My designs Latha Cardigan and Niyat Pullover feature intricate lace panels. But what if I told you the most elevating part of these garments isn’t the lace?
Eye-catching details like lace, cables, and colorwork take time to design, but they are not what make a sweater successful.
The feature that holds everything together is good fit. It is almost invisible, hiding in plain sight, and something we gradually learn to recognize.
Yes, the right fit can elevate even the most basic outfit. Fit is often what makes clothing look truly luxurious. Well-fitting clothes often look more expensive than designer clothes with a poor fit.
Once I determine that a store-bought item fits well according to my preferences, I am eager to replicate that fit across multiple garments. Thankfully, being a knitter makes this possible, even if knitting is not the fastest way to build a wardrobe.
This week I want to share two examples where I translated the fit of store-bought garments into my designs. Planning and knitting a sweater like this for yourself is surprisingly achievable. Designing and grading it across a full range of sizes is a whole other process involving many more steps. But if you have knit a few sweaters from patterns, I hope these examples give you some inspiration to try your hand at modifications.
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Pattern: Niyat Pullover Inspiration piece - from H&M
Retained Features: Slightly cropped silhouette, Hi-low hem, Drop shoulders
Modified Features: Deeper neckline, Shoulder fit, Sleeve shaping, Lace panels on front and back.
Pattern: Latha Cardigan Inspiration piece - from GAP
Retained Features: Open front, Large V neck, Double-knit front band, Broad folded hem, A-line shaping.
Modified: Shoulder fit, Sleeve shaping (bracelet length), Lace panels along the front bands
If you love knitting sweaters, or aspire to knit your first one, it is worthwhile spending some time going through your wardrobe and doing a fit survey, before your next sweater project.
Choose garments that fit you well. Note details such as body circumference, armhole depth, back neck width, and sleeve length.
Make note of the necklines that suit you best.
Take your body measurements and compare them with the garment measurements to understand how much ease you prefer in different areas.
Use these measurements as a reference the next time you choose a size from a knitting pattern.
If you are already planning to knit a sweater, take measurements from sweaters with similar fabric weight and drape to the one you’ll be knitting. This will give you better results.
Over time, these measurements become your own personal fit reference. They make choosing pattern sizes and planning modifications much less intimidating, and every sweater teaches you a little more about what works for you.
If this interested you, you might discover more of my posts covering sizing, fit, and ease. Take a look through the archive!
What are some fit details you have tweaked so far? What fit modifications are still on your list to try? Let us discuss in comments.♥️
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Testing Call : Neha Shawl ❤️ A pattern testing call just went up for Neha Shawl on CraftDoodling Designs Ravelry Group. Please check the test details and apply if you are interested. Thank you!
PATTERN TESTING CALL: NEHA SHAWL
Here is a picture of student swatches from my granny square classes last week at Fillory Yarn. ❤️
New classes for July & August are up on Fillory Website. Please take a look if you are interested. I’ll be teaching crochet lace stitches this August. ❤️
FInished reading 📖
Whistler Ann Patchett
Ironwood - Michael Connelly
The Last Mandarin - Louise Penny, Mellissa Fung
Currently reading 📖
The Tenant - Freida McFadden
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
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