When knitting a sweater, achieving the perfect fit can be challenging, but with a few adjustments, you can easily improve the fit of your handmade sweater. These 12 simple fixes will help ensure your sweater fits like a glove, whether you are altering the body, sleeves or neckline. With these tips, you will be able to fix common fitting issues and turn your homemade sweater into a wardrobe staple.
Adjust the Sleeve Length
Sometimes, sleeve length can be one of the most common issues when knitting a sweater. If your sleeves are too long or too short, the easiest fix is to unravel and re-knit them to the desired length. Alternatively, you can add a cuff to the end of the sleeves to correct the length without having to start over.
Modify the Armhole Depth
An armhole that’s too shallow or too deep can drastically affect the fit of your sweater. If the armhole is too shallow, you can carefully pick up stitches and knit additional rows to deepen it. For a too deep armhole, you can decrease the number of stitches around the armhole or add short rows to bring it up to the right fit.
Add Shaping for a More Defined Waist
If your sweater feels boxy, adding waist shaping can make a huge difference. To achieve a more fitted look, add darts or waist shaping decreases on either side of your sweater’s body. This will create a more tailored fit, giving you a flattering silhouette without compromising comfort.
Tackle a Tight Neckline
If your neckline feels too tight or restrictive, it can be uncomfortable and unflattering. To fix this, consider unraveling a few rows and adding a few extra stitches to loosen up the neckline. You can also add a stretchy ribbed band or use a more relaxed cast off method to create a looser, more comfortable finish.
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Adjust the Shoulder Fit
If your sweater feels off in the shoulder area, it could be that the shoulder seams are too wide or too narrow. To fix this, simply adjust the number of stitches for the shoulders when picking up stitches for the sleeves. You can also add short rows to the shoulder area to create a more contoured, natural fit.
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Fix a Sweater Body that is Too Loose
If your sweater body is too loose, you can take in the sides to achieve a more fitted look. Pick up the stitches along the side seams and gradually decrease them as you go down, using the same stitch pattern. This will give your sweater a more structured and flattering shape.
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Fixing a Tight Bust Area
If the bust area is too tight, you can carefully unravel a few rows and add extra stitches or work short rows to give more room. Adding additional ease in the bust area ensures that your sweater won’t pull or feel constricting across the chest.
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Add a Ribbed Bottom Edge for a Better Fit
Sometimes, the bottom of a sweater can flare out or feel too loose. Adding a ribbed band to the bottom edge can help pull it in and provide a more fitted look. A ribbing pattern will add stretch and structure, ensuring that the sweater stays in place and fits comfortably around your waist.
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Lengthen or Shorten the Body
If the sweater’s body is too long or too short, you can easily adjust it by ripping back or adding rows to achieve the desired length. To shorten, simply remove rows or if you want to lengthen it, add rows of stockinette or a simple pattern to give your sweater the right proportions.
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Fix Gaping Underarms
A common issue in handmade sweaters is gaping under the arms. This can be fixed by adjusting the placement of your decreases or increasing the number of stitches under the arm. If you have already completed the sweater, you can gently stitch the armholes closed to minimize the gap and create a snugger fit.
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Adjust Sleeve Width
If your sleeves are too tight or too loose, you can adjust the width by adding or decreasing stitches at the wrist or elbow. For looser sleeves, add more stitches in a gradual increase or for tighter sleeves, take away stitches. This will help you achieve a more comfortable and balanced fit.
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Soften a Stiff Fabric
If the yarn you have used for your sweater feels too stiff or uncomfortable, soften it by washing and blocking the sweater according to the yarn’s care instructions. You can also use a fabric softener to help make the fabric more pliable and comfortable to wear. This will give your sweater a softer drape and a more luxurious feel.
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With these 12 easy fixes, you can address common fit issues and turn your handmade sweater into a well fitted, flattering garment that you will love wearing. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you go, perfecting the fit of your sweater is part of the fun of knitting and these fixes will ensure your sweater fits like it was made just for you. Happy knitting!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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