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Sweater Measurements For Children – In this post, we’re including sizing and measurement details for a range of other sizes from toddlers to the Child’s size 14.
Gathering toddler sizing information and measurements started with a request several years ago to share our sweater measurements for a child’s 3T then an inquiry about a Child’s 4T.
Soon, neighbors asked if I would knit a toddler sweater pattern for “that turtleneck” or “this hooded jacket”. The hobby quickly turned into a business.
Looking back to knitting for my first born, I quickly determined that it was useless to knit any garment according to a toddler’s age.
The sweater likely would not to fit by the time the knitting project was completed.
Here’s an established fact – taking sweater measurements for children of any age is not easy.
They could care less about your knitting project. In fact, their first reaction will probably be to yank it off in record time in an amazing display of how to undress without really knowing how to!
This knitting project is more for you Mom or Grandma! I digress…
If you’ve been knitting as long as I have and love vintage style layette patterns, you will notice that the sizing has changed quite a lot over the years.
Many of the European knitting magazines I used so long ago have wonderful little patterns that are more likely to fit a big doll. I even purchased a big “baby” doll to model my first “collection”. I may bring my model out of retirement to pose again. 🙂
Be sure to compare the measurements in the pattern diagram to those of your child.
If a diagram is not provided, draw outa diagramas you read the pattern. Back in the seventies, I found that patterns ran much smaller than would fit my daughter even when I selected a “larger” size.
In other words, my toddler sweaters were knitting projects that had to be completed in record time or on a knitting machine!
The finished measurements can include as much wearing ease as you care to add to the child’s actual measurements.
Semi-fitted is 2 to 2.5 inches added to the “actual measurements”.
An average fit is closer to 3 inches of added growing room.
We add generous wearing ease for children’s sweaters – a little more than average – Call it growing room.
Sleeve and body length can be adjusted for a perfect fit by adding several rows on the sleeve just before the underarm shaping for the sleeve.
To adjust the sweater length, add a few rows to the body before starting the underarm shaping.
In the listings below, the standard “actual” measurement is followed with finished chest measurement in brackets:
So… if the child has an actual chest measurement of 25 inches, then the finished sweater piece should measure 27 to 27.5 inches across [at the widest point].
Size 2T
The Toddler 2 is the first in the “toddler” sizing range.
Chest = 21 inches (23.5 to 24″)
Hips = 22 inches
Arm Length = 12 1/2 inches
Shoulder width = 9 3/4 inches
Total length = 13 to 13.5 inches
Size 3T
Don’t forget that the size “3” actually comes in two sizes: the Toddler 3 and the regular size 3. Toddler sizes tend to be shorter and wider than the corresponding child’s size. Click on the link to read more about this size.
A Child’s Size 14 measurements overlap with a Junior size 3, a Misses Petite 2 and fall between a Misses Size 2 and 4. However, the Child’s size 14 is designed to fit the body of a child – not an adult.
In this post, we’ve discussed measurements for children to include actual shoulder width.
If you decide to draft your own “custom” knitting pattern for pullover sweaters or cardigans, please note that the weight of long sleeves stretches out the knit fabric across the shoulders.
To compensate for the shoulder sag, reduce the actual shoulder width measurement of the drafted pattern by about 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch.
In the chart below, the standard “actual” body shoulder measurement is followed with charted shoulder measurement in parentheses:
Size 2T
Shoulder width = 9 3/4 inches (8.75 inches)
Size 3T
Don’t forget that the size “3” actually comes in two sizes: the Toddler 3 and the regular size 3. Toddler sizes tend to be shorter and wider.
Shoulder width = 10 inches (9.25 inches)
Size 4T
Shoulder width = 10 1/4 inches (9.50 inches)
If you have any questions related to sweater measurements for children, do not hesitate to contact us via email.
We happen to be drafting a knitting pattern for a “character” sweater in a Child’s size 6.
This sweater has an average fit…not too loose but not close fitting either. This one is meant to be layered over a turtleneck and perfect for a chilly trick or treat adventure.
The finished measurements can include as much wearing ease as you care to add to the child’s actual measurements. The average is 2 to 2 1/2 inches added to the “actual measurements”.
So…if the child has an actual chest measurement of 25 inches, then the finished sweater piece should measure 27 to 27 1/2 inches across at the widest point.
We like to add generous wearing ease for children’s sweaters – a little more than average. Call it growing room. Standard “actual” measurements for a size 6 are as follows with finished chest measurement in brackets:
————————————————
Chest = 25 inches (29″)
Arm Length = 16 1/4 inches
Shoulder width =10 3/4 inches
Length = 16 3/4 inches
————————————————-
Measurements given on the “size charts” represent finished measurements.
Our sweaters are designed with a full fashioned armhole and sleeve cap. The 16 1/4 inches represents the total sleeve length measurement – it is taken from the shoulder seam to the cast on row of the cuff.
If the sleeve needs to be lengthened, we simply adjust the underarm portion of the sleeve.
On the other hand, when we knit a Child’s Size 6 sweater with set-in sleeves, the underarm portion of the sleeve would, in fact, come close to 11 1/2 inches with the remainder of the 16 1/4 taken up in shaping the sleeve cap.
Our set-in sleeve measurements are broken down as follows for the Child’s size 6:
Total Sleeve Length = 16 1/4″
Sleeve Cap = 4 5/8″
Cuff to Underarm shaping = 11 5/8″
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The Yarn Girls’ Guide to Knits for Older Kids (Ages 4 to 10)
Finished Measurements – Childs Size 6
We happen to be drafting a knitting pattern for a “character” sweater in a Child’s size 6.
This sweater has an average fit…not too loose but not close fitting either. This one is meant to be layered over a turtleneck and perfect for a chilly trick or treat adventure.
The finished measurements can include as much wearing ease as you care to add to the child’s actual measurements. The average is 2 to 2 1/2 inches added to the “actual measurements”.
So…if the child has an actual chest measurement of 25 inches, then the finished sweater piece should measure 27 to 27 1/2 inches across at the widest point.
We like to add generous wearing ease for children’s sweaters – a little more than average. Call it growing room. Standard “actual” measurements for a size 6 are as follows with finished chest measurement in brackets:
————————————————
Chest = 25 inches (29″)
Arm Length = 16 1/4 inches
Shoulder width =10 3/4 inches
Length = 16 3/4 inches
————————————————-
Measurements given on the “size charts” represent finished measurements.
Our sweaters are designed with a full fashioned armhole and sleeve cap. The 16 1/4 inches represents the total sleeve length measurement – it is taken from the shoulder seam to the cast on row of the cuff.
If the sleeve needs to be lengthened, we simply adjust the underarm portion of the sleeve.
On the other hand, when we knit a Child’s Size 6 sweater with set-in sleeves, the underarm portion of the sleeve would, in fact, come close to 11 1/2 inches with the remainder of the 16 1/4 taken up in shaping the sleeve cap.
Our set-in sleeve measurements are broken down as follows for the Child’s size 6:
Total Sleeve Length = 16 1/4″
Sleeve Cap = 4 5/8″
Cuff to Underarm shaping = 11 5/8″