How to Knit a Pug's Sweater

Aside from making pugs look fashionable, double-knit sweaters ward off the cold and protect the pugs' short fur.

Though adorable with their squished faces, pugs often struggle with respiratory infections, which make them susceptible to pneumonia. Their short hair makes it even harder for them to keep warm. Chilling can both aggravate and create dangerous infections. A warm sweater helps prevent chilling, and hand knitting sweaters allows customization to the pug's personality and needs. This sweater pattern fits a dog approximately 10 to 19 pounds with a chest circumference of 16 to 20 inches. It is knit with two strands of yarn as one, making it double thick -- which will keep your pug warmer than a single-strand sweater.

Things You'll Need

• 2 skeins of acrylic or other washable yarn, 8 oz.
• Size 3 knitting needles
• Scissors
• Stitch holders
• Yarn needle
• Mild laundry detergent

Instructions

Shaping the Neck

1. Use two strands of yarn to cast on 62 stitches, holding both strands together as one.

2. Slip one stitch and purl one stitch. Now purl two stitches and knit two stitches until the last two stitches. Then purl one stitch and knit one stitch. Turn.

3. Slip one stitch and knit one stitch. Now knit two stitches and purl two stitches until the last two stitches. Then purl one stitch and knit one stitch. Turn.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the piece measures 2 inches.

5. Slip one stitch and purl one stitch. Now knit two stitches and purl two stitches until the last two stitches. Then purl one stitch and knit one stitch. Turn.

Body and Leg Shaping

1. Slip one stitch, knit one stitch, make one stitch, and knit to the end. Turn.

2. Slip one stitch, purl one stitch, make one stitch, and purl to the end. Turn.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 11 times. The piece should measure approximately 6 inches now. If it is shorter than that, knit in the stockinette pattern (knit one row, turn, purl one row, and turn) until the piece measures 6 inches.

4. Slip one stitch and knit seven stitches. Bind off six stitches. Knit until last 14 stitches. Bind off six stitches. Knit to the end. Turn.

5. Slip one stitch and knit seven stitches. Turn. Slip one stitch and purl seven stitches. Repeat this step until this section measures 2 inches. Place these eight stitches on a stitch holder.

6. Place 68 stitches on stitch holder. Cut the yarn.

7. Attach the yarn to the final eight stitches. Slip one stitch and knit seven stitches. Turn. Slip one stitch and knit seven stitches. Repeat this step until this section measures 2 inches. Place stitches on a stitch holder.

8. Pick up the 68 stitches from the stitch holder. Slip one stitch and purl to end. Turn. Slip one stitch and knit to end. Repeat this step until this section measures 2 inches. End on a purl row.

9. Pick up the first eight stitches from the stitch holder on the knit side. Slip one stitch and knit seven stitches. Cast on six stitches. Knit the central 68 stitches. Cast on six stitches. Pick up the eight stitches from the other stitch holder. Knit those eight stitches. Turn.

10. Slip one stitch and purl to the end. Turn. Slip one stitch and knit to the end. Repeat until the piece measures 9 inches from the beginning.

11. Knit two stitches and purl two stitches. Repeat to the end. Turn. Repeat until the ribbing pattern reaches 2 inches.

Finishing the Sweater

1. Bind off all stitches in the ribbing pattern. Cut the yarn, leaving a 15 inch tail. Fold the sweater lengthwise. Thread the yarn needle with the tail. Sew up the tube, and triple knot it at the base. Weave the yarn along the cast-on edge. Weave the other loose ends in the same fashion.

2. Wash the sweater in a mild laundry detergent. Allow it to air dry.

3. Tug the seams of the sweater to ensure all loose ends are secured. If any come loose, sew them down.

Tips & Warnings

• Customize the sweater to your preferences by adding stripes or other color patterns. You may incorporate different stitch patterns into the body as well.

• Use only one strand of yarn for a lighter summer sweater.

• Do not put a heavy sweater on a pug during the summer. Pugs often suffer from heat stroke, and sweaters increase the danger of overheating.

• Putting a sweater on a pug does not guarantee your pug will avoid respiratory infections. If your pug starts showing signs of a respiratory infection, consult a vet.

• Avoid allowing your pug out for extended periods during cold weather, even with a sweater.

References

• "The Pug Handbook"; Brenda Belmonte; 2005

Resources

• Knitting Pattern Central: Stitches
• Biscuits and Jam: Random Stripe Generator
• "Mastering Color Knitting"; Melissa Leapman; 2010
• Pug Dog Club of America: Health Information