Chasing Kids, Iced Tea and Sushi

August 29th, 2010

It’s 36 ℃ (96.8℉) here. I went out once today but since it was so hot, I decided not to go too far. Wouldn’t it be better if Japan started having afternoon off and open shops in the evenings and nights like Sardegna?

Local man fishing and cockel picking at the lake Hamanako.

Local man fishing and cockel picking at the lake Hamanako.

My knitting is going slow because of the heat. Also between the time when kids come back home to when they sleep is absolutely no rest for the adults. Sometimes it’s just better to take them out and let them run around in the mall…

They took ages chossing the ice cream...

They took ages chossing the ice cream... Of course they want the biggest and the most colourful ones.

I get so thirsty chasing around the kids so I go and buy a nice cool iced tea with tapioca inside.

I get so thirsty chasing around the kids so I go and buy a nice cool iced tea with tapioca inside.

The iced tea with tapioca (above pic) had colourful tapiocas inside. So I asked the shop person to give me the black ones so that kids won’t want to drink my stuff. But of course, when they see me gulping and quenching my thirst with this iced tea, they want it. Within a few seconds, my precious iced tea was in the kids stomach…sign.

They run around the mall and find Sanrio shop... (OMG!)

They run around the mall and find Sanrio shop... (OMG!)

When they are tired of running around, they are hungry. So we decided to go to a giant sushi bar.

I have never been to this huge sushi bar before.

I have never been to this huge sushi bar before.

It’s huge and everything is automated. There is a TV touch-screen where you order food. You sit in a room with tatami floor. The main belt conveyer that bring the sushi has branches that leads to individual tables.

When your sushi is ready, our table data is scanned in the barcode. The plate is then delivered to our table.

When your sushi is ready, our table data is scanned in the barcode. The plate is then delivered to our table.

It’s never wrong. The food is amazing. I was gobsmacked.

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I’m In Japan – But Don’t Fly with Virgin…

August 23rd, 2010

Hello!
Thank you so much for all your wonderful and kind wishes for our wedding. I am now in Japan, yippee!

Airport knitting. Trying out a new pattern for socks using ktbl stitches. There is something special about taking your knitting abroad.

Airport knitting. Trying out a new pattern for socks using ktbl stitches. There is something special about taking your knitting abroad.

The flight was not so bad although I did have few problems with Virgin Atlantic prior to my flight. Unfortunately I think I will use BA or any other company to fly from now on based on the following:

1) Poor quality of customer service
Staff don’t seem to know what they are talking about. I was even told that there were three-pin (UK) plugs in the flight cabin that people can use!!!

2) Customer complaint handled inefficiently
It takes 28 days for them to reply to you and you can only complain via e-mail. I want my problem sorted (or even heard) as soon as possible.

3) Decreased quality of in-flight meals
The contents of Japanese bento box has decreased in both quantity and quality. The rice used to come wrapped with a small piece of bamboo leaves years ago. This time, I got less rice and it was literally put into a paper cup covered in aluminium foil! I also got a cheese omlette for breakfast and it was just a tiny round egg piece. My attitude towards food is that if you cook something, you cook to show appreciation of what you are given by nature and animals. I think Virgin can make a little more effort on their food they provide…

The in-flight entertainment was good. I watched:

1) The Girl with The Dragon Tatoo – Good movie but the story was too shocking for me. I had to “neutralise” it with…
2) Hachi – Bad movie but if you like animals you will love it.
3) Good Hair – A documentary by Chris Rock. Recommended.

Tokyo station. It's massive. This is a pic I took when I had to take some break from dragging my suitcases around there.

Tokyo station. It's massive. This is a pic I took when I had to take some break from dragging my suitcases around there.

Travel to my sister’s home once I arrived in Narita was long but interesting. I took Narita Express to Tokyo station where I got lost. The station is massive, packed full of people. I then took a bullet train to where she lives but I was at the wrong platform. Because the British overground trains are not so reliable, I didn’t really think much when there was no announcement of my train on that platform (I just thought it was late). Since Japanese trains are NEVER LATE AND CANCELLED I just happened to check with station staff.

