Junior Sizes

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

Rule of thumb...the right size is the size that fits YOU regardless of what the label says.

A size chart is really nothing more than a guideline as the same size can have very different measurements depending on the manufacturer and, just as importantly, the style of the garment.

As an example, I personally would have to wear 4 to 5 different sizes to get the correct fit for shoulder width, bust, waist, sleeve length and preferred total length.

We all know that's not possible unless you make your own clothes.

Even we like to purchase clothes off the rack once in a while so we turn to preferred brands. Some manufacturers are considerably more generous in their wearing ease and a rule, we can nearly always select the same size in their clothing line and be assured that it will fit flawlessly.

Just as important is the "style" factor for any garment. It is designed to be oversized? Then it is supposed to look big on you.

Is it designed to be fitted or body hugging? Then it has negative wearing ease, and it is supposed to look tight when worn.

Juniors sizes are the "in between", uneven sizes, labeled as 1 through 15 and designed for slimmer hips and smaller busts than the Misses sizes.

A Medium in Junior sizes is equivalent to sizes 7 (34.5") and 9 (35.5"). while the 8 (35.5") - 10 (36.5") are equivalent to a Medium in Misses sizes.

But...the Misses size 6 (34.5)is closer in measurements to the Junior 7.

It also depends on the construction of the garment. Certain manufacturers are less than generous with the wearing ease - less fabric per garment = more total garments. In other words, you get what you pay for...

Our motto? Ignore what the label says, pick the size that fits YOU.

Comparing A Miss Size 6 To Junior Sizes

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

You usually wear a Misses size 6 but you spotted something really special in the Junior sizes - and you have to have it!

Which Junior size comes closest to your size 6? Ok, let's compare the measurements. Standard "actual" measurements for a Misses 6 are as follows:

Bust = 34 inches

Hips = 36 1/2"

Shoulder Width = 14 1/2"

Arm Length = 22 3/4"

Total Length = 23 1/2"

The finished length is relative...it depends entirely on the style of the garment.

Our focus is on knitwear but remember that woven fabric garments have no give, no stretch.

As an example if you have your eye on a cropped jacket, they are cut short - on purpose - but they may be too short for your "back waist length" measurement if you have a long torso.

The back waist length for a Misses 6 is 15 1/4 inches - this measurement is taken from the back neck at the spine down to the waist.

Now let's look look at a comparable Junior size...the Junior 7. Actual measurements for a Junior 7 are as follows:

Bust = 34 1/2" half an inch more

Hips = 36" half an inch narrower

Shoulder Width = 13 1/2" a full inch narrower than the M6

Back Waist Length = 15 1/4" same as the Misses 6

Arm Length = 22 1/2" half an inch shorter

Total Length = 23 1/2" same length as the Misses 6

So...if you see something you really have to have, try it on.

It just might fit perfectly, even if it is a Junior size 7.

Junior 11 Measurements

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

The Junior 11 is closer to a Misses size 10 than to the size 12.

Actually, it could be considered an "in-between" size but remember that the Juniors have slightly narrower hips than the Misses sizes.

When drafting sweater patterns for this size, we use the following base measurements:

Bust = 36.5 inches

Shoulder Width = 14 inches

Sleeve Length = 23 inches

Total length = 25.5 inches.
This measurement can easily be adjusted to your preference.

To these actual body measurements, we add an appropriate amount of wearing ease depending on the ?fit? a customer prefers - very fitted, fitted, average or loose fitting.

Average wearing ease added to the bust is 2 to 2.5 inches.

Do you have a question regarding wearing ease?

Your can read more about the subject on our measurements page OR post a question to the Knitting Notebook. We'll post the answer right here.

Junior 15 Measurements

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

The Junior 15 is the largest size in the Junior range.

Although the full hip measurement is narrower, it compares to a Miss size 14 and a Petite 14, which has a shorter back waist length and a shorter overall length.

When drafting sweater patterns for this size, we use the following base measurements:

Bust = 39 inches

Shoulder Width = 14.5 inches

Sleeve Length = 23.5 inches

Total length = 25 3/4 inches.

To these measurements, we add an appropriate amount of wearing ease depending on the "fit" a customer prefers.

Average wearing ease added to the bust is 2 to 2.5 inches.