The Knitting Architect
Shape
At this point we have obtained sweater measurements and both stitch and row gauges. All we need to speak of now is shape.
In order to chart, it is necessary to have a certain understanding of the human body — its shape that is. In spite of all the variations we will encounter in width, in length, in girth, etc., we still work with basically the same shape — that is one head, one torso, and two arms. The head must be exposed, even if not completely. The arms must have freedom of movement and perhaps be covered if we are making a garment that has sleeves. The hands should be exposed. The torso must be covered. This is a shape we have lived with for a while. This is the body we have dressed every day of the week — a body that has experienced discomfort when armholes are too small or garments too tight or too long. This is a body we are familiar with. Imagine for a moment designing clothes for a spider when you have no understanding of the way spiders move. How could you know what is comfortable and what is not? Luckily, we are going to become knitting architects for bodies such as our own; bodies we are familiar with. We will leave spiders for someone else.
Let's look now at some of the possibilities for designing. The first consideration is the pullover. This type of sweater, as the name implies is pulled over the head and body to go on. The only openings left are for the head and arms. Pullovers can have any length sleeves or even no sleeves at all. In the last instance, they are called pullover vests.
The next consideration is the cardigan. This is a sweater that generally has a zipper, or buttons, or even no closure at all down the front so that it can be slipped on like a jacket and closed in the front afterwards. Sleeveless vests can also be made in this style.
From these two basic types, we can turn out a multitude of styles, coats, tunics, dresses, etc. Vary the sleeve, the neck, the length; close it in the middle or on the side, long rib, no rib. There is no end. And all these possibilities are easy to achieve when we are familiar with the two basic types above and with the principles of charting.
So what it all boils down to is that in spite of all the possibilities, when it comes to style and fashion, we are still basically dealing at this time with two types of design that will fit over one body shape. Nothing overwhelming.