Sabra
June 26, 2005, 09:24 AM
I don't know how many of us are designing baby clothes, but I figure at least that many are looking online for patterns for baby clothes. Too few of the online patterns I have seen have a "real" size on them though. For that reason and for those of us who design our own baby stuff, I'm putting here a size chart--keep in mind, these are the approximate measurements of a baby; finished garments will need to be at least a bit bigger (1/2" to 1" wearing ease around; you can probably get away with keeping the same lengths). The exception to the finished-garment-bigger idea is hats; those need to be pretty much the same circumference because they tend to stretch a bit. (Someone mentioned a grapefruit is just the right size for a newborn's head; I've found this to be true.)
I'm providing this info rather than linking to a chart online because I have personal experience with its accuracy, & I can't vouch for any I've seen online. If someone has similar info for preemies, please share it.
Newborn Measurements: Head: 14in (35.6 cm); Chest circumference: 14 in (35.6 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 8in (20.3 cm); Waist to ankle length: 12in (30.5 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 6in (15.2 cm); Sleeve length: 8 in (20.3 cm)
1 - 3 Months: Head: 16in (40.6 cm); Chest circumference: 16in (40.6 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 9in (22.9 cm); Waist to ankle length: 13 in (33 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 7in (17.8 cm); Sleeve length: 9 in (22.9 cm)
3 - 6 Months: Head: 17in (43.2 cm); Chest circumference: 18 in (45.7 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 10in (25.4 cm); Waist to ankle length: 13in (33 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 8in (20.3 cm); Sleeve length: 9in (22.9 cm)
6 - 9 Months: Head: 18in (45.7 cm); Chest circumference: 19 in (48.3 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 11in (27.9 cm); Waist to ankle length: 15 in (38.1 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 9 in (22.9 cm); Sleeve length: 13in (33 cm)
9 to 12 Months: Head: 19 in (48.3 cm); Chest circumference: 20in (50.8 cm); Back of Neck to Hip Length: 12 in (30.5 cm); Waist to ankle length: 16 in (40.6 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 10in (25.4 cm); Sleeve Length: 14in (35.6 cm)
As you can tell from the info, you go up about an inch for most measurements each size (difference being chest circumference jumps by 2 inches in the first 3 sizes).
Infant Shoe Sizes:
Note that these measurements are for the finished product, & length only.
Newborn: 3.5" (8.8 cm)
3 - 6 Months: 3.75" (9.5 cm)
6 - 9 Months: 4.25" (10.7 cm)
9 - 12 Months: 4.5" (11.43 cm)
I'll also note here that I've always put my newborns in booties with soles that measured about 3" & they were plenty big, but I tend to have small babies.
Sleeves are so variable I don't feel comfortable giving measurements for them! You're best off measuring something in ready-to-wear that has sleeves you like. Trust me that people don't look at you too oddly when you do this in Wal-Mart. ;)
Baby Blanket:
This is purely my own opinion here. You can of course make baby blankets in any size you want. Sizing them to fit a crib might be a very good idea, but I don't have any idea what size a crib is!
When I make baby blankets, I make them the same size as a receiving blanket. This is the size I have found most useful. A receiving blanket is 26.5 inches wide and 30.25 inches long. If you're making a blanket for a shower gift, I'm going to go way out of the crochet world and suggest you include some swaddling instructions (http://www.peds.arizona.edu/neonatology/swaddling.html). I'm a huge believer in this; it was the only way we could get my second daughter to nurse when she was a newborn.
I'm providing this info rather than linking to a chart online because I have personal experience with its accuracy, & I can't vouch for any I've seen online. If someone has similar info for preemies, please share it.
Newborn Measurements: Head: 14in (35.6 cm); Chest circumference: 14 in (35.6 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 8in (20.3 cm); Waist to ankle length: 12in (30.5 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 6in (15.2 cm); Sleeve length: 8 in (20.3 cm)
1 - 3 Months: Head: 16in (40.6 cm); Chest circumference: 16in (40.6 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 9in (22.9 cm); Waist to ankle length: 13 in (33 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 7in (17.8 cm); Sleeve length: 9 in (22.9 cm)
3 - 6 Months: Head: 17in (43.2 cm); Chest circumference: 18 in (45.7 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 10in (25.4 cm); Waist to ankle length: 13in (33 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 8in (20.3 cm); Sleeve length: 9in (22.9 cm)
6 - 9 Months: Head: 18in (45.7 cm); Chest circumference: 19 in (48.3 cm); Back of neck to hip length: 11in (27.9 cm); Waist to ankle length: 15 in (38.1 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 9 in (22.9 cm); Sleeve length: 13in (33 cm)
9 to 12 Months: Head: 19 in (48.3 cm); Chest circumference: 20in (50.8 cm); Back of Neck to Hip Length: 12 in (30.5 cm); Waist to ankle length: 16 in (40.6 cm); Crotch to ankle length: 10in (25.4 cm); Sleeve Length: 14in (35.6 cm)
As you can tell from the info, you go up about an inch for most measurements each size (difference being chest circumference jumps by 2 inches in the first 3 sizes).
Infant Shoe Sizes:
Note that these measurements are for the finished product, & length only.
Newborn: 3.5" (8.8 cm)
3 - 6 Months: 3.75" (9.5 cm)
6 - 9 Months: 4.25" (10.7 cm)
9 - 12 Months: 4.5" (11.43 cm)
I'll also note here that I've always put my newborns in booties with soles that measured about 3" & they were plenty big, but I tend to have small babies.
Sleeves are so variable I don't feel comfortable giving measurements for them! You're best off measuring something in ready-to-wear that has sleeves you like. Trust me that people don't look at you too oddly when you do this in Wal-Mart. ;)
Baby Blanket:
This is purely my own opinion here. You can of course make baby blankets in any size you want. Sizing them to fit a crib might be a very good idea, but I don't have any idea what size a crib is!
When I make baby blankets, I make them the same size as a receiving blanket. This is the size I have found most useful. A receiving blanket is 26.5 inches wide and 30.25 inches long. If you're making a blanket for a shower gift, I'm going to go way out of the crochet world and suggest you include some swaddling instructions (http://www.peds.arizona.edu/neonatology/swaddling.html). I'm a huge believer in this; it was the only way we could get my second daughter to nurse when she was a newborn.