A Perfect Sweater for Indy

Last fall, I made a perfect fit sweater for Indy as part of Save the Children's Pins and Needles Challenge for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day on December 12.  I now want to share with you the details behind Indy's perfect fit sweater.  (It is not too late to make a donation to Save the Children!) 

On November 12, I started researching fun free sweater knitting and crochet projects.  Save the Children had just asked me to participate in their Pins and Needles Challenge, and I had no idea what I wanted to make.  I realized that Indy would need a sweater of his own to participate in Make the World Bette with a Sweater Day with Lucky, Keith and myself.  

I  had the perfect fit dog or cat sweater in my queue for years, and the Pins and Needles Challenge was the perfect time to start knitting it.   I selected size 10 knitting needles and some unknown fiber content yarn that I'd had in my stash for a while.  The colors would look beautiful on Indy, and I knew that the garment would not require a lot of care because Indy wouldn't wear it that often.

I haven't been able to find any information about the yarn anywhere...  The business card says hand dyed wool 18 oz on the back.  I know that my friend picked it up for me in Maine somewhere for my Bachelorette party.  

Call me crazy but I decided to knit directly off of the yarn swift.  There is just too much yarn for my ball winder and I'm feeling pressed for time.  This was the plan until the yarn started sliding down the swift and I realized that I"d better quickly just ball it.  There are numerous knots in the ball.  The resulting ball is as big as my head!!  The yarn is 15 wraps/2" so 7.5 wraps/inch.  I call this a bulky weight and therefore I decided to knit the sweater on size 10 (6.0 mm) knitting needles.  I chose this size needle for 2 reasons.  1) it would work well with the yarn and 2) i have this size in both ciruclar and dpn.  Otherwise I might have chosen size 11.

Now it is finally time for me to start knitting.  I whipped up a swatch.  9 sts/3" and ~4 rows/inch.  I calculated Indy's measurements (as a 25 lb miniature American Eskimo) as follows:

Dog’s neck: 14"
Dog’s ribcage: 21.5"
Between dog’s front legs: 3"
Circumference of dog’s front leg, at very top base of leg: 6"

Pattern notes:

• Collar - cast on 42 sts and knit ribbing for 4 rounds.  (~1")
  
  
• All increases - M1 stitch after the 1st stitch and before the last stitch of each round.  (I counted started with first stockinette round, increases happened on even rounds.)  I calculated that there should be 26 stitches increased, which would work out to be exactly 26 rows before splitting for legs.  After the 26 rows, the piece measured 6.75" from the cast on edge.
  
  
• For legs, round #27 - K4, BO 10 K to last 14 sts, BO 10, K 4.   In the next round (#28) I cast on 10 sts in each opening with the backwards loop cast on. (I can always pick up 21 sts around the leg holes.)
  
  
• Around the rib cage I might run into some problems.  I think I allowed for ease when i took my measurement of 21.5" (I can get the tape down to 19" with the fluff.)  
• Round 34 - K5, K2tog.  K until last 7 sts.  SSK, K5.  (66 sts)
• Round 37 - repeat 33.  (64 sts)
• Round 40 - repeat 33 (62 sts)
• Round 43 - repeat 33 (60 sts)
• Round 50 - started binding of for the bottom.  BO the last 10 sts of Round 50 and the first 10 sts of Row 51.  This is where I was at the time of the last update.  
• Row 52 is the first p row.  
• Even rounds - S1, K2tog, K until last 3 sts, SSK, S1
• After row 63 (WS) - 30 sts remain.  
• Round 64 - Picking up the stitches for the border. K 30, pick up 7 sts, PM, pick up 20, PM, Pick up 7
• 3 rounds of ribbing (with applicable decreases) and then bind off in ribbing pattern. 
• Sleeves - Pick up 20 sts from around armhole. 3 rounds of ribbing then bind off.    

