Irregularly Shaped Human

If you asked me what my go-to knitting project is, I would not hesitate to answer: Sweaters.

After many years of knitting sweaters, I can't tell you why I love them so much. Maybe it's because I can create a wardrobe of tops. Or the peacefulness of going around and around the body. One day, I'll figure it out. 

But...most of my sweaters don't fit. At least not the ones I knit while I was falling in love with knitting sweaters. Of course, I have felt the pain of improper gauge and bad measurements. Now, I'm down to the things that go beyond technique to me as a person. 

One thing I've begun saying to myself when I get to the body of a sweater is, "I am an irregularly shaped human." What does that mean? It means I'm taller than the average woman at 5"8'. And my height comes from having long legs and a long torso. I have other fit problems, like broad shoulders and larger upper arms than average for my bust size, but that's another post for another day. 

Forgetting that I am an irregularly shaped human normally results in all my sweaters being cropped. I, on average, need 3-4 inches more than the pattern calls for my bust size. I have learned that lesson the hard way. I have three beautiful sweaters that are too short. 

One of my goals this year is to lengthen these sweaters. I have enough leftover yarn to do it, although I'm going to have to get a little creative with one of them. 

My thought is it is pointless to put all that work into sweaters, and I can't wear them. That is a travesty, especially when all of them can be lengthened by stockinette in the round (knit every stitch).

The sweaters I'm lengthening are a Love Note by Tin Can Knits, a Trelawny Top by Tamy Gore, and a Stripes of Joy by Tiff Neilan. This is in no way making a negative statement about these patterns. They are well-designed, and I enjoyed knitting them. I just forgot that I'm an irregularly shaped human. 

What sweater fit problems do you have? Have you identified why? Tell me about it.