A Baby Surprise Jacket from Elizabeth

Knitters all over the world today are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth Zimmermann, truly one of the great knitters, "unventors", teachers, and writers of the knitting world.  To say she was influential is an understatement.  She was a pioneer, and a kind and witty one at that.  When I was a young knitter, she was my main source of both materials and inspiration. She continues to be an inspiration today, not only through her books and her daughter, Meg Swansen's books, but through many designers who have been influenced by her.

When I realized that today was a sequential 8-9-10 I thought that Elizabeth would have liked that date for her birthday.

Although I had learned to knit in Denmark, it is safe to say I eventually would have become bored with knitting drop shoulder sweaters in Lopi wool.  I met Elizabeth Zimmermann, first through reading her book Knitting Without Tears, and then in person at her Knitting Camp in Shell Lake, WI   During our early correspondence I became pregnant with our first son.  Elizabeth knitted a baby surprise jacket and sent it to me before the birth of the baby in January 1978. This photo is one of my all-time favorite baby photos!

I knited the bunting from my first bulky handspun.  I also knitted the bonnet in grey Shetland wool and the booties from blue lovat Shetland from Schoolhouse Press.  But who cares?  Elizabeth knit the baby surprise jacket and that is what counts!

In the next episode of my podcast, Knitting Pipeline, I'll be reading some of the letters that Elizabeth sent to me.

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth.  Thanks to you, we are knitting on.