This is where I am. The view of Japanese city from my sister's flat. It's SO hot here BTW.

This is where I am. The view of the Japanese town from my sister's flat. It's SO hot here BTW.

I am now safe and sound (suffering from a jetlag a bit) but so happy to see my sisters and nephews and nieces. It will be a mad three weeks looking after them but I am sure I will enjoy every bits of it.

nephew and nieceWill post more from Japan soon again!

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Touching Ground

August 15th, 2010

Hello! I am married and back from my honeymoon! It was so lovely and I want to share some of the images with you today :D

Small but very heart-warming wedding. I enjoyed every minutes of it.

Small but very heart-warming wedding. I enjoyed every minutes of it.

Sardinia was beautiful. I was so impressed how much art and craft scene there was even in a little town of Pula.

When the sun falls, the town become alive.

When the sun falls, the town become alive.

The sleepy town during the day time becomes almost like a Leicester Square in London. This lady above embroiders on baby bibs and aprons etc. She does it all freehands. I just want to live there and teach people knitting. :D

Yes, I did knit on a beach. It was an amazing feeling.

Yes, I did knit on a beach. It was an amazing feeling.

Listening to the sounds of waves and knitting at the same time is ultra soothing. In order to recreate this (well, without the Sun and all the environment), I am thinking of getting this… (LOL)!

And of course I had to check out the traditional bread in Sardegna.

And of course I had to check out the traditional bread in Sardegna.

Bread in Sardegna is very important apparently. The three kinds of bread above (from the left: carasau, civraxiu and coccoi). Coccoi bread is very hard, almost like a light biscuits. During the festival season, they make this bread with a whole egg inside it. So facinating!

One more news. My sister had her baby girl! I am off to Japan next week to help my sister (good thing I am going because she actually had a complicated labour and has to stay in the hospital longer than anticipated).

The shop will run as normal except for an adjusted shipping rate from Japan and of course longer delivery time for UK customers. While I am there, I will be getting more Japanese knitting books so do keep an eye on the shop :D .

I hope you are well. Can’t wait to catch up with you all on the blogland. I think the next post will be me in Japan :D See you all soon!

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A Cheap Nanny

July 28th, 2010

When I was a school girl, I used to wish the day will pass quickly so that I could go back to Japan to see my family. Now, I wish the day to be longer as I have far too many things I want to do.

Time never used to be money for me, but now I am trying to use up every seconds to a full extent.

Time never used to be money for me, but now I am trying to use up every seconds to a full extent.

This month is particularly busy because Wesley and I have decided to have a last minute wedding this year. In fact it’s this weekend….! So I do apologise for scarce posting and commenting. I never realised that even a very small wedding (with the closest family and friends only) it takes a lot to organise it. Thankfully, all I need to do now is to fetch my dress (!) tomorrow. I will be posting photos soon.

Please note that any orders purchased between 30th July to 9th August will only be dispatched on 10th August. All the downloads will be as normal.

August will not just end with my wedding though. I am also flying back to Japan at the end of the month. This is another last minute decision. Unfortunately my nephew and niece who are 5 and 2, respectively both have severe asthma. My niece especially has been in and out of the hospital frequently. Their mum (my sister) is expecting her third baby in any minute and she won’t be able to move so easily anymore. Her husband is working long hours, my other sister is with her small baby, my mum being unwell, and it’s very expensive to get a home helper…

… which left my sister just me. It’s a long way to go and I have so much to do, but nothing can replace my family so I am going there for 3 1/2 weeks to look after my nephew and niece. I hope to explore some Japanese knit scene and will blog while I am there too. I have never stayed in Japan this long so it will be very exciting.

The shop will be running partially. I will be dispatching items from Japan so a temporary shipping rate will be applied during this period.

Just before I go, I thought I will share with you a nice cuddly pic of K & W.

