About This Pattern
This is a striped sweater for a small pet. It builds from a tube collar into a body, then splits into a back panel and a chest panel. The panels join at the end into one snug shell. It fits into an evening with room to spare. It needs two colors of yarn and a little patience for the decreasing rows.
In the basket
Abbreviations
- ch
- chain
- st
- stitch
- sl st
- slip stitch
- hdc
- half double crochet
- dec
- decrease
- fo
- finish off
Striped half double crochet sweater for pets
Back Panel (6 Rows)
After completing the 12 rounds, cut the contrasting color.
- Row 1Work 20 half double crochets with the main color. Turn: Chain up two and turn your work.
- Rows 2–6Work back and forth on these 20 stitches for a total of six rows of half double crochets.Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail.
Collar and Body (12 Rounds)
Chain 40 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a circle.
Chain up two. This chain does not count as a stitch.
- Round 1(Color 1): Work 40 half double crochets all the way around.
- Round 2(Color 2): Change to the alternate color, slip stitch to join, chain up two, and work 40 half double crochets.
- Rounds 3–12Continue alternating colors for a total of 12 rounds, with 40 half double crochets in each round.
Chest Panel (Decreasing Rows)
Start on the unworked stitches from the main body section.
- Row 1Work 20 half double crochets.
- Row 2Chain up two, turn, and decrease one stitch at the beginning and one at the end, leaving 18 stitches.
- Rows 3+Continue decreasing by two stitches per row until you have 10 stitches remaining.
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check you have enough yarn in both colors for 12 rounds of body plus two panels.
- Read through the Chest Panel decreases once before starting, so the shaping feels familiar.
- Work a small swatch in half double crochet to check your stitch count matches 40 around.
Minutes per piece
- Collar and Body about 1.5 hours because of 12 rounds and color changes
- Back Panel, Chest Panel, and joining about 2.5 to 4 hours because of decreasing rows and assembly
Other yarns that work
- Acrylic, worsted weight Same drape and size, easy care, budget-friendly for a pet sweater.
- Cotton blend, worsted weight Firmer stitches, less stretch, may need a slightly larger hook for ease.
Where it ends up
- A layer under a harness on cold walks, paired with a leash.
- A cozy indoor layer for an older or short-haired pet by the heater.
- A photo-ready outfit for a pet, paired with a simple collar.
Joining up
- Step 1 Join the panels: Slip stitch the yarn from the back panel to the chest panel to connect them.
- Step 2 Final rounds: With the main color, do half double crochets, joining the 10 stitches from the chest panel and the 20 stitches from the back panel for a total of 30 stitches.
- Step 3 Repeat these 30 stitches for a total of three rounds .
- Step 4 Finish: Cut the yarn, pull the tail through, and hide all the loose ends to complete the sweater.
Small notes
- Keep tension even across all 40 stitches, or the tube will pull sideways.
- Carry the unused color loosely up the inside when alternating, so rounds stay flat.
- Count stitches after each decrease row on the Chest Panel, since it is easy to lose one.
Little questions
Can I resize this for a bigger dog?
Add stitches to the initial 40-chain in multiples that keep your row count even. Add extra rows to the Back Panel and Chest Panel to match the new width.
Do I need to use two colors?
No, one color works fine for the whole sweater. The stripes come from alternating colors each round, so skipping that just gives a solid piece.
Why does my chest panel decrease unevenly?
Check that you decrease one stitch at each end, not two on one side. Recount your stitches after every row until you reach 10.
How do the three panels join?
The Back Panel and Chest Panel connect with a slip stitch seam. Then you work three more rounds across all 30 combined stitches to finish the shape.
Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/stylish-crochet-striped-sweater-pattern-for-pets/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
