Thank you so much for your time to make this video. I finally got it! This is indeed a recurring question and concern. Great explanations, clear and fun!!!! Be well.
I love you!! I have a pattern that was so confusing but you said for positive ease your pattern with either say : For your bust size or it will say finished measurements. Lightbulb 💡💡💡💡💡You are brilliant and I actually fully understand you. So I hit subscribe. Thank You ❤
Barbara enjoy all of your postings and occasionally will comment ...to-day is such a day ...but the comment is personal hope that is OK ...as a long retired award winning hairstylist who tries to stay current I want to say your hair rocks pinned up ...love it and often thought that it would be very becoming ...and it is ... ;-)
The hilarious thing is that I wear it up a lot of the time and try to put effort into making my hair look "nice" for videos and for some reason wearing it up seems lazy. It is just a high ponytail LOL. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you so much for this video! I am about to start knitting my first sweater and had no idea what it meant when positive ease was mentioned in the pattern. Fingers crossed it goes well! Your explanations were so helpful!
It took me a while to get a hang of ease. I kept sizing up because I was nervous about it being too small! But knit fabric stretches really well, I've learned that for myself if I'm between sizes going down is better than going up.
Great topic! You are great at tackling what is on the minds of knitters. I have had to explain this to others so many times. I basically say what you said and add a bit about the nature of knit fabrics (the elasticity). Relating it in terms of garments people usually know from their wardrobe like a classic button up shirt and a t-shirt seems to help make it easier to 'pull out' when you are trying to figure it out! I don't know if it's different from most of your viewers but I'd love to hear your talk about how you work with ease in your own pattern designing. Sizing and ease has quite a lot more subjectivity to it than it appears and I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on it! Your designer view point as it were.
So here's the thing. While I understand and can explain ease ... it's not really something I use extensively in my design. At least not enough for it to make an interesting video. Since I design accessories the ease thing isn't as significant of a player.
Thanks for confirming my thoughts about ease! I still overthink most patterns, mostly because I rarely use the same yarn as the pattern calls for, lol. Did someone say swatch!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🧶🧶🧶
It can be totally frustrating when you run afoul of one of the "assumed knowledge" elements in knitting that trips you up. Hopefully this new info can help you in the future.
Thanks - very timely for me to see this video this evening, as I am trying to decide whether to make a Large or XL size cardigan. Didn't realize there was a difference in how ease is presented in the pattern. Mine gives a finished measurement, so that means I have to figure out whether the pattern tells me to add in an amount of ease (I don't think it does, though).
I find that a lot of popular patterns have a lot of intended positive ease. I was looking at a pattern and it had 14 inches positive ease! The smallest size was way bigger than I usually would wear and therefore I ended up not knitting it. Kinda sucks but there are also so many patterns out there to choose for I can always find something I love.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Luckily there are! I always try to pick out pieces to knit and designers to follow that make patterns that work for me and not trends, and that I would want to wear for years to come. As I am spending so much time making it I would also like to feel like the pieces are worth it ✨
Thank you so much for this video. I have 2 sweaters I want to make and trying to figure what size to knit was driving me crazy. You made figuring out positive ease, and the size I need to knit so easy. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would have given 2 thumbs up if I could have.
Not necessarily . You might not want those extra stitches on the neckline and shoulders and you might not want deeper armholes. Best thing is to use correct sized pattern and just add extra stitches where you want them .
If that is the way you understand it, that's great. I wouldn't put it that way because a garment with positive ease could still have super stretchy fabric, but if there is positive ease it just wouldn't be stretched by your body.
You are so wise. My bust size is 42" My pattern says it has 2-6 inches of positive ease, my question is how do I pick the 6" measurement of ease not the 2". Thank you
Most of the time when a pattern says that it says that it is intended to be worn with 2 - 6 inches of positive ease. This means it's your choice how loose you want the garment to be. So you would want to pick the size where the finished measurements for the bust is somewhere between 44 and 48 inches depending on how loose you want the garment. The designer provides wiggle room because there is a distance in measurements between sizes.
Thank you for this. In your example of “4 to 12 inches positive ease”, are the shoulders that much bigger as well? I’m wondering if the entire garment becomes sloppy big, rather than just the torso fit.
I'm afraid not. In the last few years many designers have put more effort into showing their work on different body sizes. And if you are on Ravelry, looking at the projects made by other knitters you can often see how the piece fits different body sizes.
Well, I’m wondering what is a good negative ease for hat made for a 23.5 inch circumference head, using merino size 4 wool? The hat I am knitting is stretching to 20 inches while on dpn needles, though I was aiming for my calculation of 21 inches. I’m just hoping when it’s done, the hat will stretch nicely to 21 inches along the brim. I’ll have you know I finally took your and every respectable knitter’s advice to swatch the basic k1, p1 brim and the stockinette parts of the hat. So, at least I’m closer to my intended hat size.
