When I posted this photo on Instagram, of the “Best In Show” book of knitted dogs that I bought nearly-new for a bargain on Amazon, it had a mixed reception.
Some people thought I’d lost my marbles while others clearly saw the attraction of knitting such pointless-but-cute objects.
So, when the other one in the series one popped up at a knock-down price, obviously I snapped it up!
Almost instantly, a lovely Instagrammer from Australia contacted me and asked if I’d consider a commission for her of a West Highland Terrier, a “Westie”.
Of course, I jumped at the chance to have a bonafide excuse to actually go ahead and make one, so agreed straight away.
Unfortunately, there is no local stockist of Rowland Kidsilk Haze, so I had the ideal opportunity to put together a larger order with an online stockist to include yarn for a poncho that I’d admired for a long time.
Armed with everything I needed, I couldn’t wait to cast on.
The fuzzy nature of the mohair would be perfect to imitate the fur of a Westie. Two strands of yarn are held together throughout.
Believe it or not, this is a finished leg!!
Whilst not complicated, you need to concentrate on the instructions especially as this one asks you to “follow instructions as for Scottish Terrier” for certain elements of the knit.
At this point, the knitting was almost completely finished but still looked absolutely nothing like a dog, let alone a Westie!
The extra bits were finished in the car whilst at a football match – they’re laid out on the dashboard.
Now to sew it all together.
A satin stitched nose, French knot eyes and collar, all made using embroidery silks, are the final touches.
And here he is!
For scale, here he is sat in the palm of my hand.
He is about 6 inches long and 4 inches high.
Not only that, but I have enough yarn left to make another one……anyone else want to commission a Westie?!!
October 3, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Aw! Love him 🙂 Nice stuffing. I expected him to be smaller. The Goldie I had was a kit and it was smaller. I also expected it to be smaller, because it was a westie and a goldie is bigger than a westie – but that’s just plain silly 🙂
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October 3, 2017 at 12:29 pm
I know what you mean, I also expected him to be smaller, despite the measurements promising otherwise. I thought it would be good to see a picture showing the scale. The Goldie in the book is twice the size at 8×7″, so not sure why the kit turned out so vastly different. I was very careful with the stuffing after listening to your advice, and I’m pretty chuffed with the result as it looks almost identical to the one in the book.
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October 3, 2017 at 2:46 pm
It looks brilliant! You were absolutely right, the one question in my head as I read through your post was how big was it? What size needles is it knitted on?
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October 3, 2017 at 2:49 pm
2 3/4mm needles and two strands of yarn held together.
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October 3, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Is that because one is fluffy yarn and one not?
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October 3, 2017 at 2:52 pm
No, just to get the yarn thicker, I think, as it is laceweight.
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October 3, 2017 at 2:55 pm
I see. I was thinking I’d like to make a smaller one. They would make lovely gifts. So a single strand would allow that.
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October 3, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Yes, but it might be quite fiddly – good luck!
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October 3, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Thanks. Despite my big paws, I’m quite into knitting small things 🙂 Thanks again x
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October 3, 2017 at 12:32 pm
What a cutie!
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October 3, 2017 at 1:09 pm
He is quite sweet, I agree!
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October 3, 2017 at 12:49 pm
I can’t say I’m not tempted by these books – I remember now that you had sent me a card with a photo of a schnauzer on it from one of them – the sewing up looks fiddly. Is it?
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October 3, 2017 at 12:51 pm
Well, I didn’t think so, and there’s so little sewing up to do that it doesn’t take long. What I love is the fact that it looks identical to the one in the book, which I wasn’t really expecting!
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October 3, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Curses! I had to go look on Amazon didn’t I? Then I was torn between the dogs , the cat and the complete farm. I went with the dogs (both of them).
I wouldn’t mind but I haven’t even started on my Knit Your Own Royal Wedding yet 😉
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October 3, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Ha ha – sorry about that! Did you pick up the used, bargain ones? Mine were both like new when they arrived.
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October 3, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Yes, they were about twopence each – then the postage of course but I’m having them sent to my U.K. purchases mule – oops!, I meant husband – so it wasn’t too bad – both for around a fiver.
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October 3, 2017 at 1:26 pm
Very cute.
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October 3, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Thanks Cathy😀
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October 3, 2017 at 1:39 pm
So cute!
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October 3, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Thanks!
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October 3, 2017 at 2:47 pm
He’s SO sweet! I must find the book I bought my mother and get her knitting!
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October 3, 2017 at 6:15 pm
I think I’m going to HAVE to try another….
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October 3, 2017 at 3:04 pm
It’s so cute 😍😍😍
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October 3, 2017 at 4:59 pm
‘Pointless-but-cute’ projects are so joyful! And that dog is definitely cute!
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October 3, 2017 at 6:14 pm
They are and as such feel like a guilty pleasure when you’re knitting them!
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October 3, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Lovely 🐶🦉😀
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October 3, 2017 at 6:10 pm
How cute! I’ve seen the Collie dog knitted up from this book and that was great too. I love knitting stuff like this. What I’m not so good at is sewing it all together at the end. I find it’s here where it goes wrong. I have a rather deformed koala bear and a meerkat that’s still in bits!
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October 3, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Well, I wasn’t expecting it to look as identical to the one in the book, and I didn’t do anything special. Must just be a particularly well written book. Laughing at your ‘deformed’ koala bear!!
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October 4, 2017 at 12:05 pm
He looks absolutely adorable. I dont think I have ever knitted something that small. 🙂 I have crocheted small things though, and the satisfaction of seeing them come to shape it pretty awesome.
I love this doggy. 🙂
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October 4, 2017 at 6:42 pm
I rarely knit or crochet anything this small or decorative so it was lovely to have an excuse in the form of a commission.
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October 4, 2017 at 5:38 pm
Oh that is such a cute Westie! I kinda want to have a go myself now…
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October 4, 2017 at 6:41 pm
It’s a fun knit, that’s for certain!
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October 5, 2017 at 7:59 am
Aw…just too cute for words! It really did look most un-doglike until it was all sewn together!
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October 5, 2017 at 11:53 am
I must admit, I had my reservations right up to the last minute! It’s in the post now, off to Aus😀
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October 5, 2017 at 8:53 pm
I love your doggie knit. It is wonderful. I think I have a No1 daughter who would love one of these! Something for me to do when I get home I suspect. All your makes are so beautiful. Thanks for info on doggie pattern book. Mxxx
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October 5, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you – hope your daughter loves her version, whichever dog you choose to knit.
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October 14, 2017 at 4:56 am
What a cute little plush dog! Nicely done. I think he’s adorable.
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October 18, 2017 at 10:02 am
Thanks Alys, he’s reached his destination and the new owner is thrilled with him, luckily!
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