Mermaid Mishka and Keyhole Dreads

Mishka needed something woolly. She had recently moved to a groovy new pad and her sweater was still packed away in some gosh-dang box! Then, late one night the Woolly Bully wouldn't stop whispering my name. It teased me from the yarn kitty piling up in the corner. "No", the Unfinished Holiday Projects meowed. "Nooooooooo...!" But I caved. I gave in. I had to. Mishka needed warmth, gashdanggit, and it was startin' to get a-chill outside. I grabbed my 12mm needles and cast on! The yarn was so humongously sweet! And the needles, super-sized! Mishka abso-loved it! The Mermaid Mishka Woolly Jumper. Mishka gladly squeezed us into her schedule for a photo shoot at one of her favorite haunts, The Local Park...

Mishka

And here's Mishka's BFF with a matching accessory. Keyhole Dreads Bully Scarf...

Gili

The gals beam in their Woolly Boolly goodness.

waiting for Oscar

A wonderful day for walk...

looking for Oscar

Thanks to Jaquie and Sophie for the hunka hunka -- gargantuan yarn!

Oscar?!

Pattern(s)

materials for both pieces:
1 skien of Woolly Bully Estelle
1 pair of 10-12mm needles
cat(s) or dog(s)

Mermaid Mishka Woolly Jumper
CO 15sts
Knit
K1, M1, K to last 2 sts, M1, K1
repeat these two rows

K as may rows as is required for the lower part of the dog's little back. measure it on your cat (or dog if you have the dog with you) to get an idea of how it's going.
Keep K-ing until you've reached where the legs are gonna slip through. Again, use your cat/dog for gauge.
K5, BO5, K to the last 10sts, BO5, K5
K for 3 rows or so...depending on the length of the dog's neck.
Before decreasing for collar, P one row (this should make the collar flip)

start decreasing:
K2tog, K to last 2sts, SSK
K
repeat these 2 rows until you have 15sts again (or as long as you want the collar to be for the dog's neck).

Finishing:
Seam up the belly.
Add dreads thoughout, like you would add fringes to a scarf!
Note from Mishka: Dreads around the collar, ones that may dangle near her face, may make her want to bite them off.

Keyhole Dreads Bully Scarf
CO 15sts
Knit until it measures about 22"
make keyhole:
K5, BO5, K5
K5, CO5, K5
Knit until you can wrap it around your neck and put the opposite end into the keyhole. Be careful not to poke anything with the needle that is still attached to the yarn around your neck.
BO
Slip it on and take a poochie for a stroll!

Pattern Note: both patterns are approximates -- make them your own!