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Cable Knit Dog Sweater Pattern (Knitted Turtleneck)

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This cable knit dog sweater pattern can be made in three different sizes.

It is made in two pieces, knit flat (back and forth) on straight knitting needles; the turtleneck and sleeves are knit in the round, and then the main pieces are seamed.

Cable knit dog sweaters are a classic item that will make your dog look stylish and keep them cozy with timeless style.

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

Cable knit dog sweater pattern

Knitted Dog Sweater Pattern

Grab your inexpensive, ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.

Notes

  • The cable knit dog sweater knitting pattern will allow you to create a dog jumper with a cable design on the back piece.
  • The sweater pieces are worked flat in back-and-forth rows.
  • This is a pullover design – it fits over the head, and the front legs are pushed through the sleeves.
  • Inspired by a fisherman cable knit pattern, this sweater has a pullover turtleneck style, which makes it a cozy accessory.
  • This sweater can be worn by both male and female dogs.
  • For a perfect fit, you can measure your dog before choosing the size.
  • For a classic look, you could choose yarn in neutral colors.
  • This sweater can be worn on chilly days and cold winter nights, a dog harness can fit on top for walks, and thick collars can be worn underneath the turtleneck.
  • The beautiful cable knit pattern has been adjusted slightly for all three sizes.

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this cable knit sweater pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • In all product listings, please credit Handy Little Me (Louise Bollanos) as the designer.
  • Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Skill Level – Intermediate

Gauge – 10 sts and 20 rows to 4×4 inches / 10 x 10 cm in 1×1 ribbing.

Measurement/Sizes

  • The sizes given in the pattern are small, medium, and large.
  • The numbers in the pattern are given in this format – S (M/L)
  • Length excluding collar – Small – 14” / Medium – 16” / Large – 18”
  • Belly at the widest part – Small – 8” / Medium – 10” / Large – 12”
  • You may want to make the sweater shorter/longer or wider depending on your dog’s back length/width of the chest.

Tips On Measuring

For the back length – Measure your dog from the base of the neck to about 2/3 inches from the base of the tail.

For the belly section width – Measure your dog’s widest point of the belly underneath the front legs.

You may need to add a few more stitches if your dog has a wider belly section than given in the pattern (wide chested dogs like pitt bulls, pugs and boxers may need some adjustments).

In the photographs, my dog Jason is wearing the largest size – I extended the back piece to measure 22 inches in length.

red cable knit dog sweater in three sizes

The supplies you need

Yarn

  • Any Bulky/Chunky/12 Ply yarn.
  • I used Alize Lanagold Classic 100g/240m/262yds (Grey 651) for the dog sweater (this is a mix of natural fibers and acrylic).
  • You need around…
  • Small – 100g (240m/262yds).
  • Medium – 150g (360m/393yds).
  • Large – 200g (480m/524yds).

Needles

6 mm (US 10) circular knitting needles use a 24″ or 32″ cable.

Notions

  • Scissors
  • Darning needle
  • Tape measure
red cable knit dog sweater

Knitting Abbreviations

  • Cont – Continue
  • C4F – Cable 4 Forward – Slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the front, knit the next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
  • C4B – Cable 4 Back – Slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the back, knit the next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
  • C5F – Cable 5 Forward – Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and leave it at the front of the work; knit the next 2 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
  • C5B – Cable 5 Back – Slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and leave it at the back of the work. Knit the next 3 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
  • Dec – Decrease (you can K2tog or cast off)
  • Foll – Following
  • Inc – Increase (you can KFB)
  • K – Knit
  • KFB – Knit into the front and back of the stitch to increase
  • K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together
  • P – Purl
  • Rem – Remaining
  • Rep – Repeat
  • St(s) – Stitch(es)
  • St, st – Stockinette stitch
  • 1 x 1 Ribbing – K1, P1 – see notes below.

Stitch Pattern Notes

1 x 1 ribbing = K1, P1 (It is obtained by alternating knit and purl stitches in one row and “knitting by pattern” in every next row.

This means that we make a knit stitch when the previous row stitch looks like V and make a purl stitch when the previous looks like a bump.)

Cast On: even number of stitches.

  • Row 1 (RS): (K1, P1) till the end of the row.
  • Row 2 (WS): (K1, P1) till the end of the row.

Repeat these two rows.

This is a reversible pattern, meaning that both sides of your work, the right and wrong sides, are identical.

cable knit dog sweater close up

Dog Sweater Pattern – Large

The Back Piece – (Knit flat – back and forth on the needles)

Cast on 84 sts.

