Super Surprise

And the machine doesn't stop. Seriously, I'm feeling an internal drive to finish as much as humanly possible in the next month or so, with ideas constantly popping up into my mind. Prepare for it to stop at any time, but for now I'm having fun.

I completed the knitting for my Baby Surprise Jacket a few weeks ago (I think) and I finally took the time to carefully seam the shoulders, weave in the edges and sew on the buttons. So, here are the official specs:

Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman (I ordered the pamphlet from School House Press
Yarn: Colinette Cadenza in Slate and Rowan Tapestry (for the button band)
Needle: US #6
Mods: I made the button band and bottom edge about three or four rows shorter than the pattern called for and also only put in three buttons.


I love how this turned out. It was exciting to knit and the surprise construction was really worth my obsessive knitting (I finished it in less than a week of evening knitting). The yarn is really spongey and soft -- and superwash! I did run out of yarn at the button band, so I switched to a colourway of Rowan Tapestry that had a similar gauge and colour, rather than going for a contrast. I think it still looks pretty good, even though you can tell that it's a different yarn.

I stupidly did my gauge switch in stockinette without realizing the pattern is entirely in garter stitch, so it's a little bigger than I would have liked, but since Frank seems also be a little bigger than expected, it may be for the best. This sweater is really fun and I know with the big wide arms, we'll actually get some wear out of it. Hooray!

W.I.P. Friday

I'm still here. I'm still sick (coughing a lot while 7 mos. pregnant is not a fun thing) and I've been kept really really busy with a new development in my career, but I've actually been doing some crafty stuff too. The work stuff that I'm working on hasn't come at a particularly convenient time for my crafting, what with Ruby's birthday and Frank on the way, but I'm determined to get a couple things done.

What you see above is my first Frank project. In case you can't tell what this big blob is, I'll drop three words: Baby Surprise Jacket. I've always wanted to try the way of the Zimmerman, but have always been too chicken/confused. I thought that the perfect project to start with is the much discussed BSJ. So far so good -- I know others have found the "pattern" (okay, two paragraphs of instructions) confusing, but I think I'm getting it. The problem is, of course, that with this one you gotta have faith, and it's driving me nuts not knowing the pattern well enough to tweak things like length as I go. I'm also a little worried about my yarn supply -- but my fingers are crossed.


I also went to good old Michael's and picked up some Cotton Ease for the Hoodie Baby Blanket from the November Magknits. I'm feeling like with this second kid I definitely have more realistic ideas of what to knit for the babe. Don't expect to see any cute but ridiculous baby booties in these parts any time soon.