When photographing the sweater on Indy, it didn't show up too well on my phone.  I had to keep trying on the sweater on him (using a stitch holder so it would fit) to check the length.  I'm not concerned it will be too short, but rather too long.  It is hard to gauge because Indy's fluff covers up the neck of the sweater, but I think it will be okay.  The pattern is a perfect fit, right?   When I tried the sweater on him in the middle of row 20 I knew that the length will be okay.  I should have had more trust in the pattern!  

There is a lot of debris in this yarn.  I tried to pull things out as I went, but I know I missed some pieces.  This makes the yarn PERFECT for an Indy sweater.  He has an undercoat so the roughness won't be uncomfortable at all. 

Unfortunately I HATE HATE HATED working with this yarn.  If it were in the Ravelry database I would give it 1 star for being so scratchy.  It looks fantastic though.  I think this is the first time I'll throw away remnants versus using them up.  It is too scratchy I don't even want to donate it.  I'm itching THOUGH my yoga pants from just the sweater sitting on my lap.  I used 188 g to make this sweater - 330 g remain!

I tried a hair conditioner bath to see if it would help the texture.  If the texture can be saved I'll reskein the rest of the yarn and bathe that before using it.  Otherwise, in the bin it goes.  (How is that stash busting for you?)  I put the sweater in the sink with some pumps of my Pantene Conditioner and it immediately felt silky smooth.  I remained skeptical, and left the sweater to soak overnight.  (I don't think it would need that long but I wanted to go to bed and after putting the sweater on and off Indy so many times for measurements I didn't feel like touching it any more.)  The sweater is much softer, but still a little too scratchy for me to want to use it on a human accessory, and Indy doesn't need ANOTHER sweater in the same color.  I was able to give the rest of the yarn to one of my friends in crochet club who is excited to use it.  I'm so glad that it found a good home!  

Meanwhile, Indy looks super dashing in his first hand knit sweater.  I love the way it fits him and he didn't seem to mind wearing it at all.  He loved posing for the camera!  

Now I want to design Indy a sweater... but I know that this will take some time.  Maybe I will be able to make a set so Lucky and Indy can match.  Have you ever made your dog a sweater?  

Winner of the Make the World Better with a Sweater Giveaway!

Thank you so much for supporting Save the Children with me and participating in Make the World Better with a Sweater yesterday.  I loved seeing all of your #elfies!

The winner of the contest is... Sabrina!  She is super festive showing off her sweater, PLUS a mini sweater ornament.  Save the Children will send you a $50 Webs yarn store gift card!

Once again, I want to thank all of my friends and followers who participated in Make the World Better with a Sweater Day.  It was really fun to work with Save the Children and I really appreciate you joining me in supporting a wonderful cause.  

Finally, I took a few more #elfies of my own with the Brown Boys in their sweaters.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  

It is Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day! Post your #Elfie and win a $50 yarn.com gift card!

Today is the day!  Show your support for Save the Children and Make the World Better with a Sweater!  Share your #Sweater #elfie with me on the ChemKnits Facebook page and you could win a $50 gift card to Webs Yarn Store!

The Brown Family is ready with their #elfie to Make the World Better with a #Sweater.  All of us are in hand knit sweaters!  (We did take this photo ourselves with a remote shutter.)

Make the World Better with a Sweater Give Away Details

I will be giving away a $50 WEBS gift card, provided by Save the Children, to the most spirited participate in Make the World Better with a Sweater Day!  How do you enter?  TODAY December 12, wear your most festive sweater for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day and donate $5 to Save the Children (suggested amount).  Share a picture of your festive look on the ChemKnits Facebook Page today with the comment "I donated to Save the Children for Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day" and tag yourself.  Don't forget to spread the word and encourage your friends and family to participate, too!  I will select the most spirited photo on the ChemKnits Facebook Page as the winner on December 13.  If you are selected, PM me with your email and postal address and Save the Children will send you a $50 WEBS gift card.  By sharing a photo on the ChemKnits Facebook page, you are consenting to me sharing the picture here on ChemKnits.com.  While handmade sweaters rock, you do not have to have created your festive sweater yourself.  Use your creativity to show your spirit in supporting Save the Children.  

