sweater sizing question

Lucy78green · 08-24-2008, 08:42 AM

OK, so I've decided to risk the sweater curse and make my boyfriend of 8 years a jumper for Christmas. I have the pattern and wool so last night I persuaded him to let me measure him wearing one of his favourite jumpers. He insists he is 42-44 inch chest. He's fairly broad shouldered and 6ft1 tall. the measurements I got were:
38 inches around chest, 22 inches from neck to bottom of jumper he was wearing, 14 inches across the shoulders (not too exact), 18 inches underarm to wrist, shoulder to wrist 26 inches.
Now I don't think that means he's a size 42, maybe a size 40 for ease. He's insisting he's 42-44 and if I make a size smaller it wont fit - how many extra inches do clothes manufacturers put in there??? Will I just make a size 40 and not let on???

gargoylelib · 08-24-2008, 02:00 PM

I'd take a jumper he likes the fit of and get the measurements off of it.
Just lay it flat and measure across to get the chest measurement.
That way you could be sure the fit and size are what he prefers

Libbie

suzeeq · 08-24-2008, 04:06 PM

Yes, measure what he was wearing, not him, and go by those measurements. Maybe he likes that size because of the looseness of it. And men's sweaters are roomier than women's. If you make the smaller size, he'll know it and maybe not wear it. Maybe that's the curse - women make what they think is the right size and it's not, so the guys hate the sweater.

Lucy78green · 08-24-2008, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by suzeeq

women make what they think is the right size and it's not, so the guys hate the sweater.

Too true! I will have to pilfer one next time I see him - the finished garment measurements on the size 42 may result in too long sleeves, but its a knit from the bottom and sew up creation, so I may convert it to circulars so he can try it on as I go....

vaknitter · 08-25-2008, 02:33 AM

My first question is ... is a jumper a sweater?

26 for the sleeve length sounds a little short to me if he is over 6'. My hubby is 6'5" and he wears a 37 sleeve and is a 44 chest, neck to back length on sweaters is about 27-29". Hubby just came in from deck building so not likely to let me measure him, but he is well over 14" wide across the shoulders....I'm 5'11" and my shoulders are more that 14" so I would check that again maybe.

Men do like sweaters to be roomier than most women (we like to show off our figures) so if you know what size her wears maybe go measure a sweater at a local department store and see what the measurements on that look like.

Best of Luck to you knitting your man a sweater. Mine gets socks, scarves and hats - period. I don't even try to buy his clothes let alone make them

Knitting_Guy · 08-25-2008, 03:12 AM

Most guys, myself included, don't like tight fitting sweaters. I agree with the suggestion of measuring one that he wears and likes. I add a couple of extra inches for myself as I prefer a looser fit.

Lucy78green · 08-25-2008, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by vaknitter

My first question is ... is a jumper a sweater?
26 for the sleeve length sounds a little short to me if he is over 6'.

Yep a jumper is a sweater in UK and Ireland, or a pullover... The measurements may not be that great as he was being impatient and we had just come in from the pub. I measured his chest three times though cos he didn't believe me. Baggy it is then!

suzeeq · 08-25-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

The measurements may not be that great as he was being impatient and we had just come in from the pub. I measured his chest three times though cos he didn't believe me.

That's why it would be better to measure the sweater he was wearing. It doesn't wiggle around so much.