My sewing class last night was very productive - I got everything constructed on my skirt and lining except for the zipper and waistband, which works out great as the instructor is demonstrating zippers next week and we have to figure out another solution for the waistband together. I also got my graded purse back and I got an A! I was so happy.
I have a question for those of you who have small children on sizing for the necks of pullover sweaters. I'm making the Cabo Hoodie for Noah, and everyone in our family notes that he has an exceptionally large head. So, we asked Tracy (his mom) to go ahead and measure his head yesterday and it's 20" around at the widest part. This sounds very large to me, especially in relation to the opening I have for the Cabo Hoodie's neck (which I don't have with me to measure, but I know it's not 20" in diameter - maybe 16".) Does this sound right? Maybe it won't matter, because the hood will be larger and what goes around his head first? If this won't work, I have to rip everything out, and do more increases for the neck before joining, then decrease them somehow, or maybe not do as many yoke increases. He just turned 3 last month, and I am already making him the size 4 as I thought I should probably go up rather than down to the 2, and his body isn't as large as his head (his father has a large head too, which is a source of jokes as well around the Thanksgiving table.)
Anyway, that is my dilemma of the day.
Hope everyone has a great Halloween! I have my MBA class tonight, and we rarely get any trick or treaters in our neighborhood anyway as most of the kids are either older teens or grown and out of the house - but I like the holiday and we have fun giving out treats to the kids who do come by.
I am glad that you had fun at your class. I guess that I would go with the bigger size, because like that child can wear it longer than only when he is size 2. Just my two cents...
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Kasia | October 31, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Sounds like you have been super busy lately! Hope you are able to get your paper done and all of your sewing for class.
I'm sorry I can't be much help as I've only made one baby sweater and nothing for kids. Like you, I'm not around them either so I am clueless.
I love your Tempting. The ribbon is so pretty!
Posted by: Debby | October 31, 2007 at 12:32 PM
I'm glad you are enjoying your class!! Sorry I can't help with the sweater sizing
Posted by: adrienne | October 31, 2007 at 02:12 PM
I think the size 4 will be okay. The cabo can be a little big and still look fine and he may be able to wear it for more than one season.
Posted by: Katie | October 31, 2007 at 02:12 PM
I don't know about the neck opening, but I did see a bunch of people on Ravelry say the hood was too small & most of them added a couple inches to that. I would think it's fine even if it is 16" b/c it will stretch when it goes over his head & then fit nice on his neck.
Posted by: Jenny | October 31, 2007 at 03:13 PM
I've always tried to err on the large side when knitting for kids (perhaps because by time I'm done with the item, the kid is a year older!). But they will always grow into something, and possibly get more use out of it.
One thing I've done when knitting for children who aren't around to measure is to compare schematics for presumed equivalent sizing. This can end up as an exercise in frustration because the sizes may differ from one pattern designer to another, but it does tip you off if you're making something that's too small. There are probably enough sources online to do this if you don't have printed patterns around. (Also check Ann Budd's Patterns book if you have it--it has children's sizes.)
Posted by: marjorie | October 31, 2007 at 03:50 PM
That actually sounds right for a head size. My less than 2 year old nephew has a 20" head. My 4yo son has a big head so there are clothes that won't go on over it. I've had to rip out collars on sweaters and knit them over and over again to go on over his head. I would definitely knit a larger size - kids grow fast and my kids and their friends wear everything really big to be in style. Make sure the collar and hood bind-off is a stretchy one.
Posted by: tiennie | October 31, 2007 at 06:21 PM
I agree, that sounds fairly 'normal' for a head circumference. My little one is 3 and I'm definitely knitting up a size 4 for him, most likely a size 5 since my gauge is off. I always err on the side or too large as they can grow in to it.
As far as fitting over his head...is the opening stretchy? Was there a notch in the neckline? I've been known to cut a piece of cardboard to the size I need to ensure the neckline stretches...or use a squash, bowl, ball of some sort......I know, I'm a bit wierd!
Posted by: Shannon O. | October 31, 2007 at 08:26 PM
I sure wish I could help you with that baby pattern question! :op
I so remember those memories of trick O' treating when we grew!! Always a fun to see it thru the eyes of a little one extra now!
Sewing class is surely to
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | October 31, 2007 at 09:42 PM
I don't have measurements for my kids' heads, but I can tell you from experience that sweatshirt hoodies are always too tight around the neck for my kids (10 and 7). My daughter is a skinny mini and fits a size 6-8 sweatshirt perfectly, except the neck hole is too tight. I had to cut into it. Same thing with my son. So, I'd err on the side of caution and make the neck bigger. If it's too hard to take off by him/herself, the kid probably won't wear it much. Hope that helps.
Posted by: mary | October 31, 2007 at 11:39 PM
Congrats on your "A"! That's great!!
Posted by: Maryanne | November 01, 2007 at 05:44 PM