How to determine your crochet skill level

In order to best assess your own skills when it comes to crochet, you’ll need to understand what each different skill level entails. There are four different crochet skill levels, (beginner, easy, intermediate and advanced) and each has its own description and definition. While it’s not always a good idea to “limit” yourself based on your abilities, knowing where you stand in terms of crochet skill level can help to keep you from getting frustrated or overwhelmed by the projects that you take on.

Crochet skill levels are determined by your experience with different projects, the amount of knowledge that you have when it comes to the craft, what you’re willing to put into learning more in the future (time and effort) and how confident you are about your own abilities. Crochet skills are learned and improved over time, so luckily for you, there’s nowhere to go but up!

Overview of Crochet Skill Levels

Beginner Crochet Skills

Beginner crochet patterns are best for individuals that have just started to learn and practice the craft. They aren’t very involved, use basic crochet stitches and feature very straightforward instructions. They are meant to be simple and easy to complete, giving you a chance to learn stitch abbreviations, tricks for finishing off rows of stitches and even learning all of the more basic stitch types. Beginners will need to learn how to read and interpret patterns, because this skill is necessary for future crochet projects. This level of project is meant to make people like you feel more comfortable before moving on to more difficult and time consuming projects.

For those looking for easy toy crochet projects, amigurumi animals are a popular choice. Many of them feature rounded or cylindrical shapes, very few “turning” stitches, are smaller in size, and do not take a great deal of effort to complete. Despite their simplicity and size, they are great projects for beginners because you can immediately see your own progress, and there are many different designs that you can choose to create. Projects like these will give you confidence to move forward to more difficult crochet toys and items, and crochet patterns for beginners are meant to inspire creativity and success.

Try amigurumi patterns for beginners!

Easy Crochet Projects

When you’ve learned enough to move past simple patterns, you will be ready to complete easy crochet items. You’ll need to know and understand how to use basic stitches, make simple shapes (with varying sizes and number of stitches) and even how to add new balls of yarn when there is a need to switch colors. This is the type of crochet that will allow you to create things like granny squares, simple hats, flowers and even bows.

This level of skill involves more careful thought and planning, and can allow you to get more creative with the items that you make. Additional stitches that you’ll often use as you move past the crochet basics include the fan and bobble stitches. Easy crochet patterns can be found in a variety of places, depending on exactly what you’re looking for, and many of them feature video or photo tutorials so that you know exactly what is necessary.

Enjoy easy amigurumi patterns!

Intermediate Crochet Skill

Now the real fun begins. You’ll already know how to do the basics and have completed some cute, useful projects, but when you’re comfortable and confident, you can do so much more! For intermediate projects like baby shoes, hats, dolls and larger items, a greater amount of time and effort are necessary. Reading and following complex instructions is essential, especially when more complex stitch types like cables and lace are used.

In this phase of learning how to crochet, you’ll be able to create more detailed and varied shapes, edge with intricacy, and even have learned to connect pieces of crochet together in varied ways. It’s normal to feel challenged at this level of work, especially when taking on new projects, but this is the best way to learn. Challenging yourself is the best way to expand your skill set, and when you reach the level of using advanced crochet patterns, you will need to know all of the things that have been useful in the first three levels of crochet. Not only will you be able to look back on earlier projects and see how much you have advanced, but you’ll also be able to take pride in everything that you have learned and accomplished. Once you have mastered the types of intermediate projects that you’ve chosen, it’s time to move on to the final level: advanced crochet.

Try amigurumi patterns designed for intermediate level skills!

Crochet at an Advanced Level

Also called the expert level of crochet, this is the most advanced, experienced and capable level of skill. Not only are you capable and confident, you are proficient with your abilities and are experienced in many different types of projects. When you’ve reached this level of skill, you’ll be able to make things like sweaters, lace shawls, tops, costume clothing, flowers and other whimsical pieces. Decorations, dolls and cartoon characters, and extremely small, complex pieces are common for advanced crochet creators, because by this point, you will be able to use different types of yarn and different sizes of hooks along with following extremely detailed instructions and patterns and knowing (and executing!) many stitch types and techniques.

From here, there is not a “higher” level, but there is always something new to learn. Many patterns consist of a variety of steps in varying degrees of complexity, so having the time and patience to learn is important to becoming proficient with crochet. There’s always a learning curve, always something to practice and improve upon, so this means that no matter how long you have been practicing crochet, you’re always going to be able to get better. Be willing to learn, to grow and to practice, and your crochet skills will increase quickly.

This is a hobby that can be used to make clothing, blankets, trinkets, toys and even dolls; when you create something, it’s an extension of yourself, as a great deal of time and effort – and commitment – are put into even the simplest of crochet projects. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself, as this is part of choosing to learn to crochet. Mistakes will be made, but each time a stitch is just a little off, or the shape is a little strange, it’s a chance for future improvement… and a tiny little symbol of just how unique each project is, and how much your crochet skill level has improved since you started.

Meet the challenges of amigurumi patterns designed for advanced level skills!

Hope this article is helpful for you. Write your questions and share your thoughts about this topic in comments!