Sweaters knit the same both front and back look best on ginger bread men.

How many times have you knit a sweater that instructs you to knit the front “same as back”?
Does your front look like your back? How about your husband’s front and back?

The next time you are in the company of a trusted friend and have on a fitted turtleneck or T-shirt with side seams try this exercise. Choose the largest part of your body (usually bust for ladies, belly for men) and have your helper take three measurements.

First, the entire circumference at the roundest part of you.

Second, measure from the garment side seam—across the front of you— and over to the other side seam.

Third, measure the back from side seam to side seam. Just to make sure, add the second and third measurements — they should equal the first. If the front half of you is different from the back half, consider making the next sweater a blend of two sizes which will produce a garment shaped more like you! Use the pattern schematic (the little drawing of front, back, sleeves with measurements) to choose the size front and back closest to your actual measurement plus 2.” If your front measurement is 38,” choose the front size that is closest to 40.” Make sure to knit the front and back to the same length for underarm shaping, etc. Which length? Choose the shorter option if you’re short, the longer option if you are tall or compromise with a length between the two, whichever will flatter and please you the most. Follow the sleeve directions for the size appropriate for your “all around” dimension. You may need to make an additional set of decreases at the shoulders to have an equal number of stitches for finishing.

Sweaters knit the same both front and back look best on ginger bread men.