You don’t need me to tell you a knitting pattern is full of measurements. 😊 Often, we work to create a garment or accessory that needs to fit someone. The measurements in the pattern inform us to make the best choices that will end in a fitting item. That is if we understand the types of measurements given in a pattern. There are different types of measurements used in knitting patterns.

1. Sometimes called Body Measurements or To Fit Measurements, these are the measurements the designer used to create the size of the finished item. After adding or subtracting ease, the designer used these measurements, stitch patterns, and their gauge to calculate the stitch counts for the various sections of a knitted garment or accessory. You will want to follow the size whose Body Measurements or To Fit Measurements match the closest to the person’s body measurements who will wear the knit.
2. Even though you’ve casted off a knitted item, depending on the pattern, your knit may not be at the finished size yet. A knit may be constructed of multiple pieces and involve seaming, as well as other techniques, which will change the size of an item. In a pattern, a schematic often illustrates the measurements of the unseamed, knitted pieces for you.
3. Last but not least, the measurements of the completed knit are called the Finished Measurements. In some patterns, these are the only measurements listed meaning you will need to decide how much ease you want to have based on the body measurements you take.

Being able to distinguish these different measurements in a pattern will set you up for a satisfying knitting project and fitting item.

I highly encourage designers and tech editors (including myself) to labor towards clarity in terms of pattern measurements. We want to create patterns that destine knitters for success. Success in creating fitting knits that had a pleasurable knitting process!