GoSadi Skill Levels

Oftentimes, designers are asked about the skill level of their products. How many times has someone said, “I’m new; I can’t make that!”? Then we, the designer, give them encouragement to make it by showing them the stitches they need to learn. As a designer, one thing we want to communicate to makers of our patterns, and our customers, is how they can achieve the look as it was designed.

At GoSadi, we have broken down pattern levels to help designers communicate to customers the skill level to achieve the design look. You can link to this page in your product listings and use it as a guide for your customers.

You will also find Skill Level in your pattern listing details screen. GoSadi requires Skill Levels for listings as it enables users to search for patterns based on their Skill Level and easily identify which of your patterns are a good fit for them.

The Craft Yarn Council guide on Skill Level is an excellent place to start, but we wanted to dive deeper to create a complete Guide to Skill Level that covers all of your potential customer questions!

Why Add A Skill Level

While adding a Skill Level is helpful for your customers (it’s also key for good SEO), we consider it to be best practice to list the Skill Level and stitches required for your pattern in the pattern listing itself. This will ensure that your customer knows what they need to know to achieve the look of the pattern, or what they need to learn.

“I think it’s super interesting to note that pattern Skill Levels describe the project itself, not necessarily the current Skill Level of the stitcher. Your Skill Level doesn’t have to dictate the projects you can (or should) attempt. It just helps determine whether making an item would be a chance to relax or an opportunity to grow in your stitching” - Bethany Henderson, Fig & Filament, GoSadi alpha tester

Skill Levels on GoSadi

BEGINNER

As a beginner, you are just starting out in your craft journey. Beginners would be able to create simple projects with repetitive stitch patterns like scarves, dishcloths, or basic granny squares in crochet and hats that are made flat. A beginner is still learning basic stitches, tension, fundamental tools, materials and techniques of the craft.

EASY

Easy is for those somewhere between Beginner & Advanced Beginner. The pattern or project itself is easy and a great way for a Beginner to challenge themselves to the next level. It also implies any project that has repeats or is great for skill building.

ADVANCED BEGINNER

An advanced beginner has a bigger stitch library and is more familiar with various tools and fibers. An advanced beginner can follow simple stitch and row patterns. They understand specialty stitches and techniques like magic circle in crochet and can achieve simple color changes. They also have the ability to read a chart in a pattern and understand the stitches required.

Moreover, an advanced beginner is capable of achieving simple increase and decrease shaping and finishing, as well as basic stitch patterns in the round.

INTERMEDIATE

The intermediate level is for someone who has the basics down and is ready for something more challenging. This level has skills reading a pattern, schematics and chart. This level often includes more complex stitch and row patterns, a variety of specialty stitches and techniques, more advanced colorwork (stranded or intarsia) and mid-level shaping and finishing with either simple seam or join, or 3 needle bind off in knitting. An intermediate level can also achieve basic cables in both knit and crochet. Additionally techniques include picking up stitches, button holes and edging.

ADVENTUROUS

Adventurous is actually our favorite level! You are an enthusiastic fiber arts lover and always stretching your skills to learn more. Adventurous level is for those somewhere between Intermediate & Advanced. You are adding to your toolbox of techniques and skills and up for a challenge.

Projects may include intricate stitch patterns, techniques and various shapes & dimensions; non-repeating patterns, multi-colored techniques, fine threads, small hooks and a variety of trim and accents.

experienced

The experienced level is for someone who is quite skilled in their craft. You have a toolbox full of stitches and techniques, and the understanding of how to incorporate multiple techniques into a single project.

Projects have detailed shaping and refined finishings with multiple seams or joins, which you can achieve with ease. Projects could be multi-piece garments or a fair isle sweater with multiple specialty stitches, techniques and intricate colorwork.

For knitting, you’ll be able to dive into techniques like advanced texture patterns, advanced lace finishing techniques, multicolor knitting, intricate cables, working a charted pattern without words and complicated charts (either for cables, lacework, or colorwork). Additionally, you’ll have mastered sewing in a zipper, double knitting and / or brioche knitting, as well as other advanced texture patterns.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right skill level is the key to creating returning customers. Mislabeling a pattern as "beginner" when it's actually at the "advanced beginner" level might lead to frustration for inexperienced creators who aren't prepared for the challenge. Setting up clear expectations from the beginning is the key to creating a successful pattern release, not only for your current pattern, but for all patterns to come!