Chihuahua Dog Sweater

 (That is our weirdo cat Tigger who always has to barge in on the act, see what everyone's doing, and give his approval)


This sweater started out as "Slouchy Socks" on Lion Brand Yarn web site.  I got several rows into the socks and started wondering which of my family members would appreciate them and actually wear them.  I looked over to my "little boy" Baby, my Chihuahua mix (I think he's part pitt bull by the looks of his build), saw him shivering cold and decided he would appreciate a sweater more than anyone else would appreciate socks. 
I took the part of the sock that I started and tried fitting it over his head.

It slipped over his head AND his big ears just fine, fit around his broad neck (for a chihuahua) without choking him, and was wide enough to fold over into a turtleneck.  This would be the start of a nice sweater for my poor little freezin' boy, I thought. 

We've purchased sweaters for Baby many times and they never seem to fit him comfortably due to his chunky stature.  He is built like a mini pitt bull.  If there was such a thing, it would look just like Baby.  I don't think I've ever seen a Chihuahua  quite as broad-shouldered and muscular as Baby.  The store bought sweaters always cut into his shoulders and forearms so when he takes a step it restricts his movements and probably hurts somewhat.   I was excited to begin making a sweater for Baby that kept him warm AND fit him comfortably.

Taking the part of the sock-turned-sweater that was already done from following the pattern for Sloucy Socks, I started hdc across just one side of the round, turning my work now instead of working in a round like the sock pattern would have me do.  I kept up with the hdc, increasing every other row to make the back of the sweater wide enough to cover my Baby.  I measured it against his body as I went along, making sure it wouldn't be so wide that it would get caught up in his gait. 

After I worked the back as long as I decided it to be, I finished off and attached my yarn to the other side of the original "sock" for the underneath part of the sweater.  I measured across his chest with the work I was doing and used the hdc stitch back and forth until it was long enough without interferring with his little doggie wee wee. 

Instead of fastening off I turned the corner at the end of the underneath piece and worked four hdc in the side of that piece.  ch 1, turn, 4 hdc across, ch 1 turn, 4 hdc across until one side of a strap was the appropriate length to go just past the middle of his back (giving enough slack to use a button or velcro as a fastener to keep the sweater in place)

I fastened off the end of the strap and attached my yarn to the opposite side of the underneath piece, ch 1, 4 hdc in the side of that piece, ch 1 turn, 4 hdc , and so on until it was long enough to reach just past the middle of Baby's back and fastened off.

After weaving in all the loose ends I attached velcro to the ends of the strap for a closure.  This was a bad idea because the velcro sticks so much to the yarn, if it's not placed perfectly it pulls on and ruins the yarn it is stuck to.  A button or belt buckle would have been a much better closure for this.


Baby does like his new sweater.  When we take him for a walk and I hold his sweater in my hand asking him if he wants to put his sweater on, he sits up and begs for it.  Cute. 

I am going to make another sweater for Baby with some chenille thick and quick yarn I have.  When I do I'll write down the specific instructions so anyone can follow them and make their own.  (hopefully!)