Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket-BSJ

Techniques used in this class:

• Cast On
• Garter Stitch
• Increases
• Decreases
• Picking Up Stitches
• Yarn-Over Buttonhole
• Bind Off
• Sewn Seams 

Class will include tips for adding stripes and adjusting sizes


The following supplies will be needed...

• Pattern-available at www.schoolhousepress.com and sized for baby, adult and child (see below for additional resources)
• Two (2) skeins (400 yds total) of worsted weight wool or wool-blend (i.e. Encore Worsted) in the same color
• 24” circular needle Size 8 or whatever size needed to get gauge of 5 stitches/inch
• Yarn sewing needle
• Locking stitch markers or coiless safety pins
• Note pad and writing implement
• Optional buttons to be purchased with instructor’s guidance

Published in:  

“Knitting Workshop”, 

“The Opinionated Knitter”, 

“Schoolhouse Press #05, A-B-C-SJ (Adult, Baby Child’s Surprise Jacket)

“Spun Out #01-B Baby Surprise Jacket”

Note: Older versions of “Knitting Workshop” may not include this pattern; a blank page appears where the pattern should be

”The Baby Surprise Jacket was designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann in 1968 and remains a popular baby garment to this day. It is an excellent pattern for making use of oddments of yarn or self striping yarns with long color repeats, but looks equally nice knit in a single color with a contrasting button band.”

The jacket is knit in a single piece with just two seams that run across the shoulders and down the length of the sleeves. It includes extra ease across the back of the garment to fit well over a nappy (diaper).

Commonly referred to as the “BSJ”, the Baby Surprise Jacket is “a very entertaining piece of knitted engineering”