Customer Reviews

Doggy Knits: Over 20 Coat Designs for Handsome Hounds and Perfect Pooches

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My sister bought this book for me and as soon as I picked it up, I immediately thought about returning it. I thought, "I own a lab... they aren't going to have anything her size!" But I was wrong! This isn't your average, fluffy pampered mouse-dog type book. Inside are some really utilitarian designs and some really cutesy ones, and some that can go both ways depending on color/yarn/embellishment choices. The sizes range from XS (16" chest) to XXL (28" chest), so most dogs are covered.

I haven't had any time to knit any of the designs (I got the book today), but I'm sure if there's a serious problem with errors, it will pop up here.

A basic description of each design follows, for those of you who can't leaf through the book:
Section one: Classic Canine
"Textured sweater" - chunky, moss/seed stitch, basic sweater
"Frogged and Formal" - coat-style (draped over the back, not a tight-fitting sweater) with optional trim and frog closure
"Button-up Sweater" - basic ribbed sweater with buttons down the side (cover photo)
"Lace-edged Lady" - coat-style with lace edge
"Raingear for Rover" - coat-style, narrow bellyband, buckle front
"Fabulous and Felted" - coat-style, narrow bellyband, mid-back length, felted, with optional blanket-stitch edge

Section Two: Funky Dawg
"Stripy coat and leg warmers" - Fair Isle sweater/coat with dog-sized leg warmers
"Denim-Style Jacket" - Sweater-style, pocket flaps
"Herringbone bones" - (optionally) embroidered with dog bones, coat-style with wide bellyband
"Deep-rib zip-up" - slouchy sweater-style, chunky weight yarn, back zip
"Warm and woolly" - chunky weight sweater, back button up closure
"Double-strap Jacket" - coat-style with two front buckles and two narrow bellybands
"Colorful Cable Coat" - coat-style, no bellyband, colored cables

Section Three: Perfect Pooch
"Bright and bobbly" - coat style, covered in bobbles
"Paws for thought" - coat style, Fair Isle paw prints
"Fluffy and frivolous" - chunky sweater-style, back closure (I think), turtleneck
"Mesh Coat" - mesh coat-style
"Wiggly Stripes" - Fair Isle, back button, sweater style (I think)
"Pucker-up" - puckered, slip-stitch stripes, coat style
"Pretty in pink" - sweater, longer sleeves, back button closure

Be aware that this book contains very little knitting instruction and is not for the beginner. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone with knitting experience.

I bought this book because of the cute photographs and have since knitted a coat for one of our terriers from it.

Experienced knitters will find the instructions fairly easy to follow, and the measuring instructions will enable those of us with dogs who are not average to tailor a pattern to fit.

Less experienced knitters will find the knitting information chapter at the end of the book helpful in terms of techniques. While there are patterns that a beginner could use, this would be best attempted by a beginner who had access to a more experienced knitter for guidance.

The major drawback, from my perspective, is that the book doesn't give a ply (wool thickness) approximation for each pattern which may make it a challenge for some to identify substitute yarns.

A lovely, colourful book!

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Four paws up!!! Each of the patterns are fun and quick to make. There is a style for every dog of every size. Basic patterns let you use your sense of creativity to design something that suits your pups personality. Even the beginner can make something for thier special furry friend. A weekend project that will make you pup proud of you!

...one was a strapped blanket style, the other a "denim style jacket." I should mention that my dog is a yorkie, and smaller than the XXS pattern for a dog with a 16" chest. So, please know that I had to alter the patterns a bit. Both worked up fine, but I have a couple complaints about the book. It's not written for the beginner, as there was an abbreviation given not in the guide at the beginning of the book. Because I have other books, I was able to ascertain what the pattern called for, but this is an oversight. (It wasn't that hard to figure out, but don't they proofread?) The denim jacket instructions say that only the recommended yarn should be used, but it is now discontinued by Rowan. You may be able to find another yarn to suit, but compare the shrinkage guidelines with Rowan's yarn on their website, or you may have an ill fitting piece. (I happened to have the particular Rowan yarn, and you might find it at eBay or any of the disco'd yarn sites or on a swap, too.) I also noticed that a good many of the patterns are simply variations on a strapped blanket coat, which is really not practical for most dogs. Mine is far too active and the coat comes off easily even though the strap is snug. Maybe if you're knitting for an elderly or very mellow dog this book would be worth the purchase? I would've appreciated more patterns for jackets and cardigans.

I found this book to be just another book on dog sweaters. Just your everyday, seen it before dog sweater, no toys, no extras. I will say this, I found the photos to be beautiful, in fact I probably bought this book because the dog on the cover looks exactly like my Jack Russell, Jane. I felt there should have been diagrams to accompany the patterns. I am a visual knitter and work best with a diagram. If you want to knit your dog a sweater there are plenty of books out there better than this one, but if you want a book for a coffee table or display in your hobby/knitting room, then this is a good choice.

I have been knitting dog sweaters for a long time and have several pattern books, some of which aren't all that great. But this one has really great patterns and beautiful sweaters. I would recommend it for sure!

This was a big disappointment! I have an English bulldog and patterns for her need to be customized as they are broad through the chest & narrow in the back. This book does not allow for any 'sizing' other then ex small, small, medium, large. AND...most of the really cute patterns aren't sized past medium. Just know this before you buy.

This is an excelant book, full of wonderfull patterns, but I can not locate the correct size yarn for the stitch measurements. Nore can I find and address to write to so I can find the yarn they mentioned.

Another nice addition to my "working" book collection. Easy to follow instruction, good color photography. Projects use unique yarn fiber and not your run of the mill dog patterns.

This book has wonderful, cute, and playful patterns. They're definitely for an intermediate/advanced knitter. You will need to adjust for the type of dog you have. I have a dachshund, so some patterns don't work for me and I just have to edit some things and I'm good to go. The patterns are darling and everybody loves their sweaters I knit for their little pooch. :)