Knitty: Winter 2007 - Cables & Bits

<click for more!

by Sarah Wilson

Cables & Bits is a doggie-size shrug suitable for both girl and boy dogs. Its easy construction requires no shaping and would be a great introduction to cables for those who have not yet mastered them!

I have included three sizes here, plus simple Knit to Fit directions which require only a few simple math calculations!

Knit up in an affordable, washable yarn that comes in a nice range of colors, you’ll soon find yourself (and your doggie!) saying, "I want more Cables & Bits! Cables & Bits & Bits & Bits!"

model: Jax [in blue] and Jewels[in pink] Wilson photos: Sarah Wilson

SIZE

To fit a 10[20, 30] lb dog
Note: See "Knit to Fit" directions

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width from cuff to cuff: 19[20.5, 22] inches
Sleeve circumference: 7[8, 9.25] inches

MATERIALS

Valley Yarns Valley Superwash [100% Extra Fine Merino, 97yd/89m per 50g ball]; color: shown in #502 Colonial Blue and #960 Bright Pink 960; 2[2, 3] balls

Recommended needle size: 1 set US #8/5mm straights; 1 set US #8/5mm double-points
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 16-inch US #8/5mm circular needle (optional)
Cable needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

16 sts/20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st
20 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in Tangled Cable Pattern

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty’s list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

Knit to Fit:
You will need approx. 1 ball of yarn per 10 pounds of dog. If your dog is between sizes, purchase an extra ball of yarn.

1. Measure your dog from elbow to elbow, across his or her back. Round this measurement to the nearest inch.

2. Multiply the number of inches by 5 (stitch gauge in pattern). Add or subtract up to 4 stitches to obtain a whole number that is divisible by 8.

3. Add 2 stitches (the stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 8 sts + 2). This is the number of stitches to cast on.

4. Work in Tangled Cable Pattern until the piece is long enough for the short side edge to wrap comfortably around your dog’s leg. BO all sts.

5. Work Assembly and Borders as in pattern.

C4B: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle.

C4F: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle.

M3: [K1, p1, k1, p1] into next st. 1 st increased to 4 sts.

S3KP: Slip next 3 sts purlwise wyib, k1, pass slipped sts over. 4 sts decreased to 1 st.

Tangled Cable Pattern (Worked over a multiple of 8 sts + 2 sts):
Rows 1-3: Work in stockinette st, beginning with a WS row.
Row 4 [RS]: K1, [C4B, k4] to last st, k1.
Rows 5-7: Work in stockinette st, beginning with a WS row.
Row 8: K1, [k4, C4F] to last st, k1.
Repeat these 8 rows for Tangled Cable Pattern.
Adapted from Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns.

Bits & Bobbles Rib (Worked in the round over a multiple of 4 sts):
Rounds 1-3: [K1, p1] to end.
Round 4: [K1, p1, m3, p1] to end.
Round 5: [K1, p1, S3KP, p1] to end.
Round 6: [M3, p1, k1, p1] to end.
Round 7: [S3KP, p1, k1, p1] to end.
Rounds 8-9: [K1, p1] to end.

PATTERN

Using straight needles, CO 82[90, 98] sts.

Work in Tangled Cable Pattern until piece measures 7[8, 9.25] inches, ending with Row 3 or Row 7 of pattern. BO all sts.

Assembly:
Fold piece in half so that CO edge and BO edge meet. Sew long edges together, beginning at ends and sewing approx. 2[3, 4] inches towards center, leaving center open. Try shrug on dog before finishing seams to ensure correct fit.

Borders:
Using double-point needles and with RS facing, pick up and k approx. 1 st for every 2 rows around one leg opening, ensuring that you have a multiple of 4 sts.

Join to work in the round.

Work Rounds 1-9 of Bits & Bobbles Rib. BO all sts in pattern.

Work other leg opening in the same way.

Using double-point needles or circular needle, pick up 1 st in each cast-on or bound-off st around body opening, ensuring that you have a multiple of 4 sts.

Join to work in the round.

Work Rounds 1-9 of Bits & Bobbles Rib.

BO all sts in pattern.

FINISHING

Block if desired. (Note: Blocking is not necessary; samples have not been blocked.)

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Sarah Wilson is Not a Yarn Snob. She is also a Stunt Knitter for Stitch Diva Studios and the designer in residence for her LYS.

Upon designing this pattern, she immediately became obsessed with dressing her doggies in tiny doggie clothes. For anyone who might be curious, Jax is ½ Chihuahua, ½ Yorkie, and Jewels is a purebred Beagle. Both animals were adopted from Abandoned Pet Rescue, Sarah’s local no-kill shelter in south Florida.

Sarah regularly offers free patterns on her blog.