Just a few years ago, a dog in clothes caused surprise and puzzled looks. However, it is clothing that allows you to protect your pet from bad weather. You can knit a beautiful sweater for your beloved dog in a couple of evenings with your own hands.
What you need for a sweater and how to choose yarn
To crochet a sweater, you don't have to buy new, expensive yarn. You can take the remnants of threads from already finished previous items or unravel an unnecessary item. Stores offer a huge assortment of threads, and their choice is determined primarily by the owner’s personal tastes and financial capabilities.
You will also need a hook and sewing supplies such as scissors, needle and thread. The required accessories depend on the style of the product. You may need buttons, snaps, zippers and other elements.
Important! An interesting combination would be, for example, a dog’s blouse and the owner’s scarf, knitted from the same threads. Therefore, if you decide to buy yarn, then it is better to take it with a reserve, just in case.
How to take measurements from a dog
One of the important points on which the result of the work directly depends is taking measurements of the pet. To do this, you need to take a measuring tape, a sheet of paper and a pencil. It is also necessary to find an assistant for this process. It is better if one person takes measurements and another writes them down. This way you can do it much faster without tiring your pet too much.
When determining the size of the product, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to make some edits and adjustments during the knitting process. The measurements required for knitting will depend on the type of product chosen. It is recommended to add 1 cm to all measurements taken for ease of fit. The most frequently needed measurements are:
- Length of the product. The measurement is taken from the beginning of the collar to the place where the sweater ends;
- The sleeve length is measured and adjusted during the knitting process;
- Neck volume. You can measure it directly on your pet, or take a measurement along the length of the collar;
- The chest volume is measured 1-2 cm from the front legs. The centimeter should lie freely so that the product does not hinder movement in the future.
Attention! It is better to take measurements when the dog is standing. The pet must keep its back and head straight. After all, this is her natural position while walking. The exception is chest circumference. To conveniently take this measurement, you need to give the command “Sit”.
How to knit a DIY sweater for a dog
First you need to decide on the style of the product and its design features. A sweater can have long and short sleeves, different neck shapes, a hood and other features. It is necessary to carefully study the features of the future product, as well as knit a test sample of the selected pattern.
It is enough to knit a 10x10 cm square, with which you can select the knitting density and count the number of loops for the future product. The work process is determined by the previous experience of the master. So, each item of clothing can be knitted separately and then sewn together. Some people find it more convenient to knit in the round, without using seams.
The simplest and most understandable way, even for a beginner, is to knit a sweater using a crochet hook. It is more convenient to knit in the round with a simple stitch (double crochet). If you use a crochet hook, you won't need a pattern. It is enough to try the product on your pet while working. If inaccuracies occur, the product can be easily ripped apart and the process started again. Let's look at knitting a sweater step by step:
- The manufacture of the product should begin from the neck. To do this, we cast on a number of air loops. It should be equal to the circumference of the pet’s neck with a slight increase in freedom of movement;
- We fasten the ends of the resulting chain and begin to knit in stitches in a circle;
- We make increases to expand the sweater after 10-15 stitches: in one stitch we make two double crochets. We knit a couple of centimeters without changes. During the fitting process we make adjustments and add loops;
- Approaching the sleeves, cut off the thread and set aside the resulting part for a while;
- We follow exactly the same knitting principle when making sleeves. For each we cast on the required number of loops along the chain;
- Next, take the first part. It is necessary to make the back and breast separately. At the same time, the loops in the armhole of the sleeve must be reduced. In this way we designate the recesses for the sleeves;
- We fasten the front and back of the sweater to each other and continue to knit the required length;
- Sew on the knitted sleeves.
Reference! On the stomach, the sweater should be shorter in length than on the back.It is recommended to tie the back to the tail to make the product warmer and more practical.
Decor and decoration of the product
More experienced craftswomen can experiment with different patterns and ornaments during the knitting process. You can also show your imagination and use several types of threads, creating interesting color combinations. For example, you can make a contrasting edging on the neck, sleeves and bottom of the product.
You can use a variety of elements to decorate a sweater. The decor of clothing for an animal may be practically no different from the decoration of a human sweater. You can use a variety of brooches, buttons, clasps, rhinestones, pockets, etc. A fur trim on the product will help give it a winter look. Clothes will be even warmer if fur skins are sewn onto them. In this way you can create an imitation of a spectacular vest on a sweater.
Embroidery and lace will add sophistication and sophistication to the finished product. Thus, beautiful beaded collars are often made along the edge of the collar. Flowers and leaves made from satin ribbons look good.
One of the simplest ways to decorate a product is applique. It is necessary to cut pieces of fabric or leather. Both ready-made elements for decorations and from parts are cut out. For example, these could be circles, flowers, dog bones and others. The design is attached to the blouse using threads. At the same time, it is better to sew it by hand using a beautiful finishing seam. In the future, you can knit a hat, scarf, skirt or other accessories to this sweater, as well as pick up a handbag and boots. Stores sell ready-made stripes and stickers.
A beautiful and warm sweater, knitted by yourself, will protect your beloved pets from rain, snow or wind. You can crochet a product quite quickly and even a beginner can do it, because...no special patterns or drawings are needed. We hope that this article was useful and will help you create a spectacular outfit for your beloved dog.
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