Jack’s Small Dog Hoodie Sweater

Folks, I’ve got a special pattern for you today!

It’s a small dog hoodie sweater and if you are a dog lover like I am and especially if you have little doggies, you’re going to love this one!

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Years ago I designed a small dog sweater for my little boy Yorkshire Terriers.

 I have two of them, Jack & Jake.  

I designed the original sweater because I was visiting my folks in the Idaho mountains and they needed something for the cold weather season.

Well, if you can believe it, my family and I also now live in those very same Idaho mountains.

It’s been nearly 10 years and my Yorkie boys are now quite old and in need of new coats.

So I thought I’d make a new twist on the old pattern and turn the original coat into a little hoodie sweater, complete with a little pocket too!

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Yarn Details: It’s all about the yarn baby!

I used Mainstays Basic to create this pattern because it’s economical, soft, and comes in a variety of colors,

Plus, I know from past experience, that it holds up well to all the washing these sweaters get due to all the grass, dirt, and mucky water my dogs like to get into!

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1.How to Crochet a Bow /  2. It’s a Colorful Triangle Shawl / 3.  Big & Thick Dish Scrubby

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My Lil’ Pumpkin Pie Sleep Set

Quick and Easy Medium-sized Dog Sweater

Shamrock Bookmark

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Houndstooth Sunglasses Bag

How to Crochet a Small Dog Hoodie Sweater with a Pocket

**THIS IS AN ORIGINAL PATTERN.  Please see my Copyright Statement for details.

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Summary:

This small dog hoodie sweater with a pocket is perfect for your little fur babies who are about 10-lbs.  It’s so cute and stylish your pup will be one smart looking pooch!  Plus, it’s super easy to put together and requires only basic stitches, so it’s definitely beginner-friendly.

Difficulty level:  Level 1 – Beginner

Finished Dimensions:

• Back measures about 9 1/2-inches from neck to end.
• Chest measures about 6-inches from neck to belly.

Gauge:

11 stitches and 10 rows = 4 – inches in half-double crochet (hdc)

Materials:

• Stitch markers (optional)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Crochet Hook size:  J/10 – 5.75mm
• Yarn:  Medium 4 worsted weight – I used Mainstays Basic in Golden,100% acrylic, 7oz, 198.4g, 397 yds (363 mm)

~Total yardage = 160 to 200 yards

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Abbreviations:

Pattern is written in US terms.    *Click on abbreviation names for tutorials

Stitch (St)

Chain stitch (ch)

Slip-stitch (slp st)

Half-double crochet (hdc)

Back post only (BPO)

Single crochet 2 together (Sc2tog) – insert hook into first stitch, yarn over (yo), pull through the stitch (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next stitch, yarn over (yo), pull through through all 3 loops on the  hook.

Additional Notes:

• Read all pattern notes, instructions, and other provided details carefully before starting the project to make sure you understand everything.  It could save you hours & a lot of headaches!
• Make a swatch that measures at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch provided under the Gauge Section. If your swatch matches the gauge, then you are all set to start the project. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your crochet hook – increase your hook size if your stitches are smaller & decrease your hook size if your stitches are larger.
• All measurements given are unblocked.
• Provided measurements are as exact as possible, but are given as approximates. This is because yarn variances, crochet tension, & individual  technique might give variations in the result, which changes from person to person.
• Depending on your dog’s ears – shape, size, floppiness, etc.. – you may have to adjust the spacing and/or the earhole size.
• Depending on your dog’s head, you may need to fold up the front of the hood so that is not in your dog’s eyes.

Back:

~ Start at the neckline and work towards the tail.

Chain 31

Row 1:  Hdc in 2nd ch from hook working in the BPO and then across. (30 sts), 

Rows 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), turn work, hdc in 1st hdc from hook and then across. (30 sts)

Rows 3 -20:  Repeat row 2.

NOTE:  Here is where you can adjust the length of the sweater.  Do less repeat rows for shorter dogs and more repeat rows for longer dogs.

Row 21: Ch2, turn work, Sc2tog the first two stitches, hdc across, Sc2tog the last two stitches.  (28 sts)

NOTE:   Each time you Sc2tog it reduces your stitch count by one.  Since you did it twice in row 21,  your stitch count should now be 28 sts.

Row 22:  Repeat row 21. (26 sts)

Row 23:  Repeat row 21. (24 sts)

Row 24:  Repeat row 21. (22 sts)

Bind off & weave in ends.

