In this class students will learn how to design and knit a sweater custom tailored to fit their dog (or cat or rabbit or guinea pig) of any size and shape.  A perfect fit offers comfort and freedom of movement for your furry friend.  Trendy?  Cute?  Sophisticated?  Customize your sweater to reflect your dog's personality and your own creative flair.  It's a special way to show your love and care.  You will learn solid knitting skills that apply also to human garments.

Skills Required - Solid comfort with knitting and purling in the round, with the method of your choice (short circular needles, DPN's, magic loop).

Materials

• "Perfect Fit Top-Down Dog Sweater" pattern by Travelling Tree Designs, https://ravel.me/perfect-fit-dog-cat-sweater--pattern-generator (link to Ravelry)
• You may use the yarn of your choice of any yarn weight.  The key will be knitting your swatch (see below in homework).
• Considerations for yarn:  Thicker yarn will knit up faster -- how large or small is your pup?  Washability -- superwash?  Do you want to knit from stash?  Durability of yarn -- rustic yarns, or yarns including man-made fibers?  What is your dog's favorite color or best suits their complexion?  Do you want to add some contrast colors such as for ribbing or stripes?  We are happy to help at the shop with any questions about yarn selection.  There's so many options and it's hard to go wrong!  Have fun with your choices!
• Approximate yardage estimates are provided below for yarn weights based on collar size.  These are rough estimates (erring to the generous side), as our pups come in all sizes and shapes.

          Neck circumference - 8" (10", 12". 16", 20")
          Fingering weight - 300 (500, 700, 1000, 1300) yards
          Worsted weight - 150 (250, 350, 500, 650) yards
          Bulky weight - 75 (125, 175, 250, 325) yards

Needle selection

• Needles for circular knitting in the size appropriate to your yarn choice.  Consider your pet's neck and body circumference when choosing the length of circular needles.  Very short circulars, magic loop, or double pointed needles (DPNs) can be good choices for small dogs.
• Double pointed needles one size smaller than main needle size.
• Crochet hook, if desired, one or two sizes smaller than main needle for picking up stitches.
• Tape measure/gauge checker and calculator to determine gauge.  (No worries - I promise we will absolutely work through determining gauge and sweater math together!)
• Three locking stitch markers
• Darning needle to weave in ends.

Homework - Measurements for your pup

• The pattern for the "Perfect Fit Top-Down Dog Sweater" is linked above and lists the measurements required for your sweater.  There are a few extra measurements which we've found useful in class (*).  All measurements are noted below.
• Collar circumference - Decide how high you'd like the sweater to come up on your pup's neck.  Measure the circumference at this point.
• Rib cage circumference (measure just behind front legs).
• Space between dog's front legs (measure "leg-pit to "leg-pit").
• Circumference around top of leg (measure right next to body).
• (*) Distance from top of collar to midpoint between front legs (measure along chest)
• (*) Desired finished length of sweater (measure from top of collar along back -- important for male dogs that the finished length of sweater allows for "piddle room", as aptly described by a former student :))
• (*) Body circumference at desired finished length.
• If you'd like help with measuring your pet, I'd be more than happy to assist at the shop in advance of the class and meet your pup!  Please email me at knitsmuch@gmail.com to set up a time.  Of course, accurate measurements are important for fit; however, you will have a chance to try the sweater on your pet during the knitting process to check fit and tweak the details.
• Gauge swatch
• Knowing your gauge is an important piece to a good fit with this project.  Once we determine your individual gauge from your swatch, we'll come up with your personalized pattern.  No way around it -- a gauge swatch is needed (and so worth it in this case)!
• You may use any weight of yarn with needles in the appropriate size to your yarn.  Please complete a swatch of approximately 4" x 4" in stockinette stitch worked "In The Round", (knit each round).  This is important as most of us have a different gauge between flat and round knitting.
• You may work the swatch in a small circumference tube or, check out this video tutorial for a helpful short cut for swatching in the round: https://youtu.be/x-6DNgqJC88, "How to Work a Gauge Swatch in the Round".
• Launder your swatch in the same manner you will launder your finished sweater.

For questions prior to class, please reach out to knitsmuch@gmail.com.

Age minimum - Sixteen years of age
Class minimum - 3 students
If the class minimum is not met, students will be notified prior to the class start date and a full refund will be given.

	Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
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