Perfect Fit Top-Down Dog Sweater

(Pattern Generator)

10 Year Anniversary Edition

Welcome to the 10-Year Anniversary Edition!

In early 2011, this pattern was born out of need to create a sweater for my 3-legged (& slightly
lopsided) love, Luna. In a burst of inspiration, I published the pattern on Ravelry so others could
enjoy its simplicity as well. I never imagined that a decade later, it would be published in 6
languages, be the top Ravelry dog sweater pattern, and nearly 2000 sweaters would be created
around the world, and sweaters for not only dogs- but cats, rabbits, iguanas, guinea pigs, and
more. It’s been truly a gift to know this pattern has brought a little joy in this world, and has
kept so many animals warm and cozy. And I’m in gratitude for all the outpouring of support for
Luna and the homeless street dogs that I’ve received over the years.

Now, a decade later, I’m publishing the 10-year anniversary edition, with easier instructions and
including a new simplified ending version for new knitters.

Happy knitting!

Yours truly,
Jessika & Luna, February 2021

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
 Description

This pattern is worked top-down, seamless, and in the round, with stitches picked up for bottom
border and sleeves.

This is a pattern generator, so simple calculations are required in order to find the perfect fit for
your dog’s measurements. This sweater is perfect for “odd” shaped dogs, such as tripods, large-
necked pugs, bow-legged bulldogs, and more. This pattern can be modified for any size, even
extended sizes like XXXS to XXXL. It’s also a perfect template for cables, fair isle, and more.

If you prefer a pre-written pattern without the calculations, see my other Ravelry patterns, Dog.
Sweater or Canine Hoodie.

This 10-year anniversary edition now includes a simplified ending version, perfect for new
knitters.

If you find any errors, have suggestions, or would like to volunteer a translation, please contact
me on Ravelry, user name JesLane.

Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
 About Luna, the 3-Legged Dog from Nepal
In mid-2000s, I was volunteering with a street dog organization in Kathmandu, Nepal. In
Kathmandu, thousands of feral street dogs roam the city streets. One full moon night a teeny
puppy was hit by a taxi outside the dog care center. She lost one leg and injured all three others.
While nursing her back to health, Luna and I fell in love & she adopted me. Knowing I could not
let her fend for herself on the streets with only three legs, I brought her back to the United
States with me, where she now lives a relaxing life of long walks on the beach and unending
naps. Luna is one of the more fortunate dogs, most street dogs remain in Kathmandu living out
their life on the street, with very little care other than what is offered by NGOs. Street Dog Care
Organization is run solely on donations from caring individuals, if you have a special place in
your heart for our canine friends, please consider visiting Street Dog Care’s website for more
information and perhaps offering a kind donation. Thank you and with much love from
Kathmandu. www.StreetDogCare.org

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Materials:

 Any weight of yarn, with enough yardage to create a sweater in your dog’s size
 Circular needle in size that fits well with your yarn
 1 stitch marker A, 2 stitch markers B
 Crochet hook (for picking up stitches)
 Measuring tape to measure your dog
 Calculator for simple calculations

Techniques:

 Knitting in the round

 Knitting in the round w/ magic loop method or DPN
 Picking up stitches

Gauge:

 Any gauge, see calculations below.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Step 1: Measure your dog (or cat, goat, iguana, etc.)

Use a tape measure and write your dog’s measurements here:

Dog’s neck circumference: __________inches/cm

Dog’s ribcage: ________ inches/cm

The space between your dog’s front legs: __________ inches/cm

Circumference of dog’s front leg, at top of leg: ____________ inches/cm

Step 2: Calculate your dog’s required number of stitches (it’s simple, I promise!)

Follow these simple calculations by filling in the blanks with your measurements, round up to
the whole number.

Tip:
x means multiple numbers
+ means add numbers
- means subtract numbers
= means equals

Highlighted numbers will be used when you begin to knit.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Let’s start with the first calculation.

Write your yarn’s gauge in stitches per inch or cm here: _________

Gauge (_write your value here_) x (multiplied) by dog’s neck size (_write your value here_) =
_______ Number of required Collar Stitches

In other words:

gauge____ x neck size___ = ____Number of Collar Stitches.

Note about collar stitches, if your dog is bothered by a tighter neck, add about 1
inch/3cm ease to the neck measurement and then calculate collar stitches. If you
prefer a tighter fitting collar, then don’t add ease.

Shall we do an example together?

If my gauge is 5 stitches per inch, and my dog Luna’s neck is 11 inches, then:

Gauge (5st/in) x Neck Size (11 inches)= 55 Number of Collar Stitches.

Simple, right?

Now that you’ve done the first calculation, the remainder are a breeze!

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Ribcage Measurements _______ + 1 inch/3 cm ease = _______ Final Ribcage
in inches/cm

Gauge ______ x Final Ribcage in inches/cm _______ = _______ Ribcage

Stitches

Between dog’s front legs in inches /cm ________ - .75 inches/1cm = ________
Final Between Leg in inches/cm

Gauge ____ x Final Between Leg in inches/cm _______ = _______ Between

Leg Stitches

Front Leg Circumference ______ + 1 inch/3cm ease = _______ Final Leg

Circumference in inches/cm

Gauge _______ x Final leg circumference in inches /cm_________ = ______

Sleeve Stitches

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Step 3: Knit!

Collar:

The collar will be knit in the round using DPN or magic loop method.

