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Diva Doggie Custom Fit Crochet Shrug Dog Sweater Free Crochet Pattern!

Updated on December 9, 2014
SheilaSchnauzies profile image

SheilaSchnauzies is a Miniature Schnauzer rescuer, writer, crochet designer, gardener, crafter, wife, mom & friend living in Omaha, NE.

A Fun, Easy & Quick Doggie Warmer To Crochet For Your Diva Dog Of Any Size!

Here is a little shrug sweater that you can make in any length to go as far down your doggie's back as you want. You'll make it with easy made-to-custom-fit directions so that it fits your doggie to perfection! It's a perfect use for that scrap yarn you've got stashed!

There's a bit of magic to this sweater too; your doggie will find it very difficult to remove! I originally came up with the design for one of my late rescue doggies, Bailey. I was desperate to keep him warm, but he would not put up with getting a traditional sweater put on to him. As in... I would get bitten! This sweater goes on so easily and so fast, just a loop to put each leg through. Bailey not only put up with it, he adored it.

The sweater Ladybug is modeling here is made with leftover 100 percent cotton holiday sparkle yarn, along with two kinds of scrap yarns I had on hand for trim. The red and white fuzzy yarn is Yarn Bee's Italia, and the faux fur yarn is Bernat's Boa.

The sweater shown in the step by step photos is done in Peaches n' Creme, a scrap of Paton's Brilliant, and a scrap boucle yarn with velour pillows, can't recall the name of that one. For this sweater, designed for my SueSue, I elected to add her name in with reverse and regular popcorn stitches. It's a fun thing to do if you want to make your brain hurt:)

Whizzer Loves His New Soft Sweater!

I added a closed belly strap to Whizzer's sweater because I wanted to make it a bit more body coverage and didn't want the ends to flap. It just pops under his hind legs.
I added a closed belly strap to Whizzer's sweater because I wanted to make it a bit more body coverage and didn't want the ends to flap. It just pops under his hind legs.

The Schnauzer Difficulty Rating! 2 - Confident Beginner

The Schnauzer Difficulty Rating!
The Schnauzer Difficulty Rating!

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What You Will Need

Appropriate amount of yarn required for your size of dog

Crochet hook in size appropriate for yarn

A Word About Yarn & Thread Selection...

You may use different yarns such as scrap yarns or threads with good results! Just make sure to keep them similar in weight and thickness so as not to throw off the pattern.

Bailey's And Ladybug's Sweaters

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Here is Bailey's original sweater. The gray part was added on later for more warmth. His leg straps were only two rounds.Ladybug's new shrug sweater has leg bands 4 rounds wide. A round of Italia was added on later as trim.Here's my pretty Bailey.
Here is Bailey's original sweater. The gray part was added on later for more warmth. His leg straps were only two rounds.
Here is Bailey's original sweater. The gray part was added on later for more warmth. His leg straps were only two rounds.
Ladybug's new shrug sweater has leg bands 4 rounds wide. A round of Italia was added on later as trim.
Ladybug's new shrug sweater has leg bands 4 rounds wide. A round of Italia was added on later as trim.
Here's my pretty Bailey.
Here's my pretty Bailey.
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Let's Make The Magic!

These Instructions Will Work For the Tiniest Chihuahua To The Biggest German Shepherd!

We are going to start with doing some chaining. We're going to be working with the very top of your dog's front leg, where it meets the body. Make a chain the length you think it will take to go around this part of the leg. Check it. Adjust your number of chains. Now add enough chains for ease. Slip stitch in the first chain you made. You've now completed one leg opening!

Now, picking up where we left off, make a chain as long as you think it will take to go across the upper BACK of the dog, (at the neckline), over to the opposite leg. Add the same number of chains you used for the first leg. Now try it on the dog and check. Add or subtract chains as necessary. Once you get the number nailed down, add enough chains for ease. You want this to fit on the dog without a lot of slack, but you also don't want to have it too tight to easily put on.

Now make a slip stitch into the chain the same number of chains the first leg loop used. (If your first leg took 25 chains, then slip stitch into the 26th chain from your hook).

What you should now have is a length of chain with a leg loop the same size at each end.

