Gambrel Coat in Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky - 967 - Downloadable PDF

Gambrel Coat – A Fitted, Colorwork Dog Coat Knitting Pattern by Susan Baron

The Gambrel Coat, pattern #967, is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Susan Baron and worked in Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky. This is a fitted, fashionable coat designed specifically for dogs, making it a wonderful project for knitters who want to combine colorwork technique with practical, wearable pet accessories. The pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level and offers an impressive range of sizing options so the finished coat can be customized to suit almost any breed or body shape.

What Is Being Made

The Gambrel Coat is a tailored dog coat designed to provide warmth and style during cold winter walks. It features a fitted silhouette that wraps securely around the dog's chest, back, and neck. The design incorporates slip-stitch colorwork, giving the coat a visually striking, multi-toned appearance without the complexity of stranded knitting. The coat is described as durable, comfortable, and easy to fasten onto the dog, making it as functional as it is decorative.

The finished coat is highly customizable. Knitters are encouraged to mix and match measurements across the following sizing categories to achieve the best fit for their individual dog:

• Chest circumference: 12 (16, 20, 24) (28, 32, 36) inches
• Back length: 6 (10, 14, 18) (22, 26, 30) inches
• Neck circumference: 8 (10, 12, 14) (16, 18, 20) inches

The sample shown in the pattern is worked to a chest measurement of 16 inches, a back length of 12 inches, and a neck circumference of 10 inches, which would suit a small to medium-sized dog.

Techniques Used

This pattern is worked using several key knitting techniques that make it accessible to intermediate-level knitters while still offering satisfying creative challenge:

• Worked flat: The coat is constructed by knitting back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which simplifies the shaping process and makes it easier to manage the colorwork sections.
• Slip-stitch colorwork: Rather than carrying multiple yarns across a row simultaneously as in traditional stranded colorwork, slip-stitch colorwork involves slipping certain stitches from one row to the next to create a multi-color effect. Only one yarn is used per row, making this technique much more approachable for knitters who are new to colorwork.
• Buttonholes: The pattern includes worked buttonholes, which allow the coat to be fastened securely onto the dog. This is an important functional detail that keeps the garment in place during active outdoor use.
• Buttons: Buttons are used as the closure mechanism, complementing the buttonholes and adding a polished, finished look to the coat.

Stitches Used

The Gambrel Coat relies on foundational knitting stitches combined with the slip-stitch colorwork method. Slip-stitch patterns typically involve a combination of knit stitches, purl stitches, and deliberately slipped stitches that carry the color of a previous row up through the fabric. This creates texture and color depth that gives the coat its distinctive, visually interesting appearance. The flat construction means knitters will work both knit and purl rows throughout the pattern.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is designed specifically for Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky, a chunky weight yarn with a fiber composition of 60% Superwash Merino / 40% Acrylic Microfiber. Each skein contains 100g / 109 yards. This fiber blend is particularly well-suited to a dog coat because it combines the softness and warmth of Superwash Merino wool with the durability and easy-care properties of acrylic microfiber. The yarn is described in the pattern as pill-proof and easy-care, meaning the finished coat can withstand the rigors of regular outdoor wear and washing.

The pattern calls for three colors, referred to as a main color and two contrast colors:

• MC (Main Color): Color 05-Gray (or a color of the