Fine Craft Guild .com » Craft for Pets

Pet Sweater Free Knitting Pattern

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:04:00 +0000

I know you might be considering making a funky Halloween Costume for your little darling after seeing reviewing all these great Halloween pet costumes here and here.

However, if you have little time, making a dog sweater instead, one that you can use from now on till the end of Winter/early Spring somehow seems to be more rewarding a project to do, in my opinion. And I’m not alone in this thought… Martha had the same ideas and featured this dog sweater on her show a little while ago.

Below is the knitting patter for the dog sweater shown on Francesca (dog on the right). Your four-footer friend can stay warm while outside. This dog sweater is the perfect pet accessory now that the Fall leaves are definitely here and the evening walks are nippy.

Free Knitting Pattern

Materials Needed for Dog Sweater

Lion Brand® Nature’s Choice Organic^®Cotton – need 2 (3,5,6) skeins

Knitting Needles, Size 8

Large-Eye Blunt Needle

5 buttons

SKILL LEVEL: Easy

SIZE: Small, Medium, Large, 1X
Finished Chest 19 1/2 (23 1/2, 27 1/2, 31 1/2) in. (49.5 (59.5, 70, 80) cm)
Sizing Notes: Sweater will stretch to fit ‘in-between’ sizes. For dogs who are much smaller than the size “S”, OR for dogs who are much larger than the size “XL”, adjustments to the sweaters can be made as follows:

For Smaller Sweater: Subtract 2 sts from the Back, 2 sts from the Underpiece, and 3 sts from the Neckband for each 1 in. (2.5 cm) of difference between your dog’s measurements and the measurements of the size “S” sweater. To shorten the length of sweater, subtract equal amounts from the final length of the Back and the Underpiece.

For Larger Sweater: Add 2 sts to the Back, 2 sts to the Underpiece, and 3 sts to the Neckband for each 1 in. (2.5 cm) of difference between your dog’s measurements and the measurements of the size ”XL” sweater. To increase the length of sweater, add equal amounts to the final length of the Back and the Underpiece. Note: An additional ball of yarn may be required for adjustments made to the “XL” sweater.

Finished Length 13 (16, 20, 24) in. (33 (40.5, 51, 61) cm)
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

GAUGE:

16 sts + 24 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in St st (k on RS, p on WS). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

Seed Stitch (over odd number of sts)
Row 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: P the knit sts and k the purl sts.
Rep Row 2 for Seed Stitch.

BACK
Cast on 49 (63, 73, 85) sts.
Work in Seed st until piece measures 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) from beg, end with a WS row.
Next Row (RS): Work 6 sts in Seed st as established, k to last 6 sts, work 6 sts in Seed st as established.
Keeping first and last 6 sts in Seed st, rem sts in St st (k on RS, p on WS), work until piece measures 5 (5

1/2, 6, 6) in. (12.5 (14, 15, 15 ) cm) from beg, end with a WS row.
Next Row (Buttonhole Row 1): Work 2 sts in Seed st, bind off 2 sts (buttonhole), work in pattern as

established to last 4 sts, bind off 2 sts, work in pattern as established to end.
Next Row (Buttonhole Row 2): Work as established, casting on 2 sts over bound-off sts of previous row.
Work even in pattern as established, rep Buttonhole Rows every 12th (24th, 18th, 18th) row 1 (1, 2, 2) more times. Work even until piece measures 8 (11, 14, 16) in. (20.5 (28, 33.5, 40.5) cm) from beg, end with a WS Row.
Shape Neck
Next (Dec) Row: Work in Seed st as established over 6 sts, k2tog, k to last 8 sts, k2tog, work in Seed st to end – 47 (61, 71, 83) sts.
Rep Dec Row every 6th (6th, 8th, 12th) row 3 more times – 41 (55, 65, 77) sts.
Work even until final length of Back measures 13 (16, 20, 24) in. (33 (40.5, 51, 61) cm) from beg. Bind off.

UNDERPIECE
Cast on 35 (37, 43, 47) sts.
Work in Seed st until piece measures 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) from beg.
Next Row (RS): Work 6 sts in Seed st as established, k to last 6 sts, work 6 sts in Seed st as established.
Keeping first and last 6 sts in Seed st, rem sts in St st, work until piece measures 4 1/2 (7, 10, 10 1/2) in. (11.5 (18, 25.5, 26.5) cm) from beg, end with a WS Row.
Bind off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows – 27 (29, 35, 39) sts. Next (Dec) Row: Work 2 sts in Seed st, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, work 2 sts in Seed st – 25 (27, 33, 37) sts.
Continue as established, keeping first and last 2 sts in Seed st, rem sts in St st, AT THE SAME TIME, rep Dec Row every other row 2 (0, 3, 3) more times, every 4th row 4 (7, 7, 9) times – 13 sts rem after all decs have been worked.
Work even in pattern as established until final length of Underpiece measures 8 1/2 (12, 16 1/2, 18) in. (21.5 (30.5, 42, 45.5) cm) from beg. Bind off.

