How to get the Length Right when Knitting Garments

Have you ever discovered while using mattress stitch on your seams that they are not the same length? It's a common problem caused by the practice of measuring our knitting. Often measuring works just fine. Especially if we are careful to lay the work flat and to avoid stretching it. Be sure to measure on a flat surface. It frequently helps if you do a little steam blocking as well before you measure. 


Working with stable yarns like wool usually means more accuracy but what happens with silk-like yarns which drape?

I rarely have this problem but then I really love lots of stitch patterning so I frequently depend on the pattern row repeats to ensure equal lengths on the fronts and back of garments. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rosina-nunn-cardigan

The stitch pattern on this cardigan makes it easy to match row counts above the armholes. The body is worked flat in one piece to the armholes eliminating the challenge in that section. 

This is a detail shot from a cardigan knit in pieces.

Can you see how easy it would be to count rows by using the pattern stitch?

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-anne-meredith-cardigan

Here's a few other tips to use to ensure equal lengths. 


Count pattern features such as cable crosses or lace motifs.

Knit both the pieces of the fronts and the sleeves at the same time. 

Know that many knitters will find that they make one side of a piece longer than the other depending on their individual knitting style.  That means when you measure, be consistent in which side you measure on.

Count the rows in stocking stitch, either as you are knitting or after completion.You can add a marker in while you are knitting or count the V's of the stocking stitch. Look for the red V below.

If stitch patterns make it too difficult to count due to pattern crossings as in the example above use the bars instead.These are the same bars you use when working mattress stitch. Look for my red bars below. Next look beside the cable turn and notice you can still see the bar when the work is pulled apart.

This is from one of my favourite sweaters.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-patricia-lane-pullover

To avoid recounting, place markers at regular intervals during the counting process. 

As always while writing this post I checked a number of my reference books. Many don't mention measuring work in progress at all. (Or a least I couldn't find it on the index reference page). However, the very detailed June Hemmons Hiatt never disappoints, as it is indexed and she is very clear that rows are the way to go for accuracy.