Dog Sweater Instructions

Not all dogs need a sweater. If your dog has thick fur, he will probably be warm enough in the winter without a sweater. However, small short-haired dogs, such as chihuahuas, will definitely be glad of a warm sweater--although it may still take a while for your dog to become accustomed to wearing a sweater. Choose a soft yarn that is resilient and washable, such as a washable wool. Wool stays warm even when wet so it is a good choice for dogs that play outside in the snow or rain.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Notepad and pen
  • 1 or 2 skeins of worsted weight yarn, depending on the size of the dog
  • 2 straight knitting needles, in the size recommended on the yarn label or 1 16-inch circular needle
  • 4 double pointed needles, same size as the straight needles
  • Sewing needle with a large eye
  • Crochet hook
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Measure the dog around the widest part of the torso just behind the front legs,

      around the neck, on the back from the neck to the tail, and on the chest from the neck to the a spot between both front legs.

      You will need 4 oz. of yarn for a medium size dog with a neck measurement of 15 inches and back length of 20 inches.

    • 2

      Knit a swatch. Cast on 20 stitches and knit 4 inches. Measure the width of your swatch and figure out how many stitches per inch you are knitting. For instance, if your swatch is 4 inches wide, you are knitting 5 stitches per inch, or 20/4=5. This is called a gauge. Write this number down with the dog's measurements.

    • 3

      Multiply your gauge times the number of inches around the neck and cast on that many stitches. Work in knit one, purl one ribbing for 1 1/2 to 2 inches. This completes the neck ribbing.

    • 4

      Multiply your gauge times the number of inches around the largest part of the chest to find the number of stitches for the chest. Knit one row, purl one row to establish the stockinette stitch. Then knit one stitch, knit two in the next stitch and knit across the row until there are only two stitches left. Knit two in the next stitch and then knit the final stitch. Purl the next row. Repeat these two rows until you have the required number of stitches for the chest.

    • 5

      Measure the space between the two front legs and multiply that by your gauge. Knit half that many stitches, then bind off the same number of stitches. Knit across the back until you reach the next leg opening. Bind off the same number of stitches as you did on the other opening, then knit the remaining chest stitches which will take you to the end of the row.

    • 6

      Knit the first section from the edge to the leg opening. Turn your work and purl back to the beginning. Continue until this section is 1-inch long. Leave the stitches on the needle.Tie on a piece of yarn at the middle section, and with another needle, knit across to the next opening, turn your work and purl back. Continue until this section is 1-inch long. Tie another piece of yarn onto the third section and with a third needle repeat these instructions until this section is also 1-inch long. End all sections on a purl row.

    • 7

      Reunite the three sections: Knit across the first section of the sweater. Cast on the same number of stitches you bound off. Knit across the center section. Cast on the same number of stitches you cast off before. Knit to the end of the row. Purl the next row. Continue the stockinette stitch, knit one row, purl the next, until the sweater reaches the bottom of the rib cage.

    • 8

      Decrease one stitch at each end of every knit row until you have the same number of stitches that you cast on originally at the neck of the sweater. Leave the final row of stitches on the circular needle.

      Use the sewing needle to sew the front of the sweater closed, from the first row of knitting to the bottom of the rib cage. Knit one, purl one to establish a rib pattern across the final row of stitches. Pick up an even number of stitches along one edge of the sweater up to the center seam. Continue picking up stitches along the other side back down to the last row of knitting. Knit one, purl one around the bottom edge of the sweater until the ribbing is one inch long. Bind off. Cut the yarn, pull it through the last stitch, and make a knot. Weave in the all loose ends of yarn.

    • 9

      Use the double pointed needles to pick up an even number of stitches around one leg opening. Knit one, purl one around the leg opening until you have a one inch ribbed cuff. Bind off. Repeat on the other leg opening. Weave in the ends of the yarn.

      Soak the sweater in very hot water until it is saturated. Squeeze most of the water out, and pat the sweater into shape on a towel. Allow it to dry and then try it out on your dog.