Just before I go, I thought I will share with you a nice cuddly pic of K & W.

Anyhow, I will try to post my last minute preparation on Friday / Saturday :D Until then, have a cool week!

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Moist Banana Honey Cake – So Easy & So Yummy

July 21st, 2010

Danger! This cake is SERIOUSLY GOOD. I have made so many now and literally finished them before I give away to friends.

How are you all? It’s so hot in London. All my food goes off quickly. I don’t like it. This includes my bananas. I buy new bananas every week but the “fume” of the old ones ripen the new ones so it’s a bad cycle.

So, in the past couple of months I have been researching and improving on my banana cake recipe and I think I got it.

Moist Banana Honey Cake

Moist Banana Honey Cake

The memory of banana cake goes back to when I was 13. This was when I first came to the UK and stayed in a boarding school. On of my friend who was a day girl at the time (i.e. she did not board but came to school from home every day) and her grandma baked banana cake for her to take to the class. The cake was so yummy with sweet banana with a tinge of caramel. So yummy that I used to look forward to it all the time. At the same time missed my family not being around.

Now I am a grown-up girl. I can make my own. So here is the recipe. As you have read above, it really is good so I do recommend making it when there are people around so that you don’t finish all of it by yourself.

This one is a pecan nut version. Really nice.

This one is a pecan nut version. Really nice.

Ingredients:

150g self-raising flour
70g castor sugar (I used 20g light cane and 5g Splenda and it works really well)
2 medium eggs (chilled would be better)
100ml vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon (tsp) bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
50g runny honey (use a good quality one as it makes a huge difference!)
2 ripe banana (approx 240-245g when mushed) mash them and sprinkle 1/2 lemon juice

Optional: 20g nuts blitzed to sprinkle over the cake to decorate (I have used pecan and pistacchio on separate occasions)

Any left over nuts can be used for this cake. Pistacchio add nice colour to the cake.

Any left over nuts can be used for this cake. Pistacchio add nice colour to the cake.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven (mine is a fan assisted oven) to 160C. Make sure you do this a bit before you start. This is because the cake is so easy to make and you want the oven to be at the right temperature when the batter is ready.
Grease the cake pan (20cm) and line with baking parchment (if it’s non stick, there is no need – I am often too lazy to line the tin..!)

Step 1: Mix flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and cinnamon and leave it aside (dry ingredients).
Step 2: Put sugar and eggs in a bowl. Use an electric whisk until white and fluffy (about 5-10 min whisk at medium speed).
Step 3: Slowly drizzle the honey followed by vegetable oil while whisking into the batter.
Step 4: Sift the dry ingredients over the batter and mix carefully not to disturb the bubbles in the batter.
Step 5: When the dry ingredient is almost mixed, add the mushed banana. Again, mix carefully.
Step 6: Pour into the cake tin (optional: sprinkle with blitzed nuts) and bake for 35-40min or until the skewer comes out with small crumbs of cake.

I lined the whole pecan nuts to decorate...

I lined the whole pecan nuts to decorate...

Put the cake onto a rack and cool. You can eat it immediately or chill it.

Serving suggestions:
Have it with a good quality vanilla ice cream.

Goes well with a nice cup of coffee (or tea)

Goes well with a nice cup of coffee (or tea)

Have a nice banana afternoon :D

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How to Attach a Purse onto a Sew-On Frame – Crochet Purse Tutorial

July 16th, 2010

It’s Friday!! Hope you all had a great week. The week for the world of C & C was quite eventful. The C & C HQ has turned into a research lab to create new patterns (and random bread recipes…).

Today, I want to introduce you to my new improved crochet purse kits and patterns and a tutorial for how to attach the purse onto a sew-on frame.

Crochet purse - wild flowers

This is a crochet kit for confident beginner upwards. The kit comes with 2 balls of yarn and frames so that you can make two purses exactly like the photo above. This means from one kit, you can give one and keep one to yourself. For more information, please click here.

