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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Debbie Bliss' Ribbed Baby Jacket Converted to Machine Knit


This pattern has captured my attention 3 times now. The first two times I knit it on the midgauge.

This time I converted it to the standard gauge machine. (Yes, lazy. It's squished under the lid of my scanner.) I used cotton and made a size larger than I wanted the finished size to be. Then I threw it in the washer and dryer so that it would do all its shrinking before I give it away. The cotton turned out so soft, I'm really pleased with it. And the variegated blues look kind of like jeans. Boyish, anyway.
I'm not too sure about the buttons, though. What do you think? I can always change it. The "button holes" are just crocheted loops. I guess my thinking was that the big buttons would be kind of trendy/funky.
You can find the pattern here: http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Knitting-pattern-ribbed-baby-jacket/v1 The baby model is so adorable. But there are a couple of things I don't like about the pattern. The bottom curls like crazy with no edge treatment and the sleeves do as well. So, I added the 2 x 2 ribbings and I think it's a big improvement. Besides, when the baby grows, the sleeve cuffs can be shortened and then rolled down. If you knit this on a midgauge, you can pretty much just follow the pattern as is. I suspect the prototype was machine knitted anyway by the way the pattern is written. But, if you want to knit it on the standard gauge machine, you need to do a tiny bit of math.

A friend and I worked on this together, did a schematic and adapted it. Here's what the schematic looks like for 12 months. If you'd want a different size or different gauge, first download the pattern from the website and then use the measurements to come up with your own stitches and rows. If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you'll be able to see the numbers more clearly.

Yes, she's getting obsessed with baby stuff....

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Utterly gorgeous. I'll try this when I am allowed back on my knitting machine - I MUST do some upholstery work!

Mar said...

Thanks! It's an easy pattern. Would love to see a pic if you do try it.

Sheryl Evans said...

That is soooo cute!! I don't know why so many people are afraid to chart garments for different machines, gauges or different sizes. It really isn't that hard is it?? You did a beautiful job, Mar. Pat-pat-pat on the back & a big atta girl!!

Mar said...

I'll email you.

Anonymous said...

Hello! I can't believe I found this! I too am really new to MK and have been trying to figure out how I could do this very pattern on the machine. Please help!
My Yahoo mail is artfarm65@yahoo.com
Thanks!!!!!
Carol

Mar said...

I'll email you.

BL said...

Love this jacket! I am new to MK. I have the body done. How do you add the ribbing? Do you pick up sts or make the ribbing and attach it? If you pick them up, do you place them on knitter and ribber or all on one then start the 2x2? THANK YOU!

BL said...

Also, how many sts did you use for the ribbing? Thanks!

Mar said...

BL--sorry, I couldn't tell you how many stitches. And, if I knit it again the stitches would be a different number probably. Seam the shoulders, hold the center up to the machine with the wrong side facing you and use the 3 prong tool to pick up stitches all around the opening. The tool helps you space the stitches out nicely. After all are picked up, transfer ev 2 stitches to the ribber and knit the desired # of rows. (Don't forget to weight it well.) Transfer st to main bed and bind off.