Knits that actually work for your body
Here’s the thing about a lot of knitting patterns; they’re not necessarily great for those of us with bigger boobs. They tend to have the same stitch count – and be the same width – on the front and back.
Sure, that’s brilliant for some bodies, but not all. Which is why I include optional bust adjustments in my patterns, which mean you can make a sweater that actually works for you.
Here’s the basic premise:
Make a sweater that works for your torso – and then make the room for your bust.
Two types of bust adjustment – width, and length
It may seem a glaringly obvious statement, but one thing about boobs that’s very relevant when it comes to knitwear is that they exist in 3 dimensions. Which means that if you want to make a sweater that really fits around them, you need to consider two adjustments.
A width-based bust adjustment adds stitches to the front of your garment, right where you need it. This helps get rid of the uncomfortable stretching you can get across your bust by simply making more space, without just making the whole sweater bigger
A length-based bust adjustment uses short row bust darts to add a bit of length to the front of your garment. This stops the front pulling upwards, and gives you a lovely even hem the whole way round.
Many of my patterns now include one – or both – of these type of adjustments. They’re totally optional, so you can knit a garment that works for your body.
How do I know which bust adjustment to make?
I know, it can be tricky to work out exactly what these bust adjustments do to your knitwear without seeing them in action. Which is why I talk about them in more detail on episode 5 of the Woolly Badger podcast.
Have a little watch below to see more about the difference between different bust adjustments in knitting. And the difference they make to the fit of your finished garment. I promise you, it’ll revolutionise your handknit wardrobe.
So…which Woolly Badger patterns have bust adjustments included?
Short answer?* Loads of them.
Big Jimmy Jab
A circular yoke that actually fits. Designed for DK weight yarn, and with colourwork that’s way easier than it looks. Big Jimmy Jab has an optional width-based adjustment to add 4in/10cm.
Big Magical Girl
The Big Magical Girl cardigan is a raglan cardi that you can do up. There’s an optional width-based adjustment to add 3in/7.5cm.
Colin, You Flutter Me Tee
The totally seamless Colin You Flutter Me Tee has a width-based adjustment in two parts, so you can add either 2in (5cm) or 4in (10cm) of width to the front of your top.
Rejiggerate tee
The only bottom-up knit on the list so far, the Rejiggerate tee has a two-part width adjustment to add 2in (5cm) or 4in (10cm) over the bust.
Rockin’ Reindeer Richard
The width-based adjustment for Rockin’ Reindeer Rcihard is a bit of a different one; instead of adding stitches, you move the sleeves back. Still works a treat though.
Pegetha top
A set-in sleeve top where the shoulders actually fit you? Oh yes, that’s Pegetha.
She’s got two size options for width-based adjustments, and a length-based adjustment that you can easily add or take length from, so you really can get your perfect fit whatever your cup size.
Summer Jimmy Jab
Introducing the single most comfortable tee I’ve ever knitted. And yes, it’s a circular yoke.
The Summer Jimmy Jab has two options of width-based adjustment for the front yoke, and optional horizontal bust darts to stop the front riding up. I love it so much, I’ve knitted 3.
Tallulah camisole
Yep, it’s a knitted camisole for bigger busts. Or littler busts. Or just about any bust.
The Tallulah camisole is super-adjustable, with options for waist shaping, 2in or 4in of added width on the bust, and an optional frill.
*slightly longer: answer I tend not to add adjustments to anything that’s oversized (by which I mean 8in/20cm or more of positive ease), because the fit benefit just isn’t big enough to make the faff worth it.