Merdog Sweater by Stephen West

Merdog Sweater

Knitting
October 2025
all 3 are used in this pattern
DK (11 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in Dip Stitch pattern after blocking
US 6 - 4.0 mm
200 - 1000 yards (183 - 914 m)
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
English
This pattern is available for €7.00 EUR buy it now

Make your dog’s mermaid dreams come true with this colorful dip stitch sweater. The shell-like dip stitches resemble beautiful scales like a mermaid tail. They are fun to knit and perfect for leftover color pops of DK weight wool. Choose between 9 sizes and customize the colors as your work the sweater in the round from the collar toward the bottom of the body. The pattern includes notes to help customize the length of the sweater to perfectly fit your pooch. Use the handy schematic illustration with measurements to compare with your own dog and try on the sweater as you knit. You can use as many colors as you like from 5 colors to 20! Your dog is going to be supremely stylish and cozy in their plush new Merdog Sweater!

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Size 3 shown on the beige French Bulldog named Bobble with an actual Girth (chest) circumference of 16.5″ / 42cm.
Size 4 shown on the black French Bulldog named Brioche with an actual Girth (chest) circumference of 22″ / 56cm.

Finished Measurements: 11 (14, 18, 20, 24) (29, 32, 35, 38)″ / 28 (36, 46, 51, 61) (74, 81, 89, 97)cm Girth (chest) circumference (measured around the thickest part of their chest). Measurements taken after blocking.

The length is customizable. Refer to the schematic illustrations for the other measurements. The pattern includes notes where you can customize the sizes of the sweater to fit your pup. The smaller sizes are designed for petite pups like Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, and little Terriers and the sizes increase to fit breeds ranging from French Bulldogs and Dachshunds to Boxers, Labradors, and Great Danes. You can adjust your needle size to get a smaller or larger size.

I recommend selecting a size that is approximately 1″ / 2.5cm or 2″ / 5cm larger than your dog’s actual chest circumference for a fit with a little bit of extra wiggle room or select the size that matches your dog’s exact chest circumference for a fitted sweater. The knitted fabric is stretchy, so one size can accommodate a variety of measurements. If you plan to wear the sweater on top of a harness most of the time, then measure your dog while wearing the harness.

For the best measuring results, use as soft tape measure.

Yarn: DK weight

Yardage: Approximately 200 (300, 400, 500, 600) (700, 800, 900, 1000)yds / 183 (274, 366, 457, 549) (640, 732, 823, 914)m total

Gather a big pile of fun colors with more than the recommended yardage, so you have more than enough yarn to work with. Use as many colors as you like!

Shown in: A variety of DK weight yarns

The neon coral Size 4 sample features 5 colors.
The neutral Size 3 sample features 10 colors.

Needles: US 6 / 4mm circular in 40″ / 100cm length or size needed to obtain gauge

Magic loop method is used for knitting in the round. Watch this Westknits video to assist with the Magic Loop technique.
https://youtu.be/hpFHbHmrCcc

Notions: 3 stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn

Gauge: 20 sts & 36 rnds = 4″ / 10cm in Dip Stitch pattern after blocking

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