Every pattern we make has a difficulty level from 1 to 5, and you'll see it in two places.
In the design tool it sits in the Product details panel, and it updates as you make your choices:
And on every pattern page it sits right under the description, next to an info icon you can tap:
But what actually makes one design land on 1 and another on 4? It's not random – your choices decide. Let's take a look at the techniques behind the dots 👀
How the difficulty level is set
Every design starts at level 1. Each time you pick something that calls for a slightly less common technique, the difficulty goes up one step – all the way up to level 5.
So the difficulty level doesn't say anything about how hard the garment is "in itself", but about your exact combination of choices. Two sweaters can look quite similar and still land on completely different levels!
There are two exceptions to the rule: cardigans with buttons start at level 2, because the buttonholes always have to be knit in. And scarves and cowls are always level 1, whatever you choose.
Here's a quick overview of what adds a step:
| Choice that adds a step | Where you'll meet it |
|---|---|
| German short rows | Set-in construction (gauge>16), boat neck, men's sweaters |
| Twisted rib knit back and forth | Cardigan, slit, turtleneck |
| Increases along the V-neck | V-neck |
| I-cord edge | Neckline, body, sleeves, tops |
| Buttonholes | Cardigan or slipover with buttons |
| Sewn-down folded edge | Top with a round neck |
| Structure pattern or double brim | Beanie |
| Flat decreases or thumb in a pattern | Mittens |
And remember: a higher difficulty level doesn't make the pattern harder to follow. All our patterns come with thorough explanations and instruction videos for every step – no matter the level 💕
Sweaters, cardigans and tops
This is where most of the choices live, and where most of the techniques that count show up.
German short rows
German short rows are a technique where you turn in the middle of a row and knit back, so that one part of your knitting gets more rows than the rest. It's how we shape sloped shoulders on set-in sleeve sweaters, raise the neck on boat necks, and give men's sweaters a slightly higher back – in short, what makes the garment fit beautifully.
Many knitters find short rows tricky the first time, especially getting the "double stitch" neat and tight. That's why they count towards the difficulty. But once the technique clicks, it almost knits itself, and we show you every step on video.
Twisted rib
In twisted rib, the stitches are knit through the back loop so they "twist", giving an extra crisp and elegant ribbing. As long as you're knitting in the round, it's mostly knit stitches that need twisting – very manageable.
The challenge comes when the ribbing is knit back and forth. Then you also need to purl twisted, which many find fiddly. This happens on:
- Cardigans – they're knit back and forth, so twisted rib on the body, sleeves, neckline or button band means twisted purl stitches.
- Sweaters with slits – a slit at the bottom means the ribbing is knit back and forth instead of in the round.
- Turtlenecks with twisted rib – these also involve twisted purl stitches along the way.
Choose twisted rib in these combinations, and the difficulty goes up.
Increases along the V-neck
A V-neck sweater is knit top-down with increases along the neckline edge on every other row. It's not hard in itself, but you need to keep count and make sure the increases come out even and tidy on both sides. A little more to keep track of, and a slightly higher difficulty.
I-cord
An i-cord is a narrow knitted "cord" that gives a lovely rounded edge. You can pick it as an edge finish on necklines, bodies and sleeves – and it's a fixed part of tops with a square or deep round neck. The technique isn't complicated, but it's unfamiliar to many, so it counts.
Buttonholes
Small but important! On cardigans with buttons, the buttonholes are knit into the button band as you go, and they need to be placed correctly and come out equally neat. That's why cardigans with buttons start at level 2 instead of level 1.
Sewn-down folded edge
Tops with a round neck are finished with an edge that's folded down and sewn in place on the inside. It gives a soft, elegant edge with no visible bind-off, but calls for a little patience with the tapestry needle at the end.
Accessories: beanies and mittens
For accessories too, it's the techniques that decide, even if there are fewer choices to make.
Beanies
On a beanie, a structure pattern or a double brim gives you a little more to keep track of. Pick a decrease other than the classic spiral decrease, and the difficulty goes up too.
Mittens
On mittens, it's the flat decreases at the top and a thumb placed in a structure pattern that call for a bit more experience.
Looking for a level 1 project?
Cowls and scarves are always level 1, and they make perfect first projects. But you can design a sweater, cardigan or beanie at level 1 too – just stick to the simplest choices. See every pattern at level 1 here.
If you'd rather have it all thought out for you, check out our Newbie series: two sweaters and a cardigan designed to be simple and easy.
But here's the best part: you decide. If you want to learn something new, just add one new technique and let the instruction videos guide you through. Level 3 patterns are a good next step. That's how you become a better knitter – one technique at a time 😊
Frequently asked questions about difficulty
Where do I see the difficulty level?
In two places: in the Product details panel in the design tool while you design, and on every pattern page. You can also filter the whole pattern page by skill level.
Does a higher difficulty level mean the pattern is harder to follow?
No. Every Dreamknit pattern has the same thorough explanations and instruction videos for every step. A higher level only means your design contains more techniques.
What is the lowest difficulty level, and what is the highest?
Level 1 is the lowest and level 5 is the highest. Every design starts at level 1, and each less common technique adds one step.
Why does my cardigan start at level 2?
Cardigans with buttons need buttonholes knit into the button band, and that technique is counted from the start.
Can I see which patterns are at a given level?
Yes. Use the skill level filter on the pattern page, for example level 1, level 2 or level 3.
Ready to design? Try the design tool here!
