Choosing The Right Pattern & How To Make Adjustments: Further Reading

Over the past six months, we have delved into a plethora of topics that all aim for the same goal; to create garments that fit and you will wear for years to come. While we are far from finished with this topic, we have come across so many amazing and talented people sharing their knowledge on the same topic that I thought it would be handy to put together a list of them here on the blog for you to check out. Just so you know, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and we will be adding to it as we go, so if you feel anything is missing, please do let us know! At the time of posting, these are just some resources I've come across so far, so keep checking back over the coming months.

Before we jump into the list though, I wanted to touch on something that I've come across many times while researching our posts on adjusting patterns, and that is the word flattering. Since the dawn of time, it feels like there has been a set of rules created by other people that decide what is most flattering for our bodies, and I want to be very clear that that is not what we're are about.

Remember the old saying, 'the clothes make the person'? I don't buy that - you make the clothes you wear. Not just by knitting them with your own hands, but by embodying them with every wonderful inch of yourself, and only you get to decide what 'the perfect fit' looks like for you. Only you get to say what is 'flattering' and every one of us is worthy of beautiful knits that fit!

So with that in mind, I invite you to use the blog posts we have written so far, the ones to come and the resources on this list, as a springboard into a journey of self-discovery on how you want your clothes to fit. You already have all the tools you need, but with a little patience and the confidence to give it a try, you'll be making sweaters that fit perfectly in no time. And if you need any help in the confidence department, just drop us a line! We're always here cheering you on and ready to help if you need it.

So without further ado, let's check out those resources!

Project planning

Blog Posts

• Project planning from Raincloud & Sage (includes free downloadable planner!)

• 5 ways to use MyBodyModel to plan your knitting projects from MyBodyModel

• Choosing The Right Knitting Pattern (Making Stories)

Websites

• MyBodyModel: MyBodyModel is an app that makes custom fashion croquis templates(body outline sketches) with your real body measurements.

• Pinterest: Great for setting up moodboards and tracking your makes!

Videos

• It's Not Hard, It's New - The Story of My Sweater Journey: Gaye Glasspie

• How To Plan A Curated Closet - This focuses on sewing rather than knitting, but it has some great tips!

• A Path Towards Knitworthy: The Fat Squirrel Speaks

• So You Wanna Knit A Sweater: The Drunk Knitter

Online Courses

• Capsule Wardrobe Workshop: Jacqueline Cieslak

• Paper Dolls for Grownups: Beginner Fashion Drawing from My Body Model

• Digital Paper Dolls: Learn Digital Drawing Basics from My Body Model

• Wear What You Knit: Perfect Sweater Fit & Style: Sally Melville (Craftsy)

Choosing the right size

Blog Posts

• Understanding Ease (Making Stories)

• Getting Gauge & What You Can Do When You Can't Get Gauge (Making Stories)

• Swatching For Success: (Making Stories)

• Does Your Gauge Change When You're Knitting? (Making Stories)

• Choosing A Size: Set in Sleeve Edition (Amy Herzog)

Videos

• How to take measurements for the PERFECT sweater: Sweaters to Measure

Ways to adjust patterns

Blog Posts

• The Magic Of Gussets: TECHKnitting - this is a really interesting technique for adding extra room at the underarm if you need it!

• How to Knit Better Short-Row Bust Darts: Tess Knits

• Is There Too Much Fabric At Your Underarm? (Making Stories)

• Combining Sizes In Knitting Patterns (Making Stories)

• How To Adjust length In A Pattern(Making Stories)

• Adjusting Length In A Pattern: Part 2 (Making Stories)

• Adjusting Length With Stitch patterns: Part 3 (Making Stories)

• Why Upper Bust Rather Than Bust (Dress Pattern Making)

• Why you (probably) don't need short rows (Amy Herzog)

Videos

• How I Modify Sweaters (The Fat Squirrel Speaks) - This is a super interesting video into one makers approach to modifying a pattern to fit her body the way she likes.

• How to work bust darts with the Cocoknits Method - This is for horizontal bust darts (short rows)

Online Courses

• Handknit Garment Design: Shirley Paden - This course is definitely more focused on designing from scratch, but if it's something you're interested in learning about it's a fantastic course which I've taken in the past!

• Knitting Maths For Curves: Jacqueline Cieslak

• Knit Lab: Fit Your Knits (Craftsy)

• Essential Skills for Sweater Knitting (Craftsy)

• Curvy Knits: Plus-Size Knitting: Amy Herzog (Craftsy)

• Knit to Flatter: Amy Herzog (Craftsy)

• Sweater Modifications for a Custom Fit: Amy Herzog (Craftsy)

Do you have a go to blog post or video that helps you create when you're creating your knits? Share them below and I'll add them to the list!