There are four main types of sweater fit, of which the ease is manipulated in order to result in the desired look. Ease is the difference between the circumference of your body and the circumference of the garment being worn. The main body measurements that will be adjusted for ease are the bust/chest or hip, upper arm, and wrist.
The four types of sweater fit are as follows:
CLOSE FITTED
Close fitted is as it sounds and is designed to fit close to the body. The ease may be identical to actual measurements, or plus or minus up to 2" (5cm).
Best suited for:
Fitted sweater styles
Light weight yarns
Stretchy stitch patterns
CLASSIC
The classic style fit is designed to be fitted, or slightly larger than actual measurements. The ease may be the actual measurements, or up to 2-4" (5-10cm) larger.
Best suited for:
Fitted sweater styles
Light to medium weight yarns
CASUAL:
The casual fit is designed to be loosely fitted. The ease may be up to 2-4" (5-10cm) larger than the wearer's measurements.
Best suited for:
Fitted styles for outerwear garments
Nonfitted styles for sweaters
Medium to bulky weight yarns
OVERSIZED:
The oversized fit is designed to be very loosely fitted. The ease may be up to 4" (15cm) or more larger than actual measurements.
Best suited for:
Fitted styles with bulky weight yarn for outerwear garments
Nonfitted styles for sweaters
Medium to bulky weight yarns
EXAMPLES OF EASE FOR DIFFERENT SWEATER FITS
| CLOSE FITTED | CLASSIC | CASUAL | OVERSIZED |
Bust/Chest | 0 | + 3.9" (9.9cm) | + 5.5" (14cm) | + 7.9" (20.1cm) |
Hip | 0 | + 2" (5.1cm) | + 3.5" (9cm) | + 5.9" (15cm) |
Upper Arm | 0 | + 6.9" (17.5cm) | + 7.7" (19.5cm) | +9.1" (23.1cm) |
Wrist | 0 | + 3.1" (7.9cm) | + 3.1" (8cm) | +3.9" (9.9cm) |