Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ) – a Classic Design
Elizabeth Zimmerman’s 40-year old Knit Pattern is Still Popular
Dec 28, 2008
When her first grandchild was due, knitting guru Elizabeth Zimmerman designed a one-piece garment which went on to become a design classic and is still made today by knitters around the world.
Basic Construction.
This is where the genius of the BSJ is clear. The garment is made in one piece and, until it is folded to create the jacket shape, it looks (in Elizabeth Zimmerman’s own words) “like nothing on earth”.
Once you have finished knitting, you have an almost rectangle of garter stitch which doesn’t lay flat and looks as though mistakes have been made, but with two simple folds and seams, the jacket is complete, but for adding the buttons.
The jacket is created through a number of increases and decreases which give mitred corners for the jacket fronts, and make up the other shaping.
Level of difficulty.
Some skill is needed, but this garment would be a suitable pattern for any knitter who has experience of some basic increases and decreases.
As the jacket is made in garter stitch throughout, there is no complicated stitch pattern to worry about, making this a quick and simple knit.
Tips when making the garment.
- The main thing to be aware of when making the garment is the need to keep your increases and decreases in line. Two stitch markers are essential when making the jacket. However, it is not necessary to buy expensive accessories; simply make a small knotted loop of a contrasting yarn and hang this on your needle where the stitch needs to be marked.
- Because every row is knit, the garment is reversible. It may be helpful, therefore, to place some kind of marker (such as a safety pin) on one side of the knitting. This makes it easy to see which side you have facing you when you make the increases or decreases, as they are usually done every two rows.
Using up yarn.
Making the Baby Surprise Jacket is a good way to use up oddments of yarns (make sure that the yarns are compatible before putting them in the same project). Because the garment is made in one piece, there is no need to match widths of stripes when different colours are being used.
The mitred fronts give the jacket an attractive pattern which looks more complicated than it is.
Moving on.
It is also possible to make an Adult Surprise Jacket, taking the pattern further. This again is a great stash buster, and is adaptable for any size. The patterns for both Jackets are available from Schoolhouse Press
Source:
- Elizabeth Zimmerman, The Opinionated Knitter, Schoolhouse Press, 2005
 |
