Description
A small, useful project for creating a comfortable sweater for your dog using simple crochet stitches.
Ingredients
- 430 yards of worsted weight yarn, weight 4 medium, in a washable acrylic or acrylic blend, about 2 skeins of 215 yards each and about 6.2 ounces total (175 g)
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Sharp scissors
- Tape measure for checking your dog and the growing sweater
- Four stitch markers, optional
Instructions
- Measure your dog’s back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, then measure around the chest behind the front legs.
- Make a foundation chain of 58 chains for the sample size.
- Row 1: Turn, work 1 hdc in the third ch from the hook and in each ch across, for a total of 56 hdc. Turn your work.
- Rows 2 through 28: Ch 2, work 1 hdc in each stitch across. Turn after every row, maintaining 56 hdc at the end of every row. Check the length against your dog’s back after Row 14 and Row 28.
- At the end of Row 28, place a stitch marker in each side edge and fold the piece lengthwise with the right side facing inward.
- Join the underside for the first leg opening by counting 12 stitches inward on each side and using a sl st to join the first 12 stitches, leaving the center 32 stitches open.
- Turn the sweater right side out and join yarn with a sl st at any edge stitch around the first leg opening. Ch 1, then work 1 sc around the opening, placing about 24 sc evenly around. Join with a sl st.
- Repeat the edging around the second leg opening.
- To shape the neckline, join yarn at the back neck edge and work 1 sc evenly around the neckline, making about 34 sc, and join with a sl st. Work one more round of sc for a soft, stable edge.
- Check the fit and make sure the sweater does not press against the throat or rub the legs.
- Fasten off yarn tails and weave in the ends with the yarn needle.
- Block the sweater if needed, laying it flat in the correct shape and using light steam from a distance.
Notes
Ensure loose tails are securely weaved in to prevent catching on any objects. Safety notes for small children and pets should be considered.