Despite of all the craze about sewn purses, knitted and crochet purses are not often seen. The main reason for this is probably because making knitted purses can be much more difficult than sewn purses due to a very stretchy nature of knitted (less so for crochet) fabrics making the purses saggy and less “structured”.

Knitted purses are special and therefore it is definitely worth overcoming the problem. At C & C HQ, everything I design must be usable so I use the following techniques to get around the problems and create a perfect knitted purse.

1) adding an extra thickness to the knitted fabrics (e.g. lining fabric as in Macaroon Knitted Purses), or

2) using stitches that make tight fabrics (e.g. cables / double crochet (or sc in US terms), or

3) using yarn that makes a strong fabric (e.g. Shetland yarn / tweedy yarn).

Of course, if you put a really heavy thing in it, it will sag but it’s less likely if you use the above techniques. For my new crochet purse kit, I utilised (2) and (3) above to achieve a nice structured purses.

Sew-on frames are used for these crochet purses, because you don’t need to use any glue (you can if you want to but I found it’s not necessary for this size) and I quite like the little yarn stitches that comes out on the frame :D

The following tutorial is to show you how to attach the purse onto a frame. This is a traditional Japanese way of sewing on to the frames.  This will apply to all the sew-on purse frames whether it is knitted, crochet or fabric purses.

Insert the purse into the frame by matching top two corners of the purse to the corners of the frame. Cut yarn approx. 1 m and use this to sew the purse onto the frame.

Step 1: Insert the purse into the frame by matching top two corners of the purse to the corners of the frame. Cut yarn approx. 1 m and use this to sew the purse onto the frame.

Using an embroidery needle that is thin enough to go through the holes of the frame, insert the needle from the WS of the purse (approx. 5 mm from the edge). If this is your first stitch, insert through the second hole.

Step 2: Using an embroidery needle that is thin enough to go through the holes of the frame, insert the needle from the WS of the purse (approx. 5 mm from the edge). If this is your first stitch, insert through the second hole.

<b>Step 3:</b> Then insert the needle into a hole one before where you have just pulled out.

Step 3: Then insert the needle into a hole one before where you have just pulled out.

<b>Step 4:</b> Repeat steps 2 and 3. For knitted or crochet fabrics, make sure the rows of the purse pararells with the line of the frame.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3. For knitted or crochet fabrics, make sure the rows of the purse pararells with the line of the frame.

<b>Step 5:</b> Tidy ends at the WS of the purse. Make sure both ends of the purse is fully inserted in the gap of the purse frame.

Step 5: Tidy ends at the WS of the purse. Make sure both ends of the purse is fully inserted in the gap of the purse frame.

<b>Step 6:</b> Lastly, cover the frame  with a piece of fabric will prevent it from being scratched when squeezing with pliers.

Step 6: Lastly, cover the frame with a piece of fabric will prevent it from being scratched when squeezing with pliers.

That’s it!

… snif, snif… I think my bread is done. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. If you find this tutorial useful, please re-tweet by clicking the re-tweet button (thanks!).

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Kitty Distraction, Never Get Tempted.

July 12th, 2010

Hope you all had a great weekend! I had a fabulous day with Mary at Intertwined Crafts on Sunday afternoon meeting with friends and eating Vietnamese food :D

For me, summer is a cruicial time to create knitting patterns for the winter season. So I have been working really hard designing, sampling, patterning etc. I will soon be introducing adult version of the Flower Girl’s Knitted Bolero with brand new Jamieson’s of Shetland DK in fabulous mirage colour.

New colour from Jamieson's of Shetland DK. This one is called Mirage. I love the specks of colours in magical blue!

New colour from Jamieson's of Shetland DK. This one is called Mirage. I love the specks of colours in magical blue!

Slowly but surely, my new men’s “simple but not simple” crewneck sweater is also being completed. This week I must calculate on the armhole knitting.

Another new colour from Jamieson's of Shetland called Camel. This is in Heather (aran weight yarn).