  • Work in 1×1 ribbing for 2 rows.
  • Next row: Increase 1st at each end of the next and every other row 6 times, forming new patterns in ribbing as you work. (96) sts

Start Cable Pattern

  • Row 1 (RS): K19, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K20, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K19.
  • Row 2 (WS): K4, P15, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P15, K4.
  • Row 3: K19, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, K20, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, K19.
  • Row 4: K4, P15, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P15, K4.
  • Row 5: K19, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K20, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K19.
  • Row 6: K4, P15, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P15, K4.
  • Row 7: K19, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P10, C5B, C5F, P10, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, K19.
  • Row 8: K4, P15, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P15, K4.
  • Continue to work rows 1-8 until the piece measures 18.5 inches or any desired length to the neck of your dog.
  • Decrease 2 sts at each end of the last row. 94 sts

Working The Neck

  • Now, you will join your work in the round to continue the ribbing for the neck.
  • Work in 1×1 ribbing on 94 sts for 6 inches or longer if you wish, depending on the length of your dog’s neck.
  • Cast off loosely in ribbing.
cable dog sweater with turtleneck

Dog Sweater Pattern – Medium

The Back Piece – (Knit flat – back and forth on the needles)

Cast on 64 sts.

  • Work in 1×1 ribbing for 2 rows.
  • Next row: Increase 1st at each end of the next and every other row 6 times, forming new patterns in ribbing as you work. 76 sts

Start Cable Pattern

  • Row 1 (RS): K9, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K20, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K9.
  • Row 2 (WS): K3, P6, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P6, K3.
  • Row 3: K9, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, K20, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, K9.
  • Row 4: K3, P6, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P6, K3.
  • Row 5: K9, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K20, P5, K4, P1, K4, P5, K9.
  • Row 6: K3, P6, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P6, K3.
  • Row 7: K9, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, C5B, C5F, P5, C4B, P1, C4F, P5, K9.
  • Row 8: K3, P6, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K1, P4, K5, P6, K3.
  • Continue to work rows 1-8 until the piece measures 15.5 inches or any desired length to the neck of your dog.
  • Decrease 2 sts at each end of the last row. 74 sts

Working The Neck

  • Now, you will join your work in the round to continue the ribbing for the neck.
  • Work in 1×1 ribbing on 74 sts for 5 inches or longer if you wish, depending on the length of your dog’s neck.
  • Cast off loosely in ribbing.
cable dog sweater

Dog Sweater Pattern – Small

The Back Piece – (Knit flat – back and forth on the needles)

Cast on 44 sts.

  • Work in 1×1 ribbing for 2 rows.
  • Next row: Increase 1st at each end of the next and every other row 5 times, forming new patterns in ribbing as you work. 54 sts

Start Cable Pattern

  • Row 1 (RS): K6, P2, K4, P5, K20, P5, K4, P2, K6.
  • Row 2 (WS): K3, P3, K2, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K2, P3, K3.
  • Row 3: K6, P2, C4F, P5, K20, P5, C4B, P2, K6.
  • Row 4: K3, P3, K3, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K2, P3, K3.
  • Row 5: K6, P2, K4, P5, K20, P5, K4, P2, K6.
  • Row 6: K3, P3, K2, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K2, P3, K3.
  • Row 7: K6, P2, C4F, P10, C5B, C5F, P10, C4B, P2, K6.
  • Row 8: K3, P3, K2, P4, K5, P20, K5, P4, K2, P3, K3.
  • Continue to work rows 1-8 until the piece measures 11.5 inches or any desired length to the neck of your dog.
  • Decrease 1st at each end of the last row. 52 sts

Working The Neck

  • Now, you will join your work in the round to continue the ribbing for the neck.
  • Work in 1×1 ribbing on 52 sts for 4 inches or longer, depending on the length of your dog’s neck.
  • Cast off loosely in ribbing.
Knitted dog sweater with cables

The Chest Panel

  • Cast on 20 (24/28) sts and work in 1×1 ribbing for 2 (3/4) inches.
  • Increase 1 (0/2) sts at the end of the last row of ribbing.
  • Continue to work in 1 x 1 ribbing until the piece measures 5.5 (6.5/7.5) inches.
  • Decrease 1st at the beg and end of every other row 5 (5/6) times, then every row until you have 2 sts left (all sizes).
  • Cast off.

Making Up The Sweater

  • Sew the underside/chest to the main piece, fitting the point of the underside to the opening underneath the neck.
  • Seam for 3 (3.5/4) inches and leave a 2 (2.5/3)inch gap for the leg holes on either side.
  • Sew up the rem length after the leg holes have been measured out.
  • Weave in any loose ends.
dog sweater lying flat

The Sleeves

In the same colored yarn or a contrasting color, you may wish to add the sleeves.

