Help with Cardigan Length - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Help with Cardigan Length

Ket

Veteran

I'm knitting a cabled and textured cardigan in super chunky yarn. I'm debating how long to make it. I want it to be flattering on me.

My two cardigan length options are:

23-24" long, meaning it hits 3-4 inches above my upper thigh crease. This length is above the widest point of my hips.

Mid-thigh length, closer to 30-34 inches long, or 3-4 inches below my upper thigh crease. This length is also below widest part of my hips.

Again, this is a very chunky knit wool. Think heavy sweater coat territory. And it's got cabling and textured stitches all over it. I'm 5'11" tall, and quite curvy. This cardigan is belted so it will have waist definition.

I love the idea of a shorter cardigan, but given the heavy gauge of this cardi, I wonder if it would look imbalanced --almost top heavy?

On the flip side, a longer, mid-thigh length is extra warm and cozy.

What do you all think? I do not have any stock photos as I've heavily modified an existing pattern to get what I want. So the photos are all in my imagination. :} I did find two images that are close to the lengths I mentioned above.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I definitely think the shorter is a more fun risk, as long as you have an idea of how to style it!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I vote longer. I think a longer cardi makes more sense in a heavier yarn, practically and aesthetically. I have many cooler months where I live too and always prefer some extra back coverage.

Ket

Veteran

Carol, that is a really helpful photo that you shared. Mine would be another inch or two longer. However, seeing it, I kind of wonder if a belted cardi at this length would be too much of a risk?? Or be too bulky around my upper hips. Hmm....

Lise, that does makes a lot of sense. Like you, we have many cold months, often 5-6 months of cold and snow.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My two cents:

Ket, will you wear a long heavy sweater coat? You might grab a proper coat or jacket instead of a sweater coat when you're heading out the door. This has been a CONSTANT problem with sweater coats and clients!!! Sweater coats are not real coats, and don't layer well under coats.

Will you wear a sweater coat inside? Turns out that many people don't - when they thought they would.

You might find a shorter sweater in a heavy yarn much easier to wear inside AND out.

The answers to these questions will determine the right-length-for-you

Ket

Veteran

Angie, I always love your two cents! I actually think I will wear a long, heavy sweater coat. Whatever length I make it, it won't fit under my winter coat. I do plan to wear this inside for warmth and coziness. And if it doesn't work out, well, I can always undo the knitting. (Time lost, but not yarn.)

I am not opposed to wearing it shorter, I'm just worried about how much bulk it would be around my upper hip (pelvic shelf) area at a shorter length. I think once it's belted it could look and feel a bit like a very heavy peplum?? Any thoughts on my concern??

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Would there be a problem doing in between the two lengths?

Ket

Veteran

This is pretty similar to the weight and bulk of my in-progress sweater, though mine might still be heavier.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Ket

Veteran

Carol, a length in-between would essentially end at the widest point of my hips -- a length that I've both been told and have observed to make me look visually wider. So I tend to go for lengths above or below widest point of hips.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

More 2 cents

Heavy chunky knits aren't all that comfortable belted. They fall open too. Chunky heavy knits tend to drape better sans belt. The weight keeps them in place that way, IYKWIM.

Now that you KNOW you'll wear a sweater coat inside - may I suggest finding a style without a belt.

Ket

Veteran

Angie, yay for more 2 cents! This style actually doesn't call for a belt. I was going to make one for waist definition. But hearing you explain this, I see that won't be necessary. (Kind of relief; it's boring to knit a belt, ha!) So I guess now it's really which length will feel better. I'm kind of leaning toward mid thigh... but you can give me even more 2 cents on that!

Star (Lise)

Veteran

KET I like both longer examples you have now posted and think longer will totally suit you and your boho lite vibe.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Ket---probably because I don't think wide hips look bad. Stuff that ends at the widest part of my calf I find horrifying --hip stuff, no.

Maybe your general style is more the longer, esp. with a belt. I still think the shorter is different, but if the waist definition is important to you, is there a way to do that that would work better than a belt?

It does seem like you know what you are doing, so whatever you end up deciding will probably be best. If you do the shorter with a belt, as long as you make sure the belt is well-situated, and not too close to the bottom, it would probably work.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

You can always use a regular leather or some other belt when you want to IYKWIM.

