If you are a dog owner - or dog lover, I defy you not to pick up this book and go `aaaahh'. There are cute pictures of dogs wearing their finery all posing nicely for the camera. Whether your horrible hound would look quite so cute after rolling in the undergrowth is another matter! However there really are some wonderful designs here, modeled by some wonderful dogs.
The designs in this book use a range of knitting techniques. Dog coats, being typically smaller than a human garment are an ideal way to try or practice new skills. There are designs that use lace, fairisle, cable... and ought to provide something for knitters of all experience levels.
The book is actually a collection of designs from different designers, and the 96 colour pages are broken into sections. The introduction explains why a dog might need a sweater and also includes useful information about choosing a yarn suitable for a dog coat. Essentially it also includes information about customising the fit of the sweaters, how to put the sweater on even the most fidgety of dogs, and handy tips for caring for the sweater.
The everyday sweaters are the sweaters that a dog might wear for a walk round the block on a chilly morning, or a play in the park, and include a range of fixing types and styles. There is even a rain resistant coat and Hoodie! This section includes instructions on how to monogram your handiwork!
The `haute' coats are extremely fancy coats for special occasions. These are adorable designs including a sequined coat - modeled by two delightful Yorkies, and coat knitted in bobble stitch modeled by a poodle. The fancy lace capelet is gorgeous and could be adapted so it wasn't just for dogs!
Matchy-matchy is the section where dogs and their lucky human can have matching designs. Who hasn't had the urge to go out walking with your dog wearing matching poncho's - or perhaps a hat to match your dogs sweater...
The final section of designs is the accessory section and includes many different accessories. A favorite has to be the disco leg warmers - but one mustn't overlook the doggy saddlebag or the New Age flea collar etc.
Any dog lover will appreciate the `meet the dog' pages which features a picture of all the dogs in the book. The resource section gives lots of links to websites which is probably more useful today than listing just a handful of postal addresses. There are also links to websites which give knitting instruction.
This book assumes knowledge of knitting - but once a few basic stitches are learned then there is something here for even the most novice of knitter, whilst also providing patterns which will challenge the more experienced knitter.