You can increase your entry's holiday spirit by spreading the word on social media. Show me what you've knit (or crocheted) for the Pins and Needles Challenge. Share your photo with pride to spread the word of Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day and that you donated to Save the Children on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Make sure to tag @chemknits and @savethechildren on Instagram and @chemknitsblog and @SaveTheChildren on Twitter.

Your sweater does NOT have to be hand knit, nor does it have to be a typical "ugly" Christmas Sweater.  Use your creativity to turn your sweaters into a festive delight!  

Pins and Needles Challenge - A Success!  

I am thrilled to tell you that I succeeded at the challenge Save the Children set for me, I completed a sweater by Make the World Better with a Sweater Day, a dog sweater for Indy!  Last time I checked in with you guys I was about half way done.  Well now I am excited to show you the completed perfect fit dog sweater.

I didn't realize it at the time, but Indy's sweater contains the purples that are present in my Shalom Cardigan and Lucky's Snowy Penguin Vest.  

Indy is a 3 year old American Eskimo puppy (he still acts like a little puppy even if now he is technically an adult.)  He loves cold weather so he doesn't really need a sweater, but he looks oh so darling when I dress him up and I wanted him to support Save the Children today along with the rest of us. 

This sure is a perfect fit sweater!  I will share all of my notes from the construction at a later date, but I know that I will use these instructions to make another sweater for Indy in the future.  I"m glad to have a sweater that I can measure off of, because he might need a Snowy Penguin companion to Lucky.  (Which would require me to design a larger version of the Snowy Penguin Vest as Lucky won't be fitting it in December 2015!)

Indy is saying pretty please support Save the Children's Make the World Better with a Sweater Day.  I hope you will celebrate Make the World Better with a Sweater Day with me and donate $5 to Save the Children!

Pins and Needles Challenge Update

I am so excited to participate in Save the Children's Pins and Needles Challenge to help promote "Make the World Better with a Sweater" Day that I put myself in front of the camera for the first time on the ChemKnits Tutorials YouTube Channel.  I hope that you will join me in supporting Save the Children this holiday season.

I pledge to finish a sweater project and make a donation to Save the Children by December 12, "Make the World Better with a Sweater" Day.  I've been working on my project and I'm making great progress.  A few weeks ago, I shared 12 free knitting and crochet sweater projects you could use for the Pins and Needles Challenge.  Which one did I choose?  In my lifetime, I've made myself 3 sweaters, Keith 1 sweater, and Lucky 3 sweaters.  Who in the family doesn't have a sweater yet?  Indy!  Indy needs his own sweater for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day on December 12.  (Don't forget, I'm hosting an amazing $50 giveaway to the most spirited participant of Make the World Better with a Sweater Day - See the details at the bottom of this post!)

For Save the Children's Pins and Needles Challenge, I am knitting the Perfect Fit Dog Sweater on size 10 needles and with Oasis Fibers Bulky yarn of unknown fiber content.  This pattern is perfect for a yarn with little information, all I have is the business card of the mill and the yarn doesn't exist in Ravelry's database.  It would be hard to use in a project when I don't have information about yardage, so the pattern generator which lets me calculate stitches based on my gauge and Indy's measurements is perfect.  

I'm about half way done with the sweater, and I am confident that I will finish it by Make the World Better with a Sweater Day on December 12.  Maybe the Browns (aka the ChemKnits Family) will need to take a family photo in their hand knit sweaters!  

All of my handknit sweaters are purple.  Indy's in progress sweater is purple, and Lucky's Snowy Penguin Vest is purple and white.  Poor Keith only has a green sweater!  Maybe I'll have to make him a new one by Make the World Better with a Sweater Day in 2015...  (I know Lucky would need a new one, too.  He might even grow out of the penguin vest in the next 2 weeks!)  

Indy is such a good sport!  Wish me luck on finishing this sweater by December 12 so he'll have something to wear for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day!