Ket

Veteran

Lise, thank you!! That is really helpful to hear. I do love my boho and longer honors that vibe better. And such a good idea about using a regular belt or another belt if and when I want to. So I do KWYM

Carol, my hips have always been a tug of war. I love my curves, but not looking extra wide. So back and forth I go ha! I do think longer is probably going to be better for me. I like waist length cardigans but when they're lighter weight.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes to the burgundy coatigan you posted, Ket! No belt, chunky, and that can work well

Ket

Veteran

Thank you, Angie!!! That is the direction I am going!! Will post when it’s finished the yarn is a dappeled yarn and… it’s burgundy dappled with lilac, pine, and russet.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You have a lot of replies already so mine may be redundant… but I have several thoughts so here goes!
Harking back to Kibbe…I know you don’t want to be too constrained by Kibbe, but as (I think you have said) a Soft Dramatic, which length would suit that more? Maybe the longer length?
Would the longer length also be more similar to your beloved clove cardigan?
I lean towards the longer length looking more dramatic and also keeping you warm and cosy inside in the winter.
I’m not sure what a “pelvic shelf” is, would have to look that up, I’m guessing it could be what I have always called “love handles”? And I presume a thigh crease is where the angle of the groin meets the edge of the body? Which for me is where my “hip dip” is. I know for me at times my upper thigh area has been wider than my hips. It isn’t currently, but I feel noticing which is wider may influence what is more flattering. I don’t think I have worried about that so much in the last few years but I used to.

bj1111

Veteran

I’m with @JenniNZ. Have you considered something mid calf knit a bit of a cocoon shape to be accommodate a curvier figure without being too overwhelming at the top?

Ket

Veteran

Jenni, you make some excellent points! And what a memory you have! I didn't except anyone to remember my Kibbe ID or anything. Anyway, as an SD, I do think the longer length will suit me far better. This cardigan will probably come really close to the length of my beloved clove cardigan (you have a stellar memory!) Pelvic shelf -- I mean where the top of my hip bones jut out. I have a very deep, large, wide pelvis. Instead of my torso being a continuous, smooth, long line until the outer thigh and lower hip, my hip bones dramatically jut or flare out right the height of my navel. I sometimes have to make some dressing and alteration tweaks to accommodate it. Yes, re: hip dip/thigh crease! That is the area I meant. I don't worry about wide upper thighs/hips gobs. But this is going to be a very chunky sweater, so I know it's going to highlight wherever its hemline lands ha!

bj1111, I adore cocoon shapes!! Unfortunately, this yarn is so thick and chunky, I think the actual weight of the sweater at mid-calf length would likely be uncomfortably heavy. (Think wearing an area rug lol!) Could be wrong, but that's my initial gut feeling. I don't regret knitting this sweater but it could turn out to be a major flop. So we'll see ha! I'll report back!

Lisa

Veteran

I'm late to this one, but a long sweatercoat worn open will be lovely on you with your height!

Ket

Veteran

Lisa I just love this feedback! Thank you I will share photos once it’s finished, probably in next few weeks or so.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m late to this, but I understand about the flattery aspect of sweaters/tops that end right at that widest point — for me, that is the low hip and it lines up with the crotch point, which makes the effect doubly unappealing. I really do not like hems ending at the crotch point!

I would choose either just a few inches shorter for a slightly cropped effect — cheeky and easy to throw on — or a decidedly long length for 70s drama. Either version would look fab with dresses and skirts and flared pants and jeans!

Ket

Veteran

Janet, not late at all—I’m still knitting ha Ugh! Yes, the dreaded crotch point. I totally agree with you. I think I’m going to try a few inches above my knee. We’ll see! I’m nervous as I’ve never knit a sweater for myself in such a heavy gauge and yarn. Could be amazing or could be a disaster… and it’s hard to anticipate which it will be until it’s knit up and I can try it on. Anyhoots, will share when it’s finished!

Indigoprint

Veteran

First off you knitting skills are phenomenal. So anything you knit will be FAB. But I know as a tiny knitter you are planning.
Is there not a fashion suggestion to not have a hemline at your widest part for the most flattering silhouette ?

Ket

Veteran

Indigoprint, thank you for such a lovely compliment! <3 Yes, that is the most accepted viewpoint: avoid hemlines ending at the widest part. And that's typically what I go by. I'm planning to knit this cardigan so it ends far away from widest point. My earlier dilemma was more about knitting it semi-cropped. But after much discussion I realize it could look a bit weird since it's such a thick, thick wool and gauge.