Sweaters in the Summer
Dog Sweaters to Be Exact
Why am I knitting in the summer, and more specifically, why am I knitting dog sweaters in the summer? Now that I’ve gotten some hat patterns being tested, and others published, I can take some time work on my other passion – combining knitting, with my passion for dogs and helping those in shelters.
By knitting in the summer, I am designing a new dog sweater pattern, using my larger dog Murphy as a model. Big dogs often suffer abuse, and skin conditions, leaving wounds or raw skin exposed when they arrive at the shelter. These sweaters not only keep them warm (in the winter months) but they help cover the skin so that the dogs can heal. Another benefit is that many dogs in shelters feel anxious, as shelters are loud and chaotic environments, and the sweaters, much like the newly mad popular Thunder Shirt, help them to feel calmer.
A third benefit is that often these sweaters will also help get a dog noticed. In the noise of the shelter, the quieter dogs tend to fade into the background, their fear or anxiety keeping them from potentially meeting their forever family, the bright colors of these adorable sweaters tend to catch the eye of adopters who might otherwise (and at no fault of their own) walk past their run.
I have started a charitable project, in the hopes of one day making it a 501c3, called Fibers for Fido, in which I work to support local shelters with donations of knitted dog sweaters, but I also collect new and gently used store bought clothing, collars, toys, etc. to donate. When it comes to handmade gifts though, I also look at rescues across the country and knit things for those in desperate need of healing.
Right now, I’m recruiting new knitters to help me with sending fibrous love to fidos in need (Felines too!). Together, we’ll be knitting in the summer to make a bit impact this fall and winter. If you are interested please visit this link, and fill out the short contact form.
Together, we’ll be “Purling for Pups”, “knitting for Paws” and “Knittin’ for Kittens” (images for which I plan to turn into items for thank you gifts to my volunteers shortly).
