Dog Sweater

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy + (Level 3)

SIZE: Small, Medium, Large, XL

Finished Neck Circumference About 12 (14, 16, 18) in. (30.5 (35.5, 40.5, 45.5) cm)
Finished Chest About 14 1/2 (18, 21 1/2, 25) in. (37 (45.5, 54.5, 63.5) cm)
Finished Length 12 (16, 19, 24) in. (30.5 (40.5, 48.5, 61) cm), including neckband



Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

GAUGE:

18 sts + 24 rows = about 4 in. (10 cm) in Basketweave pattern.
16 sts + 24 rows = about 4 in. (10 cm) in St st (k on RS, p on WS).

When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what the designer used, but it is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

PATTERN STITCHES
Seed Stitch (worked over an odd number of sts)
Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: P the knit sts and k the purl sts.
Rep Row 2 for Seed st.

Basketweave pattern (worked over a multiple of 8 sts + 5 additional sts)
Rows 1 and 5 (RS): Knit.
Rows 2 and 4: K5, *p3, k5; rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: P5, *k3, p5; rep from * to end of row.
Row 6: K1, *p3, k5; rep from * to last 4 sts, p3, k1.
Row 7: P1, *k3, p5; rep from * to last 4 sts, k3, p1.
Row 8: Rep Row 6.
Rep Rows 1-8 for Basketweave pattern.
NOTES:

1. Back, Underpiece, and Neckband are each worked separately.
2. Back is worked in Basketweave pattern with Seed st borders. The Underpiece is worked in St st (k on RS, p on WS) with Seed st borders.
3. Back and Underpiece are sewn together at upper edges. Openings are left for the dog's front legs, then the remainder of the Back and Underpiece button together.
4. Hunter, a gorgeous and very well-behaved retriever, was super comfortable wearing our size XL sweaters, but dogs come in many shapes and sizes! To ensure a well-fitting sweater, compare your dog's measurements to those shown on the schematics. While knit and crochet are stretchy and will accommodate a range of sizes, you may want to adjust the pattern before beginning – perhaps making the Back of the sweater longer if your dog likes to be extra cozy or the neck bigger if your best friend is especially fluffy! Also, think about your dog's temperament – if she doesn't like anything snug pulled over her head, you might want to change to a larger needle to work the neck.
BACK
Cast on 45 (53, 69, 77) sts.
Lower Border
Work in Seed st for 1 1/2 in. (4 cm), end with a Row 2 of Seed st as the last row you work.
Body
Set-Up Row (RS): Work in Seed st as established over first 4 (4, 8, 8) sts, place marker (pm), work Row 1 of Basketweave pattern to last 4 (4, 8, 8) sts, pm, work in Seed st as established to end of row.
Keeping sts outside of markers in Seed st and sts between markers in Basketweave pattern, and slipping markers as you come to them, work until piece measures about 5 (5 1/2, 6, 6) in. (12.5 (14, 15, 15) cm) from beg, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
Buttonhole Row 1 (RS): Work in Seed st as established over first 2 sts, bind off next 2 sts for buttonhole, work in Seed st to marker, slip marker (sm), work next row of Basketweave pattern to next marker, sm, work in Seed st as established to last 4 sts, bind off next 2 sts for buttonhole, work in Seed st to end of row.
Buttonhole Row 2: Work in Seed st to marker casting on 2 sts over bound-off sts of previous row, sm, work in Basketweave pattern to next marker, sm, work in Seed st to end of row casting on 2 sts over bound-off sts of previous row.
Keeping sts outside of markers in Seed st and sts between markers in Basketweave pattern, and slipping markers as you come to them, work as established for 12 (24, 18, 24) rows.
Rep Buttonholes Row 1 and 2.

For Sizes L (XL) ONLY
Rep last 20 (26) rows once more.

Continue for ALL sizes
Work as established until piece measures about 8 (11 1/2, 14, 18) in. (20.5 (29, 35.5, 45.5) cm) from beg, end with a WS row as the last row you work.

Shape Sides
Decrease Row: Work in Seed st to marker, sm, k2tog, work in Basketweave pattern to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, sm, work in Seed st to end of row – you will now have 43 (51, 67, 75) sts.
Work in patterns as established for 9 (3, 1, 1) row(s).
Rep Decrease Row – 41 (49, 65, 73) sts.

For Size S ONLY
Work in patterns as established over 41 sts until piece measures about 10 in. (25.5 cm) from beg.
Bind off.

For Sizes M (L, XL) ONLY
Rep last 5 (2, 2) rows 2 (8, 10) more times – 45 (49, 53) sts rem.

UNDERPIECE
Cast on 20 (27, 27, 36) sts.
Lower Border
Work in Seed st for 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) from beg, end with a Row 2 of Seed st as the last row you work.
Body
Set-Up Row (RS): Work in Seed st as established over first 4 (4, 8, 8) sts, pm, k to last 4 (4, 8, 8) sts, pm, work in Seed st as established to end of row.
Keeping sts outside of markers in Seed st and sts between markers in St st (k on RS, p on WS), and slipping markers as you come to them, work as established until piece measures about 4 (5, 7, 8) in. (10 (12.5, 18, 20.5) cm) from beg, end with a WS (purl) row as the last row you work.
Shape Sides
Decrease Row (RS): Work in Seed st to marker, sm, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, sm, work in Seed st to end of row – 18 (25, 25, 34) sts.
Work in patterns as established for 3 (3, 9, 7) rows.
Rep Decrease Row – 16 (23, 23, 32) sts.
Rep last 4 (4, 10, 8) rows 1 (3, 1, 2) more time(s) – 14 (17, 21, 28) sts rem.
Continue in patterns as established until piece measures 6 (7 1/2, 10, 12) in. (15 (19, 25.5, 30.5) cm) from beg.
Bind off.
NECKBAND
Cast on 55 (63, 71, 79) sts.
Work in Seed st for 5 rows.
Buttonhole Row 1: Work in Seed st over first 3 sts, bind off 2 sts for buttonhole, work in Seed st to end of row.
Buttonhole Row 2: Work in Seed st across casting on 2 sts over bound-off sts of previous row.
Work in Seed st for 5 more rows.
Bind off.


FINISHING
Following diagram, sew shaped sides of Underpiece to Back. Pin Neckband around neck edge, adjusting to fit and leaving about 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) at buttonhole end of Neckband free. Sew Neckband in place. Sew buttons to Underpiece and to Neckband opposite buttonholes.
Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES
Click for explanation and illustration
beg = begin(s)(ning)         k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 together p = purl
rem = remain(s)(ing)         rep = repeat(s)(ing)
RS = right side                St st = Stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)        tog = together
WS = wrong side

source - Dog Sweater