London.crafts wiki

• Vogue Patterns "figure flattery key"
• How to write a knitting pattern
• Sleeve types
• Sarah Durrant's secrets of successful garment knitting

Choosing the correct pattern size

Here are some hints from Pat on the Ample Knitters mailing list, reproduced with permission.

If the garment has set-in sleeves or is sleeveless, such as a sleeveless top or vest then you need to choose a size that fits you in the shoulders and then adjust for the other body parts as needed. But if the garment has raglan sleeves or drop shoulders, then you need to choose based on bust measurements. It's usually easier to adjust the hip circumference.

Another thing to think about is ease. Average ease for plus sizes is 2 - 4 inches more than your actual bust size. Unfitted garments such as drop shoulders may require more than 4 inches ease in the bust area. Sometimes, designers add more ease based on the design, such as a cocoon jacket. And lastly, the thickness of the material makes a difference in ease. If the garment is made of a thick yarn that knits at a gauge of 3 sts to the inch or less you're going to need an inch or two more of ease. I've found that the easiest way to decide on ease is to try on a garment that fits you the way you like and measure it around the chest.

If your hip measurement is more than (or less than) your bust measurement by 2 inches or so you can adjust the pattern by adding or subtracting stitches in the hip area or sometimes going up or down one or two needle sizes.