Knitting Tips--How to Dress for Your Body Type in a Hand-Knit Sweater

Dress for your body type--who knew you needed balance?

Photo courtesy of lululemon_athletica

How many times have you invested money and hours of your time into knitting a sweater that made you look like Cinderella’s carriage–when it was a pumpkin? Or a horse’s hind end? Yeah, me too. The trouble wasn’t our knitting, but choosing a style unflattering for our shapes. Here are tips for how to dress for your body type so your next hand-knit sweater makes you look like a dream.

If You’re Top Heavy

You’re bigger on top at shoulders and/or bust than at your hips, so what style of sweater looks great? One with vertical elements minimizes the top, plus horizontal elements at the bottom bring balance. A sweater with a V-neck, scoop neck, vertical lines or details reduces your top visually. A hem detail, pattern or different color at your hipline brings balance. End sleeves anywhere from elbow to wrist.

If You’re Bottom Heavy

You’re bigger at hips or thighs than up top, so what brings more visual balance to your body? A wide neckline, yoked sweater or horizontal detail at your upper body makes you look wider there. Look for vertical elements at the hem, which should end either above or below where you’re widest. Sleeves should end anywhere except where you’re widest. Wear your cardigan unbuttoned entirely or open only at the bottom for a vertical element.

If You’re Balanced

Your top and bottom match so keep them balanced. If you make a yoked sweater, add design at the hem as well. Three-quarter sleeves can draw attention to your waist, whether you have one or not. Vertical elements like cables top to bottom with neckline and hem details can look great.

Keep these tips in mind as you decide which sweater pattern you’ll knit next out of the millions available. When you dress for your body type in a hand-knit sweater with balance-enhancing features, you’ll look and feel like a fairy godmother waved her magic wand over you.

Best,

Karen

P.S.

Here’s something that will blow your hair back. Amy Herzog gives complete information, photos and a terrific commentary on how the patterns in the Spring 2010 Twist Collective work for each body type in the third installment of her Fit to Flatter tutorial at stashknitrepeat.com!