Learning the foundation stitches, Tent, Continental and Basketweave Stitch. Learning the appropriate way to start and end threads. Chooses clearly defined designs with plenty of background and no shading. Likes to work large areas of one stitch that requires no compensation. Comfortable with using floss, pearl cotton, merino wool and/or tapestry wool.
Level 2
Expanding on foundation stitches and learning Alternating Continental, T-Stitch, Brick Stitch and its variations. Learning to read stitch diagrams that also include verbiage. Starting to learn how to compensate a stitch that cannot be completed within a defined area. Working with a mixture of single strand and pliable threads on one project to add depth and dimension. Adding stitches that build off of Tent such as Mosaic, Scotch and Cashmere.
Level 3
Learning more complicated stitches such as Rhodes, Byzantine, and Herringbone. Also adding composite stitches into repertoire such as Criss-Cross Hungarian. Reads stitch diagrams with or without numbers and verbiage. Understands compensation. Adding textured threads including man-made fibers intended for metallic, sparkly, and fluffy effects to projects and can work through shading effectively. Uses a stitch guide for projects and sticks to it. Comfortable plying and or blending threads.
Level 4
Enjoys a good stitch guide but is willing to dismiss parts in order to incorporate personal artistic interpretation. Has a library of "go to" stitches and can work through all variations of Turkey Work, Jessica Stitch, Crescent Stitch and Openwork Background stitches. Comfortable compensating in complex design areas. Ok with random stitches such as long and short stitches. Views a stitch guide as just a guide and is comfortable using stitches other than what is recommended.