Materials:
- Suggested Yarn: Lion Brand Yarns Wool Easy
- Yarn Measurement: Worsted Weight / 4 (120–350 yards depending on size)
- Hook Size: Recommended size to match gauge
- Needle: Yarn needle for finishing ends
Gauge:
- Neck Ribbing: 6 sts = 1.5″; 6.75 rows = 1.5″
- Body (ext sc): 6.5 sts = 2″; 6.5 rows = 2″
Abbreviations:
- ch: chain
- st: stitch
- sc: single crochet
- bpdc: back post double crochet
- yo: yarn over
- FLO/BLO: front/back loop only
- RS: right side
Special Stitches:
- Six Strand Cable: Pull through loops as described
- Back Post DC (bpdc): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front around stitch, complete DC
Notes:
- Turning chains are not included in stitch count.
- Customize girth and length.
- Yarn can be substituted if gauge is met.
Instructions for Cabled Dog Sweater Pattern:
Neck Ribbing
The neck ribbing begins by creating a foundation chain of 7 stitches. Afterward, you will work in single crochet (sc) across the chain and continue working in the back loops (BLO) and front loops (FLO) in subsequent rows to create a textured ribbing pattern.
- Row 1: Chain 7 and single crochet across the chain (6 stitches). This forms the base of the neck ribbing.
- Row 2: Chain 1, then work a slip stitch (sl st) in the back loops only (BLO) for a smooth finish on the outside of the sweater.
- Row 3: Chain 1, single crochet in the back loops (BLO) for each stitch across.
- Rows 4 to 37 (43, 49, 55): Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until you have the desired ribbing length. You will work back and forth on these rows, creating the stretchable, elastic ribbing at the neck.
- Row 38 (44, 50, 56): The final step in the ribbing is to join the ends of the first row and the last row. This creates a circular band for the neck.
You will insert your hook through both the front loops (FLO) of the first row and the back loops (BLO) of the last row and work slip stitches across.
Do not fasten off; you will continue directly into the neck edging.
Neck Edging
This section is where you add the border around the neck opening for a clean and polished finish.
- Rnd 1: Chain 1, then single crochet around the edge of the neck ribbing. You will crochet into the sides of each row and join at the start with a slip stitch.
- Rnd 2 (2 to 3) (2 to 4): Repeat the same single crochet stitch around to form the edging, which will help keep the neck from stretching too much.
Body of Sweater
The body of the sweater follows the neck ribbing and forms the torso of the dog sweater.
- Row 1: Start by creating the foundation for the body. You will begin with a special stitch called the “extended single crochet” (ext sc).
For the first row, you will work 2 extended single crochets in the first stitch, followed by 20 (26, 32, 38) extended single crochets across the next stitches, and then another 2 extended single crochets to shape the body. This row begins the shaping of the dog sweater’s body.
- Rows 2 to 7: These rows form the cable texture pattern. You will work a combination of extended single crochets (ext sc) and back post double crochet (bpdc), along with a few front post double crochet (fpdc) and front post treble crochet (fptr) stitches, depending on the row.
The cable pattern is formed by wrapping the yarn around posts of previous stitches to create raised “cables” that give the sweater a textured look. In some rows, you will also skip stitches to create the intricate cable sections.
- Adjustments for Girth: At the end of Round 7, if necessary, you can adjust the girth of the sweater by adding or subtracting stitches as needed to ensure a comfortable fit for your dog. Simply adjust the number of chains to increase or decrease the girth.
Joined & Turned Rounds
For the remaining rounds, you will crochet in joined rounds, meaning you’ll work the stitch all the way around and join at the end of the round with a slip stitch before turning and working the next round. This is a typical method for creating a seamless garment.
- Rnd 8: Single crochet in each stitch around the body. When you encounter a post stitch, you will crochet the front post and back post double crochet (fpdc and bpdc) stitches, which give the body a sturdy yet flexible feel.
- Rnd 9 to Rnd 12: These rounds will continue to build the cable effect around the body of the sweater.
In each round, you will work different combinations of front post and back post stitches to form more cable-like shapes. The pattern gradually grows as you continue to add these rounds.
Final Round & Finishing
Once the body reaches the desired length (as specified in the pattern, 8″ for X-Small, 10″ for Small, 12″ for Medium, or 14″ for Large), you will finish the sweater by working the final round of single crochet around the entire body. This ensures that the edge is neatly finished and the stitches are even.
- Final Round: Single crochet around the entire body. This ensures that the last round matches the earlier rounds and adds a clean finish to the sweater.
- Fasten Off: After completing the final round, you will fasten off the yarn and weave in the ends to secure the stitches and prevent unraveling.
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