Free Knitted Dog Sweater Pattern

Keep your dog warm this winter with this knitted dog sweater. The dog sweater instructions are for sizes small to large. I knitted the small sweater and it fits my friend's miniature schnauzer. I would say that the small size will fit any dog in the small dog group. The large size would probably fit a medium sized dog like a beagle, a dachshund, or a cocker spaniel. I originally got this pattern from Michael's Craft's store but changed it a bit when I knitted it.

I didn't have any trouble with the dog sweater pattern and I'm somewhere between beginner and experienced as a knitter. The knitted sweater pattern has basic knitting including knit, purl, increase, decrease, and slip stitch. There are no complicated cable stitches or popcorn stitches but the neck is knitted with a circular needle.

I had never used a circular needle before and I had no trouble with it for this pattern. The picture shown here is the dog sweater that I knitted. It's being shown on a stuffed animal because I don't have a small dog but it gives you the idea of what the sweater looks like.

Knitted Dog Sweater Pattern

Yarn required: 6.5 oz. sports weight yarn. You can break this up into two different colors if you want a contrasting neck and sleeves.
Needles: Size 8 (5mm), Size 8 (5mm) circular needle/16"
Stitch Holder

Size: S (L) Chest size: 13 ¼" (25") Length: 9 ¼" (21 3/4")
Gauge: 18 sts. and 36 rows equals 4" in garter stitch
(The garter stitch is knitting every row.)
Abbreviations: dec-decrease, inc-increase, k-knit, p-purl, k2tog-knit 2 together, rnd-round, RS-right side
Ssk-slip,slip,knit (slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle into fronts of these 2 sts and k them together.
M1 – make 1 stitch. (An increase worked by lifting the horizontal thread lying between the needles and placing it onto the left needle. Work this new stitch through the back loop.)

Back: Cast on 35 (51) sts. with the straight needles. Knit in the garter stitch, increasing 1 stitch at both ends of the row, every 6^th (4^th) row, 3 (14) times. There are now 41 (79) stitches on the needle. Continue knitting in the garter stitch for 5 ¾" (14 ¼").

Leg Openings: Place a marker at the end of the last row. This will mark the beginning of the leg openings. Decrease Row: K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts., k2 tog., k2. Repeat the decrease row every other row 3 more times – 33 (71) sts. Knit 10 rows. Increase Row: K2, M1, k to last 2 sts., M1, k2. Repeat the increase row every other row 3 more times – 41 (79) sts. Place a marker at each end of the last row to mark the end of the leg openings. Knit 4 rows. Work even in the garter stitch for 1 (5"). Place 41 (79) sts on a holder.

Front: Using straight needles, cast on 19 (33) sts. Knit in the garter stitch for 1 ¼ (6 ¼ "). Shape the leg openings as you did for the back. Place 19 (33)sts. on a holder.

Collar: Using the circular needle, knit across the Back stitches on the holder, then the Front stitches. – 60 (112)sts. Place a marker and join for working in the round. Size L only: *K2, k2tog, k3, k2tog; repeat from *, end with k4 – 88 sts. Both Sizes: Work even in rounds of K2, P2 until collar is 4 (7"). Bind off loosely following the ribbing pattern.

Sleeves: At each leg opening, with right side facing, pick up and knit – 28 sts. Knit in K2, P2 until the sleeve measures 2 ½ (3 ½") Bind off loosely following ribbing pattern.

Finishing: Sew the side seams on either side of the leg openings. Sew the sleeve seams and weave in the ends. Hope this knitted dog sweater keeps you pup warm all winter.

Happy Knitting!

How to Protect Your Pet During the Winter

Well, Halloween is over and the clocks have been set back. You know what comes next...WINTER! It's time to think about preparing your pet for the cold, winter months. If your dog or cat spends a lot of time outside, make sure they have an insulated shelter to get in out of the cold. Even then, they should be allowed inside off and on throughout the day. Evenings get especially cold, the temperature dropping by 20 degrees or more. Bring your pet inside on winter nights.

Even if you have a long-haired pet, like a collie, a sheltie, or a Maine Coon cat, the weather affects them in the same way it does humans. They can suffer from hypothermia just as you do. Some dogs like Alaskan Malamutes or Siberian Huskies are better suited to the cold. They have insulated coats that protects them from blowing snow and wind, but if you own one of these dogs and they are not used to the cold, they can still suffer in the freezing weather. Make sure you insulate the dog house, garage, or wherever your pet sleeps with blankets, pillows, or bedding filled with wood shavings. Pet stores also carry heated pads that can be placed under the dog house or bedding. If your pet is a chewer, this is not an option, however.

Water is another issue during the winter months. An insulated dog house will not keep water from freezing. You will have to bring your pet indoors frequently for water. Dog houses and garages are only recommended for daylight hours. I can't emphasize enough that pets should be brought inside at night.

When walking your dog in frigid weather, snow, and ice, use some type of booties to protect the dog's paws from ice chips, freezing walkways, and salted roads. Road salt will dry out the pads of your pet's paws, causing cracking, and bleeding. You can make pet booties yourself with a woolen or felt fabric or knit the dog booties yourself. It may seem strange at first, seeing your dog in booties, but the added protection will prevent frostbite, cuts, and infection.

Small dogs, cats, and short-haired pets should also wear jackets or sweaters. Water proof dog and cat jackets are best, but any covering is better than no protection. Knitted wool sweaters are very warm and are ideal protection from the wet and cold. Just don't put wool sweaters in the clothes dryer or they will shrink to a tiny size. Wool sweaters need to be air dried. There are many free knitted dog sweater and cat sweater patterns online, so if you know how to knit, this is a great way to build up your pet's winter outerwear. It's fun choosing all the different colored yarns and knitting your pet a cozy sweater. Create matching pet booties, as well.

Another thing to keep in mind during the cold weather, especially if your pet is staying in a garage, is anti-freeze. Anti-Freeze is extremely toxic to humans, pets, and other wildlife. Animals will drink anti-freeze, being attracted by its sweet taste. If your pet drinks a puddle of anti-freeze, go to the vet immediately. It will cause death. Double check your driveway and garage for anti-freeze that may have leaked out of your vehicle or a vehicle that was parked in your driveway. Protect your pet and any other wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, and birds that are looking for water in the winter.

Dry, cold, or heated air is also a problem for some pets, causing dry skin, itching, and hot spots. Add a little extra fat to your pet's food in the winter. You can do this by using a tablespoon or two of olive oil, fatty acid supplements you can buy at the pet store, or the extra fat cut off of meat. The added fat gives a nice shine to your pet's coat and prevents dandruff. Your pet will love the extra fatty oils too.

Hope these tips help both you and your pet stay cozy and warm all winter.