It's hard to tell when you're on the needles. Sometimes you just have to trust your math. I must say tho, I have knit my fair share of hat sized swatches.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit thank you for responding because that’s how it’s going to be knit . The whole point in making a swatch was to have less doubt about the finished size. It’s looking good.
Positive Ease = what my sweaters had before COVID. Negative Ease = What my sweaters have now.
LOL
😂😂😂😂😂😂 so true
Thank you, Barbara. Not until I watched this video did I finally understand Ease. You made it “Ease-y.”
I was POSITIVEly sure I'd never understand this, but now it all makes sense!
LOLOL ... glad I could help.
Thank you so much for your time to make this video. I finally got it! This is indeed a recurring question and concern. Great explanations, clear and fun!!!! Be well.
I'm so glad it helped you. It is totally confusing.
I love you!! I have a pattern that was so confusing but you said for positive ease your pattern with either say : For your bust size or it will say finished measurements. Lightbulb 💡💡💡💡💡You are brilliant and I actually fully understand you. So I hit subscribe. Thank You ❤
Glad I could help and welcome to the channel!
Barbara enjoy all of your postings and occasionally will comment ...to-day is such a day ...but the comment is personal hope that is OK ...as a long retired award winning hairstylist
who tries to stay current I want to say your hair rocks pinned up ...love it and often thought that it would be very becoming ...and it is ... ;-)
The hilarious thing is that I wear it up a lot of the time and try to put effort into making my hair look "nice" for videos and for some reason wearing it up seems lazy. It is just a high ponytail LOL. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you so much for this video! I am about to start knitting my first sweater and had no idea what it meant when positive ease was mentioned in the pattern. Fingers crossed it goes well! Your explanations were so helpful!
Yay! I am glad I can help. And you will rock your sweater!
This is the best explanation I’ve ever heard on ease. Thank you Barbara! God bless.
I'm so glad you found the video helpful and thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind comment.
Thanks so much for the help 🎉
It took me a while to get a hang of ease. I kept sizing up because I was nervous about it being too small! But knit fabric stretches really well, I've learned that for myself if I'm between sizes going down is better than going up.
It's great to know what works for you!
So helpful and timely for me as I have just started a new pattern and was confused by this! Keep it up, Barbara!😊
I gotta get out my Knitting notebook for this! Your topics are always so helpful!
Yay! Thank you!
This was a perfect explanation! Thank you so much!😊
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, you have answered my questions I have had for years!!
Yay! Mission accomplished.
Thank you so very very much for explaining this positive ease in determining pattern sizes
It's one of those things that is tough to understand! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Thank you sincerely for this explanation
I'm glad I was helpful!
Great topic! You are great at tackling what is on the minds of knitters. I have had to explain this to others so many times. I basically say what you said and add a bit about the nature of knit fabrics (the elasticity). Relating it in terms of garments people usually know from their wardrobe like a classic button up shirt and a t-shirt seems to help make it easier to 'pull out' when you are trying to figure it out!
I don't know if it's different from most of your viewers but I'd love to hear your talk about how you work with ease in your own pattern designing. Sizing and ease has quite a lot more subjectivity to it than it appears and I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on it! Your designer view point as it were.
So here's the thing. While I understand and can explain ease ... it's not really something I use extensively in my design. At least not enough for it to make an interesting video. Since I design accessories the ease thing isn't as significant of a player.
Great explanation, Barbara! I had NO clue what ease was before now. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! I finally understand.
Excellent. It can be hard to wrap your brain around.
Thanks for confirming my thoughts about ease! I still overthink most patterns, mostly because I rarely use the same yarn as the pattern calls for, lol. Did someone say swatch!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🧶🧶🧶
ALL THE SWATCHING
thank you so much for this-i WONDERED why my garment didn’t have that positive ease i thought it would-the pattern didn’t calculate it for me!
It can be totally frustrating when you run afoul of one of the "assumed knowledge" elements in knitting that trips you up. Hopefully this new info can help you in the future.
Thank you for sharing this information, it's very helpful
Yay!
Excellent explanation but I only wish you showed diagrams or print from a pattern regarding size. Thank you.
Thank you! Just the information I was looking for! Subscribed!
I'm so glad I could be helpful. Thank you!
You made this so easy to understand! Thank you Barbara!
Yay! Thanks for watching.
Thank you! This is most helpful - now all the sweaters I knit will fit correctly!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Barbara, that was like the proverbial light bulb has just gone off.
