Last week I was minding my own business, happily surfing my blog fav waves when this charming little thing caught my eye. So I dropped everything and cast on immediately. I had absolutely no one in mind for this (sure Denise), I cast on for the simple joy and pleasure of knitting for knitting’s sake. And here it is…All I need now is the snow and a baby to go with it.
Let’s get the basics out of the way.
Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman (Knitting Workshop, Opinionated Knitter) and the unvention by Chasing Bunny
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, 1 Skein of each, Woodland Mix #6276, Brown Rice #6202 and 1 1/2 skeins Winter White #6201
Gauge: I didn’t even check…just jumped in. (I guess I should measure)
Needles: Addi Lace #7 24″ (Have you tried these yet…really great needles. Dare I say a tad better then the regular Addis)
Started: January31, 2008
Finished: February 7, 2008
I showed this to some friends who liked the neck plain. I tried to make the edges as clean as possible so it would be neat. I have to be neat (so why do I want a baby…that’s another post)
Aren’t those buttons perfect…
I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!! And what’s amazing to me is everyone keeps asking me who it’s for, and when I say no one I just wanted to try the pattern…jaws drop. Why on earth would anyone knit just to knit? I ask, why not? Oh, what was that I just stepped over…the line between product and process…and there’s no going back now.
Here are some process notes…
I’m getting there…faithly following along.
Oh crap…I’m about to get very type A. Do you see those knit stitches…well I need a ridge to be there. Since this is in one piece when you’re ready to pick up stitches to add the button band there is a row of knit stitches presenting themselves. If I pick up from here I’ll get two rows of stockinette instead of the garter stitch continuing.
Solution: I pulled out 1/2 a row of stitches, cut the floating strand and wove it in on the wrong side.
There’s my ridge/”purl” stitches…ready and waiting. (Thanks for holding the cam babe.)
Now count with me boys and girls…288, 289, 290…phew…I think I stayed pretty calm Peggy but you were right that was alot of stitches.
But so worth it.
If I knit it…it will come….
It came out great, and the buttons are perfect.
Yes, you are now a process knitter.
I ended up pulling out that 1/2 ridge to get a clean garter stitch when starting the borders. Next time I think I’ll just pick up the border from the miter down so everythings oriented properly with less fuss.
I didn’t even bother counting how many stitches the border ended up being, just LOTS.
Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I don’t know a damn thing about knitting and I’m totally floored. Your excitement and enthusiasm are contagious.
Whenever you want to experiment at knitting for fat chicks I would be more than happy to be your model.
It’s awesome. I love it.
A beautiful unvention, indeed. Your choice of colors and buttons are perfect. Yes, it’s time to start collecting…you just never know….
OMG!
That is incredible! I was wondering what you were up to since we had been blog-deprived for a few days!
Really – perfect colors, excellent buttons, expert craftsmanship!
I’d love to see it in person. Want to play soon?
xoxoxo
Denise, I love it! Love it! Love it!
You did such a nice job and as I was reading your process notes there, you had a very “Meg Swansen” feel to your analyzing your knitting and perfection achieved.
I’m with you – if you knit it, it will come.
NOW I know why you were so busy! I’m going to have to buy some very un-me yarn to knit booties for the not-yet babe. Nothing pink, I promise!
See you tomorrow, unless the planet catches fire.