Knit Talk - Ep 01 - Ease and How to Choose Your Size

[@EweEweYarns]

Love your new video! It's always great to make sure I'm handling a technique correctly. I love your little puppy in the background!

[@dianaemmick1811]

Loved this! Can’t wait to see other tips! One suggestion for a future topic….when you can’t achieve gauge (or if wanting to use a slightly different yarn type), can you explain how to do the math to make it work?

[@Lawandasu]

Thank you so much for this video. I am a new sweater knitter and now I understand ease!!!!!!!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Awesome - I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@barbhelpin2775]

Loved your first podcast episode, and it's so timely since this is the question that I just asked you! You explained the issue very clearly. Thanks Meaghan, and I look forward to learning more from your podcast episodes.

[@peggymowry2548]

Hi Meaghan - thank you for doing this video! Getting this info on how to think of modern designers' sizing from a tech editor as experienced as you are gives me extra confidence going forward and makes me more willing to jump into more sweater knitting. I'm grateful!

[@starrcookson]

Looking forward to more episodes!

[@renarobertson9831]

Love the podcast. Thank you for doing this type of podcast. You have a very cute dog.

[@tammyfischer2358]

Oh boy have I been wishing and wishing for a podcast like this! I’m so excited to watch and learn from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! We need you!! ps - Puppers in the background is an extra special bonus feature! ❤️

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks, Tammy!

[@creasingmercury]

#MMP

[@kayprice5612]

Love this podcast. I’m knitting my first sweater and your podcast is very informative plus timely. 😊

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Fantastic timing, indeed! Thanks so much for watching!

[@Shastastacy]

Great Podcast! Looking forward to more… and for your sweater pattern! 😍🤗🥰

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks so much for watching! I'd best get moving on the sweater publication! ;)

[@kdm3695]

I have loved all of your tutorials over the years and look forward to you expanding your journey here💕🧶

[@lorrie6736]

Thank you very much for clarifying measurements and ease! I’ve been knitting sweaters too small and been confused as to why and now I know! I love your design of your sweater! Do you have a pattern out for it? Can’t wait to see more podcasts, this is just what I needed! ❤

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks so much, Lorrie! I'm so glad you learned some useful info on your sweater fits! The pattern isn't released yet, though it is graded and written. I just have to get some photos done and then it'll be released. I'll announce it as soon as it is. Thanks for watching!

[@sandybassett4901]

I’m kind of late to your videos but I am definitely going to enjoy these Knit Talk episodes. I do appreciate your tutorial videos as well. Thank you. StitchedbyMimi

[@naomiledger1374]

Thank you, that was very helpful. I've understood ease, but have been a bit confused about whether measurements given in a pattern (that has eg 10cm positive ease) includes the ease in the measurements shown or not. In my mind it was becoming a minefield trying to figure out which size I should be knitting! 😆

[@elizabethzmetana6229]

I love the sweater you are wearing. Wonderful and comfortable looking. Plus... I do really appreciate the information you share in your videos.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. The sweater is The Oceansider - it's my favorite sweater ever (no exaggeration).

[@rachelar6]

Thanks for the help! My pattern has me choosing my own ease and I actually have no idea how much I would even want or how to find that 😅

[@tracys.5143]

Thank you for explaining that so well! Love your sweater. Look forward to next time. Best wishes!

[@barbaram4372]

Thank you for this video. I am often in between sizes and struggle with deciding which way to go. Often sizing up requires an additional skein of yarn but end up only using a very little bit. It’s very frustrating. Right now I’m knitting a vest with three colors so if I went up a size I would have needed three additional skeins. I opted to knit the smaller size and hope for the best. Also your brioche videos have helped me several times.

[@Fran-yh8vy]

Great podcast, love podcasts that teach something about knitting. I would love to learn more about how to make a neckline a little bit wider on a top down sweater pattern without actually changing the measurements on the rest of the body of the garment. I find this a bit tricky, thanks

[@bridgetrsews]

Thank you! This is very helpful and different to most podcasts, looking forward to more ,Bridget R

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you so much for watching, Bridget!

[@IAmPrettyOdd]

#MMP Thank you for the great information! I appreciate you!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@KatieFisher-bo1ct]

Thanks for all the detail on how to work around the sizing and ease when a person's measurements don't line up exactly with the pattern sizes! Excellent intel and so straightforward in presentation. Have you published or do you plan to publish the pattern for the sweater you're wearing?

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks for watching! No, the sweater pattern isn't released yet, though it is graded and written. I just have to get some photos done and then it'll be released. I'll announce it as soon as it is!

