Knitters - how do you measure the length of your knitting - laid flat or hanging up?

[franke]

Probably a daft question I know but my brain is frazzled. I'm knitting something in chunky yarn. The pattern says knit until it's 60 cm long. When I lay it flat, it's 58cm, when I hang it, it's 60cm. Which way is correct? Okay, 2cm isn't a big deal in the great scheme of things, but it will matter when I come to knitting and measuring the armhole - if it's wrong the inset sleeve won't sit nicely in the armhole.

Goodness this all sounds so trivial, but it's bugging my sleep-deprived little brain Any advice much appreciated.

[DutchOma]

I think the correct method is to work till half way the needle, then fold it over, lay it flat and measure the fold. When you have got to 60 cm that way count your rows, or pattern repeats so that you can work out how many rows per centimeter you've got. Then you can work out how much you need for the front/sleeves etc and you won't have to measure again. Does that make sense? It is important to have the same number of rows for back and front and for the armholes.

[florenceuk]

i always lay it flat and pat it out (if that makes sense). it won't be 2cm difference for the armholes, it'd be more like about 1/2 cm which in the scheme of things is fine.

[franke]

Thank you both - that's a great help