Life is Ruff Knit Dog Sweater
Maybe Spot just got surgery, or his fur just isn't warm enough for the chilly weather. Knit him a Life is Ruff Knit Dog Sweater to keep your pooch happy and warm when nature fails him. This easy knit dog sweater is made with a bright and happy orange yarn, fastened with a single button on the front to give your dog some style. From extra-small to extra-large, this easy-knitting dog sweater can fit any pup who needs it. Curl up by a fire together in your sweaters and enjoy the diversity of projects knitting has to offer.
Knitting Needle Size10 or 6 mm, 9 or 5.5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Gauge1 stitches, 2 rows, 3 inches. stockinette stitch
Materials:
- RED HEART® “Super Saver®” 256 Carrot - 1 (1, 2, 3, 5) Balls
- Knitting Needles: 5.5 mm [US 9] and 6mm [US 10] knitting needles, 5.5 mm [US 9] circular knitting needle 24”/60 cm long, 5.5 mm [US 9] double-pointed knitting needles.
- Button.
- Stitch markers.
- Stitch holders.
- Yarn needle
Measurements:
Finished Chest: 15 (19, 23, 35, 44)”.
Finished Length: 11 (14, 17, 23 28)”.
Abbreviations:
A, B, etc= color A, B, etc;
dec = decrease;
inc = increase;
K = knit;
K2tog = knit 2 sts together;
mm = millimeters;
P = purl;
St st = Stockinette stitch;
st(s) = stitch (es);
[ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times
specified.
Gauge: 14 sts = 4”; 22 rows = 4 in Stockinette stitch using larger needles. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the specified gauge.
Instructions:
Note: Directions are for size Extra-Small. Changes for sizes Small, Medium, Large and X-Large are in parentheses.
SWEATER
With smaller needles, cast on 41 (47, 59, 83, 99) sts. Work in K1, p1 rib for 1 (1½, 1½, 2, 2)”, end with a wrong side row, inc 3 sts evenly on last row – 44 (50, 62, 86, 102) sts.
Change to larger needles and work in St st for 2 rows. Working in St st, inc 1 st each side every row 3 (5, 5, 9, 5) times – 50 (60, 72, 104, 112) sts.
Inc 1 st each side every other row 2 (4, 5, 9, 21) times – 54 (68, 82, 122, 154) sts.
Purl 1 row.
Shape Leg Openings
Next Row (Right Side): K5 (5, 7, 11, 13), join second ball of yarn and bind off next 4 (6, 6, 10, 13) sts, k36 (46, 56, 80, 102) sts, join third ball of yarn and bind off 4 (6, 6, 10,13) sts, k5 (5, 7, 11, 13) sts to end of row46 (56, 70, 102, 128) sts total.
Working all sections at same time with separate balls of yarn, continue in St st until pieces measure 1 (1½, 1½, 2½,3)” from beginning of Leg Openings, end with a wrong side row.
Joining Row:
K5 (5, 7, 11, 13), cast on 4 (6, 6, 10, 13) sts, k36 (46, 56, 80, 102), cast on 4 (6, 6, 10, 13) sts, k5 (5, 7, 11, 13) sts to end of row 54 (68, 82, 122, 154) sts total.
Work even until piece measures 5½ (7, 8½, 12, 15)” from beginning, with a wrong side row. Place a marker each side of last row.
Shape Back
Bind off 6 (7, 9, 13, 14) sts at beginning next 2 rows – 42 (54, 64, 96, 126) sts.
Decrease Row (Right Side): Skp, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Repeat Decrease Row every other row 14 (16, 20, 28, 34) times – 12 (20, 22, 38, 56) sts.
Slip sts to a stitch holder for Edging.
FINISHING
Sew seam from Neck edge to where marked.
