Marty says:- “This woolly coat is perfect for lounging on the carpet when your pet human won’t put the central heating on or when your expected to travel in a car that hasn’t been pre-warmed for you. Make sure they knit it for you in a colour that suits you. If you’re not sure of the colour you can always follow my example by extracting the ball of wool from the knitting box and spreading it across the lounge and down the hall to check it first. Don’t go out in the rain or snow in the coat though as it will make you damp.”
Requirements:
Main body (make 1):
Return the 34 sts to the needle, then the first 20sts (74 sts)
To shape left front:
Border for Tummy strap (2 alike): With right side facing, 3.75mm needles and contrasting yarn, pick up 14 stitches along the top edge of the hole for tummy strap. Row 1: [K1, P1] repeat to end Row 2: [P1, K1] repeat to end Cast off in pattern
Top Border (make 1): Using contrasting yarn and 3.75mm needles cast on 6sts and commence moss stitch thus: Row 1: [K1, P1] repeat to end Row 2: [P1, K1] repeat to end These two rows form the pattern. Continue in pattern until work is long enough to go along the neck edge of the coat plus an overhang of 5 cm (2 inch) ending with row 2. Transfer these stitches onto a stitch holder.
Bottom Border (make 1):
Tummy Strap (make 1): Using contrasting colour and 3.75mm needles cast on 3 sts and commence moss stitch thus: Row 1: P1, K1, P1 Row 2: M1, K1, M1 (5 sts) Row 3: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1 Row 4: M1, P1, K1, P1, M1 (7 sts) Row 5: P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1 Row 6: M1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, M1 (9 sts) Row 7: [K1, P1] repeat to last stitch K1 Row 8: [K1, P1] repeat to last stitch K1 Rows 7 & 8 form the pattern. Continue in pattern until work measures 117cm (46 inches) or desired length ending with a w/s row.
Shape end:
Row 1: K1, P2tog, Pattern to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 (7 sts) Row 2: [K1, P1] repeat to last stitch, K1 Row 3: K1, P2tog, Pattern to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 (5 sts) Row 4: [K1, P1] repeat to last stitch, K1 Row 5: K1, S1, K2tog PSSO, K1 (3 sts) Row 6: K1, P1, K1 Row 7: K3tog Fasten off yarn by pulling through remaining titch and pulling tight.
To Make Up:
Attach the top border to the neck edge with the 5cm overhang at one side and leaving 1 cm unattached at the other. Take care to ease the border over the shaped bits. Attach the bottom border to the 5cm over of the neck border then along the lower edge of the coat leaving 1 cm unattached at the other. Whilst attaching this border take care to ease it around the front and back shaping.
Check that the two remaining loose border edges reach the edge of the coat. Add additional rows in pattern if necessary. Once the borders have reached the end of the coat, slip both borders onto the same needle and knit across both keeping the continuity of pattern as you work across both sets of stitches. Once joined continue in pattern until the work measures 7.75 cm (3 inches) from join. Cast off in pattern. Stitch up the gaps between the loose borders and the coat.
For each end of the border fold half the overlap back and secure on the underside of the coat. This provides re-enforcement for attaching the fasteners and helps to prevent the front of the coat stretching. Attach two fasteners horizontally on the front of the chest positioned to suit the size of the dog
The tummy strap is folded double and the edges sewn up prior to attaching the two fasteners. This helps to prevent the knitting stretching as the dog moves around. However if you have a young dog or one which is particularly active we would recommend that you re-enforce the inside of this strap with an equivalent length of material to ensure it keeps its shape. Attach two fasteners vertically to the tummy strap in a position to ensure the comfort of the dog. Sew in any remaining loose ends and secure the edges of the tummy strap border. Thread the tummy strap through the holes in the coat and allow your dog to enjoy its warmth.