NECKBAND
Cast on 59 (73, 83, 95) sts.
Work 5 rows in Seed st.
Next Row: Work 3 sts in Seed st, bind off next 2 sts (buttonhole), work in Seed st to end.
Next Row: Work in Seed st, casting on 2 sts over bound-off sts of previous row.
Work 5 rows in Seed st. Bind off.

POCKET
Cast on 17 sts.
Work in St st until piece measures about 3 in. (7.5 cm) from beg, end with a WS row. Work 5 rows in Seed st for top edge. Bind off.

FINISHING
Sew Pocket, centered, to Back. Beg at bound-off (neck) edges, seam sides of Underpiece to Back for 1 (1, 2, 2) in. (2.5 (2.5, 5, 5) cm). Pin Neckband around neck edge allowing buttonhole end to overlap Neckband by 1 1/2 in. (4 cm). Sew band in place, leaving overlapped end free. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes on Underpiece and Neckband. Weave in ends.

KNITTING ABBREVIATIONS

beg = begin(s)(ning)
dec = decreas(e)(s)(ing)

k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 together

p = purl
rem = remain(s)(ing)

rep = repeat(s)(ing)
RS = right side

St st = Stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side

Pattern Source: lionbrand.com

Photo Credit: Anders Krusberg/The Martha Stewart Show

Other Knitting Patterns

Click this link for other Knitting Patterns on Fine Craft Guild.

There are almost two dozen free patterns on this blog of lovely projects.

I am sure you can find one or more that are just waiting to be made by you.

For example, these knitted booties are still on my ‘to do’- list.

They look just so comfortable…, don’t they??>!!

Want an Amigurumi Monster ??

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:07:00 +0000

Into monsters? However, for some reason this little creature here caught my eye. Maybe because it is pink??!! Maybe because it reminds me of Niki de Saint Phalle’s monster head sculptures? I loooove this artist’s work, which you can find particularly in museums in Paris & the Cote d’Azur.

Anyhow, for some reason I thought to share this monster with you on the blog, for heaven’s sake.

Sooo …. want to crochet ‘something’ but not in the mood for complex, larger projects or funky scarves or designer handbags? Well, the kids and pets in your family would be happy if you’d embark on this little monster animal crochet.

These little amigurumi crochet toy animals come in green, blue or … PINK!! My favorite being the latter, of course.

Here are your free crochet patterns for 4 different toy animal monsters (click this link)

Source: Bernat.com

More Crochet Patterns

For more serious Crochet Patterns, kid crochet patterns, fashion crochet patterns, bag crochet patterns and more, click ‘Crochet’ in the category menu in the right column on the right.

(Each crochet pattern will be shown with an image for easy browsing.)

Over to YOU / Craft Parties

That’s probably enough ideas to get your creative juices going. Show me what you have made, and link it up here: Your DIY Tutorial (linky party). I’d love to feature your work!!!

I’ve entered this craft tutorial into a number of craft parties. Check them out by clicking the link.

Quilted Pet Bed

Fine Craft Guild — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:07:00 +0000

Pin It

We’ve previously posted an adorable pet bed, or more specifically felted crochet cat basket. Cats always sleep, but this is the time of the year that your dog night’s sleep could do with a little more comfortable and cozy. When I saw this quilt I instantly fell in love and wanted to adopt one. This quilted pet bed is designed so that it will fit your dog or your cat, no matter how large or small.

Making your own dog bed is actually a pretty cheap solution. As well, as this adorable chocolate darling illustrates, it looks like one of the best dog beds out there. This bed appears a bit over-sized. If you make a more snug fitted version, it could place the bed in a round wicker basket.

Quilts aren’t just for people anymore!

And this is the proof ….

Enjoy this free dog bed sewing pattern!

Step-by-step Instructions

for a Quilted Dog Bed

1. Measure the diameter of a circular pet bed insert. Add 1 inch for seam allowances and make a circle pattern this size.

2. You’ll need to determine how many blocks to create. Use this formula to determine how many 3-1/4-x-5-1/2-inch rectangles you’ll need: pet bed diameter in inches x 3.14 divided by 2.75 inches (round up to nearest whole number).

3. Assemble and join enough hourglass blocks and solid squares to equal the circle pattern.

4. Cut one circle each from the pieced fabric and a coordinating backing fabric.

5. Join rectangles to make a pieced strip, then join ends to make a circle.

6. Sew pieced circle to the pet bed circles with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, inserting a long zipper in the bottom seam to make the cover removable for washing.

source: bhg.com

(a highly recommended site

where I occasionally find GREAT

CRAFT PROJECTS)

Quilted Cat Bed

Use the same pattern.

Just make a smaller version.

Also see our seriously cute crochet cat bed.

It has upright sides that your cat might find snuggly.

Free crochet pattern here.

REF. large poof, pillow, beanbag

50+ Cool Green Crafts for Earth Day – part 1

Fine Craft Guild — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:59:00 +0000

Earth Day is (Thursday, April 22), so we’re treating you to 50+ new ideas for crafts made with recycled materials and cool eco-design.

Crafting with recyclables is hip.

In fact, some of the things we’re going to show you are best made with recycled materials rather than with new material, as they just would not have the same ‘look’ nor carry the same ‘warm n fuzzy feeling’ that one gets from making something beautiful and doing something for the environment at the same time.

