WARNING!
Everyone that knows me is agreed that I am one of the stupidest intelligent people on the planet. Common sense would mean that anyone other than me designing a knitting pattern would realise when re-sizing it that wrists and arms in general are unlikely to vary in diameter as much as say busts. (I hate that word incidentally, but people seem to think the fact that I say tits is weirder.) Anyway anyone other than me would realise this. Unfortunately Arisaig that some of you are knitting was designed by me - and on occassion I can be appalingly stupid (we’re talking hitting myelf on the head and saying ow in surprise - sorry but it’s true). I have NO common sense whatsoever. Consequently if you are making Arisaig in any of the larger sizes and wondering why the sleeves are big enough for both arms, it’s not your mistake it’s mine. For which I am incredibly sorry. I will do my best to re-write the pattern - paying more attention to actual body shapes. Anyone who is bigger than me (most people) who wants to send me their measurements is very welcome to do so. Sizing charts never seem to have things like diameters of arms. And well I can’t very well walk up to people with a measuring tape and say you look like you wear an x-large can I measure you to see how big you are. See then I would probably be beaten up. So to prevent me ending up in hospital (I hurt myself enough as it is) you should help.
I feel so bad that it’s taken someone knitting this to highlight an obvious problem and I’d love to re-write it right now. But I have to study, and I think if I did the maths now I’d end up with people knitting a cardigan with 3 sleeves or something. And that would be even more horribly wrong. (although for some reason the idea of putting on weight and consequently gaining extra limbs is oddly appealing - ummm let’s blame halloween, incidentally I went to uni today dressed as a 80s B movie zombie prom queen, because everyone else is crap I looked out of place). So realistically I’m giving myself a deadline of a fortnight to have the re-write done. If you are working on Arisaig in any size above medium please don’t start with the sleeves - if you are already working on them I’m sorry.
Posted: October 31st, 2005 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 12
Comments
Comment from Kim
Time: October 31, 2005, 10:38 pm
Great.
Here are my arm measurements.
wrist 6.5″
below elbow 12″
above elbow 13″
uppermost arm 14″
I like my stuff to not really ‘touch’ my body and so tend to make around a 48″ chest size although my actual size is 40″. And I’ve got ‘mama arms’ for sure.
Good luck, nice work, and you are doing a great job.
thanks
Comment from Ysolda
Time: November 1, 2005, 12:59 am
That’s incredibly helpful - thankyou. As to the gauge - I did a swatch in the matchmaker and got gauge - I don’t think the fabric is too stiff or heavy - but it isn’t as drapey as the 3ply I used. Making a size smaller than you usually would seems like the simplest thing to do if you want to work with the looser gauge you’re getting.
Comment from Laura
Time: November 1, 2005, 3:28 am
I posted this earlier, but thought I would do so again just in case it didnt get answered (cause I really want to know if i need to rip it out or not) :]
I have a question about sizing. Did you do your exact measurement or did you add ease? I really want mine to look like yours (i?m doing the M which is my exact measurement) but I cant seem to get the right gauge. I started the lace on sz 1 needles, but I was knitting too loose, so I went to 0?s and measured it and its measuring 19? across (it may be more…) rather than 18? (which is weird cause I never knew I was THAT loose of a knitter!) I guess I just wanted some comfort in knowing that 2? bigger than my actual measurements will actually turn out like yours! How much do you think it will expand after blocking (if i dont stretch it out)?
Comment from Ysolda
Time: November 1, 2005, 11:14 am
Sorry to me the bearer of bad news but the cardigan is designed to have no ease. So if you want it to be very fitted - like mine then you will need to rip. If you’re having problems getting gauge and it’s giving you a 2″ difference maybe you should make the size small in your gauge. The only problem with that would be if your row gauge is way off. - I would try and get the row gauge as accurate as possible and then you should be able to go down a size without any problems.
Otherwise I actualy think 2 inches of ease would look fine for this sweater, but since you asked mine didn’t have any - I’m wearing it just now over a strapless dress, if you do make it with 2 inches of ease you’ll be able to wear it over more things I guess.
Oh and DO stretch it out - it might make your gauge less accurate but unless you do it’s going to be all bumpy and the lace won’t show up properly.
Comment from Laura
Time: November 1, 2005, 5:40 pm
thank you so much! this is like the third time ive ripped, but i really care cause I’m so excited about making it. :]
Comment from Abi
Time: November 3, 2005, 11:03 am
You don’t sound stupid at all. Anyone who has written a pattern knows the stress of sizing. And surely the people at knitty should have checked this too!
Comment from Pernille
Time: November 6, 2005, 9:58 pm
Well, I have all the time in the world as my yarn hasn’t even arrived yet, so by all means take your time ;)
Measurements as follows:
Wrist: 6″
Below elbow: 9,5″
Above elbow: 9,5″
Upper: 13″
Comment from Mandy
Time: November 8, 2005, 1:37 pm
Hi Ysolda,
When I edited your pattern, the sleeve dimensions did not look wrong to me. I suppose, looking back, if the sleeves were supposed to be tight-fitting all the way down, then the larger sizes are too big at the bottom, but the upper-arm circumferences still look to me to be in line with what I see in other patterns. I actually thought you had made them gradually wider for larger sizes because having a slightly looser (not too loose) sleeve is often more flattering on a larger woman (I would wear the second-largest size myself). If you want to change anything, I would just suggest altering the circumference of the sleeve for the forearms only. Or, if you want, I can do this recalculation for you once I finish editing the patterns for the winter issue. (I’m going ot have to review and integrate your changes if you want them up on Knitty anyways.)
In the future, when you are working out sizing for your designs, I would recommend looking at schematics in books and magazines that have really detailed schematics. I find Interweave Knits and Phildar magazines are the best for having detailed schematics. Phildar are especially good for having consistently well-proportioned garments in a good range of sizes.
Hope this helps! :)
-Mandy
Comment from Christina
Time: November 18, 2005, 9:50 pm
Like Pernille, I am also waiting for my yarn, it’s been backordered for about 3 weeks, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to read and re-read your pattern. By the time I get my yarn I may be able to knit it without the pattern.
I think it’s great that you’re trying to get real measurements and not just what the books say, which can be way off sometimes. For your “research” my arms measure:
upper: 12″
above elbow: 10″
below elbow: 10 1/2″
wrist: 7″
Comment from Fi
Time: November 23, 2005, 3:19 am
Some people who are ‘bigger’ really do have bigger arms! I suppose it depends which bit of the body is bigger.. just a big bust or generally big all over. I don’t know just how huge you made the arms but I think it would be nice if clothes manufacturers generally didn’t just stick size 10 sleeves onto a size 16 top. For what it’s worth, I think you made a reasonable assumption.
Comment from Kate Barrett
Time: November 24, 2005, 3:28 am
Hello Ysolda,
I’m not sure what to do. I *love* Arisaig. My chest measurement is 33″, so it doesn’t sound like I can make the small size. (I like a fitted look.) If I make the 36″, will the arms sizes be sporked in that size, or does that error occur in the original pattern for sizes larger than 36? My arms measure 12″ from shoulder to elbow and 11″ from elbow to wrist. Sorry to bug you with these questions. I’m just not sure…
Comment from Sharon
Time: December 11, 2005, 7:19 am
Don’t know if I’m too late, but my arms are sized as follows
wrist 7″
elbow 11″
upper arm 16″ (yes, I’m a bit muscley)
I was just wondering if your intention is to leave the sleeve caps the same size or to change them too, as that would affect the other pieces as well.
Thanks
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