After enjoying the beautiful colors of Turner’s Sunset Blanket by Nancy Lekx last week, this week’s project reminded me just how much life can surprise us.
If someone had told me years ago that I’d eventually feel comfortable around dogs and cats, I would never have believed them. As a child, I was genuinely afraid of both. Walking through a park or visiting someone with a dog filled me with anxiety.
Everything changed when our daughter Alessia convinced us to bring home a kitten when she was eight years old. I’ll admit, I was nervous! But that tiny kitten slowly changed everything. Before long, one cat became three, and today I can honestly say that thanks to Alessia, I enjoy being around dogs and cats without the slightest apprehension. It’s an incredibly freeing feeling.
In case you missed it, earlier this June, I shared Cynthia MacDougall’s clever Sock It to Me Dog Coat, a custom-fit project that turns sock math into a beautifully shaped dog coat, but back to today’s knitted sweater.
Snuggles Sweater by Cindy O’Malley’s dog sweater. It’s sweet, practical, and full of personality, with a windowpane plaid effect that gives a beloved pup a polished little fashion moment.
skill level Intermediate
time A focused pet garment project that rewards careful measuring, shaping, and finishing
ideal for Pet lovers, knitters who enjoy practical garments, and anyone who wants to knit something cozy and stylish for a special dog
you will practice Working in the round, shaping leg openings, crocheted top stitching, creating a windowpane plaid effect, tailoring fit, short row shaping, and finishing techniques
finished size Designed for a small dog as shown, about 14 lbs and 15” high to the top of the back, with notes for tailoring the fit for a larger chest or bigger dog
Snuggles Sweater by Cindy O’Malley for ANPTmag Issue 54; photo by Cindy O’Malley for ANPTmag
This pattern was featured in ANPTmag Issue 54, Faces. This issue explores faces in needlework, especially quilted portraits, personal expression, color, shading, curve piecing, and design ideas that take us beyond the ordinary. And yes, the dog coats fit the theme perfectly, because what face greets us with more love than a favorite pet?
Issue 54 included three dog coat patterns and a special feature on designing a coat to fit your dog. I love that this issue moved from portraits in fabric to the familiar faces at home, reminding us that needlework can celebrate the people, pets, and little everyday joys that make life warmer.
From the website description, knitting designer Cindy O’Malley loves plaid. She designed a windowpane plaid effect without carrying floats behind the work, and the sweater is worked in the round. In Cindy’s original notes, Snuggles was a fashionista when it came to dog sweaters and coats, and because Snuggles didn’t already have a plaid sweater, Cindy decided to knit one for her.
The construction starts at the turtleneck collar and continues down in the round. The lower chest is worked back and forth on a second set of needles, then rejoined in the round once the leg openings are complete. The vertical plaid lines are added with a crochet hook using a top stitching technique, which is such a clever way to achieve the plaid look without hidden floats.
Get the Snuggles Sweater pattern here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/snuggles-sweater/
Get ANPTmag Issue 54 print version here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/issue-54/
Get ANPTmag Issue 54 digital version here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/issue-54-digital-version/
Read the early June KNITmuch post about Cynthia MacDougall’s Sock It To Me Dog Coat here
https://knitmuch.com/turn-sock-math-into-a-perfectly-fitted-dog-coat/
Snuggles Sweater by Cindy O’Malley for ANPTmag Issue 54; photo by Cindy O’Malley for ANPTmag
What I especially love about this project is how polished it looks while remaining wonderfully approachable in its technique. The crocheted top stitching gives the sweater its crisp plaid personality, while the in-the-round construction, leg shaping, and fit adjustments make it an exciting little garment to knit.
If you were knitting a sweater for a special dog, would you keep the classic plaid look or choose bright colors to match that pup’s personality?
Join me next week to find out which inspiring ANPTmag knitting project I’ll share with you!
