I began knitting this famous old-school pattern from 1968 when Leena was toothless. I didn’t think it would take me so long to finish.
I kept getting distracted by— like, you know, stuff. But over the past couple of weeks, I’ve really gotten back to knitting. Months ago, I chose a fabulous yarn for this project— Liberty Wool 7804 Painted Desert— the same type, different colorway, as the hat and cowl I made for Sonya what seems like forever ago (the winter before she turned two).
I love this yarn. Soft, machine-washable wool. Pink, gray, magenta, burnt orange, and lime— possibly the best color combination ever. It reminds me of hiking the Grand Canyon. And they’re some of the wonderful colors from my niece Coco’s nursery. Unfortunately, after all this effort, the sweater turned out looking boxy and ridiculous. I’m going to have to knit something else for Coco now. Something more classic, more chic. Oh well, knit and learn. At least she won’t be needing a sweater until this winter in Texas.
All the same, I’d like to thank a virtual stranger (there’s a double entendre there, folks!) from Grand Rapids, Michigan named Lorilee Beltman who created a series of amazing YouTube videos explaining each step of the pattern. I was able to follow along perfectly… except I don’t know what happened in the end. After I finished seaming, the neck hole turned out to be really small.
When Leena laughs, her tummy pops the buttons open. Big Sister tried to help out, but I think it’s a lost cause. Obviously, the sweater was meant for a younger baby. It’s a one-year size.
However, I refuse all that effort to be for naught. Leena will make use of the baby surprise (surprise! it didn’t turn out the way I expected!) jacket for the next few weeks before it becomes too warm to need such things. Then in the fall, maybe it can be a bolero. Or a sweater for Eeyore. Someone is going to wear it!
By the way, as I look at these pictures, the finished sweater doesn’t look half bad. Partly because Leena can rock anything. But it looks a lot worse in person. Trust me. And it doesn’t look like the right kind of sweater for my niece, anyway. Time to scour for more modern patterns, although I’m glad I tried this throwback.
Why is it called Elizabeth Zimmerman’s jacket? This is just kinda odd as one of my friends is named Elizabeth Zimmerman. :P
Anyways, I think it looks cute! :)
Melissa, Elizabeth Zimmermann, known as EZ among knitters, had an enduring impact on the process and philosophy of knitting. She is an icon among the yarn shop set. Some call her a revolutionary. She famously came up with a mathematical formula to calculate how many stitches to cast on for a sweater, and wrote a book of reflections called The Opinionated Knitter. That’s so interesting that you have a friend named Elizabeth Zimmermann. She should visit a yarn store. Some people would probably get really excited. :)
Now I can see all the four teeth. Fantastic jacket. Leena you look so beautiful.
I will carry pounds of m&m for Sonya !!
Grandfather in Houston
Hello your sweater is beautiful I’m trying to make the adult but I’m stuck on how to do get my key number can you help me out. Thanks
Misty,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful, classica project! I am about to embark on my first EZ Baby Surprise Jacket and I am so excited to see someone use Liberty Wool which is one of my favorites. Would you mind sharing what gauge needle you used and approximately how many skeins were needed for you finished project?
Thank you,
Nicole
Misty,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful, classic project! I am about to embark on my first EZ Baby Surprise Jacket and I am so excited to see someone use Liberty Wool which is one of my favorites. Would you mind sharing what gauge needle you used and approximately how many skeins were needed for you finished project?
Thank you,
Nicole
Nicole,
Liberty Wool is GORgeous! I’m away for the holidays, but when I get back after new year’s, I’ll check to see the needle size. Right now, I don’t even have a guess. Honestly, for the baby surprise jacket, gauge is less important. You’ll either make a bigger or smaller version of the pattern. I’d choose a needle size that makes nice tight ridges. Have fun making this! Would love to see it when it’s done! Please remind me if I forget to e-mail you, by the way. I’ve written a note to myself, but I might lose it between now and 2013.
Warm regards,
Mitali
Nicole,
I realize it’s been over a year and this may be a mute point, but I just started knitting a BSJ as a gift for a pregnant friend. EZ’s directions specify in her pattern; while you follow the same number of stiches for all sizes, depending on the size of jacket you desire, you will adjust the needle size and yarn weight which will give you a different ‘gauge’/size for each garment. See schoolhouse press for ABCBSJ pattern #5 where all sizes/variations are written clearly. You’ll also find EZ’s directions using percentage formula or line by line instructions.
Just use bigger buttons.