Sweater Fit Tweaks That WORK (Even This Weird One)

You picked your sweater size based on your **upper bust measurement**—great! But what if the bust, waist, or sleeves *still* aren’t quite right? In this 15-minute **Masterclass**, I’ll show you how to fine-tune your fit so you get **a sweater you actually love to wear.**

🔹 **Bust adjustments** – Because not all bodies are “average.”

🔹 **Waist shaping & back darts** – Customizing for your unique shape.

🔹 **Sleeve circumference tweaks** – Avoiding too-tight or too-baggy arms.

🔹 **How I used a mock-up to test my Costa Maya cardigan fit** – And what I learned from Patty Lyons!

📚 **Want to go deeper? Here are some amazing fit resources:**

👉 **Did a fit tweak change your sweater game? Let me know in the comments!**

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00:00 Introduction
01:12 Bust adjustments
05:33 Waist adjustments
08:07 Sleeve adjustments
11:55 The mock up

[Tinsleymumsey]

I always make the back narrower than the front, as that is how I'm shaped in real life! This means that if knitting a pullover, I divide after the neck shaping so that the front is wider than the back. If a cardigan, I may use numbers for a larger size for front pieces and numbers for the next smaller size on the back. 💙

[Katnip]

I think the grey is perfect. Goes beautifully with your hair and looks classy.

[krisdewild]

Thanks for a great video! Many sweater-fit videos, including this one, assume that a fuller bust is the challenge. I personally do not deal with that (I wish!!! 🙂). My challenge is scoliosis, a big old C-curve in my back that creates all sorts of problems in fitted garments. I usually knit my sweaters with positive ease just so they don't hug the crookedness. That being said, I usually don't knit sweaters. Socks are my favorite. LOVE this channel.

[kimberleyoliver]

You are WONDERFUL teacher. Thank you very much.

[margotchurchill]

Trying to work up the courage to knit a summer T… I have crocheted about four sweaters. I have one that fits so well that I measure everything else against that sweater as I go along. So I’m hoping that works for knitting as well! Your tips are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.🍸🍸

[DonnaDeCourcy]

Oh, Nicole. Fitting has been my goal for the 12 years since I have retired. The best sewing fit guru I have had lives in Victoria, BC and her name is Alexandra Morgan at In House Pattern Studio. She has phenomenal on line classes in bodice and pant fitting. She has tons of free videos on You Tube and your advice about length is her first fit adjustment recommendation. But it is so much more. I also have a class with Patty Lyons and again, she is another teacher who gives huge value for money spent on any class. You think you are getting a pattern, but you get so much expert advice. I will definitely check out Kim McBrien Evans. You cannot have enough experts when fitting. I have made so many muslins or toiles that I am on a first name basis with the muslin supplier in Montreal. But, I have never thought of making a muslin of a sweater design--there is enough inexpensive knit fabric at the back of Fabricland or Fabricville that it would be both cost effective and help in deciding bust fit, rounded back adjustments and neck to waist length and hip distance. You would get the idea of the style and fit on your body. What I have learned from Alexandra's courses, is that a well fit garment looks fabulous on any shape or size, and getting to know your ease preferences are key to being confident in your clothes. Thank you for this overview of fitting our knitting to our beautiful bodies. It really helps when you put in the still photos of what you are wearing. One of the areas I need to find a solution to is learning how to add short rows to fit my rounding upper back as I age, as I don't want that curve showing on my knitted sweaters. Perhaps an idea for a video?

[christenaeriksen]

Thank you for sharing this very informative video 😊

[princessinvidia]

One of the things I love about knitting my own sweaters is the versatility I have in fitting it to my unusual shape. I'm a big gal and I usually make things in a 2x (46-48 inch bust) or a 3x (50-52 inch bust) but my upper arms are way out of proportion to the rest of me. They are like 5x - which means I always have to buy super stretchy items from the store or get things with butterfly or dolman sleeves. But knitting gives me the freedom to fix all of that. Amy Herzog has been a big help to me but, truth be told, I've often just winged it (Ha! A pun!) by putting in a few extra stitches in the seam of the upper sleeve. It's a little trickier to do in seamless pick-up-and-knit sleeves, but I make it work. As always, thanks for the video. Since I've discovered your channel, I always look forward to seeing you on Saturday mornings. Sending love your way! <3

[moniquerobinson]

Another great video. What a fabulous idea to do a fabric mock up/muslin. One of those bangs my head on the table moments. I will try that for my next seamed cardigan.😊Happy knitting!

[leelynch]

Nicole: Your YT videos are great - so informative and inspiring! I’ve been knitting for years but have never been able to ‘knit to fit’. I believe you mentioned that you live on Vancouver Island. I live in Victoria. Have you ever offered in-person knitting classes? I would be very interested! Thanks for all you do. Please keep it coming!

[MimiRouth-td]

Beautiful ideas, Nicole! Presumably when a girl is old enough to vote, she has figured out where clothes should "hit" her torso. For a long time, I avoided tunics; I would study the picture and if the garment hung below the crotch, it was not for me. T-shirts and pullovers had to be at the hipbone. I look a lot like you in your little pictures. I also have bangs, only my hair is bright red. For a long time I was so circumferentially gifted that I was grateful if anything went all the way around. Now I'm really old, still trying to move more and eat better. I'm a DD cup and probably still a D even at a lower weight. But for me it would take a pricey long-line bra to wear anything so tight in the midriff as is being shown for pullovers! And yet, for a really flattering cardi . . . yes, please! (Thinking of Kamala's designer suit jackets!) These are such helpful ideas! Thank you!

[valeriebishop]

What genius!!! Draft a fabric muslin!!! What an idea. That really is genius.

[Spinartiste]

Thank you! I confess I was sort of hesitating about watching this one…because I am trying to become more of a sweater knitter. I have knit some in the past with poor fit outcomes so I have shied away. But, this year, I want to change that! I have got a couple of sweater projects waiting for me. But…I keep putting it off and starting other things instead. So, not hesitating watching this video was more of my procrastination in action. I have decided that I just need to get in there and fight it out….xo

[Miekske]

Thank you Nicole for this interesting class. My body is to short for the size i need😂 so i always ajust the paterns but now i can make them more perfect for my body.

[JeanetteMcMyler-dswl]

I made a draft of a drop shoulder sweater that I designed out of fleece fabric. It was an eye-opener. Next time I will wear a sweater under the tester because the outside of my sweater is significantly larger than the inside because I am using worsted weight yarn.

[categ]

I have Patty Lyons book, and have used it many times.

[kristad]

I always have to make sure the pattern has enough ease for my upper arms, without getting too much ease in the body…not that it’s all bicep muscle or anything….😁 I do the one size up tip for top down raglans, but wasn’t experienced enough on the bottom up sweater I did to be able to modify, so I do the “sleeve stretch” routine before I put it on.

[mariaknitsRN]

excellent video! ETA: If you ever do a workshop in person, I would definitely travel to attend!

[theav.]

Formerly dresses had also those in/decreases, nowadays you don’t see that anymore. I have it often by dresses that all is good except…..I can’t close it at buste.

[praxisfurnaturheilkunde]

Mock-up in fabric: Jean Frost recommends this for her French-style jackets!