Edging:
With right side facing and circular needle, join yarn at seam edge, pick up and knit 35 (43, 51, 75, 90) sts along edge of Back, knit 12 (20, 22, 38, 56) sts from Back stitch holder, pick up and knit 35 (43, 51, 75, 90) sts along opposite edge of Back – 82 (106, 124, 188, 236) sts. Join to work in rounds. Place marker for beginning of round.
Work in K1, p1 rib for 1”.
Bind off.
Leg Rib
With right side facing and double-pointed needle, pick up and knit 22 (32, 32, 54, 68) sts around Leg Opening. Divide sts evenly around needles and join to work in rounds. Place marker for beginning of round.
Work in K1, p1 rib for 1”.
Bind off.
Weave in ends.
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Kathy
Dec 05, 2023
OMG. What a pleasure. Made this in 1 1/2 days. Turned out great. Thanks for the pattern. It's Sissys new Christmas sweater in Red.
Jane
Oct 26, 2021
Hello! I consider myself to be a fairly advanced knitter, however I am having some trouble understanding the instructions on this dog sweater! I have gotten to the section where it says joining row. I have no clue what I am doing with the 3 separate balls of yarn at that point. Can anyone enlighten me?? Thank you so much in advance
Lisa
Nov 02, 2021
To complete this row you will use a single ball of yarn all the way across the row, the other two balls can be removed after this row is completed, since they were only needed to shape the previous sections, going forward you will use a single ball of yarn.
ralphandjean 12186 68
Oct 03, 2020
I am in the middle of this pattern and when I get to the leg openings it says to join balls 2 and 3?? Pattern says only one ball needed. What do I do now?
Lisa
Oct 11, 2020
Typically you wind the single ball into separate balls before you start knitting, this is how a single skein in used to complete the sweater. Alternatively, if you have already started the sweater without having read the whole pattern first, you can wind smaller balls off the end of the skein currently in use, since only small amounts are needed.
Dana N
Aug 10, 2018
I hear Boo the Dog's favorite color is orange, too, so it's great that this dog seems to have that in common with Boo.
titch2 4160875
Jan 26, 2018
can someone tell me if this pattern works for both female and male dogs?
aussie46mum 633217 9
Jun 28, 2017
I love this pattern, however, I don't want to use your (4) yarn, only want to use (3), as this is a small dog. She is a ShitsuXSilkie and is only 35 cm from neck to tail. If there is a like pattern using 8 Ply (Aust.) I would appreciate it. And if there is a pattern using straight needles, that would be appreciated.
ashleroo
Dec 23, 2016
How cute is this sweater!?!?! I have this pattern in queue to make for my aunt's dog, who just had surgery. I think it would be nice to make is in a fluffy or reflective yarn for some added warmth and safety. This looks like a pretty simple pattern that will be easy to follow, even as a fairly novice knitter. I am a big fan of the single button closure at the front. What an absolutely adorable pattern!
jgf221 0191400
Dec 24, 2016
I tried making this one for my Chihuahua mix. It ended up being too big. Good luck.
Grace333
Dec 12, 2016
This looks pretty easy. I have a small dog that is always chilly. I have tried to make sweaters before but it never worked out right. I think this one, with its simplicity may be ok for me. I am not the best knitter in the world but do enjoy it unless I become frustrated. I think this one may be a winner.
The Designing Peng uin
Apr 21, 2016
My dogs are much too big for this sweater - for any sweater - but a friend has a little Yorkie and I am hoping that when this is finished it will fit her it seems eperfect for her
quanahs 5032097
Apr 20, 2016
This is such a sweet little dog sweater. I can imagine adding a few felt triangles to the back and creating a practical, warm and fun trick or treat costume for a pup or an aloof cat. My cat would be insulted, poor thing. It such a quick easy knit that it would be simple to make a sweater like this for every occasion.
nanatish
Jan 15, 2016
Knitted this and it turned out very cute- used a reflective threaded yarn for trim and pocket. Not very "easy" for me. But worth the effort!
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