How to Choose the Right Knitting Pattern for Your Skill Level

How to choose a knitting pattern isn’t always as straightforward as picking between beginner, intermediate or advanced.

Have you ever looked at a knitting pattern and thought, Is this actually within my skill level?

Maybe the designer calls it “intermediate”, but you’re wondering what that really means. Or perhaps you’ve been knitting for years, but there are still techniques that make you pause before casting on.

The truth is, choosing a knitting pattern isn’t as simple as picking between beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

Those labels can be useful as a starting point, but they don’t tell you very much about what the actual knitting will feel like.

A pattern labelled “intermediate” might be wonderfully relaxing for one knitter and require far more concentration than they want for another.

Instead of asking “Am I an intermediate knitter?”, it can be much more helpful to ask:

“What does this particular project ask me to do, and am I comfortable with those things?”

Let’s look at the clues you can find in a knitting pattern before you cast on.

Start by Looking Beyond the Skill Level

A pattern’s stated skill level is a useful guideline, but don’t treat it as a test you have to pass.

Designers use skill levels differently. One designer’s “intermediate” pattern might contain cables, lace, shaping and charts, while another might use the same label for a straightforward project with only one slightly unfamiliar technique.

Your own knitting experience matters, too.

You may have been knitting for years but rarely worked a garment. You might be completely comfortable reading charts but have never tried short rows. Or perhaps you can happily knit complicated lace but would rather not think too hard when you’re sitting down with a cup of tea and your favourite television programme.

There isn’t a right or wrong combination.

The better question is whether this particular pattern suits you right now.

Here are the things I look at before deciding whether a project is a good fit.

1. What Techniques Does the Pattern Require?

Start with the techniques.

Look through the pattern description and see what you’ll actually be asked to do.

Depending on the project, that might include:

• cables
• lace
• increases and decreases
• short rows
• colourwork
• working in the round
• picking up stitches
• grafting
• twisted stitches
• unusual cast-ons or bind-offs

Now ask yourself two questions:

Have I done these techniques before?

and

If I haven’t, am I interested in learning them?

Those are two very different questions.

An unfamiliar technique doesn’t automatically mean a pattern is too difficult for you. If you’ve got plenty of knitting experience and are comfortable learning from a tutorial, trying something new can be exactly what makes a project interesting.

On the other hand, if a pattern contains several techniques you’ve never encountered before, you may find yourself spending more time learning than actually enjoying the knitting.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just means it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for before you cast on.

A useful rule of thumb

One unfamiliar technique can be an enjoyable challenge. Several unfamiliar techniques can turn a relaxing project into a learning project.

Neither is better. They’re simply different kinds of knitting.

2. Look at the Construction

The way a project is constructed can tell you a surprising amount about how complicated it will feel.

A simple hat worked from the brim to the crown may have very little construction to think about.

A sock might involve a heel, gusset shaping and decreases.

A shawl could involve increases that gradually change the shape throughout the project.

A garment may involve multiple pieces, shaping, joining and finishing.

None of these constructions are inherently “easy” or “hard”. They simply require different kinds of attention.

When you’re assessing a pattern, look for things such as:

• Is it worked flat or in the round?
• Does the project involve multiple sections?
• Is there shaping?
• Are pieces joined together?
• Does the construction change partway through?
• Are there several stages where you need to make decisions?

If you’re looking for something soothing and predictable, a project with a straightforward construction may be a better choice.

If you enjoy figuring out how a knitted object comes together, a more involved construction might be exactly what you’re looking for.

3. Charts or Written Instructions?

This is one of those things that can make a pattern feel dramatically easier—or harder—depending on the knitter.

Some people love charts.

Others would much rather have every stitch written out.

And some of us happily use both.

If a pattern includes charts, have a look at what the chart represents and how often you’ll need to refer to it.

A small repeating motif can be quite manageable. A large chart with frequent changes may require considerably more concentration.

Written instructions aren’t automatically easier, either. A long written lace repeat can require just as much attention as a chart.

If you’re not comfortable reading knitting charts yet, that doesn’t mean you need to avoid every pattern that contains one. It simply means you should factor learning to read charts into the project.

And if you’re already comfortable with charts, a pattern that relies heavily on them may actually feel more relaxing than one with lengthy written instructions.

The important thing is to know which format works best for your brain.

