[mgt44]

My daughter wants me to knit a sweater for her tiny (spaghetti-sauce-jar sized) dog. I cannot wrap my head around the anatomy of the dog sweater: it seems like a tube with two or four holes for the paws, right? I have printed free & paid patterns but they don't make sense to me. I watched MarlyBird you-tube tutorial but all the colorwork instructions make it too difficult to follow (based on the comments I am not the only one having trouble). Any advice? Pattern recommendation? I have to admit I would much rather continue knitting doll clothes for my grand-daughter and acknowledge that knitting a sweater for a dog is beyond my skill set in this life. Having just typed the previous sentence, I realize that my ego won't let me admit defeat...not yet. So I'm going to try again tonight.

 

[mamakaren]

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=tiny%20dog%20sweater

Ravelry search came up with these. You can modify for knit and free or any other variables. Don't do one with color work would be my advice.

 

[PatK27]

First, I wouldn’t do color work. I might use a plain or self striping yarn. Ravelry has a lot to choose from. Proud puppy dog sweater and Pebbles dog sweater are just two. Take a look. Go to patterns and type in dog sweater

 

[MMWRay]

It isn't just a tube. There are more increases in the chest area from the neck down than in the back. If you don't fit the dog, the sweater will not stay on.

 

[For the Love of Shetland]

Usually they have holes for the head and front lega, not the back legs, the patterns are designed to stretch down the back on the top but don't go so far underneath,, so the dog can urinate easily.

I wouldn't do colorwork other than stripes because fair isle would make the garment less stretchy which you need to get the coat on the dog. Stripes would be Ok.

An idea..if you have an old sweater you can afford to cut up. Cut out a sleeve,don't open the sleeve seam, use the ribbed wrist part for the neck, measure the dog and estimate length almost to the tail. You can then see how you would cut away to make a shorter underneath part , check by measuring your dogYyou need to leave his/her private bit clear. Oh and males bits are further from his tail than a females. also measure the dog to see how far back his front legs arefrom his neck and how wide he is between the legs, then cut 2 appropriate sized holes for legs. Try this prototype on your pet. It will give you a good idea what size to make and can be used as a temporary coat in the meantime. It is a bit faffy but I have done this several times and as long as the sleeve isn't too wide it seems to fit small dogs quite well. I have 2 Chi's, rather chubby and they maybe could still fit a sleeve but nothing fatter. Ok for a smaller dog though

 

[Nanxy]

My daughter just rescued a very tiny dog and instead of knitting a dog sweater for him, I ordered a pack from Amazon, and they come in real small size and they fit him perfectly. I rather make dog sweater for the other dogs that are larger.

 

[klmc]

Dana Williams-Johnson posts regularly on Modern Daily Knitting, she loves to knit sweaters, and usually knits a matching sweater for one or both of her dogs. First link is to her latest dog sweater information post, and the second link is her Ravelry dog sweater projects. Some patterns are free, others are from books.

https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/danas-edit-dog-sweater-weather/
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/search#pc=pet-clothing&by=dwj1978&sort=completed&view=thumbs

Someone on KP recently suggested this pattern:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/darling-darby-sweater

 

[GrumpyGramma]

My solution for chihuahuas was Mutt Mitts. I figured out the stitch count to go around the dog, worked rib for the neck in the round, switched to knitting flat across the chest and back to make buttonholes for legs, continued in the round for however long seemed appropriate per consultation with my daughter, then worked flat to extend the piece to cover over the back. It worked. The 'huas wore their sweaters and daughter was happy. She watches and is able to find sweaters for them on clearance but the 'huas are bigger, you might not get that lucky. I found the patterns annoying, confusing, and frustrating so skipped them. If you know the circumference of the dog you should be able to do something like I did. I won't write a pattern but I do think that with a measurement or three this could work for most any dog.

 

[Nanamel14]

I did see a pattern that was adjustable for any size dogs I must look more through all my patterns......my daughter has a really big dog (great dane) she did ask for a jacket for when it's cold we ended up buying him a rain proof coat that he puts on to go outside to keep him dry

 

[run4fittness]

Oh my, sounds like quite the challenge! Hope you figure it out.

 

[jersgran]

Don't spend any time knitting something you don't want to. It will be frustrating and you won't do a good job. Put your ego away, put on your big girl panties and say, no thanks. If pushed say because I don't want to.

 

[skw1572]

HI

My daughter has just got a rescue dog and I'm making dog coats without being asked! I'm really enjoying making something small which I can finish quickly.

I made the following
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-sweater-vest

It was very easy & stretchy so will fit all sizes. If I make it again, I would ignore the button holes, as you would need enormous buttons to keep them closed. I stitched up the seam, so it's straightforward to pop over the dog's head & feed his paws thorough the "armholes"

Give it a try - I'm sure you'll be pleased with the result.

 

[Morningstar2]

My daughter wants me to knit a sweater for her tiny (spaghetti-sauce-jar sized) dog. I cannot wrap my head around the anatomy of the dog sweater: it seems like a tube with two or four holes for the paws, right? I have printed free & paid patterns but they don't make sense to me. I watched MarlyBird you-tube tutorial but all the colorwork instructions make it too difficult to follow (based on the comments I am not the only one having trouble). Any advice? Pattern recommendation? I have to admit I would much rather continue knitting doll clothes for my grand-daughter and acknowledge that knitting a sweater for a dog is beyond my skill set in this life. Having just typed the previous sentence, I realize that my ego won't let me admit defeat...not yet. So I'm going to try again tonight.

Mgt44, Red Heart and Lion Brand have simple patterns in both knitting and crochet on their websites. The best doggie sweaters have openings and sleeves for the two front legs. When you see the photos and the patterns you'll be able to follow them easily.

 

[tbrat]

think doll sweater! longer turtle neck and slightly thinner chest measurement. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/top-down-mini-dachshund-dog-sweater

 

[tbrat]

this would be easy... the main pattern~ https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paw-print-dog-sweater
the pics page~ https://www.ravelry.com/projects/shakeyourbooties/paw-print-dog-sweater

 

[flpat]

Here is a simple one, just leave off the ruffles
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manteau-de-madeline

or https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dog-sweater-glamour-pup

 

[mgt44]

Don't spend any time knitting something you don't want to. It will be frustrating and you won't do a good job. Put your ego away, put on your big girl panties and say, no thanks. If pushed say because I don't want to.

:sm24: :sm24: :sm24:

 

[tbrat]

the easy way

 

[mgt44]

:sm01: :sm01: :sm01:

 

[Morningstar2]

:sm24: :sm24: :sm24:

Petco, PetSmart and most other pet supply stores have great doggie sweaters, coats, parkas, rain jackets...entire wardrobes. :sm04: