Dog lovers rejoice! This Dog Sweater A Knitting Pattern offers options for Regular Sizes, Plus Sizes, and Petite Sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for every pup, whether they’re small, medium, large, or extra-large. The pattern is designed to be easy to follow while offering stylish comfort for your furry friend. With step-by-step instructions tailored to each size range, this sweater is perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike.
The original design comes from the Coats and Clark collection, but we’ve modernized it with size inclusivity and updated yarn recommendations. Whether you’re crafting for a toy breed or a larger companion, this pattern ensures a snug and fashionable fit. Plus, optional embellishments like fringe or beads allow for customization to reflect your pet’s unique personality.
Knitted with worsted-weight yarn, the Dog Sweater A pattern is both practical and cozy. The ribbed collar and gusseted design provide warmth and flexibility for all-day wear. The pattern includes clear instructions for the regular sizes (Small to XL), plus sizes (1X to 5X), and petite sizes (XXXS to XS), so your pup will be ready for the cold weather in style!
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters Book No. 291 (1952). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are © Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2025. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
Jump to Section
Petite Sizes: XXXS, XXS, XS
Materials:
- Original Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply, Art. E.232
- 4 skeins (1 oz. each) for 12-inch length
- 5 skeins (1 oz. each) for 14-inch length
- Modern Yarn Equivalent: Worsted Weight Yarn (#4 Medium)
- Approximately 400–500 yards for XXXS
- Approximately 500–600 yards for XXS and XS
- Knitting Needles:
- 1 pair US Size 3 (3 mm)
- 1 pair US Size 4 (3.5 mm)
- Crochet Hook: US Size E (3.5 mm)
Gauge:
6 sts = 1 inch; 7 rows = 1 inch.
Finished Measurements:
| Size | Length | Width (Chest) |
|---|---|---|
| XXXS | 12 inches | 10 inches |
| XXS | 14 inches | 12 inches |
| XS | 16 inches | 14 inches |
Body
Tail Edge:
- Cast On: Using US Size 3 needles, cast on:
- XXXS: 28 sts
- XXS: 32 sts
- XS: 36 sts
- Work Ribbing: Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 rows.
- Increase:
- Increase 1 st at both ends of the next row and every alternate row until you have:
- XXXS: 40 sts
- XXS: 48 sts
- XS: 52 sts
- Switch to US Size 4 needles and work in stockinette stitch until the piece measures:
- XXXS: 10 inches
- XXS: 12 inches
- XS: 14 inches
- Place Stitches on Hold: Fasten off and place all stitches onto a double-pointed needle to be worked later for the collar.
Gusset
- Cast On: Using US Size 4 needles, cast on:
- XXXS: 20 sts
- XXS: 24 sts
- XS: 28 sts
- Work Stockinette Stitch:
- Decrease 1 st at both ends every:
- XXXS: 6th row
- XXS: 6th row
- XS: 8th row
- Continue decreasing until you have:
- XXXS: 10 sts
- XXS: 14 sts
- XS: 18 sts
- Work Evenly: Continue working without decreasing until the piece measures:
- XXXS: 3 inches
- XXS: 4 inches
- XS: 5 inches
- Place Markers: Place markers at both ends of the last row.
- Shape Front:
- Decrease 1 st at both ends of every 3rd row until there are:
- XXXS: 4 sts
- XXS: 6 sts
- XS: 8 sts
- Place Stitches on Hold: Place these stitches on the same double-pointed needle holding the body stitches.
Collar
- Combine Stitches: Divide all held stitches among 3 double-pointed needles:
- XXXS: 44 sts
- XXS: 54 sts
- XS: 60 sts
- Work in Rounds: Using US Size 3 double-pointed needles, work in K2, P2 ribbing in rounds until the collar measures:
- XXXS: 3 inches
- XXS: 3.5 inches
- XS: 4 inches
- Bind Off: Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Finishing
- Sew Gusset: Sew the gusset to the body, leaving the spaces between the markers open for the dog’s front legs.
- Crochet Edging: Using the crochet hook and matching yarn, work 1 row of single crochet along the back and leg openings for a clean finish.
- Optional Fringe: For Sweater A, attach multicolored fringe as follows:
- Cut strands of yarn approximately 5 inches long.
- Fold in half, insert into the last round of the collar using a crochet hook, pull through, and secure tightly.
- Repeat evenly around the collar and trim to desired length.
- Block and Adjust: Block the finished sweater gently to measurements.
Regular Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XL
Materials:
- Original Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply, Art. E.232
- 5 skeins (1 oz. each) for 18-inch length
- 6 skeins (1 oz. each) for 24-inch length
- Modern Yarn Equivalent: Worsted Weight Yarn (#4 Medium)
- Approximately 500–600 yards for Small and Medium
- Approximately 600–750 yards for Large and XL
- Knitting Needles:
- 1 pair US Size 3 (3 mm)
- 1 pair US Size 4 (3.5 mm)
- Crochet Hook: US Size E (3.5 mm)
- Optional decorative materials:
- Multicolored yarn for fringe (Sweater A)
- 7 beads and metallic thread for embellishment (Sweater B)
Gauge:
6 sts = 1 inch; 7 rows = 1 inch.
