Pattern of the Month

Instructions.

Instructions are given for 3 sizes (large, medium, small) which are named after the doggy models "Sally", "Snuff", and "Faust" (see pictures) As far as I can tell they are a Spaniel, a Pekingese, and a Dachshund.
Follow the instructions given in the appropriate brackets for each size; where no brackets appear the number applies to all sizes.

The additional "Brock" seems to be some kind of terrier; his coat is worked exactly as for Snuff, but you need to knit an extra inch on the back, so continue until work measures 6 inches from the leg openings before shaping the back, instead of 5 inches.

Pattern rows

1st row: * p3, k1; repeat from * to end.
2nd row: In p1/k3 rib.
3rd row: as 1st row.
4th row: as 2nd row.
5th row: * k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
6th row: In k1/p1 rib.

Work up a small piece of pattern before starting to make sure you can follow it correctly when increasing - and perhaps use it to make a swatch to check your tension.

Coat (or "Jumper")

With No 7 (10) [10] needles, cast on 68 (96) [72] stitches, and work in k1/p1 rib, shaping for neck as follows:

1st row: Rib 18 (24) [20], turn.
2nd row: Rib back.
3rd row: Rib right across.
Repeat these 3 rows once.
7th row: Rib 14 (18) [16], turn.
8th row: Rib back.
9th row: As 3rd row.
Repeat rows 7-9 once.

Now repeat the all previous 12 rows 3 (2) [3]times.

Change to No 6 (9) [9] needles and pattern stitches as above, at the same time increasing as follows:
Work 16 stitches in pattern, increase in next 2 stitches, work to last 18 stitches, increase in next 2 stitches, work in pattern to end.

Continue in pattern, increasing thus in every row, and taking the extra stitches into the pattern as set, until there are 124 (136) [120] stitches on the needle. (Be very careful to keep the pattern correct over the increasings, and refer to close-up photo.)

Divide for leg openings: Work 16 stitches in pattern, turn, leaving remaining stitches on a spare needle or stitch holder, and work 4 (3) [3] inches straight. Leave these stitches and work 4 (3) [3] inches straight on the next 92 (104) [88] stitches, and then work 4 (3) [3] inches straight on remaining 16 stitches.

Continue in pattern, working across all the stitches again, decreasing in every alternate row (every row) [every 4th row] as follows:
Work 16 stitches, k2tog, work to last 18 stitches, k2tog, work to end.

Continue thus until 100 (100) [116] stitches remain, and then work straight until work measures 7½ (5) [4½] inches from the leg openings.

For Sally and Snuff only continue as follows:
(instructions for Faust follow after)
Change to No. 7 (10) needles and working in k1/p1 rib, shape as follows:
1st row: Rib 62, turn.
2nd row: Rib 24, turn.
3rd row: Rib 32, turn.
4th row: Rib 40, turn.
5th row: Rib 48, turn.
6th row: Rib 56, turn.
7th row: Rib to end.

Work 1½ (1) inches more in rib working across all stitches.
Cast off fairly loosely in rib.

For Faust only, work as follows:

Change to No. [10] needles.

1st row: (k1, p1) 8 times, pattern the next 84 stitches, (k1, p1) 8 times.
2nd row: as first row.
3rd row: Rib 18, pattern the next 8o stitches, rib 18
4th row: as third row.
5th row: Rib 20, pattern the next 76 stitches, rib 20.
6th row: as fifth row.
7th row: Rib 22, pattern the next 72 stitches, rib 22.
8th row: as seventh row.
9th row: Cast off 16, rib 8, pattern the next 68 stitches, rib 8, cast off 16.

Rejoin wool to main work.
**10th row: Rib 8, pattern to last 8 stitches, rib 8.
11th row: Rib 8, k2tog, pattern to last 10 stitches, k2tog, rib 8.
Repeat from ** until 52 stitches remain.

Now work over all stitches in k1/p1 rib, decreasing at each end of every row until 36 stitches remain.
Cast off in rib.

To Make Up

Press main part lightly under a damp cloth, avoiding the ribbing. Join the two edges together and, if desired, over sew neatly round leg openings.
[Editor's note: A crochet stitch can make a nice finish if you are familiar with it. I especially like "crab stitch" first introduced to me by a Phildar magazine. It is the same stitch as double crochet (or single crochet of you are American) but worked from left to right - it's a little awkward to execute but makes a pretty edging
Here is a link to the least fussy YouTube item I could find on Crab Stitch or "reverse double crochet"..]

Materials

5oz Double Knitting for the largest size "Sally", 2oz 4ply for medium "Snuff" or "Brock", and
2oz 4ply for the smallest size "Faust"

A pair each of No 6 (9) [9] {5mm (3¾mm) [3¾mm]} and No 7 (10) [10] {4½mm (3¼mm) [3¼mm]} needles.

Tension

22 (32) [32] sts and 24 (32) [32] rows to 4 inches over pattern.

Size matters

Around the neck: 13½ (12) [9] inches; width all round at foreleg: 24 (18) [16] inches; foreleg to back leg at underseam: 9 (6) [6] inches; width all round at back leg: 21 (13) [15] inches; width between forelegs: 6½ (4) [4] inches.

A Word on the Wool

Originally these were knitted in Totem and Diana Non-Shrink Knitting Wool.

Given the prevalence of wonderfully practical acrylics these days, they would seem to be a good alternative to wool, (and appear in almost any colour you would care to imagine).

Disclaimer
(well...almost)

In transposing any pattern it is always a risk that errors will be introduced, in spite of dedicated proof reading.
If you have any problems with this pattern, please and I will try and assist.

Slide the jumper over your little doggy's head and gently push his little doggy legs through the openings. Say "what a good dog" a few times to avoid distress. I expect he'd like a biscuit too (what a good dog...).Here is some promotional advice from the 1930s:

When it turns very cold indeed and these handsome coats aren't sufficient to ward off chills, their cautious owners give them a few extra Spratt's biscuits every day. These contain warming cod-liver oil and are most nourishing.