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BSJ

I talked about how the BSJ (Baby Surprise Jacket) lead me to Elizabeth Zimmermann and her contributions to the knitting world.  Today I want to focus on BSJ even though it has not yet hit my needles.  BSJ is waiting for the Little Arrows Shawl to be completed, but I have selected the yarns from my stash. (Note, I went shopping in my own store, aka my stash ~~ yeah!)

EZ first BSJ made for her grandson in 1958 using the simple garter stitch

Since the jacket has become so popular there's been requests for more detail about how to knit it, so Schoolhouse Press has put together a 12 page pamphlet to help fill that gap.  I secured this pamphlet at Black Sheep Yarns, my LYS.  It gives you directions to make a baby, child and adult sized version and recommends one make the baby size first before attempting any larger ones.  So since there'll be a new baby in my life soon, I am going to give it a try.  (Poor new baby girl Flagel, she'll be the test-baby as we call first born children in my family.  Apparently a test-baby not only includes helping adults sharpen parenting skills, but specific to this blog, includes knitting projects as well.)  Note Elizabeth's original directions for BSJ are relatively spare.  All of her details fit on two-thirds of a page, see below.

Available at most LYS
It appears the final product before it is sewn together will look like a moving manta ray with its wings in undulating motion.  The pamphlet directions are very detailed about how to sew it up so I am relatively certain even I will be able to work it out.  The Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, indicates it is best to just follow the directions and not think about how things will work out until it is completely put together.  And the Yarn Harlot really knows knitting so I'll just follow her advice, do what the pattern tells me to do and not worry about it all until it's done.
BSJ before being sewn together

Stay turned.  There will be more to follow about BSJ.  If over 20,000 projects have already been completed on Ravelry, odds are in my favor for success.

~~~

On another note, a friend posted this photo on Facebook.  They are cupcakes with the heels made of Pirouette cookies and the soles with Milano cookies.  I think I have stiletto cupcakes in my future.



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