How to Choose the Right Size of a Women's Sweater

When it comes to fashion, the fit is king. This timeless truth holds especially true for the quintessential women’s sweater. Whether you’re cozying up by a fireside or making an office statement, the right sweater can elevate your look and boost your confidence. The challenge, however, lies in selecting the perfect size—a task that can seem daunting amidst the vast sea of fabrics, styles, and sizing standards. But fear not, fashion enthusiasts and online shoppers alike. This comprehensive guide is designed to demystify the sizing conundrum and help you find your sweater sweet spot.

Introduction to the Importance of Choosing the Right Size in Women’s Sweaters

The right size in women’s sweaters is not just about comfort; it’s about silhouette, style, and self-expression. A well-fitted sweater can complement your body type, enhance your best features, and convey your unique style. Conversely, an ill-fitting sweater may lead to discomfort and a compromised look. Understanding how to choose the right size is the first step towards building a versatile and expressive wardrobe.

Understanding Body Measurements: A Guide for Accurate Sizing

The foundation of finding the perfect sweater size lies in knowing your body measurements. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Bust

: Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape measure horizontal.

Waist

: Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, typically above your belly button.

Hips

: Measure around the widest part of your hips.

Sleeve Length

: Measure from the top of your shoulder to your wrist.

Keep these measurements handy when shopping, and compare them with the sizing charts provided by brands, as sizes can vary significantly across different labels.

Tips for Selecting the Perfect Fit: Insights on Fabric, Style, and Body Type

Fabric

Different fabrics have different drapes and degrees of stretch. Wool, for example, may offer less give than a cotton blend. Consider the fabric when deciding on size, especially if you’re between sizes.

Style

Oversized sweaters are meant to be roomy, while fitted sweaters should hug your curves. Think about the sweater's intended silhouette and how it aligns with your style preferences and body type.

Body Type

Understanding your body type can greatly influence your size choice. For instance, if you have a pear-shaped body, you might opt for a looser fit around the hips.

The Impact of Incorrect Sizing: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Choosing a size too small can lead to discomfort and a less-than-flattering look, while too large can overwhelm your frame. Avoid common mistakes by:

Not relying solely on your usual size. Always check the specific sizing guide.

Considering the sweater’s cut and intended fit.

Reading reviews for real-world sizing feedback.

Sizing in the Online World: Strategies for Accurate Sizing When Shopping Online

Shopping online adds another layer of complexity to sizing. Here’s how to ensure a good fit:

Use the brand’s sizing chart and compare it with your measurements.

Look for online retailers that provide model sizing and fit information.

Read customer reviews focused on sizing.

Familiarize yourself with the return policy in case the fit isn’t right.

Conclusion: The Power of a Well-Fitted Sweater and Final Tips for Ensuring the Right Size

The right sweater size empowers you to feel comfortable and confident, no matter the occasion. Remember, the key to finding the perfect sweater size lies in understanding your measurements, the fabric’s characteristics, the garment’s style, and your body type. With these insights, you’re well on your way to choosing sweaters that not only fit but also flatter.

FAQs

Q: What if my measurements fall between two sizes?

A: If you're between sizes, consider the fit you prefer (tighter vs. looser) and the fabric's stretch. When in doubt, it’s generally safer to size up.

Q: How do I care for my sweaters to maintain their size and shape?

A: Always follow the care label. Hand wash or dry clean delicate fabrics, and store sweaters folded instead of hanging to avoid stretching.

Q: Can I alter a sweater if it doesn’t fit perfectly?

A: Yes, certain alterations are possible, like shortening sleeves. However, it's more difficult to change a sweater's overall size, so choosing the right size from the start is key.

Q: How often should I re-measure myself for accurate sizing?

A: It's a good idea to take fresh measurements once a year or if your weight significantly changes.

Q: Do sweaters stretch out over time?

A: Some natural fibers, like wool and cotton, can stretch with wear. Opt for a snugger fit if you anticipate some stretching, or choose synthetic blends for better shape retention.