Try each craft for yourself so you can create a beautiful Earth Day, every day.

Here is lot #1 of green craft ideas:

Unique Desk Accessories from Upcycled Materials

paper box" src="http://www.finecraftguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/coiledmagazinepaperbox-thumb.jpg" width="193" border="0" />

Round Boxes Made with Rolled Magazine Paper – Free, Well-Illustrated Tutorial

Cool Frames Made from Recycled Magazines- Good Tutorial

Retro Frame Made from Recycled Baby Food Jar Lid – Free Tutorial

Small Rectangle Boxes – Free Tutorial

Recycled Magazine Business Card Holders – Free Tutorial

Tiny Pin Cushions Made with Recycled Bottle Caps – Free Tutorial

50+ Cool Recycled Crafts

Hope you’ll enjoy these and the other recycled crafts ideas & tutorials in this series:

1. Recycled Craft Ideas for Desk Accessories

2. Unique Furniture and Home Decorations Made from Recycled Materials.

3. Recycled Crafts for Kids

4. Personal Accessories Made with Recyclables

5. Recycling Crafts for the Garden.

For existing green craft ideas that are already on the blog, simply type ‘recycled’ in our search box and find many pages worth of ideas. Be sure to visit our craft project category called ‘Recycled Materials’ where you can find a great many wonderful recycled craft ideas.

Cutest Holiday Pet

Rose — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:57:00 +0000

This is Raisin.

He’s a basenji (a hound) from Boston, Massachusetts.

I think it is the cutest Holiday pet I’ve seen this year, indeed.

"Raisin was curious as to why I was bringing the outside in," wrote owner Melody Henkel. "But she got into the spirit."

Raisin’s registered name is Bet on Striking Gold at Eldorado. She is 4 points away from her AKC Championship.”

"Raisin is a doll, very strong-willed and an independent thinker, like most hounds," Melody continues, when she and her pet were chosen as Winner of the Santa Pets Contest 2009 at marthastuwart.com.

"She keeps me on my toes” said Melody.

Raisin seems like a lovely companion to me, indeed, a happy holiday pet.

The Runner-ups of the Cutest Christmas Pet 2009 Contest


Tater, dog from Seattle, Washington	Pearly Boy, duck from Goleta (Santa Barbara) California

May they give you some ideas on enjoying your pet this holiday and ensuring he’s part of the happy festivities.

Welcoming Michael, our new Pet Craft Writer

We also have news for you. Next year, Michael (guy on the top right of our new banner) will be joining us. One of several topics Mike is going to talk about at FineCraftGuild.com is pet craft. I am sure you will enjoy his very fun and more masculine craft projects.

Welcome Michael!

Pet Halloween Costume Ideas

Fine Craft Guild — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Pets look oh-so-cute in Halloween costumes.

It’s nice if your pet complements your own costume. You might want to just give your pet a little colored accessory to make him fit the Halloween party theme or go for the full costume. (See my list of links for really beautiful / fun pet costumes below.)

Ensure that your pet is both safe and comfortable in his or her costume. Not all dogs will like being dressed up for Halloween!

However, some dogs actually enjoy being dressed up as it results in lots of loving attention. If the Halloween costume for him is reasonable comfortable, chances are that your dog will cooperate in dressing up for Halloween.

Ready-made Halloween Costumes for Pets

Dog skeleton costume (XL; more visible than most by cars in the dark) *
Hot dog costume *
Angel dog costume *
Pet Frog Prince Costume
*

Homemade Halloween Pet Costumes

Spider Pet Costume

Handmade Halloween Costume Ideas for Pets **

Toto in a Basket to accompany Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz ** Howto: Choose a basket that fits your dog and put a tea towel on top. Make sure he’s cozy and on the lease in the basket
Peacock Pet Costume to accompany an adult woman’s Peacock costume. ** Howto: all the details are here. Free pattern.

* : for purchase
** : make your own using our free costume craft tutorials and tips

5 Pet Halloween Costume Safety & Comfort Tips

1. Ensure that your dog can easily see, hear and easily breathe while wearing his costume. Masks are a no-no. Also, look for light-weight and airy fabrics for your pet costume. This avoid your pet becoming overheated.

2. Make sure that the costume fits loosely around the neck (not too tight!). Also check that it does not drag on the floor so your pet won’t step on it.

3. Observe your dog while putting on the costume and when he is wearing it. Take note of chewing, pawing, or signs of discomfort, and take remedial action. Don’t enforce a costume if your pet does not want it. Check for any choking hazards. Cut off any chewable/swallow-able details if they are on the store-bought Halloween costume.

4.Do not leave your dog unattended while wearing a costume or otherwise being dressed up.

5. If your pet is open to wearing a costume, consider having the pet wear the costume only wear for a limited time, e.g. upon arrival of the guests. For those who do not want a costume or who appear to be uncomfortable in a Halloween costume, consider a hat, collar, t-shirt or bandana as a comfortable pet Halloween costume alternative.

Other Halloween Costumes

Start reviewing costume ideas now, or visit Halloween 2009