Men’s sweater: sizes and a pattern
A men’s sweater is not a women’s one in a bigger size: broader shoulders, longer sleeves and body, a higher neck and usually no waist shaping. Here are standard measurements and the calculation for a classic sweater.
Measurements by size
| Size | Chest | Shoulder width | Neck | Upper arm | Sleeve length | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 (XS) | 92 cm | 40 cm | 37 cm | 29 cm | 47 cm | 66 cm |
| 48 (S) | 96 cm | 41 cm | 38 cm | 30 cm | 48 cm | 68 cm |
| 50 (M) | 100 cm | 42 cm | 39 cm | 31 cm | 48 cm | 70 cm |
| 52 (L) | 104 cm | 43 cm | 40 cm | 32.5 cm | 49 cm | 71 cm |
| 54 (XL) | 108 cm | 44 cm | 41 cm | 34 cm | 49 cm | 72 cm |
| 56 (2XL) | 112 cm | 45 cm | 42 cm | 35.5 cm | 50 cm | 73 cm |
| 58 (3XL) | 116 cm | 46 cm | 43 cm | 37 cm | 50 cm | 74 cm |
| 60 (4XL) | 120 cm | 47 cm | 44 cm | 38.5 cm | 51 cm | 75 cm |
The European men’s size is half the chest: 50 → 100 cm. Sleeve length is underarm to wrist.
Worked example: men’s set-in-sleeve sweater
This is real output from the builder for men’s size 50 (chest 100 cm).
Key numbers
- Body cast-on
- 122
- Sts at bust (per piece)
- 122
- Rows to armhole
- 142
- Total rows
- 210
- Armhole: bind off
- 6 + 2
- Armhole: decreases every 2 / 4 rows
- 4 / 2
- Sts across shoulders
- 94
- Neck sts
- 46
- Shoulder sts
- 24
- Slope: steps
- 6+6+6+6
Finished garment
- Bust circumference
- 110.9 cm
- Ease
- +10.9 cm
- Length
- 70 cm
- Armhole depth
- 20.5 cm
- Shoulder width
- 10.9 cm
- Shoulder slope
- 2 cm
- Neckline
- Crew, 20.9 × 7.3 cm
- Yarn (estimate)
- 1560–2000 m
What is different from a women’s sweater
- Shoulders. Men’s shoulders are wider relative to the chest — the armhole and sleeve cap depend on it.
- No waist shaping. The body is straight from rib to armhole.
- Length. 6–10 cm longer in the body and 5–8 cm in the sleeve.
- Ease. Classic fit — 10–12 cm, relaxed — 16–20 cm.
Numbers for size 50
- Cast-on (front or back): 122 sts
- Rows to armhole: 142, total: 210
- Armhole: bind off 6 + 2 sts
- Yarn: 1560–2000 m — about 16 skeins of 50 g / 125 m
Measuring a man
The most accurate way is to measure his favourite sweater: chest width under the arms (×2), length from the shoulder, sleeve from the underarm. The ease is already built in. How to take measurements.
FAQ
How much yarn for a men’s size 50 sweater?
In DK-weight yarn (22 sts per 10 cm), 1560–2000 m, about 800 g.
Which neckline for a men’s sweater?
Most often a crew neck with a 2.5–3 cm rib or a mock neck. A V-neck works for wearing over a shirt.
Raglan or set-in sleeve for men?
A set-in sleeve fits broad shoulders better and looks classic. A top-down raglan is simpler to knit and seamless.