I followed up on Maribeth’s comment in the last post and ordered The Complete Surprise.
While I waited for it to arrive I turned the failed baby sweater into a hat.
And I finished reading Marc Lamont Hill’s Nobody, an important introductory survey of systemic harm done to black people. Hill covers mostly the criminal justice system but also includes the lead in Flint,MI, water. (Longer review here).
The knitting book finally arrived.
I think I learned the problem. I’d placed markers before the three stitches to be decreased, causing one side to decrease the sleeve and the other side the body. The marker needed to go in the middle stitch, which would decrease more evenly. When I have used up more yarn scraps, I’ll buy the right size yarn and try again. It actually sounds like worsted would work, just making a sweater for a bigger baby, as I had hoped.
Meanwhile, the book starts with a scarf that uses all the same stitches as the baby surprise jacket. Why not play?
Even with markers placed correctly, it took a while to find the right spot for decreases and increases. I really hate counting stitches, so I worked on “reading” my knitting, just counting as a quick double check. I got pretty accurate on the decreases, not so trustworthy on the increases. I may have to make another scarf because it is easier to count 18 stitches than 130 or so.
knitNkwilt 
Thanks for your book review, Claire. That is definitely going on my list. And I’m glad the book helped you figure out the BSJ!
Good save with the conversion to a hat 🙂
great save of the failed sweater
Wow your knitting is amazing! I love the save from sweater to hat! I can only knit hats (like in one color no awesome patterns like you do) or scarves so I am always impressed by those who take on sweaters and socks!
AMAZINGGGG !!
I really like the hats you made out of the failed baby sweater. Hopefully the next one will go easier as you become more expert as “reading” your knitting. 😉