Kniiting help - king cole

[Flojobunny]

I've got a king Cole DK pattern for a jumper. It's chest sizes are: 24/26 then 28/30, (no age guide) I measured DS (8 yo) at 27" so decided it would be best to do 28/30 with slight growing room. I'm half way through to front and thought it looks quite big so I measured the width and its 16.5", I looked at the pattern and it says chest size 28/30, actual size 36" (the 24/26, actual size 32")
Why on earth is the an 8" difference? Even loosely fitted shouldn't be that much surely?

It might be that you knit more loosely than those who tested the pattern. Smaller needles might help

Sorry I didn't explain properly. Pattern states "actual size 36" not my knitting is actually that.

The difference is actually 6 inches from the largest size not 8. This difference is called the "ease". Some styles have more ease than others. I always look at the finished measurements of the garment (if given) before deciding what size to do. If they are not given I work out the finished chest size myself.

I always knit to the actual size rather than the 'to fit chest x"' as there is always a difference of quite a few inches and i hate baggy jumpers.

Have you done too much to rip it back and start again?

Well I have only done half of the front but with so many stitches on the needle it has been quite painstaking but its probably better to rip it rather than carry on and find its completely wrong.
This is only my second jumper, I've only done hugs squares before, but the first one only had a different of 3/4 of an inch.
Why do they make such a difference in the chest size and actual size? I know you need a bit of breathing room but surely 6 to 8" would be hanging off anyone.

You are obviously knitting fairly tightly if it measures 16.5". That would give a circumference of under 33" allowing for seams. That is less than 6" more than his actual chest measurement, which doesn't sound too much.

Does he have any jumpers that fit him that you can measure, before deciding whether to rip it back?

His others tend to be sweaters so its hard to see. I think from what you've just said, I'll just plod on with it and take a chance on it.

I don't usually knit much different from the pattern but I've got some new needles, bamboo ones from deramores but I don't seem to be getting on with them, they seem too 'sticky' if that makes sense. The wool doesn't seem to slide down that easily despite trying to knit looser.

Oh... I use the words sweater and jumper interchangeably! Is there a difference? I thought sweater was just a slightly posher word for the same thing!