Finished Measurements:
| Size | Length | Width (Chest) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 14 inches | 12 inches |
| Medium | 18 inches | 15 inches |
| Large | 22 inches | 18 inches |
| XL | 26 inches | 21 inches |
Body
Tail Edge:
- Cast On: Using US Size 3 needles, cast on:
- Small: 40 sts
- Medium: 44 sts
- Large: 52 sts
- XL: 60 sts
- Work Ribbing: Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 rows.
- Increase:
- Increase 1 st at both ends of the next row and every alternate row until you have:
- Small: 52 sts
- Medium: 56 sts
- Large: 68 sts
- XL: 80 sts
- Switch to US Size 4 needles and work in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until the piece measures:
- Small: 14 inches
- Medium: 18 inches
- Large: 22 inches
- XL: 26 inches
- Place Stitches on Hold: Break the yarn and place all stitches onto a double-pointed needle to be worked later for the collar.
Gusset
- Cast On: Using US Size 4 needles, cast on:
- Small: 28 sts
- Medium: 32 sts
- Large: 38 sts
- XL: 44 sts
- Work Stockinette Stitch:
- Decrease 1 st at both ends every:
- Small: 6th row
- Medium: 6th row
- Large: 8th row
- XL: 8th row
- Continue decreasing until you have:
- Small: 16 sts
- Medium: 20 sts
- Large: 26 sts
- XL: 32 sts
- Work Evenly: Continue working without decreasing until the piece measures:
- Small: 5 inches
- Medium: 7 inches
- Large: 10 inches
- XL: 13 inches
- Place Markers: Place markers at both ends of the last row.
- Shape Front:
- Decrease 1 st at both ends of every 3rd row until there are:
- Small: 4 sts
- Medium: 6 sts
- Large: 10 sts
- XL: 12 sts
- On XL size only: Continue decreasing 1 st at both ends every alternate row until 4 sts remain.
- Place Stitches on Hold: Place these stitches on the same double-pointed needle holding the body stitches.
Collar
- Combine Stitches: Divide all held stitches among 3 double-pointed needles:
- Small: 56 sts
- Medium: 62 sts
- Large: 78 sts
- XL: 92 sts
- Work in Rounds: Using US Size 3 double-pointed needles, work in K2, P2 ribbing in rounds until the collar measures:
- Small: 4 inches
- Medium: 5 inches
- Large: 5 inches
- XL: 5.5 inches
- Bind Off: Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Finishing
- Sew Gusset: Sew the gusset to the body, leaving the spaces between the markers open for the dog’s front legs.
- Crochet Edging: Using the crochet hook and matching yarn, work 1 row of single crochet along the back and leg openings for a clean finish.
- Optional Fringe: For Sweater A, attach multicolored fringe as follows:
- Cut strands of yarn approximately 5 inches long.
- Fold in half, insert into the last round of the collar using a crochet hook, pull through, and secure tightly.
- Repeat evenly around the collar and trim to desired length.
- Block and Adjust: Block the finished sweater gently to measurements.
Let me know when you’re ready to proceed with the Plus or Petite sizes!
Plus Sizes: 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Materials:
- Original Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply, Art. E.232
- 6 skeins (1 oz. each) for 30-inch length
- 7 skeins (1 oz. each) for 36-inch length
- Modern Yarn Equivalent: Worsted Weight Yarn (#4 Medium)
- Approximately 750–900 yards for 1X–2X
- Approximately 900–1150 yards for 3X–5X
- Knitting Needles:
- 1 pair US Size 3 (3 mm)
- 1 pair US Size 4 (3.5 mm)
- Crochet Hook: US Size E (3.5 mm)
Gauge:
6 sts = 1 inch; 7 rows = 1 inch.
Finished Measurements:
| Size | Length | Width (Chest) |
|---|---|---|
| 1X | 30 inches | 24 inches |
| 2X | 34 inches | 26 inches |
| 3X | 38 inches | 28 inches |
| 4X | 42 inches | 30 inches |
| 5X | 46 inches | 32 inches |
Body
Tail Edge:
- Cast On: Using US Size 3 needles, cast on:
- 1X: 64 sts
- 2X: 72 sts
- 3X: 80 sts
- 4X: 88 sts
- 5X: 96 sts
- Work Ribbing: Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 3 rows.
- Increase:
- Increase 1 st at both ends of the next row and every alternate row until you have:
- 1X: 80 sts
- 2X: 92 sts
- 3X: 104 sts
- 4X: 116 sts
- 5X: 128 sts
- Switch to US Size 4 needles and work in stockinette stitch until the piece measures:
- 1X: 30 inches
- 2X: 34 inches
- 3X: 38 inches
- 4X: 42 inches
- 5X: 46 inches
- Place Stitches on Hold: Break the yarn and place all stitches onto a double-pointed needle to be worked later for the collar.
