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Watch out – it’s contagious
Posted on | July 10, 2007 | 16 Comments
He’s got it. She’s got it. They’ve had it for such a long time, they must be carriers! And now I have it too.
Garter Stitch Love. I got a call last Tuesday asking for my address for an upcoming baby shower. That was all I needed to jump on the Baby Surprise Jacket bandwagon and develop a severe case of Garter Stitch Love. Hell, it might even be lust, as much as I adore this thing!
I used two colors of handspun from my stash and made no modifications. I had a couple of technical (beginner) questions that Adrian kindly answered, mainly reassurances of what my instincts were telling me. I got the distinct feeling while knitting this pattern that Elizabeth Zimmerman has much more confidence in me as a knitter than I do.
I used a three needle bind-off to seam the sleeves and I’m happy with the way it blends with the garter stitch. I would have sewn the seam but I’d carried the contrasting yarn for a few rows (uncertain when I would work it in again) and using a three needle bind-off allowed me to tuck those wonky edges to the inside.
I was also unsure whether to continue the increases to the end after making the buttonholes (as you may have noticed, the sweater lacks buttons so it’s not entirely finished, but close enough to post about because I just couldn’t wait any longer!). I should have continued the increases and not doing so created a slight pucker on the edge, but it should block out fine.
Is there anything more squishy than garter stitch? I love it! Can you believe that I – the self-proclaimed Accessory Knitter – haven’t knit anything in garter stitch since my very first scarf? My garter stitch exile has officially ended. I’ve already decided what to spin for my next Baby Surprise Jacket, for another friend who’s also due this fall.
My only question is: should I add a collar?
P.S. My blog issues appear to have been resolved by my host giving me more disk space. Hurrah!
Comments
16 Responses to “Watch out – it’s contagious”
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July 10th, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Wow! That looks great in your handspun! I’ve had BSJ on my “to-do” list for about 2 months and your success with it may make me cut in line on my list and jump right to it. If this is for an Alabama baby I vote no collar. Babies have fat little chins that keep them plenty warm down here.
July 10th, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Ginny does have a point. And the jacket is absolutely adorable!
July 10th, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Brooklyn Tweed got me hooked on garter stitch, too. I was all into fancy pants stitches and what have you, and then there he is with his nice little garter stitch garments and DANG IT ALL… I liked ‘em a ton.
That jacket is totally delicious. Good heavens. I like the idea of a collar — a big ol’ fold over collar kinda like this: http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTvestee.html — but it might not work with the jacket. I have no idea.
July 10th, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
On my last BSJ I did a single crochet edge around both the collar and the sleeves. Gave them a more finished look.
July 10th, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Well, that;s cute! I am sticking to my Rocketry cardi, now I have more yarn. Love the handspun, though
July 10th, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
It’s adorable! The colors are really wonderful…
July 10th, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
That is beautiful. I think I like it the best of all the BSJs that have been blogged about recently. Colors, tweedy look, especially the stripe — it is all just excellent. Go, you!
July 11th, 2007 @ 6:50 am
GORGEOUS! All babies should be so lucky. I can’t really vote on the collar thing-I think it will look great either way.
July 11th, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Beautiful! I love garter stitch too! And I really want to amke this little jacket. I jsut have no one to gift it to.
July 11th, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Ooohh! A handspun baby surprise :) That is so special (not to mention, just beautiful!) So glad that you got your blog issues resolved!
July 11th, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
What a gorgeous and soft looking sweater! I just love garter stitch in baby’s knits; it makes them so cuddly, I guess. Beautiful handspun, too. You’re a talented spinner!
July 11th, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
All of this garter stitch appearing on knitting blogs almost makes me want to knit one of these sweaters!
I think a little collar might be a good idea, but something very simple. What do you plan on using for buttons?
July 12th, 2007 @ 7:34 am
I do like the BSJ. I’m putting it on “the list”. Very cute. Maybe not a collar, it could get bulky, just a crocheted edge?
July 12th, 2007 @ 10:03 am
[...] Flickr Eye Candy Searching on something else on google last night, I ran into a Flickr slideshow that is extreme yum!!!! Take a look at the work of flwrhead at Trailing Yarn. Fun photography, beach knitting, kitty kats, fiber and some photos of stuff you just wouldn’t think off. A very satisfying watch with occasional blurry macro shots which I seem to be quite guilty of a lot. [...]
July 12th, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
How did I miss that post? It’s fabulous! Wonderful Baby Surprise Jacket! I love the colors.
July 16th, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
The BSJ looks great! I love the way it lends itself to handspun, and your colors are so nice! You may have convinced me to take the plunge!