How to Crochet Puppy Sweaters
Crocheted puppy sweaters work up quickly and can made with leftover yarn to match one or more of your own sweaters. Many crocheted dog sweater patterns come with instructions for finished sizes from 12 to 18 inches long that fit average-size puppies. However, patterns are available to adapt sweaters for miniature and large-breed puppies as well. No puppy need be without a well-fitted and adorable crocheted sweater lovingly fashioned by an affectionate owner.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Crochet pattern
- Worsted weight yarn
- Crochet hook, size needed for gauge
- Scissors
- Large tapestry needle
- 2 buttons
Instructions
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Measure the puppy from neck to mid-back for a sweater, or to the base of the tail for a full-length coat and choose a crochet pattern that fits the puppy.
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2
Make a 4-inch square test swatch according to the crochet pattern to get the correct gauge. Count the stitches and rows and match the swatch to that of the pattern gauge. Change to a larger or smaller size crochet hook and stitch the swatch again until you get an accurate gauge.
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3
Crochet the required number of chain stitches and work in pattern, increasing or decreasing stitches as directed until the sweater body measures 1 inch less than the desired finished size. End by working a wrong-side row.
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4
Shape the right and left neck areas as indicated in the pattern, making sure to maintain the established crochet design throughout. Work an additional row and clip the yarn, leaving a long enough tail for joining.
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5
Thread the tapestry needle with the yarn tail and, holding right sides together, stitch the end of the right neck to the left neck. Insert the needle from right to left through the first stitch over and through the right and left of the next stitch. Continue joining in this manner, keeping the stitches firm but not too tight. Weave the yarn end back through several stitches and clip.
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6
Finish the neck edge by working a single crochet in each stitch evenly around the neck area. Join to the first single crochet with a slip stitch and repeat for three more rows, or as directed by the pattern.
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7
Work a strap according to pattern instructions, or one that is 5 to 8 inches down from the seam on the left edge of the sweater. Before finishing, put the sweater on the puppy to make sure it fits snugly around the chest. Work additional rows as needed and make the buttonholes. Finish off and weave in the yarn ends. Attach buttons.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit puppies image by Bobi from Fotolia.com
