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Knitting With Dog Hair: Better a Sweater from a Dog You Know and Love Than from a Sheep You'll Never Meet
Tells how to spin yarn and knit clothes with dog hair, and talks about how to collect, clean and store it
112 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1994
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1779 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews
avoid-like-the-plague
June 23, 2023On this episode of ‘What’s Going On With That Cover?’
This is less cover commentary than a title/content one…
Is that dog wearing a hat made out of his own fur? 🐶
Check out previous episodes here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
This is less cover commentary than a title/content one…
Is that dog wearing a hat made out of his own fur? 🐶
Check out previous episodes here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
avoid
April 22, 2012*watches her dog*
:the dog watches back:
*DJ watches*
:dog is confused:
SHED DAMN YOU! SHED!!!!
:dog gets nervous:
*watches*
:dog runs away to hide under the bed:
:the dog watches back:
*DJ watches*
:dog is confused:
SHED DAMN YOU! SHED!!!!
:dog gets nervous:
*watches*
:dog runs away to hide under the bed:
March 22, 2012
I haven't quite read this yet, or plan to follow any of it's advice; but the idea of people actually wearing dog-hair hats and sweaters is so whacky that it compels me to give it 5 stars.
Just the thought makes me grateful that I'm not a child whose mother got this book as a gift...
As it is, my mother made me wear these scratchy woollen suits to church as a child. Those are some bad memories. I wonder if dog and cat hair would turn out to be less scratchy?
Just the thought makes me grateful that I'm not a child whose mother got this book as a gift...
As it is, my mother made me wear these scratchy woollen suits to church as a child. Those are some bad memories. I wonder if dog and cat hair would turn out to be less scratchy?
March 2, 2010
Taking recycling to new heights, I present Knitting with Dog Hair. I haven't tried it yet but it won't be long now before I have a big enough bag of golden fuzziness to get going!
This was an interesting read. Why spend all sorts of money on yarn when I already have two fuzz producing critters? But then again who wants to wear a hat that smells like dog?
Smell was my biggest worry when I ran across this book. I know only too well how stinky my wet dogs can be, but apparently they say the smell can be washed out quite permanently and easily and then they ask if one has ever smelled a sheep up close. Good point!
With smell issues out of the way, I read on with interest. Instead of throwing away all of that lovely golden fur floating around my home, I might actually be able to use it. Of course this involves quite a bit of work. Daily brushing, the labor intensive washing, washing and washing again of the fuzz (without clogging your drain in the process), then one must card (comb) the fuzz so it all lays the way it should, then you've got to oil it, spin it (an art in itself) and ply it into yarn. Yikes, it looks so easy when laid out in a few pages in a book but it sounds too much like work for someone like me.
After you've done all of the above, you can knit hats, scarves and just about anything that you'd knit with wool. The projects seem pretty straightforward but the instructions assume one has some familiarity with knitting. There are scarves, hats, mittens sweaters, even a doggie sweater (the pic shows a pug smugly wearing a sweater made from newfoundland fur, way too cute!). You must know the basic stitches, know all about knitting the round, know how to use your double pointed and circular needles and how to work fair isle/intarsia if you want to finish many of these items. I would've appreciated a little knitting 101 section here (especially for the color work, are you supposed to purl or knit the colors??), but that's just me and I suppose that stuff can easily be found on google but still . . .
The other downside of this book are the black and white photos. The items are described as beautiful tones of "golden retriever fur" or whatever and then they show a grainy b&w photo of a fuzzy looking scarf which was so disappointing. There also are not nearly enough photos showing how to make and use the drop spindle (though the carding section was well illustrated and appears simple enough). I seriously doubt I could learn the art of spinning dog fuzz using only this book and will look for a video if I ever get my fuzzies washed and ready (I think this part intimidates me the most!).
There is a section outlining breeds and their "spinability" for those on the lookout for fuzz machines. Lucky for me, my two goldens are top producers but my lab is a poor choice. Apparently, though, his "short chocolate sprinkles" can be added to all of the glamorously soft golden fur to spice up the color. Who knew?
