I'd like to make Elizabeth Zimmerman's Adult Surprise Sweater (I've made two baby ones) and I have the directions from Knitter's #60 but am having a hard time following them.
I prefer my patterns spelled out. This doesn't specify needle size, yarn type or anything. Does anyone know of a similar pattern that is easier to follow?
It's a goofy pattern, isn't it? But that's what makes it fun.
There's probably one out there somewhere. On the other hand, the Tomten jacket is cute and I think it scales up easier.
In _The Opinionated Knitter_ (EZ as reprinted and adapted by Meg Swansen), there are Adult Surprise Jacket directions. Here are the parts that I think may help most, because they involve gauge and getting started:
First, swatch the yarn to get the gauge and fabric that you like the feeling of. Then take a sweater that fits the way you want it to fit, lay it flat, and measure across it at the widest point - notice that this is not the measurement around, it's just the measurement _across_ the width. Multiply the number of inches by your gauge. So, if your favorite cardigan is 18 inches across the back, and your gauge is 5 stitches per inch, the number is 18x5 = 90. Divide that by 3 and you get a Key Number which in this case is 30. Then you multiply the key number (30 here) by nine (30x9 = 270) and cast on that number of stitches. The cast-on is the straight line from wrist to wrist across the shoulders and back of the neck. If you use a provisional cast-on, it's possible to lengthen the sleeves neatly.
In the rest of it she re-uses the letters A and B for three different changes, which I admit I find confusing but since you have already made two successful baby jackets, it might not be a problem for you.
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