Make the World Better with a Sweater Give Away

I will be giving away a $50 WEBS gift card, provided by Save the Children, to the most spirited participate in Make the World Better with a Sweater Day!  How do you enter?  On December 12, wear your most festive sweater for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day and donate $5 to Save the Children (suggested amount).  Share a picture of your festive look on the ChemKnits Facebook Page with the comment "I donated to Save the Children for Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day" and tag yourself.  Don't forget to spread the word and encourage your friends and family to participate, too!  I will select the most spirited photo on the ChemKnits Facebook Page as the winner on December 13.  If you are selected, PM me with your email and postal address and Save the Children will send you a $50 WEBS gift card.  By sharing a photo on the ChemKnits Facebook page, you are consenting to me sharing the picture here on ChemKnits.com.  While handmade sweaters rock, you do not have to have created your festive sweater yourself.  Use your creativity to show your spirit in supporting Save the Children.  

You can increase your entry's holiday spirit by spreading the word on social media. Show me what you've knit (or crocheted) for the Pins and Needles Challenge. Share your photo with pride to spread the word of Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day and that you donated to Save the Children on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Make sure to tag @chemknits and @savethechildren on Instagram and @chemknitsblog and @SaveTheChildren on Twitter.

Please join me in supporting Save the Children this holiday season!  

Pins and Needles Challenge and Giveaway: Make the World Better with a Sweater

Will you take the Pins and Needles Challenge with me?   December 12 is "Make the World Better with a Sweater Day" and Save the Children has challenged me to complete a sweater project by that day.  I will be updating you with my progress over the next month, but today I have to decide what sweater project I want to make.  Today I will share with you 12 free amazing sweater projects that will help you join me in the Pins and Needles Challenge, the first look at a new sweater design by ChemKnits AND an exciting give away from Save the Children.

Wear your most festive sweater on December 12 and Make the World Better with a Sweater
Photo Credit: Save the Children

Save the Children is a non-profit organization that supports children.  Their mission is "to give children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves -- a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and care when disaster strikes."  Save the Children responds in emergencies to provide for children and teaches communities how they can support their children through health and education.  89.4% of donations go directly to program services.  As a mother, I believe that all children deserve "a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm."  I am honored to support Save The Children and take the Pins and Needles Challenge.  Keith, Lucky, Indy and I pledge to wear our sweaters on December 12 for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day and pledge to make a donation to Save the Children.


12 Free Sweater Project Suggestions for the Pins and Needles Challenge - All of the patterns are free, but you might need to create a free account with the website to download the PDF.  

With the holidays approaching, not everyone has time to knit a whole sweater.  I am trying to decide between 12 fantastic free patterns

1. Perfect Fit Pet Sweater Generator.  Pets come in all shapes and sizes. Knit your furry companion a sweater using the 
2. Phone Sweater - Everything is cozier in a sweater!  This adorable phone cozy with cables and a shawl collar will show some great sweater spirit.  
3. Phone-y Turtleneck Sweater (Crochet) - I didn't want to leave my crochet friends out of the picture - Here is a little sweater phone cozy. 
4. Sweater Garland - Make one mini sweater for an ornament or make a bunch for a festive garland to decorate your home.  There are dozens of free mini sweater patterns out there, including the BU Sweater Ornament and UT Sweater Ornament by ChemKnits!  
5. Miniature Sweater Ornament (Crochet) - You can make a crochet sweater garland, too!  
6. Penguin Sweater - There was once a call to make sweaters for penguins affected by an oil spill.  At a later date a charity collected excess knit penguin sweaters to sell in a fundraiser on penguin stuffed animals.  Either way, how many people can say they've clothed a penguin?
7. Sheep in Sheep's Clothing - I think there is something witty about knitting a sweater for a sheep.  This is an adorable toy pattern where the sheep is wearing a darling little sweater.  Plus it is a perfect use for any left over sock yarn you might have in your stash!  
8. The Beer Sweater - Knit a sweater cozy for your beer bottle, complete with arms!  
9. Sweater Blanket - Do you need some extra snuggles this winter?  Here is a pattern for a hand knit blanket with arm and neck holes.  Super cozy!  
10. Sweater Greeting Card - This is a darling little project. Make a few to let your friends know about Make the World Better with a Sweater Day!  There is a sweater dress greeting card version from another designer.  
11. Flax - A list of sweaters to knit should include an actual sweater, right?  I chose Flax because it is simple to knit (seamless and top down) and comes highly recommended as a first sweater projects.  There is even a tutorial!  It can fit every member of your family and comes in sizes Newborn to 4XL.  
12. Christmas Sweaters - These holiday sweaters were part of 2013's Jumper Day for Save the Children.  Your sweater doesn't have to be "ugly" to be a holiday sweater!  

