How to Knit a Dog Sweater

How to Knit a Dog Sweater

Learning how to knit a dog sweater is simple. You’ll need an easy-to-follow guide to help you in knitting the best sweater for your canine friend.

Image source: Pinterest

Dogs have different body sizes, and thus it’s important for you to measure them first. Since they walk on all fours, you’ll need to knit a fitting sweater for their comfort. You can also watch how to knit a dog sweater for beginners video to get more inspired. 

Let’s look at the steps on how to knit a dog sweater.

How to Knit A Dog Sweater for Beginners Using Straight Needles

Image Source: All Free Knitting

Knitting using straight needles is a traditional yet simple method you can use any time as a beginner. First, knit in parts, then using a knitting needle, sew them together. This guide will help you learn how to knit a dog sweater with a straightforward pattern.

Materials Required

• • Double Knitting Yarn
  • Knitting Needles
  • Crotchet
  • Scissors
  • Darning needle
  • Tape measure
  • Stitch markers

If you know how to change colors in knitting, you can mix more than one color, which means you’ll have several double knitted yarn. As a beginner, start with one color to avoid confusion when interchanging rows and yarn colors.

Let’s learn how to start knitting a dog sweater.

1. 1. Knitting the Collar

Step 1: Cast on 68 stitches (best size for a large-sized dog)

Row 1: On the RS *k1, p1* repeat from *to end

Row 2: On the WS *k1,p1* repeat from *to end

Step 2: Repeat rows 1 and 2 to form a 1×1 rib

Step 3: Continue knitting in rib until the collar edge measures 11 inches and end with the right side of the collar facing you.

Step 4: RS rib 11 stitches make a stitch by picking up yarn before the next stitch and knitting into the back of the made loop, rib to end. You’ll have 69 stitches.

      2. Knit the Back

Row1: RS of sweater k57 stitches and work on them only. Leave the remaining 12 stitches for knitting the belly.

Row 2: Purl to the end

Row 3: (The first leg hole row).RS k 26stitches,k1, slp 1, pass k1 over slp1,*slp1, pass next stitch on right-hand needle over the stitch you just slipped; repeat from * four times. Slip the last stitch on the right-hand needle back to the left-hand needle.

Turn WS facing you. Cast six stitches. Cast on one more stitch bringing yarn between the needles from back to front before putting the stitch onto the left-hand needle. Turn RS facing you. Knit 1 and pass the next stitch on the right-hand needle over the k1 you just worked. K to end 57 stitches.

Row 4: Purl to end

Row 5: RS knit

Row 6; WS purl

Repeating the last two rows forms a stocking stitch.

Work two more rows in a slip stitch

Begin the next row with a knit and work eight rows slip stitch. If you are working with different yarn colors you can interchange the colors between the rows.

Continue in knitting the next 16 rows, until the back of the sweater measures 26 inches; from the start of stitching up to the end after the 16th row and in the RS facing for the next row.

If you are using different yarns, break the current yarn and join the main yarn color

Row 1: Knit (RS)

Row 2: *p1, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, p1

Row 3: k1,*p1, k1; repeat from * to end

Row 2 and 3 form a 1×1 rib

Continue knitting in the rib until it measures two inches with RS facing you.

Cast off in rib

Place a stitch marker at the end of the back between 9th and 10th rows, between 34th and 35th rows, and between 45th and 46th rows.

      3. Knitting the Belly

With the RS facing you, pick up 12 stitches left on hold at the start.

Begin with a knit a row and work six rows stitch by stitch

Row 7: RS k1, make a stitch by picking up yarn before next stitch and knitting into the back of made loop,k to last one stitch, make a stitch by picking up yarn before next stitch and knitting into the back of made loop,k1, to have 14 stitches.

Work the next two rows stitch by stitch.

Row 10: WS p1, make a stitch by picking up yarn before next stitch and knitting into the back of made loop, purl, p to last stitch, make a stitch by picking up yarn before next stitch and knitting into the back of made loop, purl,p1  to have 16 stitches

Continue in stitch by stitch until the 36th row has been completed from the start of stitch by stitch until the belly measures around five inches with the RS facing you.

