stella, my stella

So now that the red sweater is done, I'm down to two active projects. (I ripped the anklet socks I was making, so that I could use the yarn for another pattern, but I haven't started that yet, and probably won't for a while...)

First, here's a shot of my current WIP:


Doesn't look like much now, but the biggest knitting patches have been done. Now I just have to do the edging and sewing up, which I don't think will be that arduous, if I could just get some uninterrupted time to sit down and puzzle out the directions. Maybe later tonight... I can't wait to wear this. The weather is just perfect now for a long-sleeved t-shirt and this little vesty vest.

But that's not what this post is about! When Stella had her brief sojourn in the hospital, I was bereft, thinking about what a bad doggy-mommy I was. Not only had I never knit her a sweater, but I'd never even made her a blankie that she could have taken into the hospital with her. Well, one point rectified:



This monstrosity is a crocheted ripple afghan, obviously. I'm knitting it out of the left-over acrylic I got from the ebay experience that I know I'll never use for toys or anything of that nature, and scraps left over from other projects. Thus, it's uneven color palate. That's ok though, because Stella loves it. I'm almost finished--having about four balls of working yarn left, and when those are done, the blankie will be complete as well. Stella sits on it while I'm crocheting it, so I know she really can't wait to dig herself a little nest in the blankie and settle in for a good, long snooze. I can't wait either! Prepare yourselves, folks, for 8 million pictures of her little muzzle buried in this garish mess of acrylic.

Also, while she was still in the hospital, I did a little shopping:


I think it was obviously stress shopping, but I was glad to finally have a repertoire from which to choose Stella's inaugural garment. Luckily, she's the xxs or xs size in these books, so it won't take loads of yarn to make her wardrobe.

I have to say that out of the three books, the Vogue on the Go Knitting for Pets is the weakest. It has some cute designs (the sweater on the front being my favorite):

Do you see those little dogs marching across the yoke? OMG SO CUTE!

But most of them are only written with one size of dog in mind. That is really impractical, especially for the more advanced designs. There is a 2 color houndstooth sweater that is adorable, but the only size given is for a "medium" sized dog, which is much bigger than Stella, and since it's such a complex pattern, I have no idea how to size it down. I mean, I'm sure I could figure it out with much effort, but honestly, with so many other cool patterns out there, it's just not worth my time. I can find something equally cute already sized correctly. On the plus side, though, this book does have a lot in the way of cat toys, as well as a cute "cat mat" that would be good for putting under the food and water bowls (especially if you made it in washing-machine friendly yarn).

The other two books, Doggy Knits, by Anna Tillman, and Knitting for Dogs by Kristi Porter, are both really good. They have the patterns divided by thematic sections into roughly every-day or basic sweaters and then fancy, silly sweaters. I think out of the two, I prefer Doggy Knits, because there are more sweaters in there I can see myself knitting, but Knitting for Dogs also has some cute accessories. I've already made some of the dog toys for my dad's Boston Terriers, one of which they destroyed immediately, and one of which was still surviving, last I checked.

From Knitting for Dogs, these are my favorites:


The first is "feral fair isle", and has a matching hat for you! I'm so making this one. What a good way to learn fair isle too! Also, the second one is made of Noro Kureyon, and involves steeking for the arm holes, which again, what a great way to learn, since your dog doesn't care whether it comes out exactly right or not... Also, I had purchased two balls of Kureyon in a Webs sale earlier this year, and really didn't know what to do with them. I was going to use them to make some replacement fingerless gloves for myself, since I lost one of mine last winter in London, but I think the colors would look perfect on Stella, and this sweater (aside from the steeks) doesn't seem too hard.

Then from Doggy Knits, we have these contenders. They're a little fancier in design, but would be SO CUTE on my pup:



The first one is called "Denim-Style Jacket", and it is so cute. I think this was my favorite dog model. He's also on the cover, and he is a real good poser for the camera. He looks so cute in every sweater too. The second is called "Paws for Thought" (har har), and just looks really fun. They have a second version just in black and white, and I think I would do it in two colors as well instead of the multi. The third is "Herringbone Bones", and is also adorable. The front closes with bone-shaped buttons. The fourth, "Bright and Bobbly" is my favorite. I think Stella would look SO CUTE in a bobbly, colorful sweater. The only weird thing about this design is that the bobbles are knitted separately and then sewn on. Weird, right? But I guess how else are you going to have all the different color bobbles?

One final source for awesome dog sweater patterns. I was looking on Ravelry to see if anyone had made any of these, and I came across My Savannah Cottage. Not only does she make awesome designs, but she has a yorkie! YAY. Especially check out her "Bark Obama 2008" sweater. I think Barak could use some canine support. Do you think I have time to whip that one out? I'm so tempted!!!