For the Pins and Needles Challenge, I will be knitting one of these 12 patterns by Make the World Better with a Sweater Day on December 12, which one do you think I should do?

Lucky's Snowy Penguin Sweater Vest

When I met with Save the Children to learn about the Pins and Needles Challenge, I had just finished the sample for Lucky's Snowy Penguin Sweater Vest Knitting Pattern.  This is my favorite design ever, and I am thrilled to share this with you today as part of the Pins and Needles Challenge. This pattern is now available on Ravelry, and I will be donating half of the earnings on this pattern to Save the Children through the end of December 2014.

Lucky is all ready to Make the World Better with a Sweater on December 12 in his Snowy Penguin Vest designed by ChemKnits.  

Make the World Better with a Sweater Give Away

ChemKnits is hosting her first big give away!  I will be giving away a $50 WEBS gift card, provided by Save the Children, to the most spirited participate in Make the World Better with a Sweater Day!  How do you enter?  On December 12, wear your most festive sweater for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day and donate $5 to Save the Children (suggested amount).  Share a picture of your festive look on the ChemKnits Facebook Page with the comment "I donated to Save the Children for Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day" and tag yourself.  Don't forget to spread the word and encourage your friends and family to participate, too!  I will select the most spirited photo on the ChemKnits Facebook Page as the winner on December 13.  If you are selected, PM me with your email and postal address and Save the Children will send you a $50 WEBS gift card.  By sharing a photo on the ChemKnits Facebook page, you are consenting to me sharing the picture here on ChemKnits.com.  While handmade sweaters rock, you do not have to have created your festive sweater yourself.  Use your creativity to show your spirit in supporting Save the Children.  

Any sweater can become festive with some sparkles!
Photo Credit: Dan Burn-Fort for Save the Children

You can increase your entry's holiday spirit by spreading the word on social media.  Show me what you've knit (or crocheted) for the Pins and Needles Challenge.  Share your photo with pride to spread the word of Make the World Better with a #Sweater Day and that you donated to Save the Children on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.    Make sure to tag @chemknits and @savethechildren on Instagram and @chemknitsblog and @SaveTheChildren on Twitter.

You are never too young to Make the World Better with a Sweater! 
Photo Credit: Susan Warner for Save the Children

I hope that you will join me in supporting Save the Children on December 12 for Make the World Better with a Sweater Day.  Will you take the Pins and Needles Challenge with me?

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December 12 is National Sweater Day.  Make the World Better with a Sweater by wearing your most festive sweater and Donating $5 to Save the Children.  Don't forget to spread the word to get your friends and family involved!  Donations may be made by texting SWEATER to 20222; online at www.SavetheChildren.org; or mailed to Save the Children, 501 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825.

Support the Museum of Science Traveling Programs

Dear Readers of ChemKnits,

Two of our best friends, Alan and Caroline, are running the 2012 Boston Marathon for the Museum of Science Traveling Program, a program that provides reverse field trips to schools who cannot send their students to the museum.

We are pleased to announce that ChemKnits will donate all of the ad revenue from the month of February to support Alan and Caroline in their endeavor. (Happy Birthday, Pals!)

Please join us in supporting Caroline and Alan as they prepare to run for science.

Sincerely,
Rebecca and Keith

Giving Old Knits to Charity

What you do with hand knit items that you no longer use? Should you store them in your closet indefinitely because of the time it took you to create it?

Don't hold onto a knit item just for the sake of keeping it, instead give it to someone who needs it, and would use it. You can include hand knit items with your donation of old clothes to Good Will and Salvation Army.

