(photo and adorable hound belong to terryroyea)
I never thought that I would be one to dress my dog. I grew up with Rough Collies, who need sweaters the way that ummm... well, I can't think of anything catchy, but the point is that they don't need sweaters. Greyhounds, however, are desert dogs: they have very little body fat and almost no fur. When fall comes, Percy gets cold and miserable, and he needs some extra layers. He's built up quite a wardrobe over the years: a heavy winter coat, several jackets, fleece sweatshirts, a raincoat, and lots of sweaters. His clothes all live in a big trunk in our front hall. While I suppose that he has plenty to keep him warm (he can usually be found at this time of year wearing one of his various goofy sweaters, which are referred to around here as Cosby sweaters), I've never knit him anything. Ever since seeing this lovely side-button sweater pattern on ravely, however, I've felt the itch to get it on my needles.
I'm a little stumped when it comes to yarn, though. First of all, I want to make it in something nice, but not too expensive (since I'll need three balls), and of course it needs to be machine washable. Do you all have any ideas? Plus, I need to settle on a color. My first thought was a nice neutral grey, but then I realized that since I am making this, it can be absolutely *any* color. Maybe I should take advantage of that and make it in something really great, like bright kelly green or royal blue. I just can't decide! I need your help - what color would you put on my tiger-striped pup?
13 comments:
i don't know about yarns, but a bright primary blue or orange would look amazing on that dog!
really great how you are willing to put so much time in your pets.
What a beauty! I think you should start with a fall varigated something...and then you're going to love it so much you'll have to make a christmas varigated something...then a winter v.s.....you get my point :) Hope you'll post a pic of it when it's finished <><
I would vote for a nice burnt orange or perhaps a nice eggplant. Both seem like fairly dignified colors for a dog that needs a sweater.
I would vote for a washable wool. It's warm, breathable and easy to care for. The only one I have used that wasn't sock yarn is Lamb's Pride superwash. I like it, but it's kind of pilly.
I read somewhere that dogs and cats are not fond of acrylic yarn. I have made a few yarny cat toys, and the cat doesn't seem to mind so who knows.
The first color that came to mind was orange - looks like a few of us are thinking alike. My favorite color is green, so I think bright green would be fun too.
Hugs to Percy. So adorable. I have been thinking a lot lately about volunteering for the greyhound rescue here in St. Louis and seeing if one might be a good fit...
Percy is so adorable! I miss owning a greyhound. Mine was named Porsche (like the car. Her nick name was Porkchops). Zena, my Decker, needs sweaters too because she has a thin coat.
How old is Percy?
I used regular wool yarn for Zena's blanket in navy blue. It washes and dries just fine (yep, I throw it in the washer and dryer and ironically, it didn't shrink).
I think you should knit him a sweater in navy blue, aubergine or hunter green or a combo in stripes. I got my big big skein of navy blue yarn for $3.00 at Wal-Mart (I got like three as they were on sale for 2 for $4 or something like that).
I think all the color suggestions are great--all good complementary and triad colors. I'd like to see Percy go kind of monochromatic in an Red-Orange color.
Ooh I second the burnt orange suggestion, or a pretty olive or wasabi green.
Deep gold, vivid orange, rust, lime green, pale green, even "avocado" green would all look great, and bring out the golden color in his gorgeous brindle fur - or you could go the other direction and choose a wonderful really dark color like dark chocolate. I've never knit for a dog, so I haven't any good suggestions as far as washability
Thanks for all of the advice, everybody! I'm loving these suggestions. I think I'm going to print your comments and bring them with me to the yarn store, then see what jumps out at me! Right now I'm leaning towards eggplant or something in the red/orange family, or maybe an avocado...I don't know! we'll see!
Colleen, you should try volunteering! I know I'm biased, but greyhounds make such fantastic pets.
Kate, Percy is seven and has been with us since he was three. He's just now starting to get some grey around his head - my puppy is turning into my old man!
Aw, I'm sure his grey hairs add character. Zena will be six this year (OMG, when did that happen? It seems just yesterday when we adopted her at 3 1/2 years old).
When I had my greyhound (her name was Porsche), she didn't go grey at all. She was white and tan until she passed away at twelve; we adopted her at four. She was my childhood doggy pretty much! I would get another greyhound but Zena is a one-dog-in-the-house dog.
My late-to-the-party vote is for something really rainbow-y! Red Heart Super Savers (I know... but still, hard to argue with the cost if you can put up with the feel of it sliding through your fingers and squeaking on your bamboo needles *shudder*) makes a really quite astoundingly rainbow one. Seems like it would be nice and cheerful on a snowy, gray Ohio day!
Aw, Porsche sounds like she was really beautiful, Kate. What is Zena going as for Halloween?
Larkin, your opinion always counts, late or not :-p. Rainbow would be great, but Red Heart is just so yucky to knit with - I hate that squeak! The price is definitely right, though.
Zena is going as the Little Stinker (aka a skunk) for Halloween. The costume is adorable. It's even cuter on her. She has enough spunk to be a skunk.
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