Second Baby Surprise Sweater

In between my other projects I slipped in a second Baby Surprise Sweater. I am still not "perfect" with the technique. The problem I find myself having is keeping precise track of where I am supposed to make decreases. I mark them with a safety pin (there are only two decrease points), and it works perfectly until the pattern calls for an increase in the number of stitches on the needle... thus throwing your "perfect track" off kilter.

You have to knit the pattern to understand what I am talking about. The sweater still works up fine; it is just not visually aligned to perfection. I am STILL going to continue knitting sweaters using this pattern because it is capable of rendering so many creative colorful combinations. The Ravelry website has quite a few beautiful Baby Surprise Sweater creations.

Here are some photos of my latest attempt, and my latest 'stash' additions. I had to visit my favorite yarn shop to get two skeins of yarn to finish a vest I am working on, and of course I just could not leave without buying something......!


Here is the latest. I used Carons Simply Soft Yarns


Here are both of my Baby Surprise Sweaters side by side.


Here is how they look on the back.


Here is a closer view of the newest attempt...


Here is my latest addition to my Yarn Stash.


I picked this up at Walmart to knit dishcloths for my kitchen. I have been knitting my own dishcloths for about 9 years and I refuse to use store purchased ones again! I also find the old ones work perfectly for dusting furniture.

Baby Surprise Sweater Results.......

I just could not help myself.... I had to stop my 'regular knitting' and try to knit my first Baby Surprise Sweater! Even with written instructions and the DVD, I had a few bumps in the road, but I did manage to get a decent finished sweater and I have to say, I WILL be knitting another one as soon as I get some purple yarn. Would you believe I don't have any in my Stash?? And after I said I wasn't going to buy any more acrylic yarn for a while?? But these little sweaters are sort of 'addictive.' The color combinations are just endless, and this pattern just fertilizes the imagination. It knits up fairly quickly too, which is exactly what I like!


Well, I promised some pictures, and here they are. I made buttons as well.


Here is the Sweater as it looks after you have finished the knitting instructions and now you have to figure out how to fold it to create sleeves, the front and the back. You're looking at the 'wrong side' facing you.



Here is what it looks like with the 'right side' facing you.


Here is what it looks like after you have 'solved the puzzle' of how to fold this 'baby' so that all you have to sew are the two shoulder seams on either side of the neckline.


Another 'step toward folding the sweater.


Neatly folded; ready for needle and yarn to stitch the shoulder seams.....


I decided to knit a collar on the sweater, and here is what it looked like afterwards...


Here is another view with the collar.


Here is what the sweater looks like from the back after the collar has been added.


Here is a'close-up' with buttons sewn on...

Here is a better look of the completed sweater.


I made a few 'mistakes' while knitting this: Beyond a certain point, I did not keep perfect track of my increases so that they form a precise line. It looks a bit messy, as you can see, but my next sweater will be an improvement. I just had to get this one out of my system to see how this pattern works. I already plan to knit plenty more of these!! The DVD was a great investment! I don't think; in fact I KNOW this sweater would not look as good as it does had I not had the DVD to help me over the perplexing points.

I Took The Plunge.....

I took the plunge and ordered Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Sweater instructions on DVD.

Years ago when I saw a picture of this sweater, I didn't like it. Probably because it was done in a single color and it didn't look 'exciting' enough; but over the past 6 months or so, something has been beckoning me to try this pattern.

I looked for free instructions online, but they are not to be found. There are 'off-shoots' of it, but they did not quite draw me in.

I looked at Elizabeth's book (online) that contains the pattern, but the price was a bit of a turn-off. Besides, I don't really love her style of pattern writing. I have one of her books and I rarely use it. Might as well say that I never use it.

Someone in our AC4C Group sent a link to an exciting new look for the Baby Surprise Sweater and the colors got me drooling. Here is the link: http://www.knitting-and.com/wiki/Baby_Surprise_Jacket

When I discovered there was a DVD on how to knit it I tried to get a cheaper price, but could not find one, so I ordered from Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Surprise-Jacket-Meg-Swansen/dp/B000MGTT5Y?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1174187457&sr=8-1

Well, the DVD came the other day and last night I sat down at the computer and looked at it. I love it! Meg Swansen (Elizabeth's daughter) did an excellent job with this! The instructions are written on paper and inserted into the DVD case, and while it seems clear enough, when you look at the DVD the instructions are made so much clearer.

