Hello lovelies!
It’s been another busy few weeks here at LAD HQ, with lots going on behind the scenes. We’ve had team meetings about new designs and new yarn 🙊 as well as more creative content and even some festive ideas (it’s never too early in our world!) Plenty to be announcing soon, but first up is this week’s blog.
We ALWAYS get asked about our patterns – which ones are best for new knitters, if you’ve only done knit and purl, which ones would you be able to manage, and also lots of questions when you’re mid pattern too. So I though I would list our patterns this week according to skill level, and hopefully it will answer a few of those questions for you.
What's my knitting skill level?
We grade our knitting patterns in the following order: Beginners, Confident Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced. Here’s how we anticipate you would choose where you fit, based on your skill level…
Skill Level: Beginner
If you’ve never picked up a pair of knitting needles before, this is where you’d start. Absolutely beginners need to learn the very basics of knitting, including Casting on, knitting a stitch and casting off. We’re not even attempting purl stitch with our absolute beginner kits, because it can be pretty daunting starting to knit for the first time and we want to help you get your basic techniques nailed before the next step.
So which patterns should you try first? Well these, are always where we recommend you start.
Either of these three patterns are great place to learn how to knit. Some people will prefer the scarf & snood as they are smaller projects, but if you want to give a bigger project a go to get really good at knitting, go for the blanket! All three of these patterns just use cast on, knit, and cast off.
Got the hang of knit stitch? What’s next?
If you’re still a beginner but you want to try a different stitch, you can move on to these patterns. They take your learned skills of cast on, knit and cast off and add in purl stitch. Some of the kits require a little bit of sewing up at the end, but this is a case of just weaving in and out of stitches. If you can cast on, you can definitely manage this!
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Knitting Kit – Squidgable Scarf
£54.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Mini Mohair Headband
£26.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Mini Mohair Scarf
£35.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Mini Mohair Scrunchie (& bonus pattern)
£26.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Blanket Scarf
£56.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Knotted Headband
£23.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Classic Duet Cushion
£57.00 Select options
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
So you’ve grasped the basics, now I’ll put you at a confident beginner skill level and at this point we’ll start to introduce knitting two stitches together, and stitching up using Mattress Stitch. This means you can start to make clothes! How exciting 😍😍
Our confident beginner section looks like this…
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Knitting Kit – Beginners Boatneck Jumper
£83.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – ‘Gossamer Thread’ Mini Mohair Jumper
£43.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – ‘Filigree’ Mini Mohair Fingerless Gloves
£25.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – ‘Ankle Grazer’ Longline Cardigan
£104.00 – £139.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Head in the Clouds Sweater
£91.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Dreamy Oversized Cardigan
£92.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Button (Kn)it up Cardigan
£84.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Santa Hat Tree Topper
£45.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Chunky Knit Crown
£23.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Adult Jumbo Santa Hat
£55.00 Select options
A lot of people go straight to the confident beginner range, and this is totally possible – but do be aware there are techniques that may seem a little tricky because we do suggest having a bit of knowledge of knitting before trying them out.
Skill Level: Intermediate
This is where it gets nice and juicy – loads of new techniques to start learning once you’ve got knit stitch, purl stitch, knitting two together and mattress stitch nailed!
Now you can start to explore increasing, picking up and knitting, changing colours, and knitting on circular needles. If you’re feeling brave you can also have a go starting cable knitting too! Please do note, all the following patterns we would only recommend if you’re confident in the previous techniques I’ve mentioned.
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Knitting Kit – ‘Barnet Beanie’ Mini Mohair Hat
£30.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Hot Water Bottle Cover
£42.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Diagonal Stitch Cushion
£62.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Drop it from the Top (Down) Jumper
£80.00 – £100.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Bobble Optional Hat
£32.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Roll With It Jumper
£83.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Not Your Basic Stitch Jumper
£91.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Shake Ya Pompoms Jumper
£82.00 – £102.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Colour Pop Hat
£38.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Cable Knit Jumper
£91.00 – £112.00 Select options
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Now we’re hitting the big time! If you’re here you can pretty much knit anything (well… maybe not quite anything but you’re doing amazing!)
These patterns use different increasing methods such as M1 L & R, you’ll be using stitch markers and stitch holders, get introduced to colour work and try out some fiddly picking up along edges that you may not have picked up from before!
Like the intermediate category, these patterns are only really for those who are experienced knitters and not phased with a bit of a step up.
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Knitting Kit – ‘Simply the Vest’ Sweater Vest
£62.00 – £91.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Candy Cane Christmas Stocking
£37.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Roll up Knit down Jumper
£91.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Rainbow Roll up Knit down Jumper
£112.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Mini Stocking Garland
£42.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Change Your Spots Cushion
£56.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Alphabet Wall Hanging
£52.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – ‘You Can’ Wall Hanging
£52.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Rainbow Zebra Print Cushion
£68.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Have you Herd? Zebra Print Cushion
£60.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Wild Child Leopard Print Cushion
£56.00 Select options -
Knitting Kit – Colour Pop Mittens
£38.00 Select options
Skill Level: Advanced
There’s not a lot of difference from the last stage, but we’ve popped these in this category because they use DPN (double pointed needles) They can be tricky to get used to, and the socks especially do tend to require a bit more brain work than the others 😂
Hopefully that gives you more of an idea as to what patterns will suit where you are on your knitting journey. Please do be aware that some people familiarise themselves with knitting a lot quicker than others, and for some people it takes a little longer. This is a skill that takes practice, and is to be enjoyed. Try not to rush getting to the next level, just enjoy where you are right now. We try and design patterns that suit everyone’s skill level so hopefully you’ll be able to find a pattern that you love, and you’re able to complete.
Once you have got the hang of it though, the challenges are to be relished! You’ll be pushing yourself in no time, determined to finish the next project and move on to a trickier design! It is totally addictive, and we want you to revel in the enjoyment.
For further reading, we’ve got a great blog post on how to read a knitting pattern if you’re a beginner, as well as all our knitting knowledge pages with abbreviations, top tips and how to videos.
Please do let me know which patterns you’ve loved the most, and if there are any gaps you think we’ve missed – we always appreciate your feedback and we can’t wait to start releasing some more of our new patterns really soon!
Have a great week gang,
Hugs,