This was an informative, very niche book, that takes its topic seriously and was a fun read. It's got me looking at the fuzz balls in a new way but I'm not sure if I'll ever work up the energy to collect, wash, card, and then spin this stuff into workable yarn because I'm just too lazy. Though it might make a nice little side business for someone with a lot of time to spare. Imagine a keepsake of your beloved pet like no other. The possibilities are endless . . .
Wait someone has already beat me to it!
This was an interesting read. Why spend all sorts of money on yarn when I already have two fuzz producing critters? But then again who wants to wear a hat that smells like dog?
Smell was my biggest worry when I ran across this book. I know only too well how stinky my wet dogs can be, but apparently they say the smell can be washed out quite permanently and easily and then they ask if one has ever smelled a sheep up close. Good point!
With smell issues out of the way, I read on with interest. Instead of throwing away all of that lovely golden fur floating around my home, I might actually be able to use it. Of course this involves quite a bit of work. Daily brushing, the labor intensive washing, washing and washing again of the fuzz (without clogging your drain in the process), then one must card (comb) the fuzz so it all lays the way it should, then you've got to oil it, spin it (an art in itself) and ply it into yarn. Yikes, it looks so easy when laid out in a few pages in a book but it sounds too much like work for someone like me.
After you've done all of the above, you can knit hats, scarves and just about anything that you'd knit with wool. The projects seem pretty straightforward but the instructions assume one has some familiarity with knitting. There are scarves, hats, mittens sweaters, even a doggie sweater (the pic shows a pug smugly wearing a sweater made from newfoundland fur, way too cute!). You must know the basic stitches, know all about knitting the round, know how to use your double pointed and circular needles and how to work fair isle/intarsia if you want to finish many of these items. I would've appreciated a little knitting 101 section here (especially for the color work, are you supposed to purl or knit the colors??), but that's just me and I suppose that stuff can easily be found on google but still . . .
The other downside of this book are the black and white photos. The items are described as beautiful tones of "golden retriever fur" or whatever and then they show a grainy b&w photo of a fuzzy looking scarf which was so disappointing. There also are not nearly enough photos showing how to make and use the drop spindle (though the carding section was well illustrated and appears simple enough). I seriously doubt I could learn the art of spinning dog fuzz using only this book and will look for a video if I ever get my fuzzies washed and ready (I think this part intimidates me the most!).
There is a section outlining breeds and their "spinability" for those on the lookout for fuzz machines. Lucky for me, my two goldens are top producers but my lab is a poor choice. Apparently, though, his "short chocolate sprinkles" can be added to all of the glamorously soft golden fur to spice up the color. Who knew?
This was an informative, very niche book, that takes its topic seriously and was a fun read. It's got me looking at the fuzz balls in a new way but I'm not sure if I'll ever work up the energy to collect, wash, card, and then spin this stuff into workable yarn because I'm just too lazy. Though it might make a nice little side business for someone with a lot of time to spare. Imagine a keepsake of your beloved pet like no other. The possibilities are endless . . .
Wait someone has already beat me to it!
December 3, 2024
3.5 Fleecy Stars rounded down to 3 Furry Stars for baiting with color photos on the cover then switching to only B&W photos inside.
Review coming as soon as I can get untangled from all this pet fuzz!
Review coming as soon as I can get untangled from all this pet fuzz!
July 16, 2013
I really liked this book, although I do not knit, rather I crochet. However, it gave me some good ideas. I have collected my dog's hair ever since. I had a spinner spin it for me and it made a very soft nice yarn. I doubt those who made the lists this book is on will ever read this review, but if so, I bet they would be surprised to find out that the most prized yarns are not made from sheep wool.
October 24, 2009
I love this book! I knitted a sweater for my dog out of her own hair! I knitted myself some socks from the dog next door!
Read
October 12, 2016I need hand cards so I can try out the techniques given in this wonderfully odd book - I only say "odd" because when anyone discovers that I've been saving wolf hybrid/malamute hair for a dozen years, I get "odd" looks from folks!
