Kisses                            

(dog sweater)

by Sharon Spence

 

 

Sized to fit a small dog (Chihuahua, miniature dachshund, poodle, etc.)

 

Because my teenage daughter Michelle prides herself on not “running with the pack” and listening to today’s popular music, she is a huge fan of the so-called “hair metal” bands of the 70s-80s.  Thus, our house continually reverberates with the music of such groups as AC/DC, Motley Crue, the Cars, and her current favorite, KISS.  I overlooked a lot of this music when it was actually on the charts, and have to admit it sounds pretty good now!  Anyway, because it just so happens that my current knitting obsession is making sweaters for small dog breeds, I was inspired to create a sweater in honor of “the hottest band in the world.”  Our mini dachshund Buster modeled this baby at a fundraising event for a local dog park, and won a ribbon for Best Dressed Dog. 

 

I think Gene and Paul would approve.

 

Needles: 

US #5 and #7

Yarn:

 1 ball Patons Classic Wool #226 Black (MC)

 1 ball Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Stone (CC)

Gauge: 

 5 sts and 7 rows = 1 inch in St st on #7 needles

Finished length:

approx. 12”

 

BODY

 

With MC and smaller needles, CO 50 sts.  Knit in K2, P2 rib stitch for 1”.  With right side facing, join CC and knit 1 row.  Work 2 x 2 rib on next row.  Cut CC and attach MC, knitting 1 row on right side.  Work 2x2 rib for about ¾”. 

 

Change to larger needles and work in stockinette stitch for 4”.  To prevent the piece from rolling at the edges, knit the first and last 3 stitches of each row.  With RS facing, begin chart on center 18 sts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue as established in MC for 1”.  Change to smaller needles and work in K2, P2 rib for 1”.  Join CC.  K 1 row.  Work next row in 2x2 rib.  Join MC.  K 1 row, then work in 2x2 rib for 1”.  Join CC.  K 1 row.  Work next row in 2x2 rib.  Join MC, K 1 row, then work in rib for approximately ¾”.  Bind off in ribbing.

 

CHEST

 

With smaller needles and CC, CO 3 sts.  Working in St st, increase 1 st at each end of every other row until 17 sts are on needle.  Continue in St st, knitting the first and last 3 sts of every row, until piece measures 5”.  Begin ribbing:  Row 1: (K2, P2) to last st, K1.  Row 2:  P1, (K2, P2) to end of row.  Bind off in ribbing.

 

FINISHING

 

Sew neck seam.  Sew in chest piece as follows:  when you have seamed as far as the increases stop, allow 3” for leg holes, then sew remaining seams.