Chunky Cardigan Sweaters

Measure your body

Neck/Collar

Measure around the base of the neck where the collar would naturally sit.
Keep a finger space between the tape and your neck for comfort.
If you fall in between sizes, select the next size up.

Chest

Keeping your chest relaxed, measure around the fullest part of the chest.
Keep the tape snug around the body, but not tight.
Make sure the tape measure is even and parallel with the ground.
This measurement will correspond to the Chest (Shirt/Jacket) in the size chart.

Shirt/Jacket Waist

Measure around the narrowest part of your natural waist.

Sleeve

Measure around the base of the neck where the collar would naturally sit.Keep a finger space between the tape and your neck for comfort.If you fall in between sizes, select the next size up.Keeping your chest relaxed, measure around the fullest part of the chest.Keep the tape snug around the body, but not tight.Make sure the tape measure is even and parallel with the ground.This measurement will correspond to the Chest (Shirt/Jacket) in the size chart.Measure around the narrowest part of your natural waist.

Starting at the centre back, just below the collar. Measure across the top of the shoulder then straight down the arm to where you want the sleeve to end. Make sure your arm hangs naturally and relaxed.

Shoulder

Starting at the outer edge of one shoulder bone, follow the natural arch of the back to the same point on the opposite side of the shoulder.

Trouser Waist

Measure around your waist where you typcially wear your trousers. Keep the tape measure tight against the body as this should be snug but not uncomfortable.

Trouser Hip

Measure around the fullest part of your hips, which is generally over the lower part of your hip bone and over the fullest part of your seat. Keep the tape measure snug, but not tight and parallel to the ground.

Trouser Thigh

Measure around the fullest part of your thigh. Keep the tape measure snung, but not tight.

How to choose your size

This post is part of a multi-part series that covers the Strange Brew colourwork yoke sweater recipe! To get the Strange Brew recipe pattern (it’s written for 3 gauges, and includes 25 sizes from baby through women’s and men’s 4XL) click here.

This colourwork tutorial series will cover:

The Big Question

One of the most common questions we get from knitters is ‘which size should I knit?’. Knitters often aren’t certain how to choose the size that is right for them. We’ll share with you how we do it.

Basic Method: Measure a sweater you love to wear

First of all, when knitting for yourself, the most useful and quick method for choosing a size is to begin with a sweater that you already love, and measure it up.

Lay the sweater flat on the floor, and measure 3 key dimensions:

Chest measurement (measure across, then multiply that number by 2)

Body length measured from underarm to hem

Sleeve length from underarm to hem

Armed with these key dimensions, look at the pattern sizing table. Find the size with a finished chest measurement that most closely matches the dimension your beloved sweater, this is the size you will knit.

For example, I would usually choose to knit the adult M (37″), because I have a bust of about 38″, and I like to wear my sweaters with a bit of negative ease at the bust.

Adjusting Body Length

The body length in Strange Brew is easy to adjust. If you are making a non-shaped body, you can simply knit more or less inches in the body section.

If you are working waist shaping (an option which is included in this recipe pattern) then you should add or subtract length from the hem. This means when knitting top down, you will complete the waist shaping section, then knit a shorter or longer distance before working your hem ribbing. When knitting from the bottom up, you will work either more (or less) distance BEFORE beginning the waist shaping, so the length is adjusted in that section of the body, and the waist shaping will still sit in a suitable place relative to the underarm join.

Adjusting Sleeve Length

You can adjust sleeve length in much the same way as you would body length. Working from the top down, you will work more (or less) inches before beginning sleeve shaping decreases. Working from the bottom up, you’ll work the sleeve shaping increases to full sleeve stitch count, then simply knit to the total desired length. If you’re working a larger size, you may find it’s necessary to work sleeve increases or decreases more often than stated in the pattern if you’re shortening the sleeves. For example, you might increase every 4th round rather than every 5th round, so you reach the total stitch count sooner.

Important Note: If you adjust the body or sleeve lengths, it means you will require more (or less) yarn in these sections.

Understanding Ease

Ease describes how tightly or loosely a garment will fit on the body. It’s the difference, in inches (or cm), between actual body measurements and the finished garment measurement.

