Poochie Jacket

Here's the pattern for the jackets Mum makes for me, I been trying to get her to put it in here for ages, so other fluffs can share in the joy of a gorgeous jacket, but she's so lazy ya know? This is a jacket to fit a Bichon Frise, cos that what I am ya know?

Fluffer Jacket
Using 4.5mm (8) needles and 8ply/doubleknit wool:

Back
Cast on 34 St
Row 1: inc in next st, Knit to last 2 st, inc in next st, knit 1
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: inc in next st, Knit to last 2 st, inc in next st, knit 1
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: inc in next st, Knit to last 2 st, inc in next st, knit 1
Row 6: Knit

There should now be 40 stitches

Row 1: inc in next st, Knit to last 2 st, inc in next st, knit 1
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: inc in next st, Purl to last 2 st, inc in next st, knit 1
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Purl

Repeat these 6 rows once, there should now be 48 stitches.
Continue straight until back measures 26cm (measure from butt to neck and knit more or less according to your pooch) and then leave stitches on holder.

Chest Piece
Cast on 18 stitches
Knit 2 rows garter stitch
Row 3: K1 *inc in next stitch, k3* repeat to last 2 stitches, increase in next stitch, k1
(should be 24 stitches here if I have counted right)
Knit 3 rows garter stitch

Work in stocking stitch for (you could make this a bit longer for a girl)17cms (ending on a purl row) then shape legs as follows:
Row 1: cast off 5 stitches Knit to end
Row 2: cast off 5 stitches Purl to end
Continue in stocking stitch until piece measures 20cms, ending with a purl row

Join Back to Chest Piece
Knitting across chest piece first:
*Knit 5, knit 2 together* repeat to last 5 stitches, k to end of chest pieces and then join back as follows *Knit 3, knit 2 together* repeat to end of row.

Collar
Work in rib (I prefer k2,p2 but whatever you like) for 10cm (or however long you like) Cast off LOOSELY in rib using large needles.

Making Up
Sew up collar using flat seam
Sew up side seam


Hope this is understandable; I’m not really a pattern writer. As far as decoration, the first six rows of the back piece look nice in fluffy wool and sometimes I knit stripes up the back etc.

In terms of sizing, you can easily make the jacket larger or smaller by varying the wool and needle size.