How to Make an Easy Knit or Crochet Dog Sweater

Keep your pet snug and warm with these fast, easy to make pet sweaters. These 5 patterns for knit and crochet pet sweaters have been reviewed by dozens of dog lovers who make their own pet clothes. Click on an image to see the full pattern, and scroll down to read reviews and 5 essential tips on making the perfect sweater for your four-legged friend!

Need for Tweed	Urban Granny	Puppy Love	City Stripes	Striped Dog Sweater
“Super cute sweater. Knitted really fast, good project for beginner.” -Marilyn D.	“This pattern worked up very easily, and on the first try looks just like the example! I will definitely be making more of these.” -Amanda B.	“It looks sooo cute! I’m sure my dogs will love it. They love soft, fluffy things.” -Diana V.	“This is a good and quick pattern to make. I’ve made one for my 11 lb. Yorkie and I’m getting ready to make a Christmas one for him now.” -Susan M.	“[It] was very easy to do, I opted to do one solid colour and finished and had it on my pretty pooch within a few hours.” -Candice

Try these 5 helpful tips for making a great dog sweater:

Pick the right yarn for the job. For dog sweaters, you’ll want washable yarn with a tighter spin so it’s less inclined to halo or pill as your dog plays in it and rolls around outside. Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is the perfect yarn for the Need For Tweed, Urban Granny, City Stripes and Striped Dog Sweater patterns and comes in a wide range of colors. Two strands of Fun Fur held together, or a single strand held with Vanna’s Choice or Wool-Ease are the perfect recipe for the fluffy Puppy Love sweater.

Measure your dog. Before starting your project, be sure to measure your dog around the body, down the length of the back, and around the neck and legs. Compare these measurements to the sizes of the pattern, and you’ll easily be able to choose with size is right for your pooch.

Is your dog still growing? If you’re making a puppy sweater, keep in mind that next year your puppy will probably have grown and the sweater might not fit anymore. Try making your sweater a little larger so your pet can grow into it, or pick a pattern you love so you’ll have a go-to dog sweater pattern to make again when your dog is full grown.

Swatch and check your gauge. Checking your gauge is very important with fitting a dog sweater, especially if you’re switching yarns or the size of your hook or needles.

Find a pattern you love and feel comfortable with. LionBrand.com has thousands of free patterns, and each are rated as to how challenging they are. Click here to see all the dog sweater patterns and pick your favorites.

Once you’ve made a sweater that you and your dog love, be ready for all the compliments and questions at the dog park about where you got it and how you made it!

Have you made a dog sweater before? Do you have a picture to share? Show and/or tell us all about your project in the comments below.