Ingredients
- 340 yards (311 m) of worsted weight yarn, weight 4 medium, in a soft acrylic or acrylic blend, about two 170-yard, 100 g skeins
- H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- Yarn needle for weaving in the ends
- Scissors
- Two optional stitch markers
- Tape measure for checking your dog’s back length and chest
- Small paper or measuring tape note with your dog’s neck, chest, and back measurements
Instructions
- Measure your dog’s back from the base of the neck to the start of the tail, comparing it with the finished 16-inch (41 cm) length before starting.
- With your H-8 (5.0 mm) hook, chain 58.
- Half double crochet (hdc) in each of the next 56 chains, skipping the first two chains. Chain 2 and turn; you have 56 hdc.
- Continue to work 1 hdc in each stitch across for a total of 30 rows, measuring about 16 inches (41 cm) long and 18 inches (46 cm) wide.
- On row 31, hdc across the first 18 stitches, chain 20 for the neck opening, skip the next 20 stitches, and hdc in each of the final 18 stitches. Chain 2 and turn.
- Hdc across the first 18 stitches, work into each chain of the neck opening, and finish with 18 hdc. Chain 2 and turn; you have 56 hdc.
- Work rows 33 through 36 in hdc, maintaining 56 hdc at the end of each row.
- Fold the piece lengthwise with the right side facing out, measure 4 inches (10 cm) down from each shoulder, and place stitch markers.
- Join the lower sides using a yarn needle, sewing each side edge together from the lower hem up to the stitch marker, leaving 4 inches (10 cm) open for the legs.
- Join yarn at the neck opening with a slip stitch, chain 1, and work 1 single crochet (sc) in each stitch and chain around the neck. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc and fasten off.
- Join yarn at the lower hem and work one round of sc around the edge, placing 2 sc in each corner if needed. Around each leg opening, work one round of sc, and join with a slip stitch.
- Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail. Pull the tail through the final loop and use the yarn needle to weave in the ends on the wrong side.
- Optionally, lightly dampen the sweater and lay it flat to match the measurements, letting it dry completely before letting your dog wear it.
Notes
Check that the neckline and seams do not rub; the sweater should sit comfortably on your dog. It's a good idea to let your dog wear the sweater indoors first.
