The Puppy Dogs’ Picnic

Check out my latest creation: Sunday Picnic, a gingham check sweater that’s perfect for a sunny day and a big blanket in the park.

Knit in two shades of sport-weight yarn — I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Ocean Blue and Fresh Cream — this sweater is a great project for practicing your stranded color work and learning how to STEEK. 

Yes, steek.

If you have not heard this term before, a steek is a series of extra knitted stitches that enable the knitter to continue knitting in the round, so you can knit an entire fair isle garment from the right side.  That means no more purling from the back. Steeking is an old method that many knitters are afraid to try, because it involves cutting your knitting after it is done.  BUT IT WORKS!  I promise!  And a tiny dog sweater is the ideal place to try steeking, as it isn’t as frightening as cutting, say, a full-size fair isle cardigan down the center.

Full steeking instructions are included in the pattern, as well as a chart for the gingham pattern, of course.

Try it. The pattern is available on my PATTERNS FOR SALE page here on the blog. More info on Ravelry, under My Savannah Cottage.

Silly Wabbit

    It’s not too late to get your baby all dolled up for Easter.  Willie Wabbit, pictured here, is wearing the quick and easy “Funny Bunny” knitted sweater and hat with bunny ears, which I’ve decorated with craft flowers, ribbons, felted Easter eggs and other frou-frou items from the crafts store.  The pattern is on my Patterns for Sale page, and it will take you about an evening to work up the basic outfit.  Then, have at it to make your puppy the cutest in the Easter parade.