Chain 1. Work a SC in each chain around working on BOTH sides of the chain. (All the way across the back, go around the first leg opening, keep working down the back side of the chain across the back again, around the other leg, and back to where you began). You'll just go in one big continuous loop. When you arrive at the first SC, slip stitch into it. Ch 1, and continue working in the same direction. You do not need to turn just keep going straight on.

Once you have completed four total rounds, (or the width you want your dog's leg bands to be), we will change gears. Work until you reach the round's beginning, slip stitch and fasten off. (Experienced crocheters: There is a way you can keep going without fastening off, you'll probably see that but I didn't want to complicate the directions for the newbies!!)

Attach yarn with a slip stitch to the last, innermost stitch of the leg band next to the body part on the side you wish to grow to continue down the back. Ch 1, SC in next SC and in each SC across until you reach the first stitch of the opposite leg band. Slip stitch into that stitch. Ch 1, turn.

Remaining Rows (Alternating)

1/*SC in first stitch. Ch 1, skip 1 SC, SC in next SC. Repeat from * across. (NOTE: For a warmer sweater, simply SC in each stitch across and do a ch 1, turn at the end of each row.) Ch 1, turn.

2/ SC in first ch 1 space. *Ch 1, skip SC, SC in next ch 1 space. Repeat from * across.

Continue alternating these two rows (or working in straight rows of SC) until your piece falls where you want it to on the doggie's back.

Adding Contrast Edging

i simply worked two rounds of SC with the Italia yarn all the way around, adding a ch 1, SC in same SC at the corners. I did a round of Italia in SC around the leg openings as well, joining with a slip stitch to the first stitch.

Then I attached the Bernat Boa and worked another two rounds around the whole sweater.

Step By Step Photos...

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Single crocheting around the starting chainStarting the second go-around. Make sure at this point the leg loops are not twisted!Starting the back and forth single crochet rows and name popcornsJust a closer viewFinished up the name!Adding a different yarn sectionAdding the trim around leg openings and entire sweater
Single crocheting around the starting chain
Single crocheting around the starting chain
Starting the second go-around. Make sure at this point the leg loops are not twisted!
Starting the second go-around. Make sure at this point the leg loops are not twisted!
Starting the back and forth single crochet rows and name popcorns
Starting the back and forth single crochet rows and name popcorns
Just a closer view
Just a closer view
Finished up the name!
Finished up the name!
Adding a different yarn section
Adding a different yarn section
Adding the trim around leg openings and entire sweater
Adding the trim around leg openings and entire sweater

Note When Working With Furry Yarns!

When you crochet a row of single crochet with a furry yarn, it throws the furriest part to the back of the work. Personally, I like the outside of the garment to be the furriest. If I'm working in the round, like the first setup rounds of this sweater, I'll go all in one direction. Then when I get ready to start the back body part of the sweater, I'll flip the work to the back side furry side up and start my remaining rows from that side.

What Do You Think Of This Pattern? - Come On, You Can Tell Me!

What Are Your Thoughts On This Pattern?

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A Note From Your Designer...

Hi, I'm SheilaSchnauzies, also published as SheilaSparkles, and my life's passion is designing in Crochet! I also love to share gifts with friends, and this pattern is my gift to you! I give away about 95% of my pattern designs free. The other 5% are sold on my pattern store at Craftsy.com to benefit the vet expenses of my Miniature Schnauzer Rescue, Sheila's Schnauzies.

Just one little favor, please... I would appreciate it if you do not post this pattern anywhere on the Internet or in the 'real world.' Instead, you are most welcome to provide a link to this webpage.

I use a system I call the "Official Schnauzer Difficulty Rating" just for fun, to rate the difficulty of my patterns. If it's a 3/5 or more, I'll explain why I consider it more difficult. A few of my designs use techniques that are a bit unconventional! If it's one of those patterns, I'll warn you ahead of time. I do a lot of custom-fit patterns, for example. They are made to fit YOU, not a measurement from a chart. They're surprisingly easy to do and actually end up fitting. That's a good thing, yes?

So glad you found my patterns! I hope you really enjoy making whatever it is you're making! Crochet hugs, -Sheila

Honored To Be An Associate Professional Member of Crochet Guild of America!

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"Crochet thread is the ink with which I will sign my life." –SheilaSchnauzies

Lacis LB62 Thread Ball Holder
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working

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