HOW TO MODIFY PATTERNS TO FIT YOUR BODY SHAPE

With the conversation popping up more and more about size inclusivity in patterns, I wanted to create a 3 part series of blog posts on different ways you can alter a pattern to fit better to your body shape.

The best part about knitting and crocheting is the simple fact that you can take out or add stitches from a pattern to tailor it to your body. Since all of our bodies are shaped differently, it means that what may work for the designer, may not work for you. I like to think of patterns as blue prints that I can edit and make changes to - and you should too!

I preface this with; a lot of new knitters feel nervous to manipulate patterns, but once you do it the first time it’s highly addictive and the world is your oyster.

PART 1: FINDING YOUR BODY SHAPE

Before we start to even tackle the ways you can manipulate and trouble shoot a pattern for your body shape (parts 2+3), let’s first find out what your body shape IS. To do this I suggest having someone take a full body picture of you as you strand directly in front of them, head on. Now the hard part; Really analyze it to see what are the widest and smallest sections of your body. Here’s what to look for!

OBSERVE

There are 4 main “categories”

Even though you may not be identical to one of these, chances are that your body is close-ish to one of them. Those 4 are the; square, triangle (or T-shape), pear and hourglass. Let’s see which one you are:

Are you a rectangle shape (green)?

Your shoulders, bust, waist and hips are all similar in measurements and proportions. Meaning you don’t have as many curved features.

Are you T shaped (blue)?

From the top down, your shoulders are the largest width of your body, your bust is smaller, and waist and hips are even smaller. Like a reverse triangle.

Are you a pear shape (purple)?

From bottom up, your hips are the widest section of your body, your waist and bust are gradually becoming smaller in width, and your shoulder span is even smaller. This is also called a “triangle shape”. Where the point lies at the top.

Are you Coke bottle shaped (pink)?

Your bust and hips are larger than your waist. From the top down your body naturally goes from wide, to small, and back to wide. Think along the lines of Marylin Monroe, or the shape of a glass Coke bottle. A coke bottle shaped body naturally makes an S shape from bust, to tummy, to hip.

CONCLUSION

Getting to know your body is going to be the best way to understand how you want to manipulate patterns to fit you best. Be truthful, and be honest with yourself. It’s extremely helpful in the long run! Look for part 2, next week on: How + where to Modify your pattern using math

If you’re comfortable with sharing, comment below on what body shape you are!