Another attempt at a coat for an odd shaped wee dog
Our wee dog is quite elderly, but still enjoys a good walk. This means she needs outwear. The search for something that is actually warm and fits has been a challenge. We purchased different items only to be very disappointed at the quality and fit. I tried making several as well, using existing patterns as a guide.
The first couple were made of wool, so they were warmer, but the design didn't suit her anatomy. Even the best version I came up with stretched. The longer section never stayed in place, eventually got walked on, and somedays it ended up as a kilt around her waist. (But can I say she really rocked the look?)
After Christmas I was determined to make something better. I was inspired by the shape of a dog coat by DROPS Design 102-40. Since I had worsted weight yarn in my stash and an odd shaped wee girl to fit, I opted to make mine an improv project. If you fancy a sized pattern, sized for common breeds, I recommend you check it out.
Initially, I had a front that fastened but that seemed unnecessary so I eventually sewed it together but kept the button closure as a faux-feature. I added a strap knit at a tighter gauge and sewed it to the back section. I secure this with a safety pin so it will be forever adjustable for her.
So far, it is working out better than anything else I've tried. And little Bella couldn't be more pleased with it.
Here are my pattern notes in case you are interested.
Pattern Notes
I used Patons Classic Worsted for the body (ivory - MC) and some scrap DROPS Nepal for the accents and straps (pink - AC). Note, the coat is made in a double strand of yarn while the strap in made from a single strand. The amount of yarn you will need is dependent on the size of your dog.
I arrived at the number of stitches for my cast on based on my swatch and the width that seemed to work for Bella. I used the same swatch to help decide how big the back piece needed to be at the neck in order to have sufficient stiches to make the right and left sides. Once I knew how many stitches I needed to increase, I looked at the rows per inch needed to get my desired length, and figured out my increase rate from there.
This is not an exact process. You can increase rapidly like I did and then just stop when you get the desired width and work those stitches until you reach the length you want. Make a swatch, measure your dog and try it on them frequently and you should be fine.
Needles: 6.5 mm for the coat and 5 mm for the strap.
With two strands of the MC, cast on 15 stitches and knit 2 rows of garter stitch. Starting on row 3, begin increasing two stitches every other row as follows:
Odd rows: k1, yo, k to last stitch, yo, k1.
Even rows: knit (twisting the yo from the previous row before knitting).
Repeat the last two rows until you have 33 sts on the needle, ending with the RS of your work facing.
Continue working in garter stitch until piece measures 25 cm.
Neck Shaping:
Next row: k13, cast off 9 sts, k to EOR. The remaining stitches will be worked separately to form the left and right sides of the coat. The 9 stst you just cast off are the back of the neck hole. You will take your measurements from this row.
Left side:
Next row: knit
Next row: k1, ssk, k to EOR.
Repeat until 9 stitches remain on the needles with RS facing. Work in garter stitch about 12 cm (or until your have a piece that crosses over slightly at the front of your dog's chest) from neck edge and cast off knit-wise.
Right side:
With the WS facing, join yarn and starting at the neck edge with WS facing, knit to EOR.Next row: k to 3 sts remaining, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these two rounds until 9 sts remain with RS facing. Work in garter stitch until 12 cm (or until your have a piece that crosses over slightly at the front of your dog's chest) from neck edge cast off.
Embellishment: (optional) After several past coats stretching more than expected, I opted to add a crocheted edge around the whole garment, using a single strand of worsted weight yarn and a 4 mm crochet hook. This is not absolutely necessary of course. I used the edging to make a loop for hooking around a button as I thought this would be more stable than a button hole. In the end, I sewed the left and right pieces together and so the loop isn't really necessary.
Using a single strand of a contrasting worsted weight yarn, do single crochet around the edge of the garment starting at the right side top edge. Once you've worked your way around, work a series of slip stitches across the top right edge and place a chain-6 loop in the middle of that edge. Continue slipped stitches to the left corner of that piece.
Strap:
Using 5mm needles and a single strand of worsted weight yarn, cast on 7 stitches. Work in moss stitch until about 52 cm long (or until you have enough to wrap comfortably around your dog's middle with length to spare for securing). Cast off. Sew the strap to the back at about waist level for your dog. Leave the remainder dangling free to wrap under the dog when wearing the coat.
I decided on using a safety pin to secure the belt for now as I expect it will stretch.
Let me know if you decide to give this a try. Happy knitting!





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