Another new colour from Jamieson's of Shetland called Camel. This is in Heather (aran weight yarn).

But the busier you get, the more distractions you encounter. While I am busy knitting and doing all the work for the shop, I can’t but notice how long my cats have enlongated due to hot weather.

Kumo is such a long cat but he is even longer during the hot weather.

Kumo is such a long cat but he is even longer during the hot weather.

I then notice Wata elongated on my bed.

I then notice Wata elongated too.

So I decided to measure their body (yes, I am totally being distracted!).

You know what will happen when you use a tape measure next to a cat.

You know what will happen when you use a tape measure next to a cat.

Kumo is so uncooperative. He just wants to destroy everything including a tape measure. I then try on Wata as he is a slightly better-behaved cat.

Kumo then jumps onto the tape. Really, I am wasting my time.

I kept thinking why I am doing this? If your pet(s) ever get elongated due to hot weather, do not be tempted to measure them. It is a toal waste of time. Now, back to knitting.

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Black Sesame Bloomer

July 7th, 2010

Some of you already know my recent baking craze. It is still there. In fact, it is getting worse (LOL!). My staple diet (this includes Wesley’s too), has changed from good old Japanese rice to bread. No potato, no noodles, no pasta, but BREAD (and sometimes cakes).

I am now baking so much that there aren’t enough people to eat my baked goods. Unfortunately Kumo and Wata prefers protein. So I take some of my bread and cakes to the porter’s lodge. I am so happy because they really appreciate it ;D

black sesame bread top viewToday is my first recipe to be unveiled. I have lots more but I thought my black sesame bloomer will be a good start. I will be listing more recipes from now on and you can access to them by clicking the button with a bagel on it on the right column.

black sesame breadIn Japan, you see black sesame used in loads of cooking. Black sesame tofu, sweets, tempura batter etc… I love the nutty taste of black sesame. It goes so well both savory and sweet. I wanted to make this bread so that Wesley can take few slices to work and have them as either with margarine or jam / honey as much as for me to enjoy my afternoon snack time (LOL)!.

black sesame bloomer

Fermented white dough (the recipe below makes 340g) - this recipe is modified version of Richard Bertinet book of “Crust“.

Strong white flour 200g
Water 140g
Fresh yeast 5g
Salt 1/2 tsp

For black sesame bloomer

Fermented white dough 170g (see preparation below)
Strong white flour 200g
Tepid water 130g
Black sesame toasted 20g
Salt 1/2 tsp
Honey 20g

Preparation

1) For the fermented white dough, mix all the ingredients and knead for 10 min (or better, use a handmix with a pair of dough hook). This will be quite a wet dough. Shape the dough into a ball using extra flour so that it does not stick to the surface or your fingers. Return it to a slightly floured bowl. Cover with a plastic film and leave for 4 hours at room temperature or overnight in a fridge. After this time, the dough will have lots of bubbles and have lost its shape.

2) Grind the toasted sesame (photo below) until it becomes rough powder with some bits left. I use the traditional Japanese grinder (it’s really good BTW).

preparating black sesame

Making the dough and proving it

1) Mix the flour, water, salt , black sesame and honey together. Knead for 10 min until the dough is smooth and elastic.

2) Add 170g femented white dough. Knead for further 5 min.

3) Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a slightly oiled bowl (photo below). Cover with a plastic film. Prove until it has doubled its volume.

black sesame bread dough4) Deflate the dough and re-shape it into a ball once again. Prove again until it has double its volume.

Shaping and baking

1) Gently tip the dough onto a floured surface smooth side down. Shape the dough into a bloomer shape (a good video tutorial here). Place the bread on to a baking parchment on an oven tray. Cover with a plastic film and prove for 1 hour (or it has increased its size just less than a double).

2) Preheat the oven to 180C. Have the oven tray at the bottom (to put water – see later).

3) Slash the bread criss cross (the best way to do it is to slash 45 degrees angle from the surface).

