Easiest Knitted Dog Sweater
 

I knitted this sweater in two nights watching T.V. It's just about perfect for my 3# Yor1) sizes 5 and 7 knitting needles.

(2) Worsted wool, about 4 ounces.


LET'S GO:
(3) Measure your pet's neck. I usually use a size 5 or 6 needle for a tightly knit ribbing (not too tight!). Wylie's neck is 10", and I cast on, loosely, 40 or 42 stitches.

(4) Knit 1x1, or 2x2 ribbing for 3" for a mock neck, or 6" or 7" for a turtleneck.

(5) Change to a size 7 needle, and commence in the stitch of your choice. After you've knit one or two of these, you can see how easy it is to add cables, colorwork, or other texture stitches in this back area. For the first one, let's knit in my favorite basic stitch, garter. That is, knit every row! Can't beat it for simplicity , stability, and rustic good looks.

(6) Measure the animal's back length, that is, from the back of his neck, just above the shoulder, to the top of his tail. That's how long you will knit straight, in garter stitch. That's right!, No shaping yet! When you have reached 2" short of the correct length, switch to size 5 needles, and knit 2" of the same rib you used for the neck. In garter stitch, this isn't really necessary, but looks good, and if you use another stitch, it keeps the edge from curling. If you used another stitch, you should also have knit the first 4 stitches of every row, to keep the side edges from curling.

(7) Now, we will knit the chest piece. Using the size 5 needles, cast on 3 stitches. You will increase 2 stitches every other row, until you reach the width comparable to the distance between your pets front legs. You should increase 1 stitch 2 stitches from each edge. The magic thing about this, is that is usually exactly the length you need to cover that tiny chest. It's really amazing! Now: for a male, knit straight until you get to 1" shorter that where the ribcage stops, and add 1" of ribbing, bind off. For a female, you can knit as long as the body of the sweater, to cover her bald little stomach. (ending with 2" of ribbing, just like the back.) Bind off. The reason I usually knit this piece on the smaller needles, is, it has a tendency to get wet in the snow, and stretch. A slightly smaller gauge helps. If your not using garter stitch, knit the first 4 stitches of every row.


FINISHING:
(8) Seam the neck ribbing, remembering to seam halfway, and switch to the inside, if you've made a turtleneck. Now, place the point of the chest piece at the bottom of the neck rib seam, and sew a seam down both sides, until you get to the point where you stopped increasing. Leave a slit for the front legs there, about 2" long, and continue the princess seams down each side. Tuck in your loose ends, wash and block carefully.


COMMENTS:
Don't forget to experiment with your favorite stitches. I highly recommend using natural fibers like wool, alpaca or cashmere.


Happy Knittingkie! She loves it!

Darn, I wish I knew how to knit, all I can do is crochet and well even that is questionable, ha ha..

That is real nice of you to give the directions to the other Yorkie Talkers and I would love to see pic's of all the goodies made ;)

Wow...I think that pattern is almost identical to the one I posted a couple of months ago! It IS really easy! I knit one for Otis....so if I can do it, anyone can!

You guys with all of your talents! I have patience with kids and dogs and husbands but give me some yarn or thread and I become a raving lunatic, I get SO frustrated! :)

Junebug! Your right, you put the web address for that pattern on a couple months ago, and I knitted SNoodles a sweater from it. Just two needles and knits and purls. I printed my copy, but couldn't find it, went into our archives, and couldn't find the post from you, so searched the internet (forever) and finally found it, so copied it to here. It really is a simple,nice pattern. Doesn't take long to knit and is really warm. I made a hole in the back, just enough to connect my leash to her harness. Can't get that with boughten ones. Besides which, the xs one I bought hung on her something terrible! I love this pattern! Thanks! Pat

You Inspired Me to Learn
 

Well, after hearing about everyone knitting cute sweaters for their babies, I finally signed up for a knitting class. I have wanted to learn for a long time....I finally did it! It is so much easier than I thought it would be.

Here are some pictures of my project for class, the same sweater pattern....we found it somewhere on the internet!

Good for you!! I wish I could knit. May be my next project! Super cute!

I have tried to teach myself how to knit so many times, and I do ok for a while and then I mess up to a point where I can't fix it. And I can't purl to save my life! Maybe I need to sign up for a class instead of just reading books about it ;) BTW, that sweater is absolutely too stinkin' cute!!!!

Looks great. I am crocheting some for Preslee. I found some really pretty chenile yarn that I am going to use.

I had tried to teach myself a few times too....it was so hard to understand what the diagrams were showing and I would always get frustrated. The little yarn shop here in my town is great and has classes. I had the basics after the first 2 hour session! Was able to complete Tini's sweater over the course of 4 weeks working outside of class and during class!

Good Grief! You did a wonderful job! And this was your first project? Wow! You must be a natural! It is cheap, doesn't take one pkg. of yarn and I believe much better thatn one can buy! Love the different color you put in! Way TO GO!
Pat

Thanks Pat.
I really have taken to it quickly. It really seems easier than I thought. I do a lot of cross stitching so I may just have an aptitude for it!
I used not even 1/2 a ball of the main color and only a tiny bit of yarn with flags on it added in for the two stripes. The main yarn was like $25 so a bit pricy, but now I can make myself a matching scarf so in the fall Tini and I can coordinate when we go for walks!

$25.00? Wow! What is it made out of? GOLD? Just kidding, but that is pricey! A big jump of faith for your first project! Way to go Gal!
Pat

Darnit, I wish I could knit. My mom taught me when I was thirteen but I just totally forgot!

I can't even manage to keep my kitchen clean! My husband would faint if he saw me trying to knit! If any of you would like to knit one for Lexy, though, let me know what you would charge me! :D