Chest:

~ Start at belly end and crochet towards the neck.

Chain 17

Row 1:   Hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (16 sts)

Rows 2-5:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc across. (16 sts)

Rows 6-13:   Ch2, turn work, Sc2tog the first two stitches, hdc across, Sc2tog the last two stitches.

~ Remember this reduces your stitch count by two for each row because you have Sc2tog twice.

Row 14:  There should be only 2 stitches left.  Sc2tog these last 2 stitches.

Bind off & weave in ends.

~ The chest piece should essentially be a triangle shape.

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Pocket

Ch 25

Row 1:  Hdc in bpo of 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (24 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each st across. (24 sts)

Row 3:  Ch 2, turn work, sc2tog the first 2 sts, hdc in the next 20 sts, sc2tog the last 2 sts. (22 sts)

Row 4:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each st across. (22 sts)

Row 5:  Ch 2, turn work, sc2tog the first 2 sts, hdc in the next 18 sts, sc2tog the last 2 sts. (20 sts)

Row 6:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each st across. (20 sts)

Row 7:    Ch 2, turn work, sc2tog the first 2 sts, hdc in the next 16 sts, sc2tog the last 2 sts. (18 sts)

Row 8:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each st across. (18 sts)

Row 9:    Ch 2, turn work, sc2tog the first 2 sts, hdc in the next 14 sts, sc2tog the last 2 sts. (16 sts)

Row 10:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each st across. (16 sts)

Bind off & weave in ends.

Hood

Ch 29

Row 1:  Hdc in bpo of 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (28 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each st across. (28 sts)

Row 3 – 4:  Repeat row 2. (28 sts)

Row 5:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in the next 10 st, skip 2 sts, ch 5, hdc in the next 4 sts, skip 2 sts, ch 5, hdc in the next 10 sts. (34 sts)

Row 6:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in the next 11 sts, sc2tog the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 6 sts, sc2tog the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 11 sts. ( 32 sts)

Row 7:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in the next 11 sts, sc2tog the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 8 sts, sc2tog the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 11 sts. ( 30 sts)

Rows 8 – 9:  Ch 2, turn work, hdc in each sts across. (30 sts)

Assembly:

Step One

Place the hood along the top edge of the back piece with the right sides together.

Step Two

Seam the two edges together.

Step Three

Fold the sweater with hoodie attached vertically.

Step Four

Seam along the top edge of the hood.

Step Five

Place the pocket on the top of the right side of the back piece.

Step Six

Use stitch markers to hold the pocket in place (if needed) & seam the pocket onto the back piece.

NOTES:

• It may be easier to seam it from the underside of the back piece.
• You can seam all the way around the pocket, around the sides & bottom of the pocket (leaving the top open), or along the top & bottom of the pocket (leaving the sides open).

Step Seven

Place the chest piece in the center of the back piece with the right sides together.  

Step Eight

Seam in the chest piece.

• Fold one side of the back piece down so that its edge aligns with the edge of the chest piece.

• Use the slip-stitch (slp st) or whip stitch to seam in the chest piece. 

• Leave about a 2-inch hole on each side for legs.

NOTE:   I used my dogs as models to figure out where to make the holes, but in general, they were about 5-6 inches from the neckline.

• Fold the other side of the back piece in to align with the edge of the chest piece and the seaming.  Be sure to leave a hole for the dog’s leg. 

• You can use stitch markers to hold the pieces together to help you while seaming.

Step Nine

If you have a gap in the neck area, you can use slip-stitch (slp st) or whip stitch to seam together the slight opening in the neck.

• Bind off & weave in ends.
• Turn sweater right-side out

NOTE:  Sweaters are machine washable, but do not exceed 400C water temperature.

Super cute, right?

And my little Yorkie Jack just looks adorable in it!

I’ve been wanting to make him a hoodie coat for a while now, moving the mountains of Idaho finally gave me a reason. 😀

I’d love to see your finished Small Dog Hoodie Sweater! Please feel free to share it with me on one or even all of the following platforms:

• Share a picture on Instagram and be sure to use the hashtag #itchinforsomestitchin
• Share your Small Dog Hoodie Sweater on Ravelry
• Share your Small Dog Hoodie Sweater project on LoveCrafts
• Share a picture in the Itchin’ for some Stitchin’ Facebook group.

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Until next time…  Happy Crocheting!

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