Stitch & Story Kit Levels Explained

Hello crafters,

You’re completely new to knitting and crochet so you try a Beginner kit but could you start with an Easy one? Or you already know the basics, so is Easy+ right for you? And where do you go once you’ve completed all the Beginner kits?

We know how overwhelming picking up a new craft and choosing your first project can be - there are just too many pretty color choices. At Stitch & Story we make crafting simple by providing you with all the components necessary to make learning a new skill easy and enjoyable. Our kits range from Beginner to Intermediate so that wherever you are on your crafting journey there’s a kit for you. However, what do Beginner, Easy, Easy+ and Intermediate really mean?

 

BEGINNER’S GUIDE - HOW TO PROGRESS FROM BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE KITS

PATTERNS

Our patterns are designed with the beginner crafter in mind. Whether you pick up an Easy or Intermediate Stitch & Story kit, you’ll find the pattern written and formatted in the same, easy to follow, way. Divided into easily digestible sections you’ll be able to progress and develop your crafting skills, regardless of level. For more help on understanding and reading patterns you can read our dedicated blog posts - Part 1 and Part 2 - here.

 

 

BASIC GUIDES

Whether it’s a Beginner or Intermediate level kit all of the Stitch & Story knitting and crochet kits contain ‘how to’ guides that explain the basic stitches and techniques required to knit and crochet.

The How to Crochet guide demonstrates slip knot, positioning your hands, foundation chain, double crochet, treble crochet, increasing, decreasing, changing colors / new ball of yarn, slip stitch, finishing, and magic ring/loop.

The How to Knit / Basic Knitting Instructions guide demonstrates slip knot, two needle cast on, knit stitch, purl stitch, decrease, increase, changing colors / new ball of yarn, binding / cast off, and sewing your work.

In addition to the basic guides we’ve got lots of helpful video tutorials on our website, to support you when you come across a stitch or technique in a pattern you don’t know.

 

KIT LEVELS

Knitting

Beginner

If you’re completely new to knitting then we advise you start with a Stitch & Story Beginner kit. Thankfully, there are over twenty to choose from. These kits stick to the basic stitches and techniques of casting on and off, knit stitch, purl stitch and decreasing (k2tog/p2tog). All of the knitting kits, irrespective of level, feature a cast on but the cast off method will vary depending on the project. A hat for example will be different to a cushion, but every pattern will explain exactly how to complete your project.

Some of the beginner kits, like the Grazier Scarf, only require a knit stitch while others, like the Lola Pom Slippers, include purl stitch and decreasing as well. When choosing your very first knitting project it’s worth considering the size of the finished item and how long it will take you to complete. The Chunky Tassels Throw for example only uses knit and purl stitches but is a big kit that uses ten balls of yarn. The beauty of knitting with chunky wool is that your project materializes much quicker, but everyone is slow to start with and if you feel you’ll lose interest, or become disheartened if the project is taking too long, then you’re best starting with something small, like the Cup Cozy Mini Knitting Kit.

 

cup cozy mini knitting kit

 

Easy

Stitch & Story’s Easy level knitting kits are a slight step up from the Beginner Kits. They’re perfect if you’d like to progress with your knitting skills or if you learned to knit in the past and are coming back to the craft, albeit a little rusty. These kits either introduce more stitches and techniques into their patterns, or the basic stitches of knit and purl are used more creatively, which requires some closer pattern reading. The Luca Pom Hat, for example, only uses knit, purl and decreasing but the stitch combination is more intricate than the basic Stocking Stitch pattern you would find in the Sprinkles Hat. Meanwhile, the Big Alps Beanie introduces a new technique: cabling.

Easy+

The main difference between an Easy and an Easy+ kit is the combination of stitches and techniques in the pattern. While most Easy kits feature three or less stitches/techniques, Easy+ patterns tend to have four or more. Tackling an Easy+ kit challenges your pattern reading skills, as they’re generally longer (on paper) so require closer reading. Some of the Easy+ kits also introduce more advanced techniques such as wrap and turn in the Maggie Round Rug and slip stitches, which can be found in several patterns including the Reversible Ski Hat and Hadley Jumper.

Like all Stitch & Story kits though, the Easy+ kits have been designed to be accessible, easy to follow and develop your skills, so progressing from an Easy to an Easy+ kit won’t feel like a massive step.

