Because of the contest with Row by Row, stores will not mail out patterns or kits before the deadlines to submit a winning quilt. After that, stores may charge for patterns (although some have even posted them on their website) and they may have them available to mail along with kits. I believe that last year was the first year it was a national event. This year all the patterns should be new.
I had great fun with special friends shopping the Row by Row. So many stores have special fabrics that are different from other stores. If you want to get a jump on things for the contest aspect, I noticed that the Hancock's catalog has designated the Row by Row fabrics for this year.