10 Free Knitting Patterns for Dogs

These dog knitting patterns will probably get you more excited than knitting for yourself, to be honest.

By: Kristi Levy, Editor, AllFreeKnitting.com

If you're looking to shower your dog in knitted love, these free knitting patterns for dogs are for you. Being locked away for a year was devastating, but if we can all agree on one positive to come out of this entire situation, it's that people all around the world adopted more dogs. Maybe that includes you. If you have a new little puppy or sweet old dog to care for and you also knit, you've probably found yourself wondering how you can use your talents to whip up something with love in the stitches, but something reasonable.

After all, you probably don't want to face the judgment of people who don't understand what it's like to live and breathe for your dog. Maybe even your own spouse doesn't understand, and they don't have to. There are plenty of free knitting patterns for dogs on this list that have a practical use and your dog will be sure to love. That said, there are certainly also plenty of patterns that do not. We recommend that you knit them all.

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Cable Knit Dog Sweater

Let's start with something digestible and easy: dog sweater patterns. Free patterns like this one exist all over the internet, but obviously, we have the best one. Nobody will give you the side-eye for knitting your dog a sweater, especially if he's of the short-furred variety. If you're not quite ready yet to start spinning your dog's fur into yarn, but still want to show some knitterly love to your canine friend, this is your best bet.

Get the Pattern Here!

Felted Knit Dog Toy

People will warn you against knitting toys for dogs for a couple of reasons: firstly, they'll just tear it apart (nothing you can do there... it's a sign of appreciation, okay?) and secondly, the yarn could get caught in their tummies. An easy solution to this problem is felting the toy! Just be sure to use wool yarn so this ball will felt up properly. Look at that: another way to knit for your dog that doesn't threaten anyone's perception of you as a nice, normal person!

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Paw Socks Pattern

Speaking of the cold, free knitting patterns for dogs like this one are just what the vet ordered. I don't know about your dog, but mine hates the feeling of icy sidewalks on her paws. Hard to believe they're closely related to wolves, huh? Something like this is sure to protect your pup's precious little peets from the cold. Dog knitting patterns are so versatile!

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Christmas Dog Sweater

Picture this: it's Christmas, your family is together, everyone is snuggled up in front of the tree and handing out gifts, and little Duke comes strolling out sporting the cutest of dog sweater patterns. Maybe Aunt Terri takes a wide-eyed sip of her double-strength eggnog at first sight of her pup nephew, but she doesn't say anything because, hey, it's Christmas.

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Santa Doggie Hat and Beard

Okay, now picture this: your family is debating who should play Santa this year and pass out all of the gifts to everyone, and Duke comes out again, but this time wearing a full-on Santa hat and beard (and maybe also the Christmas Dog Sweater above). This time, Aunt Terri chokes a little bit on her eggnog and hurries away to the bathroom to fix her running mascara. You have almost reached peak Dog Mom.

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Leg Warmers for Dogs

Nobody puts puppy in a corner. Sure, you could make the argument that dog knitting patterns like this one are for your puppy's warmth, but who are we fooling with this one? The truth is that these are just insanely cute and anybody who disagrees with the way you show your dog love can yeet themselves out of the front door.

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Simply Adorable Dog Bow Tie and Pom Collar

Do you have a wedding coming up? Have you scheduled professional pictures to be taken of your family and, yes, that includes everyone? Do any of these questions really matter, because you're going to find a reason to knit this, anyway? Knitting patterns for dogs have expanded in such a way that the sky is the limit, so this is far from the weirdest thing you could make your dog. In fact, it's kind of twee and that's hip, right?

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Knit Your Own Jack Russell

There are two scenarios in which free knitting patterns for dogs like this one may get made: either you love your own Jack Russell so much that you wanted a miniature version of him to keep you company while he's away, or you're not at the stage of your life yet where you can have a real dog so you make one out of yarn while you cross off the days in your calendar leading up to the event "got life together." Both seem totally appropriate to me.

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Bark-a-Lounger

I would never spend the money for a BarcaLounger on myself, but if my dog told me that it was the one thing in the world she truly wanted, you can bet I'd be booking it out of my house to the nearest luxury furniture store, credit card armed and ready. Since she can't tell me that (you know, the whole dogs-can't-talk thing), I can at least cover my bases by knitting her the next best thing. If you and I are of the same mind, check out this pattern and give your pupperoni the luxury she deserves.

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Boa Dog Coat

This is where your journey comes to an end. You've gone through a dozen dog sweater patterns, knit up some socks for your puppy, and even knit yourself a miniature of your best friend, and now your only remaining step is to become one with your dog. Knitted dog coats are usually reserved only for the dog, but not this time. This time, the two of you can match, and look damn good doing it. You go, dog mom. You go.

Get the Pattern Here!