I am a production manager with 15 years of experience in a sweater factory. Many customers ask, “What size sweater should we choose?” and “Do you have a detailed size chart?” Often, the finished product doesn’t meet expectations. So, in this blog post, we’ll discuss how to measure for the correct sweater size, using charts for babies, kids, teens, and grown-ups.
Accurate body measurements are crucial for determining the correct size of knitted garments. It is recommended to have someone assist you with the measurements to ensure accuracy. If this is not possible, you can measure a garment that fits you well and use its dimensions as a reference. Note: Sweater factories will add 2-3cm to your chosen size because each sweater shrinks after washing during production.
Most crochet or knitting patterns provide basic garment size information, such as the finished bust or chest measurement. Many patterns also include detailed size charts listing specific measurements for different sizes (bust, neckline, back width, waist, sleeve length, etc.). Please carefully check all relevant size specifications before starting your project. If you don’t know how to measure your size, you can refer to How to measure.
Newborns - 14 years old Sweater size guide
| Age | Height | clothes length | Chest | Armhole | shoulder width | Sleeve Length | Sleeve width | Sleeve cap | Newborn | 52 | 28 | 46 | 11 | 20 | 20-21 | 26 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 59 | 29 | 49 | 12 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 5 |
| 6 months | 66 | 30 | 52 | 12 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 5 |
| 9 months | 70 | 32 | 55 | 13 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 5 |
| 12 months | 73 | 32 | 58 | 13 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 5 |
| 18 months | 80 | 35 | 60 | 14 | 21 | 24 | 29 | 5 |
| Two years old | 90 | 37 | 62 | 15 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 5 |
| Three years old | 100 | 38 | 65 | 15 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 5 |
| Three to four years old | 110 | 39 | 68 | 16 | 25 | 28-29 | 33 | 6 |
| Five to six years old | 115 | 40 | 70-72 | 17 | 26 | 32-33 | 33 | 6 |
| Seven to eight years old | 125 Around | 44 | 74-76 | 17.5 | 28 | 36-37 | 34 | 7 |
| Nine to ten years old | 135 Around | 46 | 78-80 | 18 | 30 | 40-41 | 35 | 7 |
| Girls aged 11-12 | 140 Around | 50 | 84-86 | 18.5 | 31 | 44-45 | 36 | 8 |
| Boys aged 11-12 | 145 Around | 52 | 82-84 | 18.5 | 31 | 44-45 | 36 | 8 |
| Girls aged 13 to 14 | 155 Around | 54 | 88-96 | 19 | 32 | 46-49 | 37 | 8 |
| Boys aged 13-14 | 160 Around | 56 | 92-96 | 19 | 32 | 46-49 | 37 | 8 |
Women's Sweater size guide
| Age | Height | clothes length | Chest | Armhole | shoulder width | Sleeve Length | Sleeve width | Sleeve cap | S | 155-160 | 56 | 90-92 | 20 | 34 | 50 | 38 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | 160-165 | 58 | 94-96 | 21 | 35 | 51 | 39 | 12.5 |
| L | 165-170 | 60 | 98-100 | 22 | 36 | 52 | 40 | 13 |
| XL | 170-175 | 62-64 | 110-105 | 23 | 37 | 53 | 41 | 14 |
Men's Sweater size guide
| Age | Height | clothes length | Chest | Armhole | shoulder width | Sleeve Length | Sleeve width | Sleeve cap | S | 155-160 | 56 | 90-92 | 20 | 34 | 50 | 38 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | 160-165 | 58 | 94-96 | 21 | 35 | 51 | 39 | 12.5 |
| L | 165-170 | 60 | 98-100 | 22 | 36 | 52 | 40 | 13 |
| XL | 170-175 | 62-64 | 110-105 | 23 | 37 | 53 | 41 | 14 |
| XXL | 180-185 | 70 | 115 | 26 | 45 | 57 | 48 | 12 |
Sweater Size Tips
When choosing a sweater size, the fit depends on your actual bust measurement plus the corresponding “ease” – that is, the extra size added or subtracted. The ease can be positive (larger than the actual bust, resulting in a loose fit) or negative (smaller than the actual bust, resulting in a tight fit). The accompanying “Bust Fit and Ease Chart” provides suggested ease adjustments for different wearing preferences (such as tight, regular, or loose fit), helping you choose the most suitable size more accurately.
