Directions to Crochet & Knit Dog Sweaters

Don't let Fifi freeze outside; crochet and knit dog sweaters for her instead.

If you have a pet and basic crocheting or knitting skills, you can crochet and knit dog sweaters for your four-legged pal. There are several patterns available online, ranging from basic to complicated. When you crochet and knit dog sweaters it helps to be able to try the sweater on the dog as you go to ensure a proper fit. Choose a washable yarn so the sweater will be easy to care for, and it will last your pooch through several cold-weather seasons.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook or knitting needles
• Scissors
• Large eye blunt needle

Instructions

1. Take the required measurements of your dog. Measure around the dog's neck; call this A. Measure from her collar to the middle of her back; call this B. Measurement C is the distance on her underside from her throat to her midsection. Measurement D is the distance between her front paws on the underside of her body; measurement E is the distance from one shoulder to the other reaching across her back.

2. Crochet or knit the top or back portion of the sweater. Divide measurement A in half; this is the width you want your cast-on row or initial chain stitches to be. Knit or crochet for an inch or two and then increase the width by making two crochet stitches in one or a standard knitting increase stitch on either end of the next few rows. When you reach the width of measurement E, continue to knit or crochet evenly for the next several rows until the whole piece reaches the length of measurement B. Fasten off.

3. Crochet or knit the bottom or chest portion of the sweater. Begin with the same number of cast-on or chain stitches as you started with in Step 2. When you increase the width of your piece, increase until you reach the width of measurement D. Continue to work evenly from that point until you reach the length of measurement C, and fasten off. When you cut your working yarn, leave a long tail for sewing.

4. Sew the sweater together. Put the top and bottom pieces together with wrong sides facing. Use your large eye blunt needle to sew the side seams together from the neck edge to the end. Leave a hole on either side for the front legs to go through; measure the distance as you sew to see where to position these holes. To make the holes, simply do not sew that portion of the seam.

5. Turn the sweater right-side out and put it on your dog. Now she can stay cozy and warm through any kind of weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a stretchy stitch, such as a knitted rib stitch or a crocheted back-loops-only stitch pattern. This will give your doggie sweater a little bit of stretch for putting on and taking off.

References

• Crochet Pattern Central: Crochet for Pets
• Knitting Pattern Central: Pets