Ms Swansen is an excellent teacher. Her voice is soothing, she is an excellent knitter (knits continental style and her fingers flow like the wind), and she filmed the entire video outside in a green wooded area (that looks a lot like the rural area I live in).

You get rejuvenated and relaxed just by looking at the background scenery. I am glad I did get the DVD because she shows you step by step what you are supposed to be knitting. (The shape of the Baby Surprise Sweater is unlike anything you have ever knitted and expecting it to have sleeves, a front and back).

You also get instructions for adding a collar and a matching bonnet. Additionally you are told how to make an adult sized version for yourself.

I haven't started knitting the sweater because if I do I won't finish the three projects I was supposed to have finished by now, but don't.
But, you can believe when I am 'free' the BSS (Baby Surprise Sweater) is the next thing on my needles, and you know I will share photos when I am done!


Here is the outside of the DVD case. Pardon the colors, as they were taken in the house at night under less than desirable lighting and the case is plastic which reflects the light something awful. You can get a better look on Amazon.


Here is the inside of the DVD. Note the neat instruction holder...

Instructions continue on the back with a "line drawing" of what the finished piece looks like before you sew up the two cuff-to-neckline seams. But reading the instructions and seeing it actually done on film are two different things and will save you a lot of confusion.

The video is approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes long. I feel that I have made a very wise investment, and I wish other authors would follow suit and create a video when instructions are 'complicated.'

Latest Off the Needles....

It seems like it took forever, but I finished the baby sweater for the Inuit project selected by All Crafts For Charity's online Yahoo Group for the month of May. We were requested to use wool if at all possible because it is cold in their area of the world year-round. I had a few odd skeins of wool in my stash that happened to jump into my hands last Fall when visiting a local yarn shop. At the time I had no idea what I would use them for, but knew at some time or another, they would probably be used to knit some baby, somewhere something warm for the winter.

The other is a car seat blanket waiting in the wings to be given to a little one who is still growing in his Mommy's womb and won't make an appearance until late Fall of this year.

Grace Robinson & Company's Yarn Store - Freeport, ME

I've been away from home for a few weeks which is unusual for me. John wanted to participate in a major Sporting Clay Tournament in Rhode Island in early May. On the way we stopped in Boston for a few days to meet with his relatives and returned to Boston for a few days on our way back home, which turned into an extended stay because the transmission blew on his SUV.

Though it was a financial crisis, we did manage to enjoy ourselves and I must admit, I sort of had to tear myself away to head back to Maine yesterday.

While passing through Freeport, Maine I asked John to stop at this wonderful yarn shop. I visited last Fall but they were closing in 20 minutes which meant I did not have 'enough time' to look at their marvelous selection and "feel" the yarn with my fingertips.

Well, I spent plenty of time there yesterday, and would you believe I did not come out with a single skein or hank of yarn?? Call it what you will, but I could not believe it myself! I think I was overwhelmed with too much choice, and too little money.

It's like being at an "All You Can Eat" buffet with 200 choices and one stomach..... It sort of has a psychological effect on you and takes your appetite away, or at least reduces it quite a bit.
I did better last year when the store was closing in 20 minutes. At least I came out with 4 skeins of yarn which I recently used to create a car seat blanket for a baby due this November.

This store; Grace Robinson & Company (a strange name for a yarn shop) is extremely well stocked with all sorts of goodies. It even has back issues of knitting magazines (that is a gem in and of itself).

When I entered, I immediately asked if they had anything "on sale" and was told that the sale yarn was being kept next door in the other building and they would be happy to take me over there. There was yarn next door, but nothing like in the main building and the sale prices weren't low enough for me for the yardage. I did see clothing samples; one which immediately drew my attention. It was an off-white mohair and wool lightweight sweater coat with slits up the side and across the back; a rather sexy number which could easily be dressed up with a pair of sexy bronze high heel shoes and worn to the most elegant parties. I looked at the price tag and almost fainted! It was $600!!

They do have a website and they will mail-order. The website is:
http://www.yarnandneedlepoint.com/

I did take my camera in and asked if it would be alright to take photos and they said yes; so here is a slide show of what I saw (or at least most of it). There is also a comfortable living room setting to sit down and knit or needlepoint if you so desire. It it the largest yarn shop I have ever visited. Most Shops are small and packed to the gills. This was quite spacious and well packed with very expensive stock.
Here is the Slide Show....

What I've Been Up To...

