DIY Network

Fifi's Capelet Knit a cape with a collar for your furry friend. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-508

This festive, capelet style sweater will keep Fifi or Fido warm and cozy on those cool weather walks.

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This sweet canine capelet is designed to fit a four-legged friend.

Materials:
yarn
  MC: Southwest Trading Company "Karaoke" yarn (1 skein for smallest size, your dog may require up to 3 skeins, or more depending on pattern stitches used)
  CC: dog fur specialty yarn
1 pair #8 circular needles; cord length determined by your dog’s neck size
stitch markers
scrap yarn

Stitch(es)
stockinette or optional patterns (knitter’s choice)

Gauge
4.5 stitches = 1" (in stockinette). - Not crucial; you will determine stitch counts based on your yarn and personal gauge swatch.

Measure your dog’s neck in inches. Write down this number, referred to as K.

Determine your gauge by making a swatch. Multiply your gauge x K to determine the number of stitches to cast on, rounding to the nearest even number.

Determine your increase lines. Multiply your cast-on stitches by .3, rounding to the nearest number divisible by two. For example: in the small size knit on the show, the neck cast on was 60 stitches, so the increase lines number is 20—divided in half, that’s 10. Cast on provisionally and place a marker 10 stitches in from the beginning and end of the row.

Figure A

Knit in stockinette or pattern stitch back and forth, increasing into the 2 stitches on either side of each marker using K1fb or your preferred method on even-numbered rows and knitting without increases on odd-numbered rows (figure A). If you prefer, you can work this portion in the round. Otherwise, you’ll have to seam later.

When your piece is long enough to reach the bottom of your dog’s chest, bind off the stitches between the beginning / end of the row / round and markers, leaving the other 2/3 of the stitches live on the needle. Continue to knit. You are now knitting the back-covering portion of the capelet, which can be omitted if your dog is very, very tiny (such as a teacup Chihuahua). Knit until the piece reaches just before your dog’s tail and bind off.

Optional - Knit a belly band to keep the capelet snug against your dog’s back.

For the ruffled collar on the pink capelet: remove the provisional cast on at the neck, placing the live stitches back on your needle. Using dog fur yarn, knit the first row. On each successive even row, K1fb through each stitch, doubling the stitch count in that row. On each odd row, knit. Continue until ruffle is long enough for your taste and bind off.

RESOURCES :
yarn
South West Trading Company
Website: www.soysilk.com

yarn
KnitGrrl
Website: www.knitgrrl.com

interchangeable knitting needle kits
Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles
Website: www.knitdenise.com

GUESTS :

Shannon Okey
Website: www.anezkahandmade.com
Website: www.knitgrrl.com