New Project: Baby Surprise Jacket

I’ve been crazy over all the Baby Surprise Jackets over at Zimmermania for ages, so the moment I finally got The Opinionated Knitter, I started plotting out the handspun I’d need.


I’m only about an inch or so in, but that sharp corner is already really satisfying for some reason.


The green in the back is a possible second color, as is the pink below.

Can’t decide! I also have some lighter brown to spin up. Perhaps a transition from deep brown to paler brown to green or pink would be nice.

Have you made one? Show me! I can’t get enough of the little things and love to see all the striping variations people do. I finally understand how the thing goes together after knitting a bit of it (seriously, if only the illustration in the book was the other way around, it would have clicked a lot sooner) so planning the stripes has become fun.

22 Responses to “New Project: Baby Surprise Jacket”

  1. Beth

    I just started a BSJ (from acrylic for muggle friends) but now that I see your handspun… well, you’ve just put ideas in my head!

  2. knitica

    I’m excited to see how your baby surprise will look with the multicolored but still “close pallete” yarns you’ve chosen.

    I did one a while ago for a friend’s baby. (Ok, I bought the yarn as soon as she told me she was pregnant. I couldn’t help it.) Since she’s allergic to wool I used a microfiber yarn from, I think, lion brand, which was actually much nicer to work with than it sounds. You can see pictures of it here: http://knittingwithfire.blogspot.com/2007/02/working-out-babies-and-beer.html

  3. Jamisyn

    Gorgeous handspun. I have not knit this piece, but I have seen plenty of beautiful finished ones.

  4. Jennifer

    don’t miss Franklin’s at The Panopticon. My favorite ever. I made one, but it was all pink. I don’t really “see” things in my mind well, so I couldn’t figure out where the stripes would end up. My pattern had no notes on that.

  5. Frith

    I’m eager to see how yours turns out. This has been on my to-do list for a long time.

    I’m sure any of those colors would look great. A mostly solid dark brown could also set it off well.

  6. Mandy

    Oh! Such lovely yarn. My copy of The OK just came in the mail TODAY!!! Flipping through it makes me so happy and I can’t wait to get down to the business of reading it, and knitting a BSJ, of course. Can’t wait to see how yours comes together.

  7. HibiscuitsGirl

    Delurking to say that I’ve seen the surprise jackets knit with two rows (rounds?) of a solid color (like Cascade 220) and two rows of Noro Silk Garden. It turns out just stunning. A gal at my LYS has figured out how to get the stripes in the Noro to line up on either side of the jacket so they match. Very lovely. I’m definitely going to have to make one soon.

  8. Karen

    I bought some Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted to make the BSJ but decided to use it for the Baby Surplice Jacket from the most recent Vogue Knitting, for my 4-month-old daughter. It won’t fit her for a while, but I think it’s a good warmup for knitting the BSJ. It’s almost done, and then I will knit a stripey BSJ (cuz I’m all about the stripes), then the February baby sweater, then the Tomten…. Too much EZ, too little time. I can’t wait to see yours knitted up in that gorgeous handspun!

  9. Siri

    Have you seen the one over at Whip Up? I’m not sure if it’s the same pattern or not. Regardless, it’s colorful and fantastic.

  10. JulieFrick

    Hey! I just finished one from two skeins of your fat sock! Will post in a couple of days. What a coincidence!

  11. Peggy

    Browns always look lovely. I don’t like garter stitch too much so I haven’t made one of these yet but I think you may just inspire me to try.

  12. Leslie

    I just finished a BSJ…well, all except adding the buttons. Hopefully I’ll get that done in the next couple of days and be able to post photos. Can’t wait to see how yours turns out!

  13. Diane

    Your handspun is wonderful. What a great idea. I just got a wheel but I have yet to actually knit something up with my yarn. I have a hard time telling just how much yarn I will need for a given project.

  14. Amy

    I love seeing this pattern worked up with a variegated handspun. So inspiring!!

  15. Bronwen

    Hi,

    I live in Australia and I am unable to find the pattern anywhere for the “Baby Surprise Jacket” by EZ, can you help me buy the pattern or obtain a copy some how?

    Love this site,
    Cheers – Bronwen

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