Surprise Sweater done in reverse

Lana · 01-25-2009, 07:41 PM

Original pattern by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

When Jan in CA post this, http://www.knittinghelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84254 I was intriqued.

I asked my Public Library to get the book for me. It took so long, I had the pattern worked out in my head before it arrived.

The instructions baffled me for a couple days, and then I realized I had worked out the pattern in reverse. Elizabeth started at the top and cuff edges and ended at the bottom and front edges. I did figured it in reverse.

bk view

Lana · 01-26-2009, 12:46 AM

I used some old 75%cotton/25% acrylic Aunt Lydia's Quick Crochet yarn, from my stash.

the cute buttons

and what it looked like before finishing

mks22300 · 01-26-2009, 12:58 AM

Very cute, love the buttons!

suzeeq · 01-26-2009, 01:00 AM

Oh, I like that better, you could do a 3 needle BO at the top of the sleeves that way. Will have to experiment. Or, if you feel like writing it up, even the basics, that would be welcome too.

miss_molly · 01-26-2009, 01:40 AM

I love it! How clever you are to work it out from the bottom up... I'll be watching in case you write it up.

Your colours are perfect, as are the buttons, the neat way you've done the collar and the overall proportions. Just lovely!

I have the BSJ pattern from Schoolhouse Press and knitted a few of the jackets just for the exercise of it, and because everyone raves about them, but I must say I've had reservations about how much I actually love the style of it, as opposed to the experience of it. But your's has me wondering if maybe I ought to make another - it has much more of an up-to-date look about it.

suzeeq · 01-26-2009, 01:46 AM

I was going to make one for new GD, but needed to modify the CO and everything and wasn't thrilled with sewing it together. But I may rethink this....

Lana · 01-26-2009, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by suzeeq

Oh, I like that better, you could do a 3 needle BO at the top of the sleeves that way. Will have to experiment. Or, if you feel like writing it up, even the basics, that would be welcome too.

The top edge of the back sleeve is the last row knit and the top edge of the front sleeve is the selvage.
I slip stitched the seam by putting the hook into the stitch on the string on the back (being sure it wasn't twisted) and then into under the last stitch of the row between the ridges ( I call it the "bar" and the ridge I call the "knot" ) of the front sleeve selvage, repeating that the length of the seam. It was particularly challenging to get it neat looking where the tails of the color changes were.
I can figure out things much better than I can explain it.

However, the 3 needle method of binding off is one option for the sleeve seam on the surplice sweater Jan and I have posted. I grafted mine.

MOLLY
I'm not familar with the BSJ pattern, but I did enjoy this unique approach to the last two baby sweaters I made.
Are you able to work from nothing but numbers? It would take me longer to type the instructions than it took me to knit it.

This is the second baby sweater I've used those buttons on. I just love 'em. Glad someone else does too.

Marria · 01-26-2009, 03:09 AM

Very nice! I love the colors you chose too--I just love it when people choose non-pastels for baby clothes.

Great job.

suzeeq · 01-26-2009, 03:37 AM

The BSJ is short for this pattern's correct name - Baby Surprise Jacket.

KnittingNat · 01-26-2009, 08:39 AM

Very very sweet

WTG on figuring out the pattern