1.
bust Circumference at fullest part of bust
2. underbust Circumference of chest right under the bust
3. upper chest Circumference of chest at underarm level - note that this is larger than
the full bust in the smallest sizes, and significantly smaller in the larger
sizes. It's up to you whether you want to shape a garment to reflect this
average trend. It can be easier for knitters to choose a size based on this
measurement and then make changes to the bust shaping if required.
4. waist Circumference at natural waist. Note the relationship with the underbust
varies throughout the size range.
5. high hip Circumference at approximately the level of the hip bone points about 3"
below the natural waist line. Useful for the bottom circumference of the
majority of sweaters.
6. hip / seat Circumference at fullest part of seat. Mostly useful for dresses and
tunics.
7. circumference at base of neck Think of a short necklace rather than a choker — classic string of pearls.
8. top of head to base of neck The vertical height between the top of the head and the base of the neck
at the side. Useful for hoods.
9. shoulder length From the side of the base of the neck to the point at the top of the
shoulder joint, measured along the diagonal shoulder line.
10. back neck width Measured at the base of the neck without curving the tape measure
around.
11. cross shoulder The width between the shoulder points measured straight across without
curving the tape measure.
12. cross back The width across the back at the break point*.
13. front chest width The width across the front at the break point.
14. yoke circumference at break point The horizontal circumference around the body and arms at break point
level with the arms down. For yoked sweaters this is a useful guide for
the circumference above underarm shaping, rather than the full yoke
circumference.
15. back waist length The straight vertical measurement from the prominent cervical bone at
the base of the neck to the natural waist line.
16. scye depth The vertical measurement from the top of the shoulder joint to the
underarm.
17. shoulder drop The difference in height between the base of the neck and the top of the
shoulder joint. Useful for calculating sloped shoulder shaping on a
garment with a shoulder seam.
18. back neck drop The difference in height between the base of the neck at the side and at
the prominant cervical bone at the back.
19. waist to full hip The vertical length from the natural waist line to the fullest part of the hip,
at the side.
20. armsyce circumference From the top of the shoulder joint, under the arm and back up to the
shoulder joint.
21. upper arm The horizontal circumference at the fullest part of the upper arm. Based
on feedback this is slightly larger, especially in the smallest sizes, than
many other charts.
22. wrist The horizontal circumference around the wrist.
23. arm length From top of the the shoulder joint to the wrist bone over the elbow with
the arm bent.
*The break point is the top of the crease formed between body and arm with the arms down.
