Customer Reviews

Dress Your Dog: Nifty Knits for Classy Canines

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Pros: A great number of projects of various degrees of difficulty. I have completed 2 sweaters so far and they turned out pretty nice. Good variety of crochet and knitting projects. There are no costume projects which in my opinion is a plus. This is not a book for halloween, but all sweaters, blankets, etc. are wonderfully cute.
Cons: Sometimes the directions are not very clear. For example, they tell you to cut yarn, but don't explain how to secure it when working on the leg openings. There are no instructions on how to determine the size of your dog - S,M,L.

I've made two of the knitted sweaters from this book and they both turned out great. The dogs who got them look just wonderful in the sweaters, too. The instructions were plenty clear enough for me, a barely intermediate knitter. I was able to complete both garments with no help except to look up a couple things in a basic knitting reference book. The price of the book is good for so many cute patterns. Any one of these sweaters or other projects, like the pillows, would make great gifts for the dog owners you know.

This book contains adorable patterns that are best for smaller dogs. For larger dogs, the patterns would require significant modification. My one complaint about the book is that the directions are poorly written and confusing. On the two patterns I've made so far, both sets of directions lacked clarity and I found that I had to make knitting decisions based on my best guess about what I was supposed to be doing. In some cases, my hunches guided me in the right direction; in other cases, ripping out sections and trying again was required. Since I am an experienced knitter, I have been able to muddle my way through the patterns I've tried so far, but had I been an inexperienced knitter, I would have been extremely frustrated with the directions.

I was curious as to how the leashes and collars would work knitted and crocheted. Be aware that you must purchase a leash and collar to go inside of the knitted piece. Other than that, the sweaters are very cute and the instructions are easy for a beginner to use.

This book is full of cute, fun, practical designs. Our new doggy neighbor is panting for her new look! There are many choices, so there will be an entire wardrobe for varied weather conditions. Included are carriers too for little ones to keep close. Designs are easy to put on the dogs. Most projects are for smaller sized dogs.

Sys Fredens's DRESS YOUR DOG: NIFTY KNITS FOR CLASSY CANINES offers some 30 designer doggy outfits and accessories from sweaters and pillows to leashes and carrying bags, offering several projects for crochet as well. All sizes and types of dogs are considered with patterns offering various stylish options and ideas. Any knitter's collection needs this - and many a pet owner's library will find it a different, popular pick!

I've looked at a lot of books in search of well-designed dog sweaters with clear instructions, and this is it! All the patterns are stylish without being silly, and use a variety of knitting stitches. Even the patterns that are a little too advanced for me can easily be adapted by maintaining one color of yarn. I hope this lady writes more books with dog sweater patterns!

I received this book as a birthday gift. The projects are photographed in nice detail on very cute dogs. I immediately was drawn to the cabled roll collar sweater. I compared my dog's measurements to the dimensions of the sweater in order to choose the correct size. It was a very fun and quick knit. My dog looks handsome in it and we get compliments whenever he sports it.

My only complaint is that the written directions were a bit confusing regarding increases/decreases within the cable pattern. I am an experienced knitter and was able to use the photo to compare my progress. When doing the increases, keep in mind that there is a "p-k-p" between each "p-k6-p". For the leg decreases, the cable repeats are considered as only the "p-k6-p " part.

I'm planning to use another pattern but I haven't decided which one yet.

This is a classic case of a very talented knitter and artist who seems to either have difficulty transferring her knowledge in clear, defined, instructions, or is assuming anyone buying her book is extremely advanced. I've been knitting for over thirty years and unless you are experienced enough to innately alter and/or modify a pattern as you are knitting it, I would not recommend this book. Wonderful designs, but the specific pattern instructions are confusing, unclear, and haphazard. I'd also recommend that the author provide in her books, a support website for any future patterns, as she really is, very talented in terms of design and creativity. Will I buy her next book? Most likely, but again, I can get around the confusing directions.

Great book full of cute sweaters for my Scottie, Annie. I plan to make several sweaters from this book, in fact I am knitting the sweater on page 43. Great Value considering how many patterns I intend to make.The instructions are easy to follow and the photos are helpful also.