4. How Much Shaping Is Involved?

Shaping is another useful clue.

Simple projects may only have occasional decreases or increases.

Other patterns might have shaping on nearly every row or round.

Look for:

• increases
• decreases
• paired decreases
• directional decreases
• short rows
• shaping that happens at the same time as a stitch pattern

There’s nothing wrong with complicated shaping. In fact, it can be one of the most satisfying parts of knitting.

But shaping combined with lace, cables or colourwork can require considerably more concentration than shaping on its own.

If you’re choosing a project specifically because you want something relaxing, consider how many things you’ll need to keep track of at once.

5. Consider the Yarn Weight

Yarn weight can have a bigger impact on your experience than you might expect.

A chunky-weight project can grow quickly and may be satisfying if you’re looking for something you can finish relatively quickly.

Fingering-weight knitting, on the other hand, gives you lots of small stitches and can take considerably longer to complete.

But that doesn’t mean one is more difficult.

For many knitters, finer yarn actually makes intricate stitch patterns easier to see and follow. For others, working with tiny needles and lots of stitches becomes tiring.

Think about what you enjoy.

If you love the rhythm of making lots of small stitches, a fingering-weight project might be wonderfully meditative.

If you’re looking for something quick and uncomplicated, a heavier yarn may be a better fit.

And remember that yarn weight also affects how quickly you’ll see progress. If you’re someone who gets a little discouraged when a project seems to take forever, that can be worth considering before you cast on.

6. Think About How Much Concentration You Want

This might be the most useful question of all.

Not every knitting project needs to be chosen based on what you can knit.

Sometimes you should choose based on what you want to think about while knitting.

Ask yourself:

What am I hoping this project will give me?

Maybe you want something to occupy your hands while you watch a film.

Maybe you want a project for travelling.

Maybe you want something to work on while listening to an audiobook.

Or perhaps you’re in the mood for a project that completely absorbs your attention.

Those are all perfectly good reasons to choose different patterns.

A relaxing project might have:

• a predictable stitch pattern
• a short, repeating motif
• minimal shaping
• no complicated construction
• techniques you already know
• instructions that are easy for you to follow

A concentration project might have:

• intricate lace
• complex cables
• frequent shaping
• colourwork
• charts that change regularly
• several techniques used together

And sometimes the same pattern can be either one depending on your experience.

A pattern that requires your full attention when you’re learning a technique might become almost meditative once you’ve knitted it a few times.

That’s one of the lovely things about knitting: difficulty isn’t fixed.

7. Think About the Project You Actually Want to Knit

This sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook.

Before you worry about whether a pattern is “your level”, ask whether you actually want the finished object.

Because enthusiasm counts.

If you absolutely love a design, you’re often much more willing to slow down, look up a technique and work through something unfamiliar.

Meanwhile, a technically simple project that doesn’t excite you can feel like hard work.

So look at the pattern and ask:

Would I be excited to see this project on my needles?

If the answer is yes, that’s worth something.

You don’t need to stay permanently inside the boundaries of what you already know.

How to Choose a Knitting Pattern the Simple Way

If you’re unsure about a pattern, try this quick assessment before casting on.

The technique check – what techniques are required?
Mark each one as:

• Comfortable
• Familiar but rusty
• New to me

The construction check – how is the project built?
Consider:

• flat or in the round
• simple or complex construction
• amount of shaping
• number of finishing steps

The instruction check – how will I follow the pattern?
Look for:

• written instructions
• charts → How to Read Knitting Charts
• chart repeats
• frequent instruction changes
• multiple instructions happening simultaneously

The concentration check – how much attention will this need?
Would you be happy knitting it while:

• watching television?
• chatting with friends?
• travelling?
• listening to an audiobook?

Or does it look like the kind of project where you want a quiet table, good lighting and your full attention?

The enjoyment check – do I actually want to knit it?

This one matters more than you might think.

If a project ticks most of the boxes and you’re excited about it, don’t let the word “intermediate” put you off.

You Don’t Have to Be Good at Everything

One of the things I wish more knitters knew is that being an experienced knitter doesn’t mean being comfortable with every technique.

You can be an excellent knitter and still avoid colourwork.

You can have knitted for twenty years and hate charts.

You can be perfectly comfortable knitting lace but have no interest whatsoever in making a garment.

That’s not a failure in your knitting ability.