[@ewecreekcottage7411]

Meaghan lol i just had to watch tonight and i had the appropriate brain power LOL and so glad i did i am a super fluffy gal and now i feel more empowered to pick a sweater pattern that wont be a waste of time because i chose the wrong size. I am already thinking of questions for the form. Cant wait till you share again. RaNae aka EweCreekCottage

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Ha! Well thanks for making the push to watch it after a long day! That really. makes my heart happy!

[@knitartis]

Hi Meagan, I love understanding why and how I’m knitting. What about use of high bust measurement. I’ve heard that this is what should be used. Thoughts? Thanks.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Hi there! I'm sorry for such a delayed response! But yes, the high bust measurement is something I'm going to be covering in an upcoming episode when we discuss bust darts. Very basically, if you have a large disparity between your high bust measurement and your full bust measurement you may want to choose a size based on the high bust measurement and then add in bust shaping. If a garment is oversized, this may be less of a consideration, but for a garment that is meant to be more fitted, it's a great option. Some designs allow for this more easily than others so I'll be trying to cover all of the options over a couple of episodes in July. Thanks so much for watching!

[@leisa1495]

Thank you! I am always massively confused by the wording in patterns about ease.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

You're welcome - thanks so much for watching!

[@jilliankonig2759]

Is choosing your size any different if you are knitting with washable yarn? I had to reknit a sweater that fit before washing and required too much manipulation to fit me after washing. I ended up knitting one size smaller on needles that were two sizes smaller. When I knit a gauge swatch, it was easy to manipulate the swatch into a 4 x 4 than it was to manipulate a whole sweater's worth of yarn.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

It shouldn't be, but I can't say "never". I did have one sweater stretch out in the sleeves beyond wearability - my own fault, I didn't handle it correctly when removing it from the blocking tub - and I was able to throw it in the dryer on the no heat setting and the sleeves retracted. But in general, I would say that if you knit a large enough swatch, block the swatch, and then measure the gauge after blocking, that your finishing garment should reflect that. It's important that you knit your swatch in the same way you plan to knit the sweater (flat or in the round) to ensure the gauge is as accurate as it can be between the swatch and garment.

[@m-rstringer3750]

Meaghan, you excellent woman, I can't access your website ! :( I was so keen to see and probably buy that terrific sweater pattern, but am unable to get there. [sob !]

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Oh dear! I was doing some back-end work today and it appears to have broken the website. Thank you so much for letting me know. I'm going to try to fix it ASAP!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you again for letting me know about my website woes. Long story short: if it isn't broken, don't try to "fix" it. *insert face palm* I've relinked my website and it should be back up in... gulp... 72 hours! It was a painful mistake. But I truly appreciate you letting me know. The sweater I am wearing in this video is not yet published but you can bet I'll let you know when it is! Thanks so much for watching and happy knitting!

[@SuddenUpdraft]

Just found you. This is fantastic! I don’t understand the use of numbers instead of just the measurements. What am I missing?

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Hi Susanne - I'm glad you found the channel! So, we use numbers (or alpha-numeric sizing like S, M, L, etc) to reference a size within a pattern because the finished sizes aren't always an even number. For example, a pattern may have sizes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with a finished dimension of 36", 39.5", 42", 45.25" and 49" respectively (just random numbers of course). Within the pattern, a designer may call out instructions for specific sizes only. For example they may say "Sizes 1, 3, and 4 Only" and provide instructions for those 3 sizes that don't pertain so sizes 2 and 5. It's a lot tidier to say "Sizes 1, 3 and 4 Only" instead of "Sizes 36, 42 and 45.25" only. It's just a means of referencing information within the pattern itself. I hope that clarifies but let me know if you have any other questions!

[@SuddenUpdraft]

@@TheUnapologeticKnitter Thanks so much for answering. I think what confused me is that on the description in Ravelry it only shows the the numbers unless I’m missing something, which wouldn’t be unusual. However, when I bought the pattern it gives the inches measurements. I’m loving your videos. Did you get all A,s in math?😀

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

​@@SuddenUpdraft Believe it or not, no, I wasn't big into math in high school (or college). :) But! To answer your question about the sizes: it depends on what information the designers provide. It may be that the designer doesn't include the information anywhere on the pattern page on Ravelry, but I'm betting that's rare. If it's not in the upper portion of the page it can often be found in the notes area on the lower half of the page on Ravelry. If we look at The Weekender as an example, since I use it in the video, the top part of the page where it says "Sizes available' is a form that is filled out by the designer using the Ravelry template. It's generally not filled out with all the finished sizes, just the named / numbered sizes. Some designers use 1, 2, 3, etc., some use XS, S, M, L, etc., and some will, in fact, put the full finished measurement, like 35, 40, 44, etc. If you scroll down the page though, there is a notes section where more information is often provided. For The Weekender, to continue the example, you can scroll down and see that Andrea has reiterated the numbered sizes available, along with the Finished Measurements right below it. So there are a couple of places to find the info! I hope that helps!