This is the first dog sweater I ever made, for my first dog, Yoda. Fourteen years ago I went to some animal shelters with some friends who were looking for a dog. I had no intention of getting a pet. When I saw Yoda, she was in the lobby of the shelter in a little crate. A tiny, 6 pound Pekingese. I asked if I could hold her, and was told I could only do so after filling out adoption papers. She ended up leaving with me. I was told later by a pet psychic that Yoda chose me, and I believe it. I started knitting for her shortly after that. This sweater was a loose interpretation of one that was in Vogue Knitting in 1991. The color work is a design in Kaffe Fassett's book Family Album. The yarn is Manos, and wool from a Perry Ellis sweater that I frogged. This is from back in the day when Perry Ellis was alive and actively designing, not just a name like it is now. I can't believe now that I could have done such a thing to a designer sweater. I have another, that unfortunately doesn't fit any longer. I may list it on eBay or give it to my 21 year old niece, who it would look adorable on. Other thoughts on the dog sweater, looking at it now, is how little shaping it has. It was worn lots and now is all stretched out--can you spot the little hole in it? It was also the beginning of playing with color, and I still like this combination. I also used a rib where I knit into the back loop on the right side of the work, which I still use now. I got nostalgic for Yoda and her sweater today, as I was driving down Belmont Avenue, past what used to be antique malls. On gloomy autumn days, carrying Yoda in one hand, I would browse the antique shops that proliferated on Belmont. People in the shops knew me as Yoda's mom. The shops are gone now, mostly replaced by new condo developments. The antique shops either went away, or scattered to other neighborhoods with cheaper rents. My little Yoda dog died ten years ago, but her memory lives on when I touch the sweater. She taught me how to love little creatures unconditionally, and led me to my passion, the marriage between my love of craft and love of pets.
Monday, October 31, 2005
The Beginning
This is the first dog sweater I ever made, for my first dog, Yoda. Fourteen years ago I went to some animal shelters with some friends who were looking for a dog. I had no intention of getting a pet. When I saw Yoda, she was in the lobby of the shelter in a little crate. A tiny, 6 pound Pekingese. I asked if I could hold her, and was told I could only do so after filling out adoption papers. She ended up leaving with me. I was told later by a pet psychic that Yoda chose me, and I believe it. I started knitting for her shortly after that. This sweater was a loose interpretation of one that was in Vogue Knitting in 1991. The color work is a design in Kaffe Fassett's book Family Album. The yarn is Manos, and wool from a Perry Ellis sweater that I frogged. This is from back in the day when Perry Ellis was alive and actively designing, not just a name like it is now. I can't believe now that I could have done such a thing to a designer sweater. I have another, that unfortunately doesn't fit any longer. I may list it on eBay or give it to my 21 year old niece, who it would look adorable on. Other thoughts on the dog sweater, looking at it now, is how little shaping it has. It was worn lots and now is all stretched out--can you spot the little hole in it? It was also the beginning of playing with color, and I still like this combination. I also used a rib where I knit into the back loop on the right side of the work, which I still use now. I got nostalgic for Yoda and her sweater today, as I was driving down Belmont Avenue, past what used to be antique malls. On gloomy autumn days, carrying Yoda in one hand, I would browse the antique shops that proliferated on Belmont. People in the shops knew me as Yoda's mom. The shops are gone now, mostly replaced by new condo developments. The antique shops either went away, or scattered to other neighborhoods with cheaper rents. My little Yoda dog died ten years ago, but her memory lives on when I touch the sweater. She taught me how to love little creatures unconditionally, and led me to my passion, the marriage between my love of craft and love of pets.
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