Argyle, modeled

This little cutie, Bici, was the perfect model for my argyle sweater.  

This sweater has a turtleneck collar (pictured turn down, as he didn't have a particularly long neck), and a shorter belly panel, ideal for boy doggies.  The belly panel is done in garter stitch, to add stretchiness to the garment.  The armholes are left unembellished for optimal canine comfort.  

I like how the burgundy looks against his sandy-colored fur.

A perfectly preppy pup!

Button it, modeled

I finally managed to get pictures of this sweater with a doggy inside.  I present the incredibly feisty but cute Oreo.

His owner liked how easy the button-up back was to put on him.

The sweater did not slow this doggy down!

One last "bark, bark!!!"

A bit of lace, modeled.

Oh, I love this sweater!  I'm sending it off tomorrow for Petchitecture's auction, where I hope it will fetch a pretty penny for PAWS.

It was modeled for me by the lovely Chloe.  I asked her owner what breed she was, then promptly forgot.  Next time I'll take notes.

About the sweater!  I used a wool/mohair blend, because I love the halo, but I also wanted some stitch definition to show off my lace.

I made the hems rolled, with a garter stitch chest for stretch.

The lace panel is over a background of stockinette, so it would really stand out.  I'm so pleased with how it turned out, and also with how well-behaved Chloe was as a model.  She was the easiest dog to photograph thus far in my career as a canine fashion designer/photographer.  When I see her at the park, I'll be sure to say hello.

A Little Lace for Petchitecture

I recently found out about a fundraiser called Petchitecture (http://www.pawssf.org/page.aspx?pid=445) that benefits the organization PAWS (http://www.pawssf.org/), coming up in May.   PAWS is a really nice organization that I would like to support.  I decided to donate a dog sweater as well as a gift card for a custom-knit dog sweater for their auction.   Instead of donating one of my samples, I thought I would create a new sweater for the occasion.

I wanted it to be feminine, with a bit of lace, but durable and easy to wear.  I chose a wool/mohair blend in a dusty pink.  The sweater has a lace panel down the back against a background of stockinette.  I left the edges in stockinette to add a bit of natural curl.  So far I love this one, and I can't wait to hear how it does in the silent auction.

I spin, too.

Spinning yarn is my only other big hobby that takes me away from my knitting.  I started with a drop spindle almost 4 years ago and fiddled around with it for a while.  After trying a spinning wheel, I knew that if I were to become a serious spinner, it would be with a wheel.  I borrowed and rented wheels until I found the one I loved, and I received it for Christmas in 2010.

This sweater was my first big spinning wheel project.  I spun the yarn specifically for it, and considering that it was only the second or third fiber I had ever spun, and I was trying to do it quickly with a rented wheel, it came out nicely.  The fiber itself came from Meridian Jacobs farm near Vacaville.  I like going there for their Shearing Day in the fall or Meet the Lambs in the spring.

This is the Tappan Zee cardigan from knitty.com.  http://knitty.com/ISSUEss10/KSPATTtappanzee.php

I only changed a few things from the way the pattern was written.  I wanted it to button all the way down, so I added buttonholes and buttons.  I also wanted longer sleeves; to be warmer, but also to use up more of my precious handspun. It fit nicely when I was pregnant, and when my baby doesn't spit up every five minutes, I'll start wearing it again.

It would be fun to do a project like this for a customer someday; all the way from the fiber to the finished product.

Holiday knitting

I took a break from dog sweater designing to do all my holiday knitting.  In my mind, I don't really knit holiday gifts, but in reality, I do. I don't really know why I'm in denial about it.   The really funny thing is that the closer the holidays came, the more projects I came up with and just had to knit, so I kept myself busy right up until Christmas Eve.  

For my daughter's preschool teachers, I decided to knit reusable coffee cup cozies, all with my handspun yarn.  I used the pattern from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson (very useful book at this time of year! http://www.amazon.com/Last-Minute-Knitted-Gifts-Joelle-Hoverson/dp/1584798602

Some dear friends are spending a year in Ohio, and perhaps a few more years in cold climates, so I made them an ice scraper mitt.  This pattern is from the book One Skein Wonders, http://www.amazon.com/One-Skein-Wonders-Judith-Durant/dp/1580176453/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325482201&sr=1-1, which is really excellent for small, quick gifts.

And also a hat for each of them.  A nice, thick warm purple slouchy hat.  The pattern is Autumn, by Jane Richmond.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/janerichmond

And a gorgeous pink alpaca beret-type hat.  This pattern is Icing Swirl Hat by Ysolda Teague, from her booklet Whimsical Little Knits 2.  http://ysolda.com/

For my husband, I knit a pair of Spiderman socks (and also gifted him all three Spiderman movies).   These were my super secret knitting and therefore took over a month, as my super secret knitting time is scarce.  The pattern is Even Big Guys Love Spidey Socks, and is available on Ravelry.com.

Another coffee cozy, this one for the friend who also received the purple hat.

Starfish for my kids, from Amigurumi Knits.  http://www.amazon.com/Amigurumi-Knits-Patterns-Cute-Mini/dp/1589234359/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325482339&sr=1-1

My brother visited from Reno at the last minute, and went home with two coffee/beer cozies, in addition to a hat that I whipped up for him at the last minute, but neglected to take a photo of.

After all this merry making, I ended up with a few new ideas, which I hope to get to soon.  

Oops

Because things don't always end up the way we intend them to, I humbly present this, my first dog sweater.  I designed this without a model, and the leg openings ended up too far from the neck.  I'm pretty sure there isn't a dog with a long enough neck for this one.  If you can think of one, please introduce us.

I do, however, really like the design.  It's a simple turtleneck sweater with ribbed neck, hem, and very short ribbed sleeves.  It has a simple 6-stitch cable down the back and a harness or leash opening.  I will definitely try this one again and get it right.

In designing knitted garments, I'm learning patience, among many other things.  I don't always get it right the first time, and I have to go back to the literal drawing board.  Rather than be disappointed, I'm learning to appreciate my mistakes and what I learn from them.