More on Knitting with Dog Hair

The Vancouver Public Library Central Branch has a copy of Knitting with Dog Hair. I took it out and enjoyed reading it on the Skytrain to weird stares from fellow passengers.

For your benefit, I am excerpting the juicy bits as I go along.

Let's start with the first chapter. A man is saved in a sudden mountain storm thanks to a dog hair hat. The reasons for using dog hair to knit are its economy, its environment-friendliness, its vegan-friendliness (is it really animal exploitation if the dog now looks forward to its brushings?) and its family values wholesomeness.

Chapter two lists ways to get the dogs cooperation: if it refuses the brushings, try over-feeding it for a "soporific effect" or exercising it "into a state of near catatonia."

Skipping to chapter ten, we have an outline of dog breeds and the suitability of their fur. Anyone who's been near an Alaskan malamute knows full well how generous these pups can be with their hair. The beagle, no good, the bichon frise good. Also good are afghans, chow chows, collies, german shepherd, golden retrievers, pomeranians, and poodles.

The chihuahua: "you will probably harvest enough from the long-haired variety to make, say, a nosewarmer."

Thanks A Lot

Still working away on my lilac scarf, got it up to a full twelve inches (which is, incidentally, what I'd like in other aspects of my life).

But Leanne's story about how she prints out patterns and adds them to a binder of never-to-be-knitted projects...I've decided to inspire myself by compiling my own collection of patterns.

I am so far enamoured of the following:

• legwarmers


• Queen Latifa's scarf


• the loopy scarf


• voodoo wrist warmers


• the capella


• the vegan fox


• the Kyoto sweater


• the ballet cardigan


• the shocking pink thing (I even found shocking pink yarn at Walmart!)


• the nautical pullover French sailor & beret


• a kittycat hat


• the devil hat


• the hole-y sweater


• the Samantha


• the Loretta Lynn poncho

When will I ever knit all this? I'll be an old wrinkled thing by the time I can finally prance about in my lime-and-pink striped legwarmers!

You've created a monster!

Knit some mary jane slippers why don't ya!?

Here is a (seemingly) easy pattern for the cutest mary jane slippers.

"Knitty Gritty"

You can check out episodes of Knitty Gritty which airs on DIY, and even watch video clips of the show. They show basics (casting on, purling, dropped stitches), and also how to unravel an old sweater to reknit.

A Knit Cosy for Every Occasion

Since boys don't knit, do they wear knit items? Apparently not. What do experienced knitters recommend for the jaded male? Cosies for the appendages.