The Irish Ewe

This pattern is free, but we would really love it if you would visit Merrill's Fund, our site about service dogs for Autistic children, and consider donating just one dollar.

Knit Holiday Dog Collar
Do something fun, and torture your dog (humanly!) with our festive holiday jingle bell collar. Although he tell you otherwise, no pooches - or embarrassed teenagers - were harmed in the making of this pattern.

Materials -
Red and Green DK yarn. We used Frog Tree Alpaca, because even dogs love soft yarn!
Size 3 needles
Small jingle bells to humiliate/adorn the collar with

Gauge -
Yes, we have all heard how terribly important gauge is. And for the most part, I agree. But this is a DOG COSTUME, so don't be too hard on yourself, ok? We got 22 stitches on size 3 needles in garter stitch over 4 inches. I love garter stitch, as it is so flexible on row gauge. mine was about 8 rows per inch, but you can block it to suit your tastes.

This will fit up to a 16 inch neck, and far smaller due to the ties. You can add 30 stitches for a larger size, or 60 for a super-huge size.

Using red, cast on 90 stitches, leaving a nice long tail to sew with later. As I'm too lazy to purl to make garter stitch in the round, I just worked back and forth. If you are up to the endless purling, or really, really hate seaming, go ahead and work in the round.

Work 4 rows garter stitch -
1 2 3 4

Eyelet row -
*K2, YO, K2tog* to end, K2

Work 3 rows garter stitch -
1 2 3

Start points -
Row 1 - K15, TURN
Row 2 - K across
Row 3 - K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
Row 4 & 5 - K across

Repeat rows 3-5 until 5 sts remain
K1, K3tog, K1
K 1 row
K3tog, fasten off, leaving a long tail to attach the bell with.

Slip next 15 stitches onto a holder. Work next 15 stitches as for the first point, still with the red yarn. Repeat for the last triangle.

Now slip the three sets of stitches back onto the needle, and work those points with the green yarn.

Sew into a circle, twist up some green yarn and pull it through the eyelets so it won't come flying off when your pup shakes his head in horror, attach the jingle bells to the ends, and shame your doggie but insisting he wear this every time you walk out the front door!

The collar laid flat. Click for a larger shot.

And snugged up a bit. Click for a larger shot.

And one more shot of previously mentioned teenager.