Take the right measure for the self-made sweater

• So take the right measure
  • materials
  • take measure
  • Create a pattern

A recent study has now confirmed: The sweater is the favorite piece of clothing of the Germans. It keeps us warm in the cold season and is comfortable to wear. Depending on the model, you can make a good impression in the office as well as in leisure activities or cuddle up to it at home.

If you knit your own sweater, you have the advantage of being able to determine the color and type of materials yourself. In this way, one's own creativity can be given free rein and the new outfit can be adapted to individual needs. The necessary knitting instructions are usually easy to obtain. However, many DIY fans overlook the fact that these instructions are usually based on the usual clothing sizes and leave little scope to take into account different body measurements during knitting.

So here's how to make the right measurement for your self-knit sweater and make a simple pattern for your knit sweater.

So take the right measure

materials

You need:

• tape measure
• paper
• pen

take measure

1st arm length
Place the measuring tape on the top of the shoulder. Angle the arm about 45 degrees and guide the tape over the elbow to the wrist. Write down the value.

2nd Armhole
Place the measuring tape on the top of the shoulder and run it around the arm in a circle. Gently move your arm to determine how much armpit play is needed and measure it.

3. armpit height
Place the measuring tape on the top of the shoulder. Lead it to the point above the chest, at the bottom of which is the lowest point of the armpit.

4. Wrist
Guide the tape measure around the wrist. Pay attention to sufficient play and write down the length.

5th chest circumference
Lay the tape measure around the chest at chest height. Make sure you are measuring where the circumference is greatest.

6. waist / waist circumference
Place the measuring tape around the waist or stomach and make a note of the value.

7. hip
If the sweater is hip-length, measure the width of the hip around the widest point of the buttocks.

8. Total length
Place the measuring tape next to the neck on the collarbone and measure to the desired length. In the same way, you can also measure the height of the chest, waist and hips.

9. neckline
Put the measuring tape around your neck and close it with your fingers to form a ring. If necessary, make the ring narrower or wider and make a note of the value.

Create a pattern

Based on the measured values, a pattern for the sleeves and the front and back of the pullover can now be created.

The sleeve

The pattern for the sleeve has the shape of a trapeze. The length of the armhole forms the base. The height of the trapezoid corresponds to the measured arm length. The narrower upper side, which runs parallel to the base, has the length of the wrist.

Front and back for children's sweater

In a child's sweater, it is usually sufficient to measure only the total length, the neckline and the waist circumference in addition to the values ​​for the sleeves. Be generous here, after all, children grow up fast. It would be a pity if the sweater can not be worn after a short time. If the children are still very small, you can spare them the tedious procedure of measuring by taking the necessary measurements of one of their already worn pullovers. For toddlers, it is also advisable not to sew the front and back of the pullover together on one shoulder, but instead attach small buttons instead. This makes it easier to get dressed.

The pattern for the front and back of the children's pullover has the shape of a square. The width corresponds to half the waist circumference, the length of the desired total length. At the top of half the length of the neckline is set in the form of a semicircle in the middle. If you want to attach buttons on a shoulder, make sure to embroider large buttonholes on the front.

A detailed knitting pattern for a children's sweater can be found here: //www.zhonyingli.com/kinderpullover-stricken/

Front and back for ladies' and men's sweaters

Compared to the children's sweater, the size of the chest and possibly hip circumference as well as the armpit height must be taken into account in the ladies' and men's sweaters. Start from a square and transfer half the values ​​of the neckline, chest, waist or belly and hip into the pattern. Be sure to attach the values ​​at the correct height. For ladies with a narrow waist, for example, this results in an hourglass shape from the original square. To complete the pattern in the shoulder area, you need to make a small calculation: take the value of the armhole and then subtract the value of the armpit height from it. The result is the length that must be taken off right and left at right angles. Once you have done this you can draw in the armpit height from this point.