It's best to do a PhD within three years of graduation, and you can find projects any time of the year - but the main time of advertising PhD's is November to March. Taking a year out before is a good idea and is looked upon kindly by potential supervisors - so long as you've used your year out constructively i.e. to gain more experience, to travel etc., and a year out also shows that you have thought seriously about PhD study - you've had time to think and consider your options.