Knitting Patterns for Pets

What to knit for which animal

Dogs get the lion's share of the patterns, and for a practical reason: short-coated and small breeds genuinely need a layer in a British winter, and a knitted coat that fits properly is hard to buy. Cats, being cats, rarely tolerate clothing, so the cat patterns here are beds, blankets and toys instead. There are also plain rectangles — crate blankets and cushions — which are the least glamorous and possibly the most used items in the collection.

Measuring a dog before you cast on

Three measurements decide the fit, and guessing at any of them wastes a fortnight. Take the length along the spine from the base of the collar to the base of the tail; the girth around the deepest part of the chest just behind the front legs; and the neck circumference where a collar sits. Match those to the pattern's finished measurements, not to the breed name in the title — two dogs of the same breed can differ by several centimetres. Deep-chested dogs such as dachshunds and whippets usually need a longer body and a narrower girth than a standard size chart allows, which is why breed-specific patterns exist here for exactly those shapes.

Choosing a style

• Coats — worked flat, fastened under the belly with straps or buttons. Easiest to put on a reluctant dog and easiest to adjust.
• Sweaters and jumpers — tubular, pulled over the head, with holes for the front legs. Warmer and neater, but needs a cooperative dog.
• Hoodies and onesies — more coverage for small breeds that feel the cold.
• Cat beds — usually a knitted and felted or densely worked basket shape, often with a firm base.
• Toys — small, fast, and a good use for oddments; keep them entirely free of small attached parts.

Yarn choice for something that will be dragged through mud

Aran and chunky dominate because they knit fast and give a dense, sturdy fabric. The single most important quality is machine washability, so easy-care acrylic, acrylic blends and superwash wool are the sensible picks; a hand-wash-only alpaca dog coat is a mistake you only make once. Avoid mohair and anything that sheds, and skip long loose floats on the inside, which claws catch. A typical small-dog coat takes one to two 100g balls of aran; a large-breed coat may take three or four, so check the pattern's stated metreage.

Safety and finishing

Nothing should be able to come off in a mouth. Sew buttons on with doubled thread and check them regularly, or use ribbing and a wide overlap instead. Keep straps snug enough that a paw cannot hook through, and leave a clear opening for the harness if your dog wears one — several patterns here include a slot for exactly that. On toys, embroider features rather than using safety eyes, and stuff firmly enough that the toy cannot be torn open in one go. Weave all ends in on the wrong side and trim closely.

Pet knitting questions

How do I know what size dog coat to knit? Measure spine length, chest girth and neck, and match those to the pattern's finished measurements rather than the breed name.

What yarn is best for a dog coat? Machine washable aran or chunky — easy-care acrylic, acrylic blends or superwash wool.

How much yarn do I need? Roughly one to two 100g balls of aran for a small dog; more for larger breeds. Work to the stated metreage.

Are there patterns for unusual body shapes? Yes — this collection includes designs written specifically for miniature dachshunds and other deep-chested, long-bodied dogs.

Can I knit something for a cat? Beds, blankets and toys are the realistic options. Most cats will refuse a jumper.