Knitted Dog Sweater

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Measuring and neckMeasure your dog's neck, the widest part of the chest (just behind the front legs) and the back length from neck to base of tail, and choose the closest size. Cast on 56 (64) sts, divide over double-pointed needles and join without twisting. The round begins at the center of the chest (belly side); mark it. Work *k2, p2* rib for 20 (24) rounds (about 7 (8.5) cm).
2. 2Chest increasesSize S: increase round 1: *k7, M1* x8 (64). Knit 3 rounds. Increase round 2: *k8, M1* x8 (72). Knit 3 rounds. Increase round 3: *k9, M1* x8 (80). Knit 3 rounds. Size M: work the rounds *k8, M1* (72), *k9, M1* (80), *k10, M1* (88), *k11, M1* (96) in the same way, with 3 plain rounds between each. Switch to the circular needle when the stitches fit. Knit until the piece measures 6 (8) cm from the neck ribbing: 80 (96) sts.
3. 3Leg openingsOpening round: k8 (10), bind off 4 (5) sts, knit until there are 56 (66) sts on the right needle (including the stitch left from the bind-off), bind off 4 (5) sts, k8 (10). You are at the end of the round. Chest panel: turn and work the 16 (20) sts on either side of the beginning of the round back and forth in stockinette for 14 (16) rows, starting with a purl row, then cut the yarn. Back panel: join yarn on the right side to the 56 (66) back stitches and work 14 (16) rows in stockinette.
4. 4Joining the bodyJoining round (RS): knit the back stitches, cast on 4 (5) sts over the gap, knit the chest stitches, cast on 4 (5) sts over the other gap (80 (96)). Knit to the center of the chest and place the beginning-of-round marker there again. Knit in the round for 4 (6) cm.
5. 5Belly openingOpening the belly keeps the sweater dry on male dogs. Bind off the first 12 (15) sts of the round, knit to the last 12 (15) sts, and bind off these as well: 24 (30) sts are bound off and 56 (66) back stitches remain. From now on work back and forth on the back stitches only.
6. 6Back shapingThe 3 edge stitches on each side are knitted on every row (garter edge), so the edges don't curl. RS rows: k3, ssk, knit to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3 (2 sts decreased). WS rows: k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3. Work these 2 rows 6 (8) times: 44 (50) sts. Then continue without decreasing until the piece measures 28 (36) cm from the neck cast-on edge.
7. 7Tail-end ribbingWork *k1, p1* rib for 6 rows (with an even stitch count every row reads the same) and bind off loosely in pattern. The back length is about 30 (38) cm.
8. 8Leg ribbing and finishingWith double-pointed needles pick up 28 (32) sts around each leg opening, work *k1, p1* rib for 4 rounds and bind off loosely. Weave in all ends on the inside. Wash the sweater in lukewarm water, press out the water with a towel and dry flat; to dress your dog, put the head through first, then each front leg in turn.