Pooch Pouch

By: bellydknits (www.bellydknits.blogspot.com)

This can make a quick last-minute gift. If you are an average-speed knitter familiar with the techniques involved, you can expect this project to take about 4 hours.

The first retractable leash I owned had a built-in bag dispenser. I also found some cool "saddle bags" to put over it that held any number of things such as treats, keys, ID, etc. Unfortunately, I left my car unlocked one night and the leash was stolen. Ever since, I have tried to find a leash and saddle bags to replace it. Alas, Target and PetsMart no longer carry those items in their stores. I finally decided to take matters into my own hands, and I knit myself some little bags for my leash (built-in bag dispenser not included). Here is the pattern:

The photos show the large size modeled on a medium-sized leash.

Techniques Used:

Picking up stitches along the edge

Picking up stitches in the middle of the knitting

Horizontal buttonholes

Kitchener stitch

Dimensions:

Small=3"

Medium=3.25"

Large=3.5"

To determine the size to make, measure the diameter of the main part of your retractable leash.

Materials:

• Size US 7 double pointed needles or size to obtain gauge

• 50 g of worsted weight yarn (I actually used about 38 g for the small size and about 48 g for the large size; your mileage may vary.) The red one pictured above was made from Red Heart acrylic; the pink/yellow/blue/green one pictured below was made using Cascade Sierra Quatro.

• 3 buttons (5/8" for the small size; 1" for the medium and large sizes.) Alternative: 3 small pieces of velcro

• darning needle

• 4 row markers

Gauge:

5 sts/inch in St. st.

Pattern notes:

Directions are given for the smallest size with changes for the medium and large sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

The pattern calls for three horizontal button holes for each pooch pouch. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, please consult a knitting technique book. The instructions and photos in such books would be more helpful than any I could provide.

Directions:

Pouch (make 2):

CO 14(16,18) sts.

Knit 8 rows in garter stitch.

Pick up 19(21,23) stitches around the other three sides—33(37,41) live stitches total. See photo below:

Knit in the round for 2.25(2.5,2.75) inches.

Purl 1 round

Knit 1 round

Repeat the last two rounds once.

Purl 1 row—You should have three garter ridges at this point.

BO 19(21,23) stitches. These should be the same stitches that you picked up toward the beginning of the pattern. 14(16,18) stitches remaining.

Place markers somewhere on the back of the pouch to mark off the "back" from the side and front stitches.

Knit even on the remaining stitches for 14 rows (7 garter ridges).

Right side: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Wrong side: Knit across

Repeat the last two rows 2(3,3) times.

Make a 2(4,4) stitch horizontal buttonhole. AT THE SAME TIME, continue the established decreases. Note: If using velcro, do not work the buttonhole.

Continue decreases until 4 stitches remain.

BO on the wrong side.

Make a second pouch.

Straps:

A. Between the 3^rd and 4^th garter ribs at the top back of the first pouch, pick up 8(8,10) sts. Center your picked up stitches if possible.

Knit 8(10,10) rows {4(5,5) garter ridges}.

Kitchener the live stitches on the needle to the second pouch between the 3^rd and 4^th garter ribs.

B. At the side edge where you placed a marker on the first pouch, pick up 8(8,10) sts. Center your picked up stitches if possible. (The easiest way for me was to start picked up stitches at the lowest garter rib at the top of the pouch.)

Knit 8(10,10) rows {4(5,5) garter ridges}.

Kitchener the live stitches on the needle to the second pouch in the corresponding location.

C. Just above the garter edge at the bottom of the first pouch, pick up 8(8,10) sts. Center your picked up stitches if possible.

Knit 8(10,10) rows {4(5,5) garter ridges}.

Kitchener the live stitches on the needle to the second pouch in the corresponding location.

D. On the last side of each pouch, pick up 6(8,8) sts the same way that you did for part B. Center your picked up stitches if possible.

For the first pouch, Knit 10(14,14) rows {5(7,7) garter ridges}. BO.

For the second pouch, Knit 6(10,10) rows {3(5,5) garter ridges}. Work a 2(4,4) stitch horizontal buttonhole (no decreases this time). Note: If using velcro, do not work the buttonhole.

Knit 4 more rows. BO.

Finishing:

Sew a button onto each pouch slightly below the garter ridges toward the top. Sew a third button onto the strap of the first pouch from part D.

Or, sew on velcro in the appropriate places.

Weave in ends and put it on your retractable leash!