Take care and keep safe. xxJane
Woo Hoo! Winning!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Great explanation!! Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent presentation! This is one knitting subject that I could not grasp. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks - very timely for me to see this video this evening, as I am trying to decide whether to make a Large or XL size cardigan. Didn't realize there was a difference in how ease is presented in the pattern. Mine gives a finished measurement, so that means I have to figure out whether the pattern tells me to add in an amount of ease (I don't think it does, though).
Sometimes there's a note that says "intended to be worn with X amount of ease", but otherwise it's up to you and how you want the piece to fit.
Love this video! Thank you so much Barbara. I truly enjoy how you explain things and I always learn something new and helpful 🤗
Thank you so much, it makes me happy to be helpful.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
I find that a lot of popular patterns have a lot of intended positive ease. I was looking at a pattern and it had 14 inches positive ease! The smallest size was way bigger than I usually would wear and therefore I ended up not knitting it. Kinda sucks but there are also so many patterns out there to choose for I can always find something I love.
Luckily trends come and go, but there are timeless designs out there and patterns don't go bad!
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Luckily there are! I always try to pick out pieces to knit and designers to follow that make patterns that work for me and not trends, and that I would want to wear for years to come. As I am spending so much time making it I would also like to feel like the pieces are worth it ✨
Very good explanation. I’ve been figuring this out on my own recently. You really firmed things up for me. Thanks.
Great!
Thank you so much for this video. I have 2 sweaters I want to make and trying to figure what size to knit was driving me crazy. You made figuring out positive ease, and the size I need to knit so easy. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would have given 2 thumbs up if I could have.
I am so glad it was just in time for you!
Thank you - I think I get it - if I have 110cm bust and they say finished garment size then I need to go up to next size if I want it looser.
Exactly.
Not necessarily . You might not want those extra stitches on the neckline and shoulders and you might not want deeper armholes. Best thing is to use correct sized pattern and just add extra stitches where you want them .
Clamp it on da pumpkin 😂 Thank you for speaking my language!
LOL! Awesome!
Thanks, good explanation of ease. That was clear and easy to follow. LOL
Thank you so much! That's great to hear.
Very helpful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great explanations!
Thanks!
Ease is how stretchy or loose a piece of fabric is in relation to your measurements. Yes?
If that is the way you understand it, that's great. I wouldn't put it that way because a garment with positive ease could still have super stretchy fabric, but if there is positive ease it just wouldn't be stretched by your body.
You are so wise. My bust size is 42" My pattern says it has 2-6 inches of positive ease, my question is how do I pick the 6" measurement of ease not the 2". Thank you
Most of the time when a pattern says that it says that it is intended to be worn with 2 - 6 inches of positive ease. This means it's your choice how loose you want the garment to be. So you would want to pick the size where the finished measurements for the bust is somewhere between 44 and 48 inches depending on how loose you want the garment. The designer provides wiggle room because there is a distance in measurements between sizes.
Thank you so much for replying
Question. Why is an H 8mm and a M 8mm also? In crocheting.. And I LOVE THAT BLOUSE!! Beautiful on you.. 🤗 have a AMAZING GOD BLESSED DAY!!🙏❣🤟
I'm afraid I don't really do crochet so I cannot answer that question. Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you for this. In your example of “4 to 12 inches positive ease”, are the shoulders that much bigger as well? I’m wondering if the entire garment becomes sloppy big, rather than just the torso fit.
It really depends on the design of the pattern. Sometimes it's overall and sometimes it's mostly torso.
Would it help to measure one of my ready to wear sweaters and compare for reference? Such a confusing topic so thanks for helping to clarify
If you have a sweater that you really like the fit it might be a good guideline!
Do you know a good place to look for images of different amounts of ease on different body types?
I'm afraid not. In the last few years many designers have put more effort into showing their work on different body sizes. And if you are on Ravelry, looking at the projects made by other knitters you can often see how the piece fits different body sizes.
Well, I’m wondering what is a good negative ease for hat made for a 23.5 inch circumference head, using merino size 4 wool?
The hat I am knitting is stretching to 20 inches while on dpn needles, though I was aiming for my calculation of 21 inches. I’m just hoping when it’s done, the hat will stretch nicely to 21 inches along the brim.
I’ll have you know I finally took your and every respectable knitter’s advice to swatch the basic k1, p1 brim and the stockinette parts of the hat. So, at least I’m closer to my intended hat size.
It's hard to tell when you're on the needles. Sometimes you just have to trust your math. I must say tho, I have knit my fair share of hat sized swatches.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit thank you for responding because that’s how it’s going to be knit . The whole point in making a swatch was to have less doubt about the finished size. It’s looking good.
20 inches of positive ease? That's Boyfriend Sweater levels of positive ease! This video helped, thanks!
Crazy, right?
How does one even know what ease they need 😅.... Lol