How to Make a Sweater in Wool for a Dog

No matter how furry your dog is, it never hurts to give him a little extra protection from cold nights or winter weather. A wool dog sweater will give you peace of mind, knowing that you can take your dog outside in any conditions. Although dog sweaters are available for purchase, making your own saves you money and allows you to add a personal touch to your craft. It is also an efficient way to recycle any old clothing that you no longer need.

Things You'll Need

  • Wool sweater
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pillow case
  • Fabric scissors
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a wool sweater. The larger the dog, the larger the sweater.

    • 2

      Place the sweater in a pillow case. This will prevent fabric from clogging up your washing machine or dryer.

    • 3

      Wash the sweater in the washing machine -- inside the pillow case -- once or twice with hot water, without detergent. The purpose of this is to thicken the fabric and shrink it for a better fit.

    • 4

      Run the sweater and through your dryer. Keep it inside the pillow case.

    • 5

      Cut the sweater in half, lengthwise, with the fabric scissors.

    • 6

      Discard one half of the sweater. On the remaining half, cut the sweater arm off at the shoulder. The hole in the shoulder will become the sweater's neck.

    • 7

      Place the sweater on your dog to assess its fit. It should extend no further than the dog's thigh, just in front of the hind legs. Cut off any excess material if necessary.

    • 8

      Take the arm section you cut off earlier and cut off a strip. This will be used as a strap to fasten the sweater together at your dog's waist. Make the strip approximate 2 inches wide. The length will vary based on the dog's size.

    • 9

      Stitch one end of the strip to the right hand side of the sweater's midsection, halfway between the neck and bottom. Place the sweater on your dog and determine how long the strip needs to be in order to reach the other side, like a belt.

    • 10

      Remove the sweater from your dog and stitch the other end of the strap to the left side of the garment. The sweater is now complete.