I’ve finished a super EZ Tomten, a design by Elizabeth Zimmerman found in a couple of her books. I used the one in the Opinionated Knitter. I love knitting her patterns as you are given so much freedom in what you can do.
Take this tomten: I decided to do stripes, short-rows on the back for shaping, pockets, a hood, a button placket, and I-cord edging on the sleeves and around the front. You could choose not to do any of these. You could even knit it in the round and make it a pullover.
Also, the size is based on whatever combination of yarn and needles you use. My combo gave me a jacket big enough to fit my 5 year old, Li’l Rosi! Mind you that I never had more than 112 stitches on my needles at any given point.
The hardest part about knitting this was the striping and all the ends I would have so I wove in ends as I knit so as to have less finishing to do. I wanted to use up a bunch of Plymouth Encore I had in my stash from a previous project. But if you make this in one or two colors, it should be a snap.
Now to find some nice big buttons. They need to be unisex as I don’t like sewing buttons and I plan for G-Luc to wear this when Li’l Rosi outgrows it.
Anyone have any recommendations for me?
Tomten Jacket
Source: Opinionated Knitter by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: Plymouth Encore
Cost: $5.60 per skein (used a total of 5 skeins altogether)
Size: ~5 year old
Needles: Size 9 Knit Picks Options
Started: April 28, 2007
Finished: May 7, 2007
That is such a cute hoodie! Good luck with the button search.
What a cute jacket and from stash, awesome! Ms. Lil Rosi is cutie pie too1
How cute! I love how the hood completes the pattern on the back when it’s down. Now that’s clever!
As for buttons, why not just plain white or cream?
AWESOME! It looks super-cute on her! Seeing yours gives me renewed energy to get back to mine. I got sidetracked but really should get back to it. It’s such a sweet knit. Excellent job!
That’s a great Tomten. Quite stylish for either a girl or boy! I think navy buttons would be nice.
Fantastic job girl! I say hit M & J Trimming and lose your mind among the HUGE selection of buttons! Since you want a unisex look, I’d go with a wooden type button. Perhaps the kind that are on a toggle jacket?
Great FO for an 80 degree day!
I really like it! I wish I had thought of that pattern for my boy. Ah well…next season.
Don’t ask me about buttons. I can’t buy a button to save my life!
Great Tomten! I like all the colors! Good for you knitting it with leftovers too! Buttons, I like the wood or navy ones myself.
Hey there!
Her jacket is very nice! I wish I had nice sweaters when I was young (sigh). It’s ALL about Tender Buttons, on the upper east side for me. And don’t worry; I’ll sew the buttons on. Really. Holla!
Very interesting and informative blog. I stumbled over while searching for a lace pattern for my kidsilk haze. I’ll definitely visit again.
Cute model! The hoodie turned out great.
Very cute jacket. I just finished my first EZ pattern, a Baby Surprise
Jacket, and and am thinking of tackling the Tomten next.