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Knit a Mutt Mitt: Dog Washing Made Easy

Tina Hilton, contributor

6 users recommend

Charlie loves the soft cotton loops to clean his sensitive face.

Tina Hilton

Knit two cloths for a matched set.

Tina Hilton

Bring the yarn forward between the needles to make a loop.

Tina Hilton

Charlie loves the soft cotton loops to clean his sensitive face.

Photo: Tina Hilton

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Dirty dogs need extra love. When only the best will do for your pampered pooch, knit up a loopy 100% cotton rectangle and attach it to a cotton glove for an easy dog-grooming tool. Use it for their special bath time or keep it near the door to slip on for wiping their muddy paws. Toss it in the washer to keep it clean and fresh.

Supplies:

• Cotton gardening gloves—one size larger than normal
• 100% cotton worsted-weight yarn (one ball 2.5 ounces, 122 yards)—I used Peaches & Cream made by Elmore-Pisgah  in Faded Denim from jumbo cones I had on hand
• Knitting needle size 8
• Sewing needle
• Thread to match glove

Abbreviations:

CO       cast on
K          knit
ML        make loop
P          purl
P2tog    purl 2 together
RS        right side
ST        stitch
WS       wrong side
YB        yarn behind
YF        yarn forward

Step by Step:

Knit two cloths for a matched set.

Knit a loopy rectangle
Loop Stitch Pattern
Row 1: (RS)  k1 *(k1 and keep st on left needle, yf, wrap yarn around thumb clockwise to make loop, yb, knit into back of the same stitch), k1; repeat from *.

Bring the yarn forward between the needles to make a loop.

The size of the loop is up to you.

Hold the loop snugly with your thumb when you knit through the back loop.

Row 2: (WS)  p1, *p2tog, p1; repeat from *.

The needle is pointing to the base of the loop you have just created.

P2tog will secure the loop into place.

Row 3: (RS)  k2,  *ml as in row 1, k1; repeat from * end last repeat k2.
Row 4: (WS) p2, *p2tog, p1.

With 2 strands of yarn, cast on 21 stitches.
K 1 row.
Repeat rows 1–4 of Loop Stitch pattern until you reach the length to fit your glove.
Knit 1 row.
Bind off all stitches.

Sew the loopy rectangle to the glove
Position the glove on the smooth side of the cloth with fingers spread out and pin in place.

If you are making a cloth to fit an XL glove, you may want to cast on a few more stitches for a uniform fit. I made the cloth to fit a one-size-fits-all women's glove.

You may need a thimble to push the needle through the double thickness of the glove.

Thread the needle with a double strand of matching thread, and whipstitch around the entire glove, including at the base of the wrist. Keep the stitches near the edge of the glove so you still have room to insert your hand comfortably. Hand-sewing is the best method since if you attempt sewing it with a machine, the loops will get caught in the feed dogs! (I tell you this from experience!)

A glove that was originally a little big is now a perfect fit.

If you don’t have a dog, make one for your own bath-time exfoliating extravaganza. Create a set for indoor dusting and cleaning chores. Make a pair for car-wash duty. Let me know what ideas you have for this soft, loopy mitt.

Special thanks to Mary Minor at Pamper Me Too! pet-grooming salon in Boone, NC.

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Comments (5)

K1Drink2 writes: Again, Tina - Your instructions and photographs are THE best!
Posted: 3:29 pm on March 13th

Tina_Hilton writes: I'm not sure about long-haired dogs. Give it a try and let us know. It would probably work on their face and other tender bits.

Great chore busting ideas! - Make another set or two for all household cleaning duties.
Posted: 10:27 am on March 7th

Jen1964 writes: The plastic sudsing tools all got tangled in Sarah's hair... and barehanding it wasn't very effective either... so this could be the solution! How does it work on the longer-haired dogs?
I'll bet you could do one for car-washing too... or waxing.
Posted: 11:16 am on February 22nd

SMVG writes: Wow, what a great idea. You could sell these on TV just like the snugli! I have been using mine to clean those hard to reach areas when I sometimes scrape the outside of my hand reaching down in tight spaces.

Posted: 11:41 am on February 21st

PoochPal writes: Being an animal lover I can see how this mitt could be very useful in grooming.
Thank you!
Posted: 11:03 am on February 18th

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