A. I think of this as ‘urban chic’ but is the hood a pain in the butt? It could be buttoned or velcro’d down I suppose…
Dear Readers, our lovely Finance Director at work is leaving today, and he has two Bedlington Terriers. You might know that I am a very keen knitter, so I am planning on making the dogs a coat, but, not having a dog myself, I would appreciate the thoughts of any of your dog owners out there on the practicalities. I don’t want other dogs to titter when my FD’s dogs walk past – there’s nothing worse than an embarrassed dog, after all. Plus, it needs to be easy to get on and off, and easy to wash. So, here is the shortlist. What do you think?
B. Fairisle
I love a bit of Fair Isle, and this one looks really easy to get on and off. Plus the stranding at the back of the work would make it super warm, and of course it doesn’t have to be in these colours.
C. Cables
I rather like this as a jumper, but would it be a nightmare to wrestle a dog into? I wonder if you could do it as a cardigan with a zip (but then you’d run the risk of catching fur or something worse in it)
D. College Sweater
This one looks easy to get on and off, but are stripes a bit boring?
Let me know what you think, readers! The consensus in the group was that I should do A (the grey one) but in different, brighter colours for each dog, but I think my FD himself liked the Fair Isle one. All views taken onboard!
My vote is for the fair isle. It looks amazing, and I think it would suit a bedlington very well.
I am very much in favour of the Fair Isle meself, I must say…
I took soundings of the other half of this dog-loving couple, and the results differed – quelle surprise! Our two dogs have harnesses which require heads to go through holes, and they tolerate tha, but one of them just about. I cannot imagine having to put their legs through fabric, but himself finds C impossibly cute. Having said that, his instinctive first shout was for D, and I think that looks relatively easy to put on, and a great fit, such as would hold in place well. The Fair Isle is (always) a stunning piece of fabric, but I find the shape inelegant – hard to see how it is structured from the photo. So here, one for C and one for D.
But if the FD likes B – and you like knitting it – that’s probably the one to go for ;0
You’re right about the shape for sure. I think I’m going to have to actually meet these dogs – Bedlingtons are usually quite elegant, so they need something a bit more shapely I suspect.
The Fair Isle – easy to put on and take off and looks very smart. Ask the FD what colours he would prefer.
Another vote for the FairIsle!
I’m not a dog owner but my votes goes to the FairIsle!
Yay, I think the Fairisle is starting to edge ahead…
How kind you are! Whichever design you choose, just make sure the yarn is easily washable…even for urban dogs.
Ah I just love knitting, and I love it all the more if I’m making it for someone else. Plus it makes me feel very close to my Mum, who was always knitting/crocheting/embroidering something….
Either B or D – Speaking from experience our little dog abhors having to wear anything unless really, really cold. You’re brave, all the best x
Thank you Jennifer!
As a dog (you may have noticed from the title of my blog) I have never liked any coats or sweaters. A few years ago a friend bought me a sweater and I wore it once as I refused to put it back on once I was out of it. I don’t even like being covered up by a blanket in bed. In the cold of winter I have been known to wear a fleece coat. Like an earlier response I have to wear a harness with head holes and leg holes etc so a sweater isn’t massively practical for me. I did ask Lenny though and he said a Cable one.
Thank you Dexter! And tell Lenny thank you as well.
When I made coats for my dogs, I used a saddle as a model. So it was essentially a rectangle with rounded corners long enough to extended from neck to just before tail. The it had a wide band, attached at one side, which went under tummy and attached on the other side with Velcro. You could do snaps as well, or buttons. Super easy to get in and out of and easy to wash.
Ah that’s excellent advice. The coats definitely need to be practical and easy to put on and take off. I don’t want to be causing trauma and anxiety.
The Fairisle every time. A dog doesn’t need a hood and dogs don’t go to college, so that one would just be silly. The cable, even more frankly, just looks ridiculous. He’d be the laughing stock of the neighbourhood, but then, if you don’t like him… 😉
Oh that made me laugh.
I’d go for the fairisle. My dog hates to wear anything, but sometimes he has no choice, in which case something with a head hole and just a strap to hold it on underneath is the easiest.
I agree, I’m definitely tending towards the Fair Isle.