Dogs Redhound for - Sweaters for Dogs: 15 Knitting Projects to Keep Your Dog Cozy and Comfortable

Introduction It all started some 12 years ago, when I decided it was time to have a Whippet in my life! I had always loved the breed; we had a rescue Whippet when I was growing up. When I met my vets beautiful Whippet puppy, Frodo, I knew the time was right. It was clearly meant to be, because Frodos parents were due to have another litter. Three months later I picked up Bruno, having fallen utterly in love with him when he was just four days old, even though he looked more like a guinea pig than a Whippet! Some months after Brunos arrival, it transpired that my little bundle of love on long legs suffered from alopecia, and so really felt the cold. Easy to solve that, I thought; I will take to the Internet and order him a sweater. Not so easy.

Sweaters were availableplenty of thembut getting good quality and a good fit seemed impossible. Bruno and I bumbled through our first winter, but I would have to do something to keep him warm by the next. I was taught to knit, and sew, by my mother, but by the age of 13 I had lost interest in knitting in favor of hair, makeup, and going to the school disco, so the needles and yarn were packed away. Some 30 years later, with a shivering Whippet beside me, I decided it was time to get the needles and the yarn out again. This is when my love of knitting took over my life! It truly became an addiction for me. Bruno got a sweater that winter, but it was clear that I needed to polish up my skills if he was ever going to have a garment that we could both be proud of.

Over the next couple of years, I registered for knitting workshops and improved my rather basic skills to the level where I could tackle intricate lace knitting. I learned how to knit Fair Isle and cable designs, two styles that remain favorites to this day. I also learned how to finish my garments professionally and how to knit in the round. At that time I had a gift shop, and Bruno, in the many sweaters I made him, became the envy of all shivering, short-haired dogs who visited. The orders started to come in, and soon I added some machine-knitted sweaters and other dog products to the range. Then the shop was sold and my company, Redhound for Dogs, was born.

Since then, I have developed a range of dog sweaters that sell as kits, and now Im thrilled to have the opportunity to design more sweaters especially for this book. There are styles to suit dogs of many shapes and sizes, all made with both practicality and good looks in mind. So measure your dog (go to to see how), choose a project, and show your own dog how much you love him! Debbie Humphreys Paw-Ability Level Each project has a paw-rated ability level, with one paw for a pattern that is quite straightforward, up to three paws for more challenging knits. Frankie Breed: Lurcher (Whippet/Saluki cross). Character: Gentle, kind, and loved by all. Scared of her own shadow and anything that makes a loud bang.

Happiest when: Chasing squirrels. Will do anything for: Venison chews. Naughtiest habit: Creeping upstairs after lights-out and messing up the spare bed to get comfy for the night. Favorite treat: Chicken, freshly roasted. Hobbies include: Sleeping, begging for toast, and barking at cats. Frankies Super Sloppy Joe Sweater I love knitting in the round, because you are always looking at the right side, there are very few seams to sew up, and it really isnt difficult to do.

The moss stitch pattern looks great in this Aran-weight yarn, and the shaping gives this sweater a lovely fit around the neck and shoulders. Paw-Ability Level Size Dog measurements Neck 1415 in. (3640 cm) Shoulder 11 in. (28 cm) Chest 2829 in. (7175 cm) Length 2627 in. (30 cm) unstretched Chest 27 in. (69 cm) unstretched Length 24 in. (61 cm) plus collar Yarn 4 x 3.5 oz. (100 g) balls of Wendy Traditional Aran in Grouse 191 Needles and equipment One each of size 6 (4 mm) and size 8 (5 mm) circular needles Set of 4 x size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles 4 stitch markers 3 stitch holders Knitters sewing needle Gauge 18 sts and 28 rows over moss st patt to a 4 in. (10 cm) square using size 8 (5 mm) needles. (10 cm) square using size 8 (5 mm) needles.

Abbreviations See Notes This sweater is knitted for the most part in the round on a circular needle, and the pattern assumes that the rs is the inside of the knitting. Sweater Starting at the neck edge and with size 6 (4 mm) circular needle, cast on 72 sts. Making sure that the work is not twisted, place marker and join the round. Round 1: [k2, p2] to end. This row sets rib patt. (2 cm), then change to size 8 (5 mm) circular needle and cont until rib measures 6 in. (15 cm) (or length of dogs neck) from cast on edge. (15 cm) (or length of dogs neck) from cast on edge.

Divide sts to form back sts, first leg sts, chest sts, and second leg sts as folls: Next round: working in k2, p2, rib throughout, rib across 22 sts for back, place marker, rib across 18 sts for first leg, place marker, rib across 14 sts for chest, place marker, rib across 18 sts for second leg. Set moss stitch back panel and rib patt Next round: [k2, p2] across back sts to last 2 sts, k2, slm, rib as set across first leg, chest, and second leg sts, slm. Next round: [k2, p2] across back sts to last 2 sts, k2, slm, rib as set across first leg, chest, and second leg sts, slm. Next round: [p2, k2] across back sts to last 2 sts, p2, slm, rib as set across first leg, chest, and second leg sts, slm. Next round: [p2, k2] across back sts to last 2 sts, p2, slm, rib as set across first leg, chest, and second leg sts, slm. Shape shoulder Next round (inc round): k1, M1, k1, [p2, k2] across back sts to last 4 sts, p2, k1, M1, k1, slm, rib as set across first leg, chest, and second leg sts, slm.

Inc back sts on every round in this way (working 1 st in patt, making a stitch, working in patt to 1 st before marker, making a stitch, working last st in patt), taking incs into moss st patt, until there are 92 sts on the back panel (35 inc rounds worked). Cont in patt with no further incs until work measures 7 in. (19 cm) from the bottom of rib: check that from center back neck diagonally down to edge measures 11 in. (28 cm) (dogs shoulder length). Make leg holes Next round: work back sts in patt, rib across 18 first leg sts then put them onto a stitch holder, rib across 14 chest sts, rib across 18 second leg sts then put them onto a stitch holder. Next round: work back sts in patt, cast on 18 sts for first leg, rib across 14 chest sts, cast on 18 sts for second leg, making sure the markers are in place again.