAM
Each Associate level member has the option of requesting the assignment of a mentor, an AKD Professional Level member who will give advice and suggestions to assist the aspiring associate to prepare for the professional level.

WEBSITE
AKD maintains the www.knitwear-designers.org website to inform the public of our organization and members' qualifications. A password protected, Members-Only area is accessible to all dues-paying members and includes coming industry events, and listings of current industry business contact information.

ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM
AKD's online discussion forum at Yahoo!Groups lets AKD members stay in touch quickly and easily, sharing news, views, and opportunities.

GALLERY
Members are eligible to show a sample of their work in the Member Showcase on the Knitwear Designers website. This benefit gives the interested public a very special view of each designer's creativity.

GREAT WALL OF YARN
In a collaborative effort with The National NeedleArts Association, all members enjoy the opportunity to work with the newest unreleased yarns, and spotlight their efforts in the Great Wall of Yarn (GWOY) display area at the semi-annual TNNA trade show.

TEACHERS DIRECTORY
Teaching professionals, who have been accredited by AKD, are eligible to list their credentials and classes on the Knitwear Designers website. We invite yarn companies, conference organizers, publishers or anyone else to consider AKD members in filling their needs. Contact us if you are planning a seminar and would like the help of our organization and the use of our teachers.

AKD was founded by Professionals to improve communications among all levels of the knitting industry, and new members are encouraged to join the organization. At the present time, we are not taking applications while we re-vamp our application process. If you would like to be notified when we resume taking applications, please email Edie Eckman at edie@edieeckman.com.

We look forward to seeing your name among our ranks!