If the garment measurement is smaller than your body measurement, it has negative ease.

If the garment measurement is larger than your body measurement, it has positive ease.

Generally, the body measurement is most critical when sizing a sweater. It is the largest point of your torso; whatever that may be, belly, chest, or bust. Tin Can Knits patterns generally include a ‘sizing notes’ section that details the size of the model wearing the sweater in the pictures, and how the sweater sample fits that person. An example from the Almanac pattern: “John is wearing Men’s M (42.5″) with 3″ positive ease. Nina is wearing the same sweater with 5.5″ of positive ease.”

5.5″ positive ease on Nina; and the body and sleeves are long too.

3″ positive ease on John; a comfortable fit, with lengths designed for him.

We include these details to help you decide how much ease YOU would like to have in your finished sweater. Generally, we don’t tell you how you should wear our designs. Everybody loves to wear their clothes differently, and sweaters are no exception.

Note: Alexa and I don’t wear our sweaters the same way!

I usually prefer my sweaters with a bit of negative ease at the bust, so I choose the sweater size a little smaller than my bust measurement. Alexa usually prefers a bit of positive ease so she would choose a size a couple inches bigger than her bust measurement.

So this is why we list finished garment measurements (the size of the sweater itself assuming you knit it to the design gauge), and allow knitters to choose the size to knit based upon the amount of ease that they prefer.

If relaxed ‘slouchy’ sweaters make you feel cozy and trendy, you’ll choose a size with a few inches of positive ease. If a close body-hugging fit makes you feel your best, opt for a chest measurement with zero or negative ease.

Fabric Type Considerations

Stockinette is a stretchy fabric, but other stitch types like stranded colourwork can be less forgiving. So at times we will also include a suggestion of what level of ease is required to make the garment fit well. For example, the Moraine and Cartography sweaters include stranded colourwork throughout the garment. This makes for a fabric that is MUCH less stretchy than stockinette. Since this fabric will not stretch as readily, we recommend choosing a size with at least a little bit of positive ease. This would apply to the Marshland sweater too, as the stranded colourwork section extends down past the yoke separation into the chest area.

Cartography sweater has all-over colourwork patterns

Moraine features ‘lice stitch’ which is stranded colourwork on every second round.

Why Gauge REALLY Matters

One final note I would make about choosing your sweater size, is that gauge REALLY matters. You went to all the trouble of measuring and carefully considering what size you want to knit….so you really want to make sure you knit that size! Not really sure what gauge means? Check out this post.

The process of choosing a size, then following the instructions for that size is only useful if, when you knit your sweater with your needles and your yarn, you achieve the stitch gauge given in the pattern. Any consideration of sizing will prove pointless if you fail to achieve the design gauge stated on the pattern. You may chose a size, but if your gauge is off you won’t be knitting that size!

Let me give you a little example. Say I were knitting a sweater for my 38” bust, and the goal was to achieve a close fit. I decided I would follow the sock weight instructions instructions in Strange Brew for a size ML, which would come to 39” finished dimension, just 1” positive ease, so probably quite comfortable. The stockinette gauge for the sock weight Strange Brew is 26 sts / 4” which is 6.5 sts per inch. However, perhaps I didn’t swatch carefully, or I didn’t block my swatch, and I ended up with 24 sts / 4”, or 6.0 sts per inch.

252 sts (the body stitch count) at the correct gauge (6.5) results in (252 / 6.5 = 38.77”)

At the gauge I actually got (6.0) the sweater would end up much larger (252 / 6 = 42”).

So instead of having about an inch of positive ease, I would ended up with 4” of positive ease at the bust. Major sad face!

Over the coming months, we will be filling in all of the pieces in the blog series mentioned above, Sign up for email updates to be reminded when these new tutorials become available!

#strangebrewKAL

We’ve just started a KAL focussed upon the Strange Brew collection! Join us for all the chat and colourwork inspiration in the Tin Can Knits Ravelry group. I can’t wait to share my epic Christmas sweater design process…