I am preparing for a move across the country, so Keith and I are evaluating our belongings and reducing the amount of stuff we have. My feelings aren't hurt when we choose to give away something that I knit, I would rather that my hard work be used by someone than sit in a closet unseen and unused.

Even if I don't know who they are, the hat was made with love.

Today, we made the decision to donate the earflap hat that I made for Keith because it didn't fit him properly, so therefore he never wore it. Hopefully this hat will be able to keep someone warm through the winter cold.

Giving Old Knits to Charity

What you do with hand knit items that you no longer use? Should you store them in your closet indefinitely because of the time it took you to create it?

Don't hold onto a knit item just for the sake of keeping it, instead give it to someone who needs it, and would use it. You can include hand knit items with your donation of old clothes to Good Will and Salvation Army.

I am preparing for a move across the country, so Keith and I are evaluating our belongings and reducing the amount of stuff we have. My feelings aren't hurt when we choose to give away something that I knit, I would rather that my hard work be used by someone than sit in a closet unseen and unused.

Even if I don't know who they are, the hat was made with love.

Today, we made the decision to donate the earflap hat that I made for Keith because it didn't fit him properly, so therefore he never wore it. Hopefully this hat will be able to keep someone warm through the winter cold.

Interview with The Compassioknitter

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by The Compassioknitter on two different topics: 1) My experiences knitting for Charity and 2) about my struggles with chronic fatigue syndrome and how knitting continues to be an important part of my life.

I am impressed by this new knitting blog, a "socially-engaged knitting website". I love the fact that Christine, the creator, is working to bring us ways to use our knitting to contribute to our communities. "The Compassioknitters Around the World Interview Series highlights the efforts of individuals and groups who engage in knitting for charity."

Read my interview about knitting for charity! The CFS interview should be up next week (April 28).

How to Knit a Square for a Knit-A-Thon (Videos)

In the 2009 Pine Street Inn Knit-a-Thon, I taught some of my friends to knit so they could contribute squares to the project. I am so proud of the work that they did. In case we do this again this coming fall, I wanted to make a post that would work as helpful reminders on the basics of knitting; Casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, binding off and weaving in loose ends.

Gauge is something else you need to consider when knitting, but I will not discuss that in this blog post.

For additional help, check out the article I wrote with tips on how to knit.


Video 1: Making a Long Tail Cast On

Video 2: The Knit Stitch

Video 3: The Purl Stitch

Video 4: Binding Off

Video 5: How to Weave in Loose Ends

Hopefully these videos will act as a sufficient reminder for you. As always, let me know if you have any questions.

Do you need materials to get you started knitting? I have assembled a great list of learn to knit kits that will help get your started.

2010 Pine Street Inn Knit-a-Thon

Today was the fourth annual Pine Street Inn Knit-a-Thon!

I reached my goal of two complete afghans! They are pretty different from each other, and I am very happy with the results. My stash of remnant yarn is almost completely depleted at this point.

The event occurred at the State House in the base of the grand staircase. There was a huge turnout, tables were filled with women and men knitting, crocheting, and sewing squares together. Donations are still being collected, so I'm not sure how much we were able to raise from this year's event.

My two blankets!

The full pattern of each blanket I created.

My afghans joined the ones already completed along the grand staircase.

Thank you all for taking time to read about my preparations for this event for the last few months. I am really happy with what I've been able to accomplish here. Now, on to saving yarn for next year!

Knit a thon update!

I'm done with the second afghan for the 2010 Pine Street Knit-a-thon! The placement is much more random than in the first blanket I finished this year. I started with 17 squares that were knit with one strand of Lion Brand Romance yarn and the second strand random worsted weight yarn. Each square in this blanket has a unique combination of two colors. There are no repeats!

The squares that have one strand of Lion Brand Romance.

The squares all laid out. No 2 colors are connected side to side (diagonal was okay)


When sewing up the blanket, I first sew the diagonal, so I can get each square at least connected to the blanket by a corner.

Hurray!

I'm really happy that I reached my goal of 70 squares and 2 complete blankets!

Blanket #2!