Completing a Baby Surprise Jacket seems to be somewhat of a rite of passage for knitters. The BSJ, as it is known, is the number one pattern for babies on ravelry, which is how I came across it, and its author Elizabeth Zimmerman.
Elizabeth inspires total devotion from anyone who has read her work. As her obituary in the New York Times put it, she "brought a penetrating intellect and a sculptor's sensitivity to revolutionizing the ancient art of knitting." If you are thinking of learning to knit (or just picking it back up again), I would highly recommend Knitting Without Tears - a handbook full of basic tips and information that will serve you well no matter what you're working on. The best thing about EZ's work is that not only does it evince her obvious intelligence, but also her sharp and vibrant British wit, which makes it really fun to read (dare I say, even if you're not a knitter!).
Of the Baby Suprise Jacket, which is knitted in one piece and magically turns from an amorphous blob into a neat cardigan, she says, "Funny-looking object, isn't it? Well.. [some instructions for folding] ...hey presto eureka and lo - a baby sweater. The baby will be unmoved by this offering, but the parents may well be charmed and your friends will be AMAZED." She was right! When I finished knitting the jacket, I laid it out for 3 PhDs and asked them to try and make it into a cardigan with two simple folds. They were stumped... and, as promised, suitably impressed when I demonstrated the genius of the pattern.
Right, I'm off to do my last long run before the marathon - only three weeks to go now!
And we can confirm that Baby Maeve has been kept toasty warm in this beautiful BSJ as the chill has arrived to the New York Autumn, ahem Fall.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know it was so complicated to construct, but glad that you didn't let the PhDs stew too long over it, wouldn't want to hurt their tender neurons....
Thanks again, really beautiful, Dennis and Claire
Aw thanks a million lads! So glad to hear it! See you soon..
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