How a Bill Becomes a Bog Jacket

Whenever I work on a Bog Jacket, I'm reminded of this little chestnut from Schoolhouse Rock:

There's so many long and painful rows of committee meetings garter stitch (or in this case, seed stitch) that have to happen before you're even halfway there, and though you're making progress, each step takes you closer to something which in no way resembles what you set out to make in the first place--a wearable garment. 

There's a lot of knitting stitches onto pieces of yarn which will be removed later, or if you cheat like I do, casting off and then casting on again.  And even after you've done the bulk of the knitting, you end up with something that looks like this:

I.e., not a garment.  After being voted on by the House and the Senate a complex process of folding and stitching, the irregularly shaped remnant becomes a jacket, and then you can sneak in all the extras you see here. 

a ruffle:

Invisible buttonholes:

a collar:

...and this weenie little tab on the back, which I've seen on many coats and thus saw fit to duplicate, but which, to my knowledge, has no function.

Then you're finally ready to have your jacket approved by the president intended recipient.

Comments

[Dixie]

That sweater is gorgeous, as is the wearer. I love the colors!

[Lo]

Great sweater! Would be hard to veto!

[Liz]

Wow. I'm never sure about EZ patterns, sometimes too folksy for my taste and then I see this. Sophisticated yarn colors, the shape is beautiful on your gorgeous model, love the contrast trim color. Where's my Knitter's Almanac!?

[Badger]

Lovely jacket! And Agatha is a natural at this whole modeling thing. The complicated system of folding and stitching nearly gave me a migraine just thinking about it, though.

[whitney]

It looks great! The fit is perfect and I love that little tab in the back.

I'm currently knitting a Bog Jacket, myself, so am very amused by your take on the process!

[Debbie]

It is incredible. You are my inspiration and Miss Agatha is quite the little model. Is it time to get that sewing machine humming again?

[Paula]

Your creative embellishments really set off the bog jacket. I can't believe how quickly you knit this in SEED STITCH! Oh my. That stitch and its cousins definitely slow me down considerably. Agatha is lovely. What a striking complexion--dark hair and dark eyes with creamy skin.

[merete]

the jacket is cute. very much indeed. but your daughters are so unimaginably lovely looking little girls. no wonder you cannot stop knitting.

[Irma]

I saw the jacket and felt it and it is really lovely.The model---what can I say? you can not top her

[Jakki Mitch]

Luvly jacket!

[DonnaC]

What a lucky girl. It is fanastic!

[Rebekah]

That first picture is stunning - she is such a beautiful girl, Jen.

The jacket's lovely, too :)

[Betty]

Okay, I'm a newbie. I have EZ Knitter's Almanac and am working through the Knitter's Workshop videos. Could you tell me where the pattern for this sweater is? This is one of the prettiest sweaters I've EVER seen. I'd also love to know which yarn & color you used. I'd love to make this someday!

Blessings,
Betty