It’s simply your knitting experience.

Instead of thinking about skill level as a ladder where you have to keep climbing, I find it much more useful to think of it as a collection of things you’ve learned along the way.

Every new project gives you the opportunity to add another tool to that collection—but you don’t need to learn something new every time you pick up your needles.

Sometimes you just want to knit.

And honestly, I think that’s reason enough.

Choosing a Pattern for Relaxing Knitting

If your favourite part of knitting is slowing down at the end of the day, choosing a pattern based on concentration level can make a huge difference.

For a genuinely relaxing project, I would look for familiar techniques, a predictable rhythm and instructions that don’t require constant checking.

This doesn’t mean the pattern has to be boring.

A repeating cable or lace motif can give your hands something interesting to do without requiring you to stop and think about every stitch.

That’s one of the reasons I love well-designed accessory patterns. A good cowl, hat or pair of socks can give you enough interest to keep your hands busy while still allowing the knitting to become part of your evening routine.

And when you find a pattern that hits that sweet spot—interesting enough that you don’t get bored, but familiar enough that you don’t have to fight with it—you’ve found something special.

So, What Skill Level Are You?

Maybe the better question is:

What kind of knitting feels good to you right now?

You don’t have to prove that you’re an “advanced knitter” by choosing the most complicated pattern you can find.

You don’t have to avoid an “intermediate” pattern because you’ve never tried one of its techniques.
And you certainly don’t have to choose a project simply because it matches the skill level you’ve assigned yourself.

Instead, look at what the pattern actually asks you to do.

Consider the techniques, construction, instructions, shaping, yarn weight and concentration required.

Then consider the most important thing of all:

Does this sound like something I would enjoy knitting?

If it does, you’re probably looking at the right pattern.

And if there’s one new technique in there that you’ve never tried before?

Well, that’s what tutorials are for.

Happy knitting. ♥

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a knitting pattern is too difficult for me?
Start by looking at the techniques and construction rather than relying solely on the pattern’s skill-level label. If most of the techniques are familiar and there’s only one or two new things to learn, the pattern may be a perfectly reasonable challenge.

If nearly every technique is unfamiliar, you may want to choose a simpler project first—or be prepared for the project to involve quite a bit of learning.

What does “intermediate” mean in knitting?
There isn’t a universal definition of “intermediate”.

Designers use skill-level labels differently, so an intermediate pattern from one designer may feel quite different from an intermediate pattern from another.

It’s much more useful to look at the actual techniques, construction and instructions included in the pattern.

Can a beginner knit an intermediate pattern?
Absolutely.

If you’re comfortable learning new techniques and willing to take your time, you can often work beyond what a pattern’s suggested skill level might imply.

Just be realistic about how much support you’ll need and how much concentration the project requires.

Is knitting with finer yarn more difficult?
Not necessarily.

Finer yarn means smaller stitches and often a longer project, but that doesn’t automatically make the knitting more complicated. Some knitters actually find intricate stitch patterns easier to see and follow in finer yarn.

Choose the yarn weight based partly on what you enjoy working with and how you want the finished project to feel.

What makes a knitting project relaxing?
A relaxing project usually combines familiar techniques with a predictable rhythm.

For some knitters, that means simple stockinette. For others, it might be a repeating cable or lace motif.
The most relaxing project for you is the one that gives you enough interest to enjoy the knitting without demanding more concentration than you want to give it.

Should I avoid patterns that use techniques I haven’t tried before?

Not at all.

Trying a new technique can be one of the most enjoyable parts of knitting. The trick is to consider how many new techniques the pattern contains and whether you’re in the mood to learn.

One unfamiliar technique might be a fun challenge. Five unfamiliar techniques might not be the relaxing evening project you had in mind!

Ready to Find Your Next Project?

The next time you’re browsing knitting patterns, don’t just ask yourself whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced knitter.

Look a little closer.

What techniques does the pattern use? How is it constructed? How much concentration will it need? And, most importantly, does it make you want to pick up your needles?

That’s a much better way to choose a project you’ll actually enjoy knitting.

If you’re looking for your next project, have a browse through the RhyFlower Knits pattern collection and use these questions to help you decide which design feels like the right fit for you.

Sometimes the perfect pattern isn’t the easiest one.

It’s simply the one that gives you exactly the kind of knitting you’re looking for.