Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman

This is the famous Surprise Baby Jacket by the famous knitting author, Elizabeth Zimmerman.  It is knit entirely in garter stitch with easy shaping and minimal seams, one of the truly first modular designs. You will be surprised at the shape you are knitting and the wonderful result when it is done!  This pattern has over 31,000 projects on Ravelry!
We will make a baby sweater to finish quickly so you can see how the knitting goes together in this unusual construction.  The pattern includes sizes from baby to adult, and even gives instructions based on your choice of yarn weight.  You will be able to use this pattern over and over as the child grows.  The sweater is very easy to customize to add a collar, hood, button band, or even an I cord bind off for trim. 

You will need to purchase a pattern from Schoolhouse Press Surprise Jacket Pattern SPP5, $11.99. You can easily access the website from the Ravelry page.  (Please note there will be a charge for printing at the Knit and Stitch)

A DK yarn will work best for your first sweater, 400 - 500 yards. You will want a needle size U.S. 5-6 in at least 24" circular to achieve a gauge of 5-6 stitches per inch. A worsted with a gauge of 4 stitches per inch will yield a toddler size. 
Stripes are optional if you wish to add another color or include some project left over yarn in sufficient quantity.
Stitch markers are a must and will be placed in the knitting as you work to mark decreases and construction points.
Highlighter tape will be helpful to keep track of your rows in the pattern, since each row is written out.