Lately I've been guilty of jumping from one project to another without finishing ones originally started. I guess I have my life set up to see just how well I can multi-task. Eventually I do get around to finishing knitting projects unless I just can't stand the yarn or the pattern that I am using. The first thing I look at before starting a knitting project is:

1) Do I like the yarn? Is it a color I am excited about; because if it isn't, I am won't be able to spend hours, days and weeks looking at it;

2) Is the pattern easy, yet challenging enough to keep me interested and excited about the outcome?

I love the "look" of quite a few patterns, but when I read the instructions, I realize it will drive me crazy trying to keep track of the intricate movements I need to maintain on every row. This is a guarantee of failure for me and ripping out rows is not a wonderful exercise!

I finally finished knitting two Spring sweaters for two year old Ruth Drake. One is a cardigan, and the other is a pullover. She looked so cute in them both (I forgot to take my camera when I delivered them) so I can't show you pictures! I intend to knit two winter sweaters for her using wool yarn for this coming Winter (bite your tongue at the thought of that word girl!). And Ruth's mother told me there will an addition to their family late this year. So; the needles will be smoking again!

I knitted a scarf for my Aunt Monica who blissfully celebrated her 60th birthday this month. I was supposed to block the scarf when I finished it, but I like the way it looks unblocked, so I am keeping it that way. The scarf pattern was harvested from a "Vogue on the Go" book on Scarves. I have had the book for years, and the first time I tried to knit this pattern, it did not work out and I finally had to let it go. Since then my pattern skills have greatly improved and this time I was successful.

I found an AC Moore Craft Store in Augusta a few weeks ago (I thought we only had Michaels) and was so delighted to find Sculpy Clay in individual packs and great colors! I spent $21in clay. I dared peek at the yarn section to see if they had anything I absolutely MUST take home with me, and thank goodness I was able to avoid buying some. I think their yarn section is kind of small; and that can sometimes be a "good thing."

I am also knitting a vest for a young friend of mine who is going to have a birthday next month. And I still have to finish knitting the scarf and hat for my friend Steve who lives in Arizona... Yes! I know. It's desert country and why would he need a scarf and hat?? Because, it is cold in the wee hours of the morning, and he walks his dog Riley before going to work.

So, enough talk! Here are the photos.

Here are some buttons I made recently with Sculpy Clay


Here is a close-up view of little Ruth Drake's cardigan (knitted in Carons Simply Soft)


Here is the pullover sweater for Ruth (knitted in TLC Cotton Plus)


Here is a full view of the cardigan sweater


Here is the beginning of the scarf for my Aunt Monica


I am almost 3/4 finished


All finished..


A close-up


Close-up of the metal ornamentation on the corners in lieu of tassels.


Now for the vest. I know it doesn't look like much yet.


Here are photo of the pattern I am following.


It is a very easy, quick pattern. The yarn is a heavyweight wool or bulky. I am actually using Brown Sheep's "Shepherd's Shades." Less than seven dollars for 131 yards. I think the value is great!
The pattern is Susan Esser's "Midnight Express Vest," a free pattern on the web.

More Needlework

I wish I could knit faster! For everything I would love to create with yarn I really need to be able to start and finish a sweater in two days. Fat Chance of that ever happening! I could knit by machine. I have one of those that I purchased well over 30 years ago and it sits in the box unused. Why?? Because it is a pain in the butt to keep the stitches on the needles, and it is somewhat "impersonal" to knit with a machine unless you want to become a factory-conveyor type person; which I don't. There is something very therapeutic about holding that yarn between your fingers and personally creating fabric. When you get right down to it, it's magical!

These are some buttons I made using "bake in the oven" clay. These will go on a variety of baby garments.

Here is a multi-directional scarf I knitted as a present for my Uncle Georges' Lady. It was knitted using mercerized cotton.

Here is a close-up.

Here is a wool scarf I am knitting for my friend Steve who lives in Tucson, Arizona and gets up at 4 AM in the morning to walk his dog Riley. He gets pretty darned cold in the desert that time of day, and he says wool scarves he purchased 20 years ago are in tatters. How could I resist knitting him a replacement?? I am using Lamb's Pride Worsted; a wool and mohair blend.

Here is a close-up. This is a cable pattern and it works up surprising fast. I intend to knit a Seaman's hat to match. I should have it completed by May for his birthday....

Here is a toddler sweater and matching hat I knitted for a wee one who lives down the road from me. She just celebrated her first birthday in February.