It's well thought out, has sections that discuss the differences in types of hair/fur & the appropriate fiber(s) to use along with them to produce the best yarns. They walk you through collecting the hair (methods & what hairs to collect), how to prep the stuff so it's ready to be made into yarn, how to card it, spin it (along with tutorials on types of spinners!), dye it, measure it, and includes a few patterns to try out your homemade yarn on (e.g. Golden Retriever Scarf, Pill Box Hat of Cat Hair - there is no partner book for cat hair, I checked), though they may not be to my taste, they are great get-acquainted projects.
So, for this off-beat, small audience title, I have to say thumbs up - if you're reading it, it's because you're interested in the subject matter and WILL find lots of helpful information & tips. If you have never owned a dog, well I'm sorry for you... as well as knowing you wouldn't find this book the Cat's Meow ;)
It's well thought out, has sections that discuss the differences in types of hair/fur & the appropriate fiber(s) to use along with them to produce the best yarns. They walk you through collecting the hair (methods & what hairs to collect), how to prep the stuff so it's ready to be made into yarn, how to card it, spin it (along with tutorials on types of spinners!), dye it, measure it, and includes a few patterns to try out your homemade yarn on (e.g. Golden Retriever Scarf, Pill Box Hat of Cat Hair - there is no partner book for cat hair, I checked), though they may not be to my taste, they are great get-acquainted projects.
So, for this off-beat, small audience title, I have to say thumbs up - if you're reading it, it's because you're interested in the subject matter and WILL find lots of helpful information & tips. If you have never owned a dog, well I'm sorry for you... as well as knowing you wouldn't find this book the Cat's Meow ;)
February 23, 2011
This book looked so cute that I bought it and read it in spite of the fact that I don't knit and I don't have a dog. It is inspirational.
This book gives very basic information about collecting dog fur, cleaning and spinning it and then knitting it into hats and such. There is a good section listing dog breeds with comments about each one and why it is better to have an afghan hound than a westie.
A total beginner at either spinning or knitting would probably want to get some basic instruction before trying to accomplish any of the projects in the book. There is a list in the back of the book of spinners (probably outdated since 1994) who will make your dog hair into yarn for you. There are apparently still people out there doing it like Spinning Straw into Gold
This book gives very basic information about collecting dog fur, cleaning and spinning it and then knitting it into hats and such. There is a good section listing dog breeds with comments about each one and why it is better to have an afghan hound than a westie.
A total beginner at either spinning or knitting would probably want to get some basic instruction before trying to accomplish any of the projects in the book. There is a list in the back of the book of spinners (probably outdated since 1994) who will make your dog hair into yarn for you. There are apparently still people out there doing it like Spinning Straw into Gold
stricken
July 14, 2014I think not for me. I'm not a knitter.
January 12, 2022
Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet is an amazing book. Especially this version: the paperback version. Reading this was the peak of my life. I have a dog that sheds terribly and I used a few techniques from this book and now I have over two dozen brilliant new sweaters! I also gave one to my niece. It turned out she had a dog allergy and she sadly passed. Sheep are overrated anyways.
August 14, 2020
I had an Alaskan Malamute
and I tell you i had nothing but envy for the photos of 1960s fur coats made with Samoyed fur
and I tell you i had nothing but envy for the photos of 1960s fur coats made with Samoyed fur
February 27, 2015
Fun and informative. Glad I found and read this because it may be the most I ever read about creating yarn from any fiber - it's good to learn about gathering fiber, cleaning and carding it, and spinning it, but I've never wanted to try spinning and am perfectly happy buying yarn at my local yarn store. Talking about dog and cat hair rather than keeping sheep made this book an enjoyable read.
January 30, 2014
Fun and informative. Also includes cat hair. Instructions are clear and include instructions on how to make a basic spindle for hand spinning.
January 2, 2026
Amazing concept; amazing author (and my neighbor!). Wish I had known about this while Dickens was still roaming our backyard. :(
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