Baby Surprise Jacket

Since I first read about Elizabeth Zimmermanns Baby Surprise Jacket I have very very much wanted to make one.  It sounds absolutely brilliant.  You make only knit stitches, plus increases and decreases, and when you fold it all up, you get a sweater!  I searched and searched for a free copy of the pattern, being that I can be a cheap bastard of a knitter.  When my knitting group in town suggested a KAL I immediately recommended the BSJ.  Luckily, one of our members has two of Elizabeth’s books and was kind enough to lend me one, so that I may make a copy.  That was 2 Saturdays ago, and the book has languished in my purse neglected, but not nearly as neglected as the knitting, which was ripped out twice before I even left the knitting group 2 weeks ago.  Sadly, Elizabeth writes patterns and notes that are about as clear as what I put when I’m writing my notes, before I make y’all a finished pattern.

So, if you have a copy of the BSJ and like me, are easily confused I have a present for you………ok, its actually just a link.  But look! Some kindly knitter by the name of Dawn Adcock has written notes to accompany the BSJ pattern.  Hooray for Baby Surprise Sweater Notes .  My love and knitterly affection goes out to her for writing these notes to help us all.

This morning I took out  the knitting and book, realizing earlier this week that I had once again putzed up the damn thing and ripped it out again for a third time.  i am hoping to have it back to where it was when i left the group so they need be none the wiser about my loathing of reading directions all the way through.  As such, no pictures for you.  Sorry.  I have yarn strewn all over my floor and even the pup isn’t interested in playing with it at this point.

Completely Frikkin Adorable

Aww, look what Pilot sent me! Its an adorable thank you card for the hat I made him. How sweet is that? In the note he even says that he has actually worn the hat skiing several times! I’m so happy.

See? I’m knitting.

This chullo hat is made out of a wool-hemp blend courtesy of the EX from Christmas 2 years ago, complete with pattern to knit on straight needles. The yarn is from BillyBobHempYarn.com and it smelled much better after a washing. Thats actually why I avoided this yarn for so long. It was pretty stinky. I suppose its great for those who like hemp yarn, but I don’t know if I would knit with hemp yarn again.

As you can tell, I think I’m pretty funny.

1st Sweater Ever!

I am immensely proud to have finished my first sweater ever! I used the instructions provided by Elizabeth Zimmermann for a sweater in the round, casting on 120 stitches. I see now that this sweater is for a baby, hmmm, now I have to find someone who will dress their baby in a wool sweater, in Stockton. Of course, it could be the whole subconsciousness showing what the conscious won’t admit to. Lets face it, I (of all people) want to have a baby. Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself what with not having a boyfriend let alone a husband. Turns out that whole biological clock thing, with people warning me that one day I will change my mind about not wanting kids, is true.

But I digress, as the sweater is the most important thing right now. So, without further ado…

Ta Da!!! See those bits of yarn above it? Thats all thats left of the two skeins of Patons Merino Wool.

Here’s the dramatic part…

I had a stitch aaallll the way down at the bottom where I hadn’t picked up the whole loop, so the stitch above it wan only holding on to 1 of the 3 strands of wool. I ignored it for a while until I was ready to do the neck and realized that if I want this to be an heirloom, I better fix that damn stitch! So I dropped a stitch all the way down and brought it all the way back up. Of course, Darby was bouncing around wanting to play with me at this most difficult time in my knitting.

Oh, oh, oh, here’s a close up.

I’m so proud of myself!

You can’t even see where Darby decided to make a chew toy out of my circular needle and chewed and drooled on it!