Intermediate

There are currently only three Intermediate Stitch & Story knitting kits: the Aloc Lace Jumper, Bonny Booties and Star Bonnet Trapper Hat. What elevates these three kits to Intermediate Level is the amount of stitches and techniques that are combined in their patterns. They all feature six or more and have a couple of techniques that don’t feature in other Stitch & Story patterns, such as the M1 increase stitch in the Bonny Booties. However, if you’ve been confidently knitting any of the Easy+ kits there is no reason you couldn’t manage a Stitch & Story Intermediate kit.

 

Crochet (UK Terminology)

Beginner

If you’re completely new to crochet then we advise you start with the Brie Triangle Cushion. It will teach you how to hold your yarn and hook, create your foundation chain and double crochet (DC). These are the very basics of crochet. You’ll also learn how to change color. It’s a great first crochet project as it’s created in one solid rectangle but is folded and sewn up in a way that creates a fun triangle rather than standard square cushion.

 

brie triangle cushion crochet kit

 

Easy

Like the Easy level knitting kits the Easy crochet kits introduce more stitches and techniques into their patterns. The Tate Circular Rug and José Fringe Basket are both crocheted in rounds and use slip stitches. The Tate Circular Rug also features half treble crochet (htr).

Easy+

The Stitch & Story Easy+ crochet kits are a step up from the Easy kits. The patterns tend to contain additional elements, such as the separate crochet miffy on the Miffy Slippers, and combine more stitches in the one pattern. By progressing from an Easy to Easy+ pattern you’ll learn to skip, increase, and decrease stitches. The Mayan Mini Pots also feature the bobble stitch (bb) while the Skye Tassel Throw uses treble crochet (tr).

 

Amigurumi

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed yarn creatures. Stitch & Story’s Classic and XL Miffy kits are both amigurumi projects. Although the techniques and stitches are similar to our regular crochet kits these patterns tend to be longer because they feature lots of individual components that are then sewn together to make the toy.

If you have never crocheted before then we would recommend learning the basic skills of crochet with one of our Beginner or Easy crochet kits before trying our amigurumi kits.

Our XL Miffy (Easy) and Classic Miffy (Easy+) kits both use the same stitches and techniques to create the Miffy toy: mainly double crochet (dc), increase and decrease stitches. What makes the Classic Miffy an Easy+ kit is the additional stitches and combination of crochet techniques required to make her dress. If you’re relatively new to crochet then this will be a little more challenging as it combines various treble crochet stitches as well as slipping and skipping stitches. As with all our kits however, the pattern is broken down into easy steps with clear instruction and, when followed alongside our online video tutorials, is easy for even the most novice crocheter to do.

 

xl miffy amigurumi crochet kit

 

KIT LEVEL PROGRESSION ROUTES

If you’re looking for the quickest route to progress your skills with the minimal amount of kits we’ve put together some suggestions to help you on your crafting journey.

Knitting

Beginner

Grazier Scarf < Lola Pom Slippers < Big Alps Beanie < Freya Fingerless Gloves < Easy Slumber Socks

If you complete all five of these kits you will know how to:

  • cast on
  • cast off
  • knit
  • purl
  • decrease (k2tog/p2tog)
  • cable
  • increase (kfb)
  • pick up sts
  • slip sts
  • turn

Improver

Kingley Cushion Cover < Chunky Cable Headband < Luca Pom Hat < Maggie Round Rug < Aloc Jumper

If you complete all five of these kits you will know how to:

  • cast on
  • cast off
  • knit
  • purl
  • cable
  • decrease (k2tog/p2tog)
  • increase (kfb)
  • slip sts
  • wrap and turn (w&t)
  • yarn over (yo)

 

Crochet

Brie Triangle Cushion < Tate Circular Rug < Mayan Mini Pots < Skye Tassel Throw < Miffy Slippers

If you complete all five of these kits you will know how to:

  • chain stitch
  • double crochet
  • half treble crochet
  • bobble stitch
  • increase
  • decrease
  • change colors
  • slip stitch
  • skip stitch
  • magic ring/loop

 

Hopefully now you feel more confident about choosing a Stitch & Story kit at a level that’s right for you and are ready to challenge yourself. If you’ve been knitting Easy kits then give Easy+ a go, and if you know the basics of crochet then why not try amigurumi next.

Whatever you make please share your progress with us by tagging us @stitchandstory in your Facebook and Instagram posts, #stitchandstory #yarnmazing

Happy crafting!