Sparky's Favorite Knit Sweater
This dog sweater knitting pattern is much easier to knit than you might think!
Some of our pups have thick, luscious fur coats, but some of them aren't that lucky. When man's best friend starts shivering in the cold, it's man's job to make him Sparky's Favorite Knit Sweater. This basic sweater pattern is available in sizes small to extra-large, making it perfect for a pooch of any size. You spoil all of your favorite humans with knit goodies, so it's time to treat your furbabies the same way by learning how to make dog sweaters. Besides, you know Sparky would do the same for you, if he had thumbs.
Knitting Needle Size6 or 4 mm, 8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Gauge18 sts and 24 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stockinette st with larger needles.
Finished SizeS (M-L-XL). To fit dog chest measurement: 10 (13-16-24) ins [25.5 (33-40.5-61) cm].
Materials List
- Bernat® Super Value (Solids: 197 g/7 oz) (389 m/426 yds) #53044 (True Grey) - 1 (1-1-2) ball(s) OR Ombres (251 m/275 yds) / Twists (280 m/307 yds) 142 g/5 oz - 1 (1-2-2) ball(s)
- Bernat® Berella 4 (Solids: 100 g/3.5 oz) (197 m/216 yds) 2 (2-2-3) ball(s) OR Ombres (85g / 3oz) (150m / 165 yds) 2 (2-3-4) ball(s)
- Size 5 mm (U.S. 8) knitting needles. Size 4 mm (U.S. 6) circular knitting needle 36 ins [90 cm] long or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Set of four size 4 mm (U.S. 6) double-pointed knitting needles.
Pattern
The instructions are written for smallest size. Larger sizes follow in ( ).
With larger needles, cast on 40 (46-58-82) sts. Knit 5 rows, inc 4 sts evenly across last row. 44 (50-62-86) sts. Proceed in stocking st, inc 1 st at each end of needle on 3rd and every row to 50 (60-72-104) sts, then on following alt rows to 54 (68-82-122) sts. Purl 1 row.
LEG OPENINGS
Next row: (RS). K5 (5-7-11). Cast off 4 (6-6-10) sts. K36 (46-56-80) (including st on needle after cast off). Cast off 4 (6-6-10) sts. Knit to end of row.
Note: All Leg sections are worked at the same time using separate balls of yarn for each section.
Beg with a purl row, work 1 (1½-1½-2½) ins [2.5 (4-4-6) cm] instocking st, ending with purl row.
Joining row:K5 (5-7-11). Cast on 4 (6-6-10) sts. K36 (46-56-80). Cast on 4 (6-6-10) sts. Knit to end of row. 54 (68- 82-122) sts.
Cont even until work after neckband measures 5 (6½-8-11) ins [12.5 (16.5-20.5-28) cm], ending with purl row. Place marker at each end of last row.
BACK SHAPING
Cast off 6 (7-9-13) sts beg next 2 rows.42 (54-64-96) sts.
Next row:(RS). Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
Next row: Purl. Rep last 2 rows to 26 (36-42-66) sts.
Cont even until work after neckband measures 10 (12½-15½-21) ins [25.5 (32-39.5-53.5) cm], ending with purl row. Leave sts on a spare needle.
HOOD
Place markers along cast on edge on 6th (7th-9th-10th) st from each edge. (RS). Pick up and knit 29 (33-41-63) sts between markers along cast on edge. Purl 1 row.
Next row: (RS). K14 (16-20-31). M1. K1 (place marker on center st). M1. Knit to end of row.
Next row:K3. Purl to last 3 sts. K3.
Next row: Knit to center marked st. M1. Knit marked st. M1. Knit to end of row. Rep last 2 rows 4 (5-7-9) times more. 39 (45-57-83) sts. Cont even until hood measures 5 (5½-6½-7½) ins [12.5 (14-16.5-19) cm], ending with a purl row. Cast off. Fold cast off edge in half and sew hood seam.
BACK RIBBING
(RS). With circular needle pick up and knit 33 (37-51-67) sts along body from marker to back. K26 (36-42-66) from spare needle, dec 1 st at center. Pick up and knit 33 (37-51-67) sts along opposite side of body to marker. 91 (109-141-197) sts. Do not join in rnd. Knit 8 rows. Cast off. Sew neck and belly seam.
LEG EDGING
(RS). With double-pointed needles, pick up and knit 23 (29-32-38) sts around leg opening. Divide sts evenly on 3 needles. Join in rnd, placing a marker on first st. Work 8 rnds in garter st. Cast off.
Up Next:
More Dog Sweater Knitting Patterns
What do you knit for your pets?
Let us know in the comments!