That elusive ease..
My three-pronged approach to determine ease for wardrobe knitting, CraftDoodling Designs updates etc.
Over the past weeks, we’ve been exploring various aspects of wardrobe knitting. This week, I’d like to share some tips on choosing your size and ease from a knitting pattern. 👕
The concept of ease can be a little confusing at first. While there are some general rules that apply, it is better to get as clear as possible an idea of how a particular garment will look on your body before committing time and resources to knitting it. 🧶
The basics: What is ease?
Ease is the difference between your body measurement and the finished measurement of a garment in a specific area.
Positive ease: The garment measures larger than the body.
Negative ease: The garment measures smaller than the body.
Zero ease: The garment measures exactly the same as the body.
Body measurements are crucial
Patterns are often written with chest circumference as the key measurement for sizing. However, that measurement alone isn’t enough to select the right size from a knitting pattern or decide on the appropriate ease. ⁉️
Accurate body measurements, including chest circumference, armhole depth, and cross-back width are fundamental when creating clothes for yourself. Measure yourself over undergarments or the layer of clothing you plan to wear beneath the finished garment. Since body measurements can fluctuate with the seasons or change over time, it’s wise to measure yourself periodically.
My three-pronged approach to determine size and ease
Once I have my body measurements written down, I follow a three-pronged approach to determine the size and ease that will work best for me.
1️⃣ Measuring sweaters that already fit you
Take measurements of sweaters that fit you well, noting details such as body circumference, armhole depth, and sleeve length. For the best comparison, choose garments made with a fabric weight similar to the one you’ll be knitting.
You might love one sweater for its body fit and another for its sleeve length—lay them flat, take notes, and compare these measurements to your body measurements. This will help you identify your preferred ease in various areas.
2️⃣ Study pattern schematics
With your preferred measurements in mind, study the pattern schematic, sizing notes, and recommended ease. At this stage, you can pinpoint the size that aligns with your preferences.
3️⃣ Survey Ravelry projects
Explore Ravelry to find projects by knitters with similar body shapes or measurements. Look at their notes on modifications and how the garment fits. These insights can be invaluable, even if the projects are for a similar pattern rather than the exact one you’re planning to knit. 👭👬🧍🏻♂️
Knitting multiple projects and keeping detailed notes on what works will improve your confidence and intuition for garment knitting over time.
What are your favorite strategies for ensuring you knit a garment you’ll truly love to wear? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! 💗
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CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
Fluens Tee testing ends soon and I am planning to share it with you all this month. 🗓️ Please keep an eye out. Here is a reel that Shobha of Serendipitous Wool put together with some of her yarn base and color suggestions for the pattern. 💞
Here’s a peek at how Chalana Sock looks like currently. I am yet to complete my second sock though.
Chalana Sock - Design in progress
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
In case you had missed, here are my posts from the past two weeks about wardrobe knitting. I hope you enjoy them!
The importance of fiber choice
3 best practices for wardrobe knitting
READING UPDATES
Finished Reading 📖
The unexpected Mrs.Pollifax - Dorothy Gilman
Currently Reading 📖
Mornings in Jenin - Susan Abulhawa
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
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Great tips! I also check the pattern hashtag in instagram to see how I like the FO. I find that those pictures can be more clear than some that end up on Ravelry :)
A very helpful write up that will help in future projects. I usually like to wear my sweaters with positive ease while I wear my tees with zero ease and to a great extent I rely on my body measurements to guide me. Along with trying it out multiple times I usually end up with a garment size to my liking.