dog sweater

Tania, I went to Google and put in "dog sweater pattern" and it gave me many sites to check out.

Rusty in CT and Dusty the Dog

patterns, from only $4.95 for a book of them. Roger.

Having knitted a half dozen dog sweaters for a friend's poochies, I'd vote for the Dog's Life Paton's book. Fairly simple knitting and one-piece construction. You pick up and knit the border after sewing the main seam.

Fiber Trends also has a leaflet out with three patterns, but uses a different two-piece construction, and no extra border.

Nyssa, who really should get started on the next batch of poochie sweaters, but it's too darned hot!

I have a geriatric Yorkie with arthritis, so putting her front legs into sleeves simply isn't good, and as you will see, almost all patterns and almost all doggie coats for sale have sleeves. (The exception on the sleeves is the one sold by Land's End -- it's WONDERFUL!) Anyhow, for Molly I take an old pair of sweatpants, cut off the legs about 16" from the bottom, and then cut out the leg seam up to about 1.5" to 2" from the bottom cuff. What I have left is basically a cape with a stretchy neck to slip over her head. Finally, after I try it on her I decide how much length to cut off so her tail is free, cut that extra length off, and round off the corners. It goes on and off the dog easily with no pain to her, stays on her, keeps her warm, lets her wee-wee, and goes through the washer and dryer. With two little doggie capes per pair of worn out sweat pants, I have enough for Molly to have a fresh cape every day!

is the link to my own dog pattern it's for a Westie or Cairn but madeon the principle of an ordinary waistcoat that is done up underneath, thepics show what I mean, although my email addyfor it is long outof date, butyou are welcome to it..cheers.......Cher

Thank you Cher. I made this a few years ago. Fits a Scottie too. I'd assume any mid-length broad bodied short legged dog (I'd hate to image trying to fold long legs into it) would be fit with little alterations.

Tara

I made this great sweater for my Maltese, Puff. I found the sweater has enough stretch so I can get my Maltese Puff's legs into it without too much trouble and I don't think his legs are particularly short.

No matter what, the sweater is really cute and thank you Cher for sharing this with us.

Lucille

Well I once made it a bit longer and wider for an afghan hound, someone rescued, the poor thing was so matted when my friend took it in, that it had to be shaved almost bare, and it was early spring, still cool, and it seemed ok on that...lol

Anyway \how did it turn out on your dog?

Cheers....Cher

Glad you liked it Lucille, it isonly the front legs that get put into it, if you have to make it for a bigger dog, as I once did, add a garter stitch tummy strap to keep the sides down around it with a button hole at each end and buttons on the sides to keep it close fitting...

cheers...Cher