Sweater Measurements - Childs Size 3T

by Hobbie's House of Wizard Wear
(www.wizardknits.com)

Wondering about sweater measurements for a 3 year old child?

Today's three year old is far from toddling but...height and weight will also affect the size your child wears.

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.

At Hobbie's House we use the sizing chart below when designing the "standard" toddler's size 3. We also add growing room (aka extra wearing ease) to all designs for children up to the size 14.

Be sure to use the chart as a guide to help you pick the correct size to knit for your child. The child in question may need a size 4.

As a rule, we tend to purchase clothing for infants, babies and toddlers according to their age, but different manufacturers follow different sizing guidelines. It is good to remember that the knitting pattern was drafted according to style, fit and the designer's own set of measurements. They may not be anywhere near what you need so just measure the child and go with those measurements.

The measurements we are providing below are body measurements not garment measurements. Always view the "age" and "measurements" as averages for that particular age group.

As we mentioned in an earlier post, children of the same age come in many sizes. A good case in point are Hobbie's twin elves...well into sizes 6/7 while still 4 due to height and weight well above the median percentile for their age group. They are far from fat - in fact, right now they look skinny as a rail but they're just destined to be tall and built accordingly.

If your child's measurement hovers between two sizes, don't hesitate to pick the larger size. You may even need to customize the measurements for what I refer to as the "now and a little later" fit. Why spend the time knitting if the sweater will only fit for a few months?

Sweaters are basically outerwear, designed to be worn layered over other garments such as turtlenecks or long sleeved shirts. Be sure to compare your child's actual measurements to those of the standard/average measurements for a 3T, the regular size 3 AND to the measurements provided with your knitting pattern. In my opinion, the toddler size 3 will probably fit a 2 year old perfectly.

The standard 3T measurements are:

• Full Chest=22 inches;


• Hips=22.5 inches;


• Shoulder width=10 inches;


• Arm length=13 inches.

Knit the sweater to the following finished measurements:

• Chest/hip=24 1/2 inches;


• Sleeve length=13 inches;


• Finished cardigan length for a size 3T - about 14 to 14.5 inches. Length is totally adjustable. For the twins, I needed to adjust to nearly 16 inches.

Sleeve and body length can be adjusted for a perfect fit by adding several rows just before the underarm shaping.

Here is a great guide we found on eBay© related to understanding the differences between infant and toddlers sizes. The guide lists measurements for a variety of sizes including European sizing.

Cardigan Measurements - Childs Size 4

by Hobbie's House of Wizard Wear
(www.wizardknits.com)

Does your four year old actually wear a size 4? Not likely...

These days, kids grow like good weeds! Height and weight will also affect the size your child wears. Don't forget that the "4" actually comes in two sizes:

The Toddler 4

The Regular size 4

The toddler size 4 will probably fit a 2-3 year old and your 3-4 year old will most likely fit into a regular size 4 or 5.

And then you have our twin elves...who at 4 1/2 wear a size 6-7 because they are tall for their age. We knit a size 6 for the twins, adjusting the cardigan body and sleeve length.

Cardigans are basically outerwear, designed to be worn layered over other garments such as turtlenecks or long sleeved shirts.

Be sure to compare your child's actual measurements to those of the standard/average measurements for a 4T and a size 5 AND to the measurements provided with your knitting pattern.

The 4T measurements are: Full Chest=23 inches; hips=23.5 inches;shoulder width=10.25 inches;arm length=13 3/4 inches. These are actual measurements not those of the cardigan.

Knit the cardigan to the following finished measurements: chest/hip=25 1/2 inches;sleeve length=13 3/4 inches; The average finished cardigan length for a size 4T is about 14 3.4 to 15 inches.

The child's 5 measurements are: Full chest=24 inches; hips 24.5 inches; shoulder width=10.5 inches;arm length=15 inches.

These are actual measurements not those of the cardigan. Knit the cardigan to the following finished measurements: chest/hip=26 inches;sleeve length=15 inches and the average finished cardigan length for a size 5 is about 15.5 to 16 inches.

Sleeve and body length can be adjusted for a perfect fit by adding several rows just before the underarm shaping.