Baby surprise jacket

[DutchOma]

I've made one and there is a picture on my profile. It is just the most amazing bit of knitting I've ever done.

It is lovely - why is it different though? And what's ravelry?

That is absolutely gorgeous, love that bag and jumper too.

Ravelry is an internet knit and crotchet community and you have to apply to belong. Doesn't take long and it is fab. I applied on the say-so of a couple of Mnters and wondered what all the fuss was about - now I know . The photo doesn't do it justice and I can't quite explain how funny it is. It's totally amorphous when it comes off the pins and needs to be folded like a piece of origami.

Was the pattern on ravelry? Might have to look for it.

No, it isn't. It's zealously copyrighted and I had to get it from Schoolhouse Press. Cost me £2.87 ($5.50) and took under atwo weeks to arrive. I daren't even offer you a copy for fear of being thrown out of Ravelry. There is a special group for it though and a lot of additional instructions, none of which make sense until you have the pattern. An Excel spreadsheet too.

Ah, I see. A spreadsheet? Was that for a chart then? If you had trouble understanding it, there would be NO hope for me

You have to be able to count, that is the most important thing. And use markers. And row counters. The rest is just garter stitch. Nothing to it.

the big thing about it is it's knitted in one piece, and looks nothing like a cardigan until you sew it up.

they're amazing! really nice to knit.

it's an elizabeth zimmerman pattern - in a couple of her books. can't remember which ones offhand.

That's right, it's in 'knitting without tears and 'knitting workshop' and there are DVDs as well. Couldn't find the books, so ordered the sheet pattern, which is really only the bare bones. The Dawn Adcock notes helped though and once you've done it once you can understand what you are doing and show others. The first time is definitely the best

So it's knitted in one piece. How does that work? I am really intrigued now. Hasn't 'knitting without tears' been republished?

It works in an incredible way and only after you have finished it will you begin to grasp how it is done. Just get yourself the pattern here some nice yarn (mine took about 125 gr) some needles that will work with it and start

Thank you, am so intrigued by the description that I think I will get that pattern.

i got the 'knitting workshop' book off ebay.

lol at surprise jacket

DutchOma, I never realised (til I looked at your profile) that you are UD's mum!!

Just looked on ravelry to see all your WIP photos - looks great! Is it knit sideways then?

(btw, Amanda is very happy and getting lots of cuddles)

For my sins, Miaou .

Glad Amanda is happy.
No, the surprise jacket is not exactly knitted sideways either, you'll only understand it once you've done it. I kept looking at it while it was still on the pin and couldn't make head or tail of it. I think it is probably easier on a circular pin, but I like to clutch my pin under my right arm, so did it on straight needles.

Gosh, I can't knit with my needles under my arms. They wave about like a tethered bird trying to escape!! I wish I could, then I would be able to knit in smaller spaces (would never attempt it on a plane for example, I would take someone's eye out )

You might be better with a circular then. I only clutch one. Haven't been able to knit on a plane for a long time

I was so impressed by the pattern that I immediately cast on for another one as soon as I had finished BSJ 1.

The first was made from Koigu and the second was made with something from Sirdar (I think)

I know the feeling:- the only reason No 2 has not been cast on yet is because I suspended finishing a couple of prem sets which I have now done. So this aftrnoon there will go No2 in two colours.

purlyqueen, I love the wool! looks fascinating to knit, I must say

I've done another one. And two sets of premature babyclothes. If anybody wants to make an offer, there is an e.mail address on my profile.