The most complete formula for sweater sizes
Knit the sweater from bottom to top.
1. Bust circumference = (Net bust circumference + 5 to 10 cm) * Stitch density (female) Bust circumference = (Net bust circumference + 8 to 12 cm) * Stitch density (male)
2. Armhole height = Bust circumference ÷ 10 + 12 to 15 cm (female) Armhole height = Bust circumference ÷ 10 + 13 to 17 cm (male)
3. Shoulder slope height = Shoulder width ÷ 10
4. Armhole width = Total stitches of the main body ÷ 2 * 0.75
5. Sleeve cap width = Total stitches of the armhole * 0.2
6. Sleeve cap height = Armhole height – Shoulder slope height – Sleeve cap width ÷ 2
7. Cuff circumference = Total stitches of the main body * 0.25
Knit the sweater from top to bottom.
1. Neckline = Head circumference * Stitch density * Coefficient 0.85~1.0
2. Back neck opening = Shoulder width ÷ 3 + 4cm
3. Raglan sleeve armhole = Bust circumference ÷ 10 + 12cm (women) Raglan sleeve armhole = Bust circumference ÷ 10 + 13cm (men)
4. Vest armhole = Bust circumference ÷ 10 + 13cm (women)
Basic sweater calculation formula
Diagram and instructions for a men's regular-fit crew neck sweater.
Based on the chart below, we will guide you on how to make a well-fitting knitted sweater.
| Measurement Unit | Neck Girth | Bust Girth | Waist Girth | Waist to Hip | shoulder width | Back Length | Sleeve Length | Armhole Girth | Biceps Girth | Elbow Girth | Forearm Girth | Back Neck Drop | Sleeve cap | Sloping Shoulder | cm | 40 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 22 | 42 | 48 | 60 | 42 | 32 | 28 | 18 | 1.5 | 4 |
|---|
Knit Front Panel Formula
1. Chest width = (Chest width size + back fold width) * gauge / 10
2. Garment length = (Garment length size – hem ribbing) * stitch density / 10
3. Shoulder width = (Shoulder width size – shoulder width correction value) * stitch density / 10
4. Front armhole turns = Back armhole turns = Correction turns
5. Front armhole decrease stitches = (Front chest width stitches – front shoulder width stitches) / 2
6. Neck width = Back neck width size + correction stitches
7. Neck depth = (Neck depth specification + neck depth correction) * stitch density / 10 Ribbing stitches = Chest width stitches – number of stitches increased Turns = Length * stitch density / 10
knit Back Panel Formula
1. Chest Width = (Chest Width Measurement – Back Fold Width) * Gauge/1
2. Armhole Turns = (Armhole Measurement + Correction Value) * Gauge/1
3. Back Shoulder Decrease Stitches = (Back Shoulder Width Stitches – Back Neckline Stitches) / 2
Sleeve Formula
1. Sleeve Length = (Sleeve Length Measurement – Cuff Ribbing Length) * Gauge/10
2. Raglan Sleeve Width = (Sleeve Width Measurement * Z + Correction Value) * Gauge/1
3. Sleeve Cap = Sleeve Cap Measurement * Gauge/10
4. Sleeve Shoulder Decrease Stitches = (Sleeve Width Stitches – Sleeve Cap Stitches) / 2
5. Cuff Stitches = Z * Cuff Measurement * Gauge/10
Knitted Sleeve Formulas
1. Sleeve Length = (Sleeve Length Measurement – Cuff Ribbing Length) * Stitch Density / 10
2. Raglan Sleeve Width = (Sleeve Width Measurement * Z + Adjustment Value) * Stitch Density / 10
3. Sleeve Cap Height = Sleeve Cap Height Measurement * Stitch Density / 10
4. Sleeve Shoulder Decrease Stitches = (Sleeve Width Stitches – Sleeve Cap Stitches) / 2
5. Cuff Stitches = Z * Cuff Measurement * Stitch Density / 10
conclusion
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