Moose's Hugs and Kisses Cremation Collar
This was devised after my lovely Moose - the Best Dog Ever - was diagnosed with stage 5 lymphoma. I knew she would be leaving me soon, and that I could not send her without a token of my love. Many cremation services will not include anything with metal fittings, synthetic webbing, etc. So, this 100 percent wool felted collar came to mind. The X-O cable carries the hugs and kisses I want her to have forever. Made in pure wool, it should be acceptable to any pet cremation service. For burials, it can stand in for the pet's collar if you plan to keep the original as a keepsake. This pattern is fully size-adjustable for dogs. A finer gauge yarn could be tried for smaller pets.
Materials:
100 percent feltable worsted (or finer for smaller pets) wool yarn. Yardage varies based on gauge, felting properties and animal's neck size. Solid-color yarns with low-fuzz felting characteristics will show the cable pattern to best advantage. I used Cascade 220.
Equipment:
needles (or smaller to make collars for smaller animals), Yarn/tapestry neec
Notes:
The pattern is forgiving of some miscalculations in length, particularly if the finished product is too short rather than too long. But you may wish to felt a gauge swatch in pattern to determine how much the cable will shrink lengthwise. Abbreviations: cn: cable needle. sl: slip (knitwise)
Procedure:
Measure pet's neck and estimate the knitted length needed to produce the felted length you desire. Often, shrinkage is assumed to be about 1/3, but this will vary depending on your yarn, your gauge and your felting technique. For dog-sized collar, M(L): Cast on six stitches and, working in stockinette stitch, increase two stitches on each right-side row until there are 12 (14) stitches on needle. Begin 16 row cable pattern: Rows 1, 3 (wrong side): K2(K4), P8, K2(K4) RoW 2: P2(P4), K8, P2(P4) Row 4: P2(P4), sl2 sts to cn and move to back of work, K2, K2 from cn, sl2 to cn and move to front of work, K2, K2 from cn, P2(P4). Rows 5-7: Repeat rows 1, 2 and 3. Row 8: P2(P4)), sl2 sts to cn and move to front of work, K2, K2 from cn, sl2 to cn and move to back of work, K2, K2 from cn, P2(P4). Rows 9-12: Repeat rows 5-8. Rows 13-16: Repeat rows 1-4. Repeat cable pattern to desired length minus the length of work up to beginning of cable pattern. In stockinette, decrease two stitches per right-side row until six stitches remain, bind Off. Felt. Shape and lay flat to dry. Several times during the drying process, use your fingers to accentuate the cable pattern by gently molding into X-O shape. Make ties: Using tapestry needle, attach three 12-inch strands of yarn to one end of finished work. Braid strands to desired length, knot ends and trim. Repeat on other end. mall-dog/cat, S: Choose a finer yarn and corresponding smaller needles an V pattern as above. Note: Smaller sizes were not test-knitted. "I have sometimes thought ofthe final cause ofdogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for ifwe suffer so much in loving a dog after an acquaintance often or twelve years, what would it be ifthey were to live double that time?" - Sir Walter Scott Copyright 20o9, by Lisa Schwarz. May not be reproduced, redistributed, sold or traded for monetary gain. Please credit designer in redistributing for personal use or use by animal charities. I'd love to be notified if this is used for charitable purposes.
