knit a sweater for my dog

I started doing the gauge today for Uma’s sweater. Now this is my first time ever to do a gauge. But given last-season’s failure to succeed after 8+ attempts on knitting even half a sweater (!), I think it’s time for me to straighten up and knit the gauge!

I already went through two needle sizes and it’s still too small. It now looks like I’d need 5.5-6mm needles to meet the gauge, but I’m liking how the texture is coming out with the 5mm needles. So I’ll just adjust slightly from the pattern —this will be the only knitter’s “license” I’ll allow myself this time and stick to the pattern. I get too creative too easily… I really hope not to mess up this time :P

Given the early Autumn start, this goal shall be reincorporated in my 43 Things right away. And given my lousy accomplishment last season for doing things impetuously, I shall be more methodical in knitting a decent sweater for my sweetheart Uma :)

After so many tries, I gave up on this a while ago, but now that the full summer is here, I’ve got no intentions of doing anything about it —nor does Uma would feel like wearing it anyway ;) The poor thing is having such a hard time with the hot weather. How quick did she forget her hometown Tulum!! LOL

I’ll retake this goal in the autumn.

SIGH! I can’t believe I got this far knitting without realizing how BIG it was coming out —keeping it shrinked on the double needles does not give you an idea.

Taking a look at this photo, it is obvious that Uma is not happy about how her sweater is coming out :P Not that she’ll need it for the summer, but at this pace, it will be well into wintertime by the time it’s ready!!

This is the ONE goal I’ve been constant about —within my current goals—, and it’s taking me the longest time :P

I knitted almost all the way to her front paws —twice as much as shown in the picture—, and I realized I didn’t quite like part of the pattern :S

So I unknitted it once more and started over for the 7th time, or is it the 8th already?

I measured my dog, I did the gauging, and I still can’t get it right :S

First couldn’t get the neck right.

Then it came out waaaay too big —about 20 stitches too big. See photo. Isn’t she a supermodel? ;)

Then I didn’t get the pattern right.

And then, I was on a roll knitting away… when I realized the cables were too thick and were shrinking the width very much —so much, it looks ugly, and now the sweater is too small :S

So here we go unknitting once again. I’ll add stitches where the cable is, and reduce it from 6 to 4 stitches. That’ll do. Well, we’ll see about that…

I exchanged the circular needle for double-point needles, and they’re serving much better. I already did the neck, and I just started the body. Winter’s over, but I rather have it ready for the next cold season and for the still few cold days ahead.

Today I started knitting with circular needles, and it won’t work for the project. I’ll see about exchanging them for the 5-piece double-point needles. That’ll work.

I know winter’s almost over, but my doggie can always use a sweater. I will hopefully finish it by the end of the month :)

so this will come back in the fall!