You can change the yarn if you are mixing colors

Row 1: RS knit

Row 2: *k1, p1, repeat from *to end

Repeating row 2 forms a 1×1 rib

Continue in the rib until it measures approximately two inches ending with RS facing you.

CO rib

Place stitch markers at the end of the belly between 9th and 10th rows, 34th, and 35th rows.

      4. Knitting the Edges

• • First Leg Hole Edging

Image Source: Garn Studio

Using a 4mm crochet hook and the RS facing you, work one round of edging all around the first leg hole as below.

Insert the crochet hook at the center of each stitch, Work one decrease by knitting the next two stitches together into each cast–off stitch, cast-on stitch, and side edge of the hole.

 Work one decrease by knitting the next two stitches together between the side edge of the hole, 1 slip stitch into the first stitch round, and tighten the yarn.

• • Backside Edging

With the RS facing you, insert the hook into the center of the row edge stitch, knit one slip stitch into each row edge stitch of the two inches of rib, and work one decrease by knitting the next two stitches together into three out of every four-row edge stitches. You can also insert woven labels indicating your brand name.

• • Belly Edging

Using a 4mm crochet and RS facing you, insert the crochet hook at the center of the row edge stitch, work one decrease by knitting the next two stitches together into three out of every four-row edge stitches.

Note: The rib and the collar do not have a crochet edging.

      5. Assembling the Sweater

Step 1: Spread the parts on the table and flatten the curled ends. Thread your knitting needle using your main color yarn (in case you mixed colors). It’s simple if you know how to knit a sweater.

Step 2: With the RS facing you, join the collar seam for about two inches taking one stitch into the seam at each side so that the rib is continuous.

Step 3: Reverse the sweater. With the RS of the sweater facing you, repeat step two.

Step 4: Join the belly and the back from the top of the 1×1 rib of the collar to the stitch marker between the 9th and 10th rows. Joining the 9th and 12th row ends the seam.

Step 4: Leave an open seam between the markers at the 9th and 10th row and at 34th and 35th rows.

Step 5: Join the back belly starting at the stitch marker 34th and 35th rows and ending at the last row of the belly rib, ensuring they are matching row for row.

Step 6: Push the crochet edging through the seam at each side of the stocking stitch and half a stitch at the belly side.

Step 7: Fold the collar in half to the right side of the sweater.

You finished knitting your dog sweater!

Abbreviation	Meaning
WS	Wrong Side
RS	Right Side
Sts	Stitches
P	Purl
K	Knit
Slp	Slip
Co	Cast On
St-St	Stitch by Stitch

How To Knit a Simple Dog Sweater

Image Source: The Crochet Crowd

As the name suggests, a simple dog sweater is easy to knit and does not require much of your time. Below are the steps.

1. 1. Knitting the Body

Step 1: Cast on 56 stitches and knit the first row into the back stitches.

Step 2: Knit 12 rows

Step 3: Increase row, knit five, work one decrease by knitting the next two stitches together, knit to last five stitches, work one decrease by knitting the next two stitches together, knit to end row.

Step 4: Continue in garter stitch increasing at each end of the following sixth row two times. You‘ll have 62 stitches.

Step 5: While learning how to increase a stitch in knitting, continue in garter stitch and increase at each end of the following fourth row five times. You’ll have 72 stitches.

Step 6: Cast on four stitches at the beginning of the next row, knit two rows in garter stitch.

      2. Knitting the Legs

• • • Divide your fabric and knit 15 stitches in the next row, then turn.
    • Knit the next row to end
    • Knit eleven rows and break yarn
    • To join the remaining stitches, on the next row knit 50 stitches and turn
    • Next row knit to end
    • Knit 11 rows and break yarn
    • Join yarn to the remaining stitches and work to the row end.
    • Knit 12 rows
    • Knit across all three pieces to row-end
    • Knit six more rows
    • On the next row, cast off four stitches,*knit two together, repeat from * to last four stitches, knit to the row end.

