Do you know your knit skill level?

Every pattern can be categorised by the skill level it’s aimed at, although it is subjective, and you may think you are a more competent than perhaps the pattern assumes. There are usually 4 levels, Beginner, Easy, Intermediate and Experienced. Although there will be a Master level for those knitters that have excelled in one or more specific knit techniques. You would be disappointed if you picked up a pattern and all the yarn for a project that was for an intermediate knitter, only to discover it was way beyond your skill level. 

How do you know what your skill level is? You may have been knitting a lifetime but never progressed beyond simple hats and scarves or you may be a competent knitter looking to be challenged.

Understanding your knit skill levels

1. Beginner

Definition:

A new knitter with little or no experience of the craft.

Skills:

You should know how to do basic Knit and Purl stitches and combinations of them to create other stitches e.g garter st , and stocking stitch & simple ribs, 1x1, 2x2, 3x3 etc…
You’ll know a basic cast on and cast off and know how to weave in your ends.

Projects to try:

Scarves, blankets, headbands – simple rectangle bags, e.g ‘Bag for Life’ and ‘Ash’ sweater 

 

2. Easy

Definition:

A knitter who has practiced and knows the basics of knitting and can work basic shaping techniques with ease.

 

Skills:

Using standard stitches, you’ll be able to work increases and decreases and follow a simple knit pattern, including simple colour changes, and textured stitches e.g moss and seed st and basic cabling 

Projects to try:

Top up knits, simple shapes, and basic hats and scarves, eg ‘Croft’ socks, ‘Suffolk’ hat and ‘Chloe’ cardigan

3. Intermediate

Definition:

A knitter who can follow most patterns and is comfortable decoding knitting abbreviations and can follow simple symbols charts.

 

Skills:

A knitter who has mastered the basics of knitting and will attempt new techniques. E.g. Knitting in the round, lace, and cable work. More challenging colorwork e.g. Intarsia and fair isle may also be in your tool kit. You may also have more than one preferred method of casting on and binding off.

Projects to try:

Yolk fair isles, simple lace shawls, cardigans, basic socks and gloves eg ‘Craster bralette’ ‘Willow’ sweater and Cove Coatigan

 4. Experienced

Definition:

A knitter who is an accomplished knitter and now enjoys challenging themselves with new and complex techniques. This knitter can adapt and modify patterns to suit their own preferences and has a memory and competence around working most stitches.

This knitter is happy working more complex and intricate stitch patterns, colour work and shaping and can work multiple techniques at one time. They are also confident to try new and challenging techniques.

Skills:

Complex cable and lace patterns, short show shaping’s, tuck rib patterns, e.g. Brioche and fisherman’s. lace and cable patterning, complex fair isles and Intarsia’s. Hand manipulated and free style knitting. Advanced Grafting and seaming technique’s – like Kirshner.

 

Patterns to try:

Top down circular knits, complex cable and lace designs. Advanced Sock and mittens.
e.g Hitch coatigan, Alnwick turtleneck and Carrick Sweater