Elizabeth Zimmermann or “EZ” in cyberspeak, is as well known to the knitting world, as Ronald McDonald is to American toddlers. She died a few years ago, but her knitting genius continues to amaze knitters from us “Beginner” types, to folks who have been whipping up warm garments for there families for years. Her, shall we say, flagship book title “Knitting Without Tears” is genius, all by itself. I mean, really, who wouldn’t be drawn to a book with that title? Especially when they’ve tried knitting, and really WANTED to do it, but because of their frustrating first attempts, were fairly convinced that they simply couldn’t do it? Well, this lady cleverly, and with a charming wit, coaches you through the basics, and absolutely blows the mystery away from how to actually make garments from your knitting - not just a scarf or a hat. And beautiful garments too. Even if the only thing you know how to do (or currently feel comfortable with) is straight knitting, there’s more out there than a scarf. And this book will prove it.
So, recently some knitters decided to start up a Knit-Along where everyone who takes part in it would knit something they have learned from EZ, either a technique, a philosophy incorporated into their own knitting, or an actual garment based on a pattern (or as she refers to them “pithy directions”) in one of her books.
My first project of choice is the Tomten jacket. There are some great examples of finished Tomten jackets on the Knit-Along so feel free to go see the finished projects.
But this little jacket starts out as a rectangle:
(In my case, a stripe or two)…
The rectangle grows (it is folded in thirds here).
Now, the rectangle is broken into thirds - two outer rectangles and a middle one.
Folded in thirds, it begins to show the beginning of armholes.
Once the rectangles are long enough, they are connected together at the top, and the knitting continues. We now have a back, a front, two armholes, and we are beginning on the hood.
Here it is folded in half. You can see the hood part taking shape - opposite the shaggy edge. (I have since woven in the fringe with a crochet hook.)
Eventually, this will have sleeves connected to it - they go in those triangles! The entire garment will also be finished with an edge of the heathered purple yarn that is the bottom stripe. But I ask you, how cool is this? Just geometric shapes, connect them all up and you come out with an adorable little jacket for a 3 year old granddaughter - or change it up a bit with yarn and needle size and a little bit of simple math, and you can go in either direction - a baby or an adult.
This is JUST KNITTING. No purling. Just straight knitting. In fact, I decided to use this opportunity to practice Continental knitting since I’m most comfortable as a “thrower” and have always wanted to be able to knit with both hands.
Stay tuned for the final results. (I’m running out of the “claret” color, so I did have to order a little more yarn so I can get the sleeves done.) Meanwhile - go see the neat stuff they’re doing at the Knit-Along because there’s a whole lot of genius going on over there. Me, I’m just having fun hanging out and learning while I practice my left handed knitting. But really isn’t that TRUE genius? Even a beginner can do it?
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