  • Pick up and knit around 20 (30, 40) sts.
  • Join in the round and work 1×1 ribbing.
  • Cont to knit in 1 x 1 ribbing for 2 inches (you may want to make this longer).
  • Cast off in rib.
  • Secure and weave in any loose ends.
  • Repeat for the second sleeve.
cable dog sweater pattern

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the dog sweater for your pup, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

cable knit dog jumper

What Type Of Yarn Is Best For Dog Sweaters?

When choosing yarn for dog sweaters, it’s important to consider factors such as the dog’s size, breed, and any potential sensitivities to certain fibers.

Here are some general recommendations for selecting yarn for dog sweaters:

  1. Wool Blends: Wool is a warm and insulating fiber, making it suitable for colder weather. However, pure wool may not be ideal for all dogs, especially those with sensitive skin. Opt for wool blends that include acrylic or other synthetic fibers to add durability, softness, and make the garment easier to care for.
  2. Acrylic Yarn: Acrylic yarn is a popular choice for dog sweaters due to its affordability, wide color range, and ease of care. It’s also a good option for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to animal fibers. Acrylic is lightweight and can provide warmth without being too heavy.
  3. Cotton Yarn: Cotton is a breathable and hypoallergenic option, making it suitable for dogs with sensitive skin or those living in milder climates. Keep in mind that cotton doesn’t provide as much insulation as wool, so it may be better for spring or fall sweaters.
  4. Bamboo Yarn: Bamboo yarn is soft, breathable, and has natural antibacterial properties. It’s a good choice for dogs with allergies or those who may be prone to skin irritations. However, it may not be as warm as wool or acrylic, so it’s better suited for moderate temperatures.
  5. Blend of Fibers: Consider a yarn blend that combines different fibers for a balanced combination of warmth, softness, and durability. For example, a wool/acrylic blend can offer the benefits of both fibers.
  6. Machine-Washable Yarn: Since dog sweaters may need frequent washing, especially if the dog is active outdoors, choosing a machine-washable yarn is practical. Acrylic and many blends are often machine washable, making them easy to care for.

Remember to take into account the specific needs of your furry friend, the climate in which they live, and any potential comfort considerations when selecting yarn for their sweater.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to choose yarn in colors that won’t easily show dirt, as dog sweaters are likely to get a bit messy during outdoor play.

cable knit dog sweater

Is It Healthy For A Dog To Wear A Sweater?

In general, it can be healthy for a dog (or fur baby) to wear a sweater in certain situations, provided that it is the right size, made from appropriate materials, and used in appropriate conditions.

Here are some considerations:

  1. Cold Weather: Dogs, especially those with short hair or little body fat, may benefit from wearing a sweater in cold weather. Breeds such as Greyhounds, Chihuahuas, or hairless breeds are more susceptible to the cold and may require extra insulation during winter walks.
  2. Older or Sick Dogs: Elderly dogs or those with certain health conditions may have a harder time regulating their body temperature. In such cases, a sweater can help keep them warm and comfortable.
  3. Small Breeds: Smaller breeds generally have a higher surface area-to-body mass ratio, making them more susceptible to heat loss. A sweater can help them maintain their body heat in cooler temperatures.
  4. Indoor Use: Some dogs may benefit from a sweater indoors, especially if the indoor environment is kept cooler than what is comfortable for the dog.

However, it’s essential to consider the following:

  1. Proper Fit: The sweater should fit well, not too tight or too loose. A properly fitting sweater allows for normal movement and doesn’t cause discomfort.
  2. Breathable Materials: Choose sweaters made from breathable materials to prevent overheating. Avoid materials that can cause irritation or allergies in your dog’s sensitive skin.
  3. Supervision: Always supervise your dog when they are wearing a sweater, especially if it’s their first time. Some dogs may attempt to chew or remove the clothing.
  4. Weather Conditions: Dogs should not wear sweaters in hot or humid weather. Sweating is not an effective means of cooling for dogs, and overheating can be a risk.
  5. Individual Needs: Every dog is unique, and what works for one may not be suitable for another. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and adjust their clothing accordingly.

Before introducing your dog to wearing a sweater, consult with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has any health concerns like skin issues.

Additionally, it’s important to gradually acclimate your dog to wearing clothing, providing positive reinforcement and monitoring their comfort level.

cable knit dog sweater with turtleneck

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2 Comments

  1. Hey there! Making this sweater for my dog, and Row 7 in the large has 86 stitches, while the rest have 96 (unless I have counted wrong)! Am I reading this pattern wrong? Would appreciate any help 🙂