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10.09.2005 :: Ellie's Sweater
Yesterday's cold rain was a chilling reminder that Ellie is not a dog with much insulation. We went to a training seminar that North Coast Dogs was sponsoring and she waited out in the car for part of the morning. She was a chilly pup when I went to retrieve her for participation in the class.
Fortunately, I have a project underway for a doggie sweater. I'm designing it as I go along. Fitting it to be sure that the proportions are right and trying it on Ellie as necessary.
My first attempt at this is pretty basic. It's being knit in the round. I started at the bottom of the sweater with a 1x1 rib. Ellie has a little waist and a big chest, so I started a gusset that goes along her underside almost right away. After about 3.5 inches, I switched to a 3x1 rib for the main part of the body and have kept the gusset in a 1x1 rib.
I'm at the point where I will leave openings for her front legs. Ideally, this section that extends out to cover her chest needs to be longer along the front/bottom than it is along her back. So, I'm going to use short rows to get the extra length along the front. It's funny that I use short-rows all of the time on sock heels, but I'm not completely sure how to use the technique for this kind of shaping. This afternoon I'm planning on digging in to some books to figure it out. I think I'm going to try to do the wraps in the purl stitch between the three stitch ribs - with the result that the the ribs closer to the chest end up longer than the ribs towards the back - but the ribs will continue uninterrupted through the whole sweater.
I haven't finalized the neck design - it might just be a 1x1 mock turtleneck. I'll probably make a large button hole at the top for her leash - though usually she wears a "halti" when we go on walks and her leash attaches under her chin. Since the button hole may end up going unused, I may have to devise a way to close the little hole for the leash when it's not in use. We wouldn't want Ellie to get chilled by a draft!
I'm using Encore worsted yarn for this sweater. It's washable, but has a little bit of wool mixed in for warmth. This color is from their Colorspun line and is #7357. You can't tell from this picture, but the yarn is kind of tweedy and looks like oatmeal.
Posted by Mary on 10.09.2005 AT 01:52 PM
Comments
What did you use for the drawing...I'm looking for a drawing program! Is it Painter?
Posted by: sean on 10.09.2005 AT 03:11 PM
You'll have to make a pattern when you're done! I have a little doggie I'll be getting after new year, and I'm having the hardest time finding knitting patterns for dog clothes that I can use as guides.
Posted by: HibiscuitsGirl on 10.09.2005 AT 03:14 PM
"Small waist and big chest". Oh Ellie, I can sooo relate. ;) Kidding!
Posted by: Annie on 10.09.2005 AT 03:18 PM
Looking good so far. Any thoughts about how tricky it would be to get the sweater on and off her? I made a sweater for my Ivan dog a couple of years ago, and he really didn't like having to put his legs in the leg sleeves. Of course, he's a cranky old man, so that may be most of what's going on with that. :)
I've thought since that if I made another dog sweater, I'd make with flaps that would fasten under the belly and in front of the neck so that no insertion of legs into leg-sleeves would be required.
Posted by: Janice in GA on 10.09.2005 AT 03:27 PM
OK, I am totally impressed. All that shaping and short rows and winging it - making that yarn do what YOU want it to! How cozy for Ellie. Lucky dog.
Posted by: Mary Beth on 10.09.2005 AT 04:01 PM
That's going to be one awesome sweater. I periodically want to knit one for a special boxer in my family but I'm always disappointed in the offerings in pattern books - the good ones are all for small dogs and boxers have that small waist - deep chest issue.
Posted by: Beth on 10.09.2005 AT 04:28 PM
Love the illustration of Ellie. Small waist and big chest? Hmmmmm, maybe you should've named her "Dolly!"
Posted by: Kerstin on 10.09.2005 AT 04:41 PM
i made a sweater for my brother's now wife's dog who is a miniature schnauzer, so the same problems applied to boonie that applied to ellie. i found a pattern in a knitting magazine (dont' ask me which one, it's been so long and it wasn't my magazine), and adapted it. i made it a small in length, but a medium in girth, and it turned out great! and boonie loved it! the back part mostly laid on his back like a blanket (the part behind the legs only covered his chest, not his tummy) and everytime she would put it on him, he'd run, and make the back flap like a cape! i made it with redheart for the same reason, and now that they're permanently in georgia, he only wears it on the absolutely coldest days. he still loves it though. you go girl!
Posted by: minnie on 10.09.2005 AT 10:00 PM
That sounds like a challenging project. Ellie is a lucky dog!
Posted by: Dianna on 10.10.2005 AT 10:07 AM
THat is going to be a great sweater! Deedle has been cold ever since we moved north, so I need to start making her some more sweaters. Luckily, the Knitware software I got has dog patterns! Deedle has a bulbous chest and tiny waist, too. Can't wait to see Ellie modeling her new sweater.
Posted by: mariko on 10.10.2005 AT 01:45 PM
i LOVE that you are knitting ellie a sweater. this makes me smile, a LOT.
Posted by: rachel m on 10.10.2005 AT 06:28 PM
My cockles are so warmed by this whole dog sweater business, they're almost done!
Everything about this makes me smile!
You're a good egg. ;-)
We do love our furry pals don't we? Hehehe.
Posted by: paula on 10.10.2005 AT 08:18 PM
If Elle is not doing the time-honored "I'm a lucky dog!" dance, she should!
Again, what love you show for your four-legged family. Makes me smile, too
Posted by: kathy on 10.12.2005 AT 12:46 PM
That looks like it's going to be WONDERFUL. I can't wait to see it modeled on her.
Posted by: sean on 10.09.2005 AT 03:10 PM