Z is for...

Zimmerman sweater!  As in Elizabeth Zimmerman, grandmother of popularizing knitting.

This is the blue striped sweater that I made for Mom.  Twice, actually!  She liked it so much that when it stretched out over years of wear, she asked me to remake it.  I was happy to oblige.  Surprisingly, despite how often she wears it, I do not have any pictures of her actually in it.  So you'll have to deal with me struggling to take a picture of myself - see the little thinking wrinkle at my eyebrows?  :)

I really like the EPS (EZ's Percentage System) for making a sweater. I used the math for sleeves for my alterations to Cumulus in November, for example.  I didn't start as narrow as she does in her standard sweater (I don't think I ever do, as I don't like tight cuffs), but since I knew the final number of stitches I needed for the top of the sleeve according to the pattern, I used the EPS math for the increases to give me a sleeve line that I liked!

I do have to say I've some personal preferences, though, when it comes to her classic designs. For starters, as I mentioned above, I do not like cuffs as tight as she does.  If it has ribbing, it draws in enough for my personal tastes.  And I like my sleeves a little more closely fitting, so tend to start a little wider at the cuff, and then adjust the increases to what I want.  But, the EPS system certainly gives me the math to get to what I want.  I love having an easy starting point for customization!  :)

I haven't tried her other designs yet, but I'm hoping to make some Baby Surprise Jackets (from The Opinionated Knitter) next year (several babies expected next year in the Friends & Family world).  That design looks so interesting how it all folds together!  And the February Lady Jacket, very high on my queue, is an adult version of  her Baby Jacket on Two Needles (February in A Knitter's Almanac).  So perhaps more Zimmerman to come next year!