Loosely cast on number of Collar Stitches calculated in Step 2. (Make sure you cast
on loose enough for your dog’s head to fit through! You may also do an internet search
for “stretchy cast on” methods.) Place marker A at beginning of round. Using magic
loop method or DPN, connect to knit in the round, K1P1 entire round. Continue in
ribbing until collar is desired length.

Tip 1: to create a more stable collar, knit the collar in a

needle size one below the size being used for the body.

Chest Increases:

(Want to add an optional opening for the leash? See box on next page.)

Knit one round.

Next round (increase round): K1, m1L, knit to 2 stitches before end of round, m1r, k1.

Next round: Knit

Continue increasing on every other round until you have reached the number of
Ribcage Stitches that you calculated Step 2. (Depending on your dog’s shape, you
might need to increase every round or increase every third round, but every other round
works for most.)

Now is a good time to let your dog try on the sweater. When the sweater falls at your
dog’s front legs, move to the next step. If the sweater does not yet fall at your dog’s front
legs, knit additional rounds.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Sleeves:

Next round: Knit until you have knitted HALF the number of Between Leg Stitches
calculated in Step 2. Now bind off HALF the number Final Sleeve Stitches
calculated in Step 2.

(You’re still on the same round here…) Continue knitting until you have reached:
HALF Final Sleeve Stitches + HALF Between Leg Stitches from end of round.
Now bind off HALF Final Sleeve Stitches. Knit to end of round.

Next round: knit until you reach the bound off sleeve stitches. Cast on HALF Final
Sleeve stitches. Place marker B. Continue knitting until you reach the next bound off
sleeve. Place second maker B. Cast on HALF Final Sleeve Stitches. Knit to end of
round

Next round: Knit

Body:

(Want to add an opening for the leash? See box below.)

Continue knitting in the round until the length falls at about the beginning of your dog’s
stomach or a few inches/cm before desired total length. (You won’t need markers B
until next step, but keep them in place.)

Now, you can choose to follow the regular ending instructions or the simplified ending
instructions below.

Optional Leash Opening

If you would like to add an opening for your dog’s leash to fit through, follow these steps and add
the opening at the appropriate place in your sweater.

When you reached the length that you’d like to add a leash opening, find exact center back of
sweater. Bind off 2-4 stitches on both sides of exact center. Knit to end of round.

On next round, when you come to the opening, cast on the same number of stitches that you
bound off and continue knitting the round.

Once sweater is finished, pick up stitches on top edge of opening and K1P1 for about .5 inch/2 cm
and bind off. Repeat for bottom edge of leash opening. Overlap these two panels and hand sew
together at sides, making sure there is enough ease left where leash can comfortable fit.
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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Regular Ending Instructions (Simplified version below):

These instructions are for the regular ending of the sweater, which looks like this:

Now you will bind off the stomach area. Knit in the round until you reach the second
marker B. Now bind off until end of row and continue binding off until first marker B.
Remove all markers. (You have just bound off the entire stomach area).

From this point you will be knitting flat.

Next row: Knit

Next row: Purl

(If you have a long dog, you might follow the previous 2 steps a few more times.)

Next row: S1, SSK, Knit until 3 before last stitch, K2tog, S1

Next row: Purl

Continue these previous two rows until you have reached about 1 inch/ 3cm from the
desired length. Do not cast off.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Ribbed Edge:

Knit to end of row.

Using crochet hook, pick up stitches across entire round. Place markers B where first
stomach bind offs occurred (approximately where markers B were originally placed).

Now you will be knitting the ribbing edge in the round.

Next round: K1, P1 until two stitches before first marker B, K2tog, slide marker,
continue in ribbing until next marker B, slide marker, SSK, k1P1 to end of round.

Next round: Continue in ribbing.

Repeat these two rounds until desired length. Each decrease round will upset the rib
pattern, but just continue with two Ks or two Ps stitches next to one another until next
decrease round, when it will even out again. When at desired length, bind off using any
stretchy bind off method. (The bind off method called Jenny’s Super Stretchy Bind Off,
works great, you can find instructions for it with an internet search.)

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Simplified Ending Instructions:

These instructions are for the simplified ending of the sweater (great for new knitters),
which looks like this:

Knit in round to about 1 inch/3cm before desired length.

Next round, K1P1 to end of round.

Continue K1P1 for about 1 inch/3 cm or your desired length.

Bind off loosely.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Continue for both regular and simplified versions.

Sleeves:

Using crochet hook, pick up stitches around sleeve opening. Using DPN or magic loop
method, K1P1 for entire round. Continue ribbing until desired length and bind off
loosely. (The bind off method called Jenny’s Super Stretchy Bind Off, works great, you
can find instructions for it with an internet search.)

Finishing:

Weave in all ends. Finish leash opening if desired. Block. Enjoy!

Tip: Would you like to prevent the collar from stretching out and slipping down your dog’s
shoulders? Simply add a crochet chain stitch to the inside back of the collar to help stabilize it
& prevent it from stretching out of place. (This technique works great for human sweaters
too!) There are several online tutorials for this technique, which you can find with an internet
search.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.
Photos below are just a very few of the loving homeless street dogs cared for by Street Dog Care,
Kathmandu, Nepal.

Junxjup (modeling simplified version sweater), Puppy, being treated for massive head wound
Jack, & Luna

Fluffy Before Fluffy After (modeling simplified version sweater.)

Vets and volunteers treating Oro, post spay, being pet by a volunteer.
Brownie on the street w/
onlookers.

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Copyright Travelling Tree Designs © 2011, 2021, Ravelry username: JesLane
This pattern may not be republished without permission and
may not be sold or used for profit.