So, I’ve been wanting to knit a sweater for my dog, Buddy, for a while now. He’s a small guy and gets cold easily, plus, I thought it’d be cute. I finally decided to give it a go and here’s how it went.
First off, I had to pick the yarn. I read online that acrylic is a good choice because it’s durable and washable. Buddy is a bit of a chewer, so durability is key! I also saw that some people use a wool and acrylic blend for warmth and softness. I ended up going with a soft acrylic yarn, just to be safe.
Next, I needed a pattern. I searched for “free knit dog sweater patterns” and found a bunch of options. It was a little overwhelming, to be honest! I finally settled on one called “Candy Corn Dog” because it looked simple enough for a beginner like me. It was for an extra small size, which seemed perfect for Buddy.
Getting Started
I gathered my supplies: the yarn, knitting needles (the pattern suggested an Aran weight yarn, so I got the appropriate needle size), and a tape measure. Before I started on the actual sweater, I knitted a small test swatch to check my gauge. It’s basically a small square to make sure my stitches are the right size.
Taking Measurements
Once I was happy with my gauge, I had to measure Buddy. The most important measurement was around his chest, right behind his front legs. He wasn’t too thrilled about this part, but we got through it with some treats.
Knitting the Sweater
Then came the actual knitting. I followed the “Candy Corn Dog” pattern as best as I could. It was a bit of a learning curve, figuring out the increases and decreases, but I took it slow. There were a few times I had to undo some rows and start again, but hey, that’s part of learning, right?
- Starting the Body: The pattern started with the body of the sweater. I cast on the required number of stitches and started knitting in the round.
- Shaping the Sweater: As I knitted, I had to increase and decrease stitches at certain points to shape the sweater to fit Buddy’s body. This was the trickiest part for me, but I managed!
- Finishing Touches: After what felt like forever, I finally finished the body of the sweater. Then I had to do a small section for under the belly area.
The Final Result
Finally, after many evenings of knitting, the sweater was done! I tried it on Buddy, and it fit perfectly. He looked so adorable, and he seemed to like it too. He’s been wearing it on our walks, and it definitely keeps him warmer. I’m so proud of myself for actually finishing it, and now I’m thinking about making another one, maybe with a different pattern this time!
