Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Freebie: "Izzy's Hooded Dog Sweater"

Izzy's Hooded Sweater is finished (click on name for link to free pattern)! I've been working on a dog sweater for those of you with a slightly larger dog than my 6 and 9 lb. dogs. My aunt has a dachshund/poodle/schnauzer mix that is about 18 lbs. So using some Paton's Shetland Chunky Tweed yarn in Sea Ice (a light blue) I casted on a dog sweater on some whopping U.S. size 10 needles! This pattern goes fast!
Izzy's hooded sweater is a great first dog sweater pattern. It's quick and easy with minimal skills needed - knitting, purling, simple increasing and casting off. Since the sweater is knit in a pretty loose gauge, it stretches easily and fits a larger range of dogs.
If you're interested in knitting this and have a smaller puppy, simply cast on the same number of stitches and knit the pattern on U.S. 7 (for a 5-8 lb dog) or 8 needles (for a 9-12 lb dog). The only modification I would make would be increasing the amount of stitches between the leg openings to 3 -4 stitches on each side of the beginning of the round marker instead of the recommended 2 (for a total of 6-8 stitches between legs instead of 4).
I hope you all enjoy this pattern. Since I don't have test knitters, please let me know if there is a typo/problem.

Addendum: I saw on Ravelry that a user was confused with knitting the leg openings. Basically what the directions are trying to explain is how to knit the small section between the leg holes and the main back section at the same time. I do this by cutting of a "long tail" for between the leg holes (or using a small ball of yarn) and using the main ball of yarn for the larger back section (or you can pull from both ends of a skein). Since you can't knit in the round when you are knitting around the leg opening you are knitting back and forth on the circulars. After you cast the stitches back on to close the leg openings you start knitting back in the round with the main ball. I hope that helps with any confusion in my directions!! If you need additional help click here for a quick post on the step-by-step leg openings.

Enjoy!!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the sweater patterns you have out. I am a bit rusty and not familiar with a lot of the knitting terms. I have 2 small grandpuppies and I would like to make them a sweater for this crazy Texas weather. I need something easy and with a neck in it. The Snuggie sweater is just what I have been looking for but need it for a bigger dog than what you show. They are about 10 lbs. Think they are Westies. Their stomach around is about 15". Don't know if that makes any difference. Your website and your doggy sweaters were very appealing and the sweater was just what I was looking for. Is a circular needle the one that has a cord to connect the two needles? Thank you for putting your patterns on the web for free. Thank you very much for any info you can contribute.
Nita

Anonymous said...

I just love all your patterns - especially the ones for little dogs. I have a 3 lb Maltese that I want to knit for. Where can I get your book "Mia & Maddie Designs"?

Trix said...

Hi, I just wanted to let you know how lovely your dog fashion items are. I have just knitted my first doggy jumper in a pale blue too and my Maltese loves it. I like the way your coat covers a lot of the tummy, looks warm for those outdoor security patrols... Thanks!

Anonymous said...

hi i am looking for patterns for a teacup chihuahua she is only a 6 week old pup at mo but cant find anything small enough any advice would be great thanx also an easy pattern lol

Sarah G said...

Oh! The fun of making a tiny little sweater! That's what got me started making my own. My maltese, Mia, was under 1 lb when I got her and it was December! So I knit up micro sweaters for her (all the stores were WAY too big - even the XXX-small). My biggest suggestion is knitting with an elastic cotton yarn since your pup will keep growing. It will last a little while longer. I also took sweaters and knit them up on tiny needles following the pattern. (Calls for U.S. 8 needles? Try U.S. 1 needles and sock weight yarn!) Usually I could get pretty close to her size doing that. Try this hooded dog sweater - using sock weight yarn and U.S. 1 needles and just make the back length the length of your pup. Let me know how it goes. I also probably still have lots of Mia's tiny sweaters I can sell if you're interested!

McTagh said...

Woo Hoo...I am so happy to have come upon your blogsite. I LOVE Izzy's Hooded Dog Sweater.

I have been trying to find a sweater pattern that is relatively easy for 4 lb. 7 oz Pom. She belongs to my parents and is 2 years old today.

We had our first frost of the season last night and because she loves going outside I want to make sure her tummy stays warm.

I've downloaded the pattern and have your notes concerning downsizing the pattern.

Now, what have you got for sale for a tiny doggie? I certainly am interested.

Sarah G said...

Mc Tagh - Good luck downsizing the hooded sweater. Let me know how it goes!
As for sweaters for sale - I've received a couple requests for tiny dog sweaters. I've knit/sewn easily 50 or so sweaters. I'll be going through my closet this coming week and will hopefully have a post on the blog soon with sweaters available for sale. Thanks for your interest!

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The Hunts said...

This is ADORIBLE!! next chance i get, i'll make 1 for my dog!! thx much!!

Kacie said...

This was a really neat pattern and I'm glad I found it. It's the first sweater I ever tried (I'm still learning to knit) and it was super simple. I wanted a basic pattern that was knit all in one piece, instead of using seams to connect the back and the underside. This fit the bill perfectly. I have a miniature dachshund who is a tough fit for sweaters. I'm happy with how it turned out, but I think I'm going to make a second one for him that tweaks the measurements a bit since I now know how the pattern knits up. Thanks for sharing! Here's a link to my blog if you want to see how it turned out.

http://blamecrayons.blogspot.com/2010/06/victory-and-unappreciative-model.html

Perdi1309 said...

That's a super cute pattern. I'm getting a pug in the (hopefully near) future, I think he'd look super cute in the winter with this.

Thanks so much for the pattern.

Paige said...

This is such a cute pattern. I want to dress my dog up as Nibbler for Halloween, but he's an orange Pomeranian and looks nothing like Nibbler. However, I think with this pattern I might be able to pull it off. Thanks for the pattern!

Holly Jo said...

Sarah I hope you can help!! I have been all over the internet and can't find anything or anyone to help me. I am a beginning knitter and can not make my own patterns nor am I confident to alter them just yet. My dog is a mastiff/pitbull mix and from his shoulders down behind his legs and back up to between the shoulders is 36 inches. I can not find a pattern to fit him for anything. I LOVE THIS PATTERN!! Is there anyway you can maybe help me with some quick alterations so that I can make a sweater for him!?!