Sharon Sebrow

Last week my dog had an accident. She scratched her back and side on an exposed screw in our yard. After her surgery to stitch up her cut and she began to feel better, my guilt subsided (ok, not really.) I realized that the wound will need some major time for healing and although I would not consider her a dog to need a sweater, (my 70lb Golden Doodle has more than enough fur to keep her warm,) I decided she had to get one.

Because of the sensitivity while she heals, as well as, the location of the injury, I decided the sweater had to be a back closure, cardigan sweater that covered the stomach as well as the chest area. The closures will be buttons that will slip through the natural holes in the knit fabric. You can choose to add button holes if you like.

NOTE: My dog is an approx. 70 lb, Golden Doodle. I am not 100% sure of actual measurements. The following sweater pattern was made to fit her loosely. If your dog is smaller or larger you may need to make some adjustments.

Gauge 15 sts/ 20 row = 4″

CO 76, close to work in the round. Work in the round, (K1, P1) rib for 2 1/4″
Row 1: Knit 38, PM, M1, PM, Knit 38. Turn work.
Row 2 and all even rows: K3, Purl to last 3 sts, K3. Turn work.
Row 3: Knit 3, M1, K35, SM, M1, K to next marker, M1, SM, Knit to last 3 sts, M1, K3. Turn work
Repeat rows 2 & 3 twice more.
Repeat row 2.
Continue to increase until there are 23 sts between the markers at chest as follows: Knit to first marker SM, M1, K to next marker, M1, SM, Knit to last 3 sts, K3. Turn work.
Next row: K3, Purl to last 3 sts, K3. Turn work.

Work even in established pattern for 5 rows, ending with RS row. Turn work.

Building the side section at leg opening:
WS row: K3, purl to first marker. Turn work.
RS row: Knit to end. Turn work.
Repeat the previous 2 rows 8 more times. Cut yarn approx. 8-10″ and slip these stitches back onto the right hand needle.

Building the stomach section at leg opening:
WS row: Purl to next marker. Turn work.
RS row: Knit to next marker (end of stomach section). Turn work.
Repeat the previous 2 rows 8 more times. Cut yarn approx. 8-10″ and slip these stitches back onto the right hand needle.

Building the second side section at leg opening:
WS row: purl to last 3 sts, K3. Turn work.
RS row: Knit to marker. Turn work.
Repeat the previous 2 rows 6 more times. Repeat WS row. Turn work.

Knit to marker, SM, join side section with stomach section, work to marker, SM Join stomach section with side section, Knit to end. Turn work.

Continue even in established pattern:
WS rows: K3, Purl to last 3 sts, K3. Turn work.
RS rows: Knit. Turn work.

Until piece measures 7″ from join row ending with WS row.

Decreasing for stomach
RS rows: K3, Dec 1, Knit to last 3 sts, Dec 1, K3. Turn work.
WS rows: K3, Purl to last 3 sts, K3. Turn work.

Repeat previous 2 rows until 76 sts remain. (Approx. 7″ from beg of dec. 14″ from join row)
Work even in (K1, P1) rib for 1″ (or longer. I found longer would have been too long for my dog, so it rolls a bit.)
BO
work in all loose ends.
Add buttons along one side of the cardigan opening.

Designer’s NOTE: After this sweater was actually worn, I decided to close up the cardigan and make it a pull-over. But I kept the buttons in place for added interest.