      3. Knitting the Collar

• • • Knit 22 rows of garter stitch
    • Cast off loosely

      4. Sewing your Simple Dog Sweater

Thread your knitting needle and practice how to weave in ends knitting. You can sew a small strap from both sides of your dog chest and another on the underside.

How to Knit a Dog Coat for Beginners

Image Source: Lets Knit

Knitting a dog coat for beginners is fun and easy. With this easy-to-follow guide, you will knit your pet a unique coat to beat the chilly weather. Let’s start;

Materials Required

• • Yarn color of choice
  • Knitting needles 4mm – 5mm
  • Darning needles
  • Stitch marker

In this guide, we shall knit the coat as one piece.

1. 1. Knitting the Body

Cast on 65 stitches(practicing how to cast on knitting will help you become a pro )

Row 1: K1, P1 to make 1×1 rib

Row 2: Repeat k1,p1 until the neck is four inches.

Change the needle to size 5mm

Next row: K 41, remain with 24 stitches on the stitch holder and place a stitch marker at the end of work.

Next Row: Turn and continue for 14 inches from the CO edge in garter stitch over all the 41 stitches.

Note: you can continue knitting if you need a longer dog coat.

Next Row: Prepare to shape

Next row: Knit two, knit two together, knit to last four stitches, knit two together, knit two to have 39 stitches.

Next Row: Repeat row above until nine stitches remain

Next Row: Knit two together two times, knit one, knit two together two times to have five stitches.

Next row: Knit two together, knit one, knit two together to have three stitches.

Cast off three stitches

Using how to pick up stitches in knitting technique, pick the remaining 24 stitches from the stitch holder and work in a garter stitch for five inches and cast off.

      2. Finishing Off

Join the seam to the marker from the cast on edge. Match the length of the body and the under flap then stitch the bottom flap to the main body side for about 11/4inches beginning at the cast-off edge. Ensure you leave a gap of five inches for the legs to pass through.

Sew in any hanging yarn and care labels for washing directions.

      3. To Make a Tail Loop (Optional)

Make a five-inch twisted cord and fold it in half to make a loop and attach it to the tail end of the coat. You can fix hang tags from the inside to show the best way to hang the coat.

If you like jumpers, you can watch this video on how to knit a dog jumper for beginners.

Dog Sweater Knitting Patterns

Image Source: K9of Mine 

Learning how to knit a small dog sweater for your Chihuahua friend is not complete without picking a free knitting pattern that will best fit them. In this article, we have sampled some of the best and unique dog sweater patterns for you to choose from. Check also this video for more patterns.

1. 1. Cabled Dog Knitted Pattern

Image Source: Lion Brand

The pattern is named after a cabled fisherman’s sweater. It’s perfect for intermediate knitters and can be made in five different sizes.

      2. Bunny Dog Sweater

Image Source: Pinterest

Similar to your childhood bunny sleeping pajamas, the sweater keeps your dog warm throughout the winter, whether in the house or playing in the backyard.

The sweater is simple and well-fitting to cover the ears.

      3. Harness Friendly Dog Sweater

Image Source: Ravelry

When taking your dog out for a walk, you may need to wear a harness. This sweater has a low collar that works with a harness making it the best for those evening walks even when it’s cold.

      4. Striped Dog Sweater Pattern

Image Source: Patterns by Kraema

Depending on your color choice, you can make your dog a striped sweater pattern to make it appear unique, cozy, and warmer. The sweater has a long pull neck that fits on your dog’s neck comfortably.

      5. Large Dog Sweater Knitting Pattern

Image Source: The Funky Stitch

If you have a big dog, you may wonder whether you can get a sweater size for them. Look at this lovely textured and simple dog sweater to fit your big canine friend.

Pattern	Skill Level
Button dog sweater	Beginner
Large dog sweater	Beginner
Striped dog sweater	Experienced
Bunny dog sweater	Intermediate
Cabled dog sweater	Intermediate

Conclusion

Learning how to knit a dog sweater can be enjoyable; you get an opportunity to explore different patterns and learn new skills.

All you need to become a pro is a straightforward pattern and the will to practice more. Have you started knitting your dog’s first sweater?