7 Best Measuring Tapes For Body Circumference Tested
We tested top body tape measures for accuracy and ease. Discover the best tools for tracking circumference goals with our expert reviews and key takeaways.
Achieving the perfect fit for a hand-knit sweater begins long before you pick up your needles. Accurate body measurements are the foundation of every successful project, yet many knitters rely on worn-out or inaccurate tools. Investing in a high-quality measuring tape ensures that your hard work translates into a garment you will actually wear. Here are the top seven measuring tapes that stand up to the rigors of a busy knitting studio.
Hemline Retractable Tape: Best Overall Choice
The Hemline Retractable Tape is a staple in my notions bag because it balances convenience with consistent reliability. Its smooth retraction mechanism means you aren’t fighting with a tangled mess of vinyl when you’re in the middle of a gauge swatch session.
For the knitter who constantly moves between their stash and the living room, this tape is a dream. It stays protected inside its casing, preventing the edges from fraying or stretching out over time.
Because it is compact, it fits easily into a project bag alongside your circular needles and stitch markers. It is the perfect "set it and forget it" tool for those who value efficiency in their workflow.
Singer Professional Tailor Tape: Best Overall Choice
Singer has been a household name in sewing for generations, and their professional tailor tape remains a gold standard. The markings are exceptionally bold, which is a lifesaver when you are measuring a dark-colored mohair garment where visibility is naturally low.
I find that the weight of this tape is just right; it hangs straight against the body without curling or twisting. This is vital when you are trying to measure a bust circumference or a sleeve length while holding your arms in a specific position.
While it lacks a fancy retraction button, its simplicity is its greatest strength. You never have to worry about the internal spring mechanism failing, making it a tool that will likely stay in your kit for decades.
Sewline Retractable Measure: Best Precision
Precision is non-negotiable when you are working on a fitted garment like a top-down raglan. The Sewline Retractable Measure features markings that are crisp and clear, ensuring your measurements are accurate to the millimeter.
If you are a knitter who struggles with gauge consistency, having a high-precision tape helps you verify your work against the pattern requirements. It eliminates the "is that a half-inch or three-quarters?" guesswork that ruins a perfectly good sweater.
The tape itself is made of a high-quality, non-stretch material. This is crucial because even a tiny amount of "give" in a tape measure can lead to a garment that ends up two inches too large.
Dritz Ezy-Check Tape: Best For Garments
The Dritz Ezy-Check is specifically designed with the garment maker in mind, featuring dual-sided measurements that are incredibly helpful. One side provides standard inches, while the other offers a clear view of centimeters, which is essential for following international knitting patterns.
I often recommend this to knitters who are transitioning from simple scarves to complex, fitted sweaters. It allows you to quickly cross-reference your body measurements with the pattern’s schematic without doing mental math.
The material is soft and pliable, hugging the curves of the body without digging in. This ensures that you aren’t compressing your soft-knit swatches or your own skin, which would lead to an inaccurate, overly tight garment.
Clover 150cm Tape: Best For Longevity
Clover is renowned for the quality of their knitting needles, and their measuring tape carries that same reputation for durability. The material is thick and resistant to tearing, even after years of being pulled through project bags and tangled in yarn ends.
When you spend hours knitting a complex cabled sweater, you want tools that feel substantial in your hand. This tape doesn’t feel like a flimsy piece of plastic; it feels like a professional instrument.
It is particularly resistant to the oils and lotions we often use to keep our hands soft for knitting. Over time, cheaper tapes can become sticky or brittle, but the Clover tape maintains its texture and flexibility.
Fiskars Soft Grip Tape: Best Ergonomics
Fiskars is famous for their ergonomic design, and this tape measure is no different. The housing is shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, which is a small detail that makes a big difference during a long day of measuring multiple samples.
For knitters with hand fatigue or arthritis, the ease of use provided by this design is a major benefit. You don’t have to strain your grip to hold the tape in place while you record your numbers.
The tape itself is smooth and glides effortlessly. If you are measuring a delicate lace shawl, you want a tool that won’t snag or pull at the fibers, and this tape’s soft edges are perfectly suited for that task.
Tailor’s Choice Fiberglass Tape: Best Value
If you are just starting your knitting journey and need to stock your kit without breaking the bank, the Tailor’s Choice Fiberglass Tape is an excellent entry point. It is basic, functional, and gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
Fiberglass tapes are incredibly resilient because they don’t stretch, even after years of heavy use. This makes them a reliable choice for measuring long lengths, such as the total circumference of a large blanket or a long cardigan.
While it doesn’t have a fancy retraction case, it is easy to coil up and store. It is a workhorse tool that proves you don’t need to spend a lot of money to ensure your knitting projects fit perfectly.
How To Measure Body Circumference Accurately
- Stand straight: Don’t suck in your stomach; stand in a natural, relaxed posture.
- Keep it level: Use a mirror to ensure the tape is parallel to the floor, especially around the bust and hips.
- Don’t pull too tight: The tape should touch your skin but not compress it.
- Measure over clothing: For the best results, wear the type of undergarments or base layers you intend to wear under your finished knit.
Essential Features For Knitting Tape Measures
- Dual-sided: Look for both inches and centimeters for maximum versatility.
- Non-stretch: Always choose fiberglass or high-quality vinyl to prevent measurement drift.
- High-contrast markings: Bold numbers on a light background (or vice versa) are essential for low-light knitting environments.
- Flexible material: A tape that conforms to your body’s natural curves is better than a stiff, rigid ruler.
Why Flexible Vinyl Beats Rigid Tape Measures
Rigid rulers or yardsticks are fine for flat surfaces, but they are useless when it comes to the human body. Knitting is a three-dimensional craft, and our bodies are full of curves, angles, and soft tissues that a rigid tool simply cannot map correctly.
A flexible tape measure acts as a second skin, allowing you to capture the circumference of a sleeve or the depth of a neckline with total accuracy. Rigid tools will inevitably leave gaps, leading to measurements that are too large and garments that don’t fit the way they should.
Always opt for a flexible material that can wrap, bend, and contour. Your goal is to replicate the shape of the body so that your finished project drapes beautifully and feels like it was made specifically for you.
The right measuring tape is an investment in the success of every sweater, sock, and hat you knit. By choosing a tool that is accurate, durable, and comfortable to use, you remove one of the biggest variables from your knitting process. Take the time to measure yourself correctly, and you will find that your finished garments look and feel more professional than ever. Happy knitting!
