The linked Google document is intended to be a living document that will be updated frequently with more and more designers who are size inclusive.
What does size inclusive mean?
I am looking for knit and crochet designers that have patterns for garments with a maximum finished bust of at least 60” after accounting for ease. The greater the size range, the better, but this is the minimum I would need to see to consider a design inclusive.
Where are you looking?
I’m using Instagram and Ravelry as a starting point for research, but I am always looking for recommendations so if you know of a designer I haven’t included, please let me know by either sending me a message here or a DM on Instagram. The spreadsheet includes the designer’s name, Instagram handle, Ravelry link and website if available.
What do I hope to see from designers?
Ideally, I would like to see the following information provided for all patterns without makers needing to purchase the pattern first. Some of these items probably fall into a “wishlist” category but:
Available sizes: Not just letter sizing but sizes in inches and centimeters. This is a mandatory requirement for me. If I can’t easily find sizing information on the designer’s Ravelry page or website, I won’t include them here.
Consistent sizing: If there is 2 inches between the smaller sizes, I would like to see the same sizing used across the entire range rather than shifting the range up for larger sizes.
Intended ease: How many inches/centimeters of negative or positive ease are recommended by the designer for the garment. I love when designers list the finished sizing with ease accounted for.
Sizing Schematic: This isn’t something that is consistently shared outside of the pattern, but I love to see it when it is! This will show a sketch of the design with measurements for the length of the garment and sleeves, circumference of the bust and sleeves, circumference of the neck, etc.
Untested size disclosure: If the designer was unable to find pattern testers for specific size – a common issue for larger sizes in the range – I would like to see which sizes weren’t tested with the offer to provide the pattern for free to someone making the untested size in exchange for pattern feedback.
Will all the designer’s patterns be inclusive?
While I would love to say yes, very often the answer will be no. The shift to being size inclusive has been happening over the last few years so you may find older patterns are not inclusive. I do know that there are designers that are going back and reworking older patterns to grade them to be more inclusive. I think everyone deserves the opportunity to do better and this is one place where we can show some grace. If you find a pattern that you love from a designer that isn’t inclusive, I suggest reaching out to them to kindly ask if they will be offering a more inclusive range for the pattern.
Realistically, there is no consistency between designers and what information they share. You will find sizing in letters, numbers, retail sizing, etc. but very rarely are the ranges consistent from one designer to another. The actual measurements in inches/centimeters are necessary to determine what the finished sizes will be. To me there is nothing more frustrating than purchasing a pattern that appears to be size inclusive only to find that the finished product after intended ease simply won’t fit. My hope is that this document will help lead you to known size inclusive designers that have taken the guess work out of sizing so you can purchase patterns with confidence.
Additional questions and answers based on discussions I’ve had since launching the spreadsheet:
The designer only has one pattern that is size inclusive.
This will happen. But my feeling is we must start somewhere. It may be that this is a newer designer just dabbling in garments. Or it might be a designer that was not inclusive in the past but is taking steps to be inclusive now. Either way, the fact that they are showing up deserves to be acknowledged so they are included in the Size Inclusive Designers spreadsheet.
I found a pattern I love from a designer on the sheet that isn’t size inclusive. What do I do?
Kindly reach out to the designer to request that they extend their sizing. If you are one or two sizes outside of their range, let them know. I’ve run into designers that have already stated that they are working to make prior patterns size inclusive and others that just didn’t realize there was a need.
On the other hand, if you reach out to a designer and they are rude or vocally against being size inclusive, please let me know. Email me here or DM me on Instagram here because it’s possible this designer had an “accidentally inclusive” pattern. I hope this is never a thing, but it could happen, and I want to know. Just make sure to “keep the receipts”.
You’ve featured a designer that doesn’t properly fit my body even though they are within the sizing requirements.
I expect this is going to happen because the reality is we all have different bodies with different shapes and measurements, and we all carry our weight differently. Just as no clothing store is “one size fits all”, neither are designer’s styles and patterns. But this is also where the joy of making for ourselves comes into play. We get to pick which patterns to make and get to treat the pattern as a recipe which is a guide for making our project but is also open to our own adjustments and modifications.
Personally, I loathe having anything snug around my neck. This means I’m going to avoid any turtlenecks, fitted crew necks or any kind of high neck style. I’m either not going to buy these patterns at all or I’m going to figure out how to adjust the neck to fit my style.
I also have short arms so traditional ¾ sleeves looks like I’ve shrunken my garment, so it doesn’t sit right. Here is where I love top-down sweaters that I can try on as I go to get the fit and sleeve length just right. A designer can suggest knitting a sleeve for 11” but it’s up to us to decide what length works best for us! Hate pushing up your sleeves? Go shorter! Want sleeves that cover your fingers? Keep on knittin’!
Do you have a fuller bust that causes the front of your sweater to sit higher in front than the back? Learn how to knit short row bust darts to add your own shaping if the pattern doesn’t include directions for adjusting the fit.
One of the single best things you can do for yourself to help with garment fit is to learn how to properly measure your body! Not just your full bust. Learn how to measure your top bust, biceps, waist and hips. Take measurements of your favorite shirt and sweater to get a feel for the dimensions so you can match them when you’re knitting or crocheting your own clothing.
How do I find a designer that will work for me?
This is where social media and the fiber community really gets to shine! Find and follow makers that are a similar size and shape as you. For me, I keep an eye on what Aimée of La Bien Aimée is making because we have similar sizes and shapes. I chatted with Aimée years ago at VKL NYC and found that we have very similar busts and we typically knit the same sizes so when I see a pattern on her that I like, it will likely work on me as well!
Also use the spreadsheet to narrow down your search. I’m working to include the maximum bust size for each designer after accounting for ease and everyone on the sheet needs to meet a minimum of 60”. If you know that you have a 64” bust, use this number to review designers that meet your sizing requirement!
As of the time I am writing this, Ravlery has 37,285 crochet designers and 55,643 knit designers. Working from a search of designers that are #sizeinclusive, the spreadsheet is up to 340+ designers. I’ve already narrowed your search significantly!
Speaking of Ravelry, I know the website is not accessible for a lot of makers. This is why I have included an alternative website whenever possible for each designer whether it is their own website, Etsy or Payhip. Not all designers offer an alternative website (yet) but most do this will help narrow your search as well.
If this is a “size inclusive” spreadsheet, why aren’t you including more designers?
My initial intention was for this sheet to be focused on fat/plus size garment designers. My experience is that it is incredibly challenging – especially as new knitter – to find patterns that will fit properly. As the body positivity/body neutrality movement has picked up, the number of size inclusive designers has increased but as the numbers show above, truly inclusive designers are not as readily available as straight size designers. Why don’t I include a focus on straight size designers? Because they are so easy to find literally anywhere on the internet. If you can easily walk into any store and buy a garment off the rack, you probably don’t need this sheet.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out by email here or on Instagram here. Also, if you know if size inclusive designers that I’ve missed, yarn dyers or local yarn stores that offer anti-fat tax discounts, or anyone else you feel should be included on the spreadsheet, please let me know! I want this to be the best resource possible.
By Autumn 