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Difficulty and Risk

¨It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead.  The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time. ¨ - Winston Churchill.

There are several types of knitters -- beginners all the way to experts, cautious to degrees of risk-takers, those repeating the same instructions over and over to those who simply will not redo a set of instructions. Whatever type you are, you often want to know as you ponder a new pattern how difficult that new set of directions will be for you to complete. 

 The Craft Yarn Council has somehow put the following gauge about skills needed for a pattern into a grid. Near the start of most modern patterns one of these four options can be found.  (It is rare the description is attached so I am adding them here for you to see.)

Skill levels for knitting
1beginnerBeginnerProjects for first-time knitters using basic knit and purl stitches.
Minimal shaping.
2easyEasyProjects using basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes, and simple shaping and finishing.
3intermediateIntermediateProjects with a variety of stitches, such as basic cables and lace, simple intarsia, double-pointed needles and knitting in the round needle techniques, mid-level shaping and finishing.
4experiencedExperiencedProjects using advanced techniques and stitches, such as short rows, fair isle, more intricate intarsia, cables, lace patterns, and numerous color changes.
I have always wondered about the reliability of such grids.  How can a pattern designer know the degree of my competency with a technique; or better yet, how well do I actually know my own skill level?   Does anyone who cooks know their degree of proficiency?  How about those who drive a vehicle or frankly do any common activity where winners and losers aren´t determined.   How good am I at any of these things, really?

 Despite this potential conundrum (perhaps only for me) all knitters make some sort of a decision about their abilities as they move into a new knitting project.  Those knitters more conservative about their knitting skills might shy away from Intermediate or Experience patterns with concerns about getting ahead of themselves.  This may mean they potentially miss out on a new and interesting challenge.  Those more adventuresome knitters might dive right into something well outside of their skill range and find themselves running for help after the ribbing is completed.  

 To paraphrase Churchill, a completed project is knit but one row at a time.  This is only knitting; there are no knitting police; the worst that can happen is you frog the project.  Unlike cooking where someone might get sick if it is bad enough or driving where you or others could be hurt, knitting is a place in your life where wild risks have little to no negative consequences.  (OK if you knit with mohair it is harder than heck to frog, so exclude mohair yarns.)  

 In many realms of my life I watch my step, but knitting it is a place where the riskier, the better!  



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