4) When you are aready to bake, add 200 ml water onto the botton oven tray and steam the oven for 5 min.

5) Put the bread in the oven quickly so as not to let the steam excape. Switch off the oven for 5 min. This is to allow oven spring.

6) Switch the oven once again (at 180 C) and bake further 25 min or until the bread sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.

Eating

Leave the bread to cool on a rack. To keep it moist, cover it with a foil when cool.

The bread goes really well with good quality honey. Enjoy ;)

P.S. If you like the recipe, please re-tweet it (thank you!)

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Too Hot but Loving the Sun

July 1st, 2010

Hello! You might have wondered where I have disappeared from the blogland in the past couple of weeks. Sorry for being such a slow visitors to you all. It has been a very eventful week for me because I went to a wedding and I was the chief bridesmaid. The weather was absolutely fantastic, and I had a great time!

Even a black cab is too hot...

Even a black cab is too hot...

Also, unfortunately I now have tendonitis on my right leg behind my knee from (guess what?) running. I thought it was quite stiff and painful but I didn’t go to the GP for a couple of weeks. Then every time I run, it hurts so Wesley forced me to make an appointment. As expected, the doc diagnosed that it is tendonitis and I cannot run for the next 3 weeks…

Kumo and Wata are completely melted everyday. I am making sure they drink enough fresh water.

Kumo and Wata are completely melted everyday. I am making sure they drink enough fresh water.

I have been knitting though.. as much as possible. Thank you for many interests about the patternist I was advertising for last week. I have now found one (possibly two) who I will work with. Fingers crossed that there will be lots more of C&C patterns this year!

Slowly but surely. This is my latest lace project. I am currently thinking of a new pattern to add to this.

Slowly but surely. This is my latest lace project. I am currently thinking of a new pattern to add to this.

Also my latest Men’s sweater is going well. I can’t wait until I start the sleeves. I will be going through how I worked out the swatches and calculated all the maths with you in the later posts soon!

Kumo says that it's too hot for me to knit.

Kumo says that it's too hot for me to knit.

Off to more knitting :D

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How to Design a Knitwear from Scratch – 1.2. Get the Right Fit

June 26th, 2010

My mind is always about patterning a new garment and writing this series is totally occupying me. Since it does actually take time to gather all the information to write about how to design a knitwear, I think I will do other “light” posts in between from now though :D

Talking about the pattern writing, I am now looking for a knitting patternist, preferably in the UK (people out of the UK are also welcome but there are some issues about the sending the yarn etc), to help me write and edit the knitting patterns. The details are all here so if you are interested in joining the world of Cotton & Cloud (or if you have any questions), please contact me.

Even my mannequins are enjoying the sun.

Even my mannequins are enjoying the sun.

So far, we have gone through the planning stage of the garment to be designed. I have added a summary table at the end of my previous post so do have a look (here) :D

To me, creating a well-fitted knitwear is of paramount importance. What’s the point of a garment if it does not fit you? Getting the right overall measurements and shaping of a garment (e.g. length, width, sleeve shaping, neckline) will help you structure you specification drawing (discussed at later post) and create a well-fitted knitwear. So in this post I will write about general pointers about measurements.

When I work out the measurements to get the right fit, I use two main methods: 1) using the body measurements and work out from them, 2) using a template such as existing garment or patterns. The best thing is to use all of these methods and come up with the super-snug, best-est ever knitwear!

1. Body Measurements

The first thing you would need to do is to take body measurements (although this may not be possible – see later). You can find loads of information about how to measure your body from dress-making books and sites so I won’t go into too much details. But if I were to say the most important parts of the body to measure, they would be:

  • A: Bust / chest (the widest point)
  • B: Sleeve underarm (wrist to the armpit)
  • C: Underarm to waist (I always find it better to add a couple of inches so as to allow the garment to fit well when your moves)

The above will give you the most basic skeleton. But to add more “meat” to the skeleton of your design, measure more if possible such as:

  • D: Centre back neck to waist – This will give you armhole measure when subtracted by underarm to waist.
  • E: Waist (the narrowest point).
  • F: Across the back of the neck
  • G: Top arm (the thickest part of your arm)
I thought this wooden model would be better than me posing naked in front of the camera....

