Kingdom Weave
How to Read Sweater Measurements Before You Buy
Size letters are a starting point. Measurements tell you more about how one sweater differs from another. Keep a flexible tape measure and a knit you enjoy wearing nearby.
1. Start with a sweater that already works
Choose a reference sweater similar to the shape you want. Lay it flat on a level surface without pulling the knit. Smooth it gently. If you want a roomy layer, use a roomy reference; a close-fitting base knit will give a different result.
2. Read the label on each measurement
A chest circumference goes around the garment. A flat chest width measures from side to side, usually below the armholes. They are not the same number: a flat width of 50 cm is approximately a 100 cm circumference. Only double a measurement when it is explicitly a flat width.
Some size charts give a recommended body bust rather than a garment measurement. In that case, compare it with your body measurement, not the width of your sweater. We identify this distinction in the size table where the product information provides it.
3. Compare length, shoulder and sleeve
- Length: compare the top-to-hem distance. The precise starting point can vary between charts, so use it as a comparison with the stated measurement method.
- Shoulder: a wider shoulder measurement may indicate a dropped shoulder. It does not necessarily mean a longer sleeve measured from the shoulder seam.
- Sleeve: note whether the chart measures from the shoulder seam or gives a raglan measurement. A short seam-to-cuff measurement may accompany a wide dropped shoulder.
If a dimension is not listed, do not estimate it from the model photo. Contact us before ordering if that dimension is important to you.
4. Keep the units straight
Our tables show centimeters and inches together. One inch equals 2.54 cm. For example, 60 cm is about 23.6 inches. Converted values are rounded for readability and should not be treated as more exact than the original measurement.
5. Allow for the shape you want
The difference between a garment’s circumference and your body circumference affects how closely it sits. A closer knit and a loose outer layer need different comparisons. Do not assume a particular amount of stretch or choose a smaller size because a fabric looks stretchy in a photo.
Manual measurement can vary. Check the tolerance on the product page, and avoid selecting a size that depends on a fraction of an inch. Different styles may use different grading, so recheck the table each time.
Before you add to your bag
Confirm the color, size, neckline and listed measurements for that exact style. Read its fit notes and fiber details, if given. If you are between measurements, compare both sizes with your reference sweater and consider how you want to layer it.