Pattern Sizing
All my patterns are sized in line with the Craft Yarn Council's standard sizing.
Where my sizing differs slightly from this, and many traditional childrens' knitting patterns, is that I don't use age as the determining factor when selecting a size to knit.
Children vary enormously in size, just like adults. When we knit an adult garment, we base our sizing selection on our body measurements. It seems only obvious that you should do the same when selecting sizing for children.
My sizing is graded in 1" increments ranging from 15"/38cm to 30"/76cm.
This sizing is based on the child's actual chest measurement.
This sizing range will fit from a newborn to approximately 12 years of age, possibly longer depending on the individual child.
Choosing the correct size to knit:
Choose your size based on the child's chest measurement (taken firm against the skin or underclothes).
Wearing ease is always worked into the sizing of my garments, so there is never any need to upsize to account for this.
If you are not sure of the size of the child you are knitting for, you can use the Craft Yarn Council's sizing as a guide to help you select.
Loosely, they translate across to age as:
15" chest = newborn
16"chest = 3 months
17" chest = 6 months
18" chest = 9 months
19" chest = 12 months
20" chest = 18 months
21" chest = 2 years
22" chest = 3 years
23" chest = 4 years
24" chest = 5 years
25" chest = 6 years
26" chest = 7 years
27" chest = 8 years
28" chest = 10 years
30" chest = 12 years
Please be aware though, that in my experience, for the average sized child they do run big.
If possible ask a friend who has a child a similar size to the one you are knitting for to measure their chest.
Upsizing for longer wear:
Many knitters commonly knit a size bigger (or two!) hoping to get a knitted garment to last longer. While the garment will indeed last quite a few seasons, it will often look ill-fitting.
Children grow upwards at a far far greater rate than they ever grow outwards. Indeed, it is very common for children's chest measurements to plateau for two or even three years. My eight year old daughter's chest measurement has only increased by 3 inches since she was two. That growth pattern for chest size is not unusual.
To upsize a garment effectively, add extra length to the sleeves and body.
The lengths for both these are detailed in terms of age in my patterns.
By using this really simple trick, my children wear all their jumpers for at least two seasons.
Where my sizing differs slightly from this, and many traditional childrens' knitting patterns, is that I don't use age as the determining factor when selecting a size to knit.
Children vary enormously in size, just like adults. When we knit an adult garment, we base our sizing selection on our body measurements. It seems only obvious that you should do the same when selecting sizing for children.
My sizing is graded in 1" increments ranging from 15"/38cm to 30"/76cm.
This sizing is based on the child's actual chest measurement.
This sizing range will fit from a newborn to approximately 12 years of age, possibly longer depending on the individual child.
Choosing the correct size to knit:
Choose your size based on the child's chest measurement (taken firm against the skin or underclothes).
Wearing ease is always worked into the sizing of my garments, so there is never any need to upsize to account for this.
If you are not sure of the size of the child you are knitting for, you can use the Craft Yarn Council's sizing as a guide to help you select.
Loosely, they translate across to age as:
15" chest = newborn
16"chest = 3 months
17" chest = 6 months
18" chest = 9 months
19" chest = 12 months
20" chest = 18 months
21" chest = 2 years
22" chest = 3 years
23" chest = 4 years
24" chest = 5 years
25" chest = 6 years
26" chest = 7 years
27" chest = 8 years
28" chest = 10 years
30" chest = 12 years
Please be aware though, that in my experience, for the average sized child they do run big.
If possible ask a friend who has a child a similar size to the one you are knitting for to measure their chest.
Upsizing for longer wear:
Many knitters commonly knit a size bigger (or two!) hoping to get a knitted garment to last longer. While the garment will indeed last quite a few seasons, it will often look ill-fitting.
Children grow upwards at a far far greater rate than they ever grow outwards. Indeed, it is very common for children's chest measurements to plateau for two or even three years. My eight year old daughter's chest measurement has only increased by 3 inches since she was two. That growth pattern for chest size is not unusual.
To upsize a garment effectively, add extra length to the sleeves and body.
The lengths for both these are detailed in terms of age in my patterns.
By using this really simple trick, my children wear all their jumpers for at least two seasons.