About This The Poet Dog Sweater Pattern
This pattern creates The Poet Dog Sweater — a simple, comfy sweater worked in two pieces (Back and Underpiece) and seamed together, leaving leg openings. It uses Lion Brand Homespun yarn for a soft, textured finish and features a worked neck trim and trims around the leg openings and lower edge. Perfect for adding warmth and style to small to medium dogs, the sweater is customizable to three size options.
Easy shaping and basic stitches make this a great weekend project for beginners and intermediate crocheters. Full gauge, stitch explanations and abbreviations are included so you can follow confidently.
Why You'll Love This The Poet Dog Sweater Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because it turns a simple yarn into a practical, stylish dog sweater that looks handmade and professional. I love how easily the two-piece construction adapts to different dog shapes and sizes, making fitting straightforward. I enjoy the Homespun yarn texture for its cozy, plush finish that wears well and hides minor stitch inconsistencies. Making the trims (neck, leg, lower edge) really elevates the final piece and gives a polished look I am proud to gift or sell.
Switch Things Up
I love to customize this sweater by changing the yarn color or using variegated Homespun for a textured look.
I sometimes use a lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook to make a smaller, sleeker version for toy breeds.
For a chunkier, cozier sweater I switch to a bulky yarn and larger hook, which also speeds up the project.
I often adjust the length by adding or subtracting repeating Row 2 until the piece measures the desired length from the gauge section.
You can embellish the neck trim with buttons or a small crochet flower for a personal touch and extra charm.
I sometimes add a wider ribbed neck by working additional rounds of FPDC/BPDC to create a taller collar for extra warmth.
For a snugger fit around the chest, decrease the number of starting chains by multiples of 2 and re-check your gauge before proceeding.
I like to experiment with different stitch patterns for the body, such as alternating sc and hdc rows, to create unique textures while keeping the same shaping.
If you want waterproofing, consider lining the sweater with a light fabric stitched in after assembly for rainy days.
I recommend trying contrasting color trims for the neck and leg openings to give the sweater a fashionable, finished look.
When making multiples as gifts, I often embroider the dog's initials on the lower edge or add a reflective yarn stripe for nighttime visibility.
Don't be afraid to mix yarn brands if the gauges match; just swatch first and enjoy making each sweater your own.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Skipping the gauge swatch can lead to an ill-fitting sweater; make a 10 sc x 10 rows swatch and adjust hook size to match the gauge.
✗ Sewing the Underpiece to the Back without leaving leg openings will trap the legs; follow the finishing instructions to leave the specified 1 1/2 (2, 2 1/2) in. open for legs.
✗ Not counting decreases accurately during the Shape Top can leave too many or too few stitches; count every decrease row and verify the stitch counts given after each decrease row.
✗ Unevenly spacing the neck or leg trim makes the edge look lopsided; work the indicated number of sc evenly and use pins to mark quarters if needed before joining.
✗ Fastening off too early or not weaving ends securely can cause trims to unravel; fasten off as instructed and weave in ends neatly with the blunt needles provided.
