[GreyGeese]

Another issue is that we newbies cannot tell which CPs are harder just by looking at them. The number of creases alone is not a reliable indicator.

[origami_8]

Even if you have solved a lot of CPs you can't say by the look of it if it is easy or not, the only way to find out is to try. But after some trials you may eventually know that you are more comfortable with CPs from author "A" than from author "B". It's just the same like with diagrams.

There is no step by step guide how to solve Crease Patterns and only trial and error will get you where you want to go.

Someone in this topic asked for the Crease Patterns of simple structures like the common bases. There's a simple way to get them: Fold the base and unfold it!
Next step, arrange four equal bases next to each other on a square and try to collapse the new base (e.g. four bird bases for the blintzed frogbase).
Unfold simple models and try to collapse them without folding after diagrams...

[GreyGeese]

Next step, arrange four equal bases next to each other on a square and try to collapse the new base.

OK. So how do you get the creases onto the paper? Do you let them form while folding, or place them in advance (by scoring, for example)? If the second answer, then how do you correctly locate them all?

[Galif]

Reference points.

[GreyGeese]

Doesn't locating reference points involve a lot of extra creases that are not part of the CP?

[origami_8]

A CP only shows the main creases of a base from where a lot of work has to be done to come to the finished model. So adding additional creases will be needed in any case.

But there is no recipe how to proceed, just try!
What you want are diagrams, sorry there aren't any for many models. If you want to fold them non the less you will have no other chance than to try Crease Patterns. If you aren't willing to try something out on your own, that's your problem, but there is no other way.

Everyone able to fold after CPs had to go the same way with trial and error. If you don't want to follow this path, you will never be able to fold from CP, that's it.

[Jonnycakes]

Doesn't locating reference points involve a lot of extra creases that are not part of the CP?

Not necessarily. Most do (i.e. complex things made from circle packing, which are the subjects of a lot of CPs), but some are simple and basic enough that you can fold the CP without extra creases. The blintz bird base is one of those things (or bird bases put together onto the paper).