I thought this wooden model would be better than me posing naked in front of the camera....

Body Measurements vs Actual Knitted Measurements = Fits (Ease):

There are body measurements (e.g. bust size) and actual knitted measurements. The actual knitted measurements determines how fitted the garment will be to your body measurements. I found a “fit chart” from Vogue Knitting (The Ultimate Knitting Book) - the measurements on the first row in bold are the actual bust sizes. The various fits are described on the left column. The measurements in the table are the actual knitted measurements of the bust. So for example, if I am 34″ bust and want to make a standard fitting garment, I need my knitted garment’s bust size to be 36″.

Bust sizes 32″
(81cm)
34″
(86cm)
36″
(91cm)
38″
(96cm)
40″
(101cm)
v. close fitting
(body-hugging)
30″
(76cm)
32″
(81cm)
34″
(86cm)
36″
(91cm)
37″
(94cm)
close fitting
(body-contoured)
32-33″
(81-84cm)
34-35″
(86-89cm)
36-37″
(91-94cm)
38″
(96cm)
39″
(99cm)
standard fitting
(body-skimming)
34″
(86cm)
36″
(91cm)
38″
(96cm)
40″
(101cm)
41″
(104cm)
loose fitting
(straight-hanging)
36″
(91cm)
32″
(81cm)
40″
(101cm)
42″
(106cm)
43″
(109cm)
over sized
(full, roomy)
37″
(94cm)
or more
38″
(96cm)
or more
41″
(104cm)
or more
44″
(112cm)
or more
45″
(114cm)
or more

In Debbie Abraham’s Design Your Own Knits in 5 Easy Steps (BTW, this book is HIGHLY recommended), she tells us to add extra inches to the body measurements to achieve the desired fit:

Type of fit Amount to add or subtract from total
Tight fitting - 1 – 2 cm (1/2 – 3/4″)
Close fitting + 1 – 2 cm (1/2 – 3/4″)
Standard + 3 – 6 cm (1 1/4 – 2 1/4″)
Easy firing + 6 – 8 cm (2 1/4 – 3 1/4″)
Loose fitting + 10 -15 cm (4 – 6″)
Generous + 18 cm (7″) or more

2. Template

2.1 Existing garment

Even with the same size, knitwear come in all sizes and shapes. As Elizabeth Zimmermann wrote in many of her books (such as in The Opinionated Knitter), use your / his / her best fitted knitwear as a template when you design a knitwear from scratch. What I have found the most useful is to choose the template garment as similar in thickness and texture as the garment you will have create with the chosen yarn.

Many years back, I didn’t think much and used the best-fitted jumper as a template as told. This jumper was, however, much thinner than the yarn I was going to use and much more consistent in texture (thin, machine knitted). When I knitted up my garment, it was completely the wrong fit. So I have learnt my lessons.

Using the best-fitted jumper as your template is particularly useful if you are “secretly” knitting something for your loved ones because you can sneak out the jumper from the drawers and get the measurements quickly. If you are living with a very observant husband / partner who may notice the way the clothes are put away, you can just say that you were tidying up the cupboard for him (LOL!).

2.2 Existing patterns

It’s also a good idea to see what sizes are used for already-published patterns. Again, choose the patterns that use similar yarn, texutre and designs.

2.3 Other resource

If all this turns out to be impossible, try browsing the internet clothes shop to see if they put any of the actual size of the clothes. This will give you some kind of idea where to start. For example I find Boden very helpful because it gives you all the actual measurements on the each clothes. Though bare in mind that the measurements you get from such source will not be complete and you would probably need to use other templates for measurements.

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Phew! I am off to knit alfresco now :D Happy knitting weekend!

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