This is Atticus’ second sweater. It is knit in 1 x 1 ribbing from the neck down on 16 inch circular needle. (could use double point needles, especially for tiny dogs)

It is basically a stretchy tube with holes for the legs and a gusset.

Stitch counts and measurements in parenthesis are for Atticus, a male Shih Tzu Terrier mix who is about 9 lbs and fairly trim.

Cast on and off loosely to retain the stretch from the ribbing.

Directions:

1. Measure neck (10 inches) and chest circumference (14.5 inches) to calculate stitch counts from gauge.

2. Cast on stitches for neck measurement plus a generous ease. (70 stitches) Join and knit in k1, p1, rib for a generous cuff and until the top of the shoulders are reached. (3.5 inches)

3. Start the chest gusset -- increase by knitting twice into a marked stitch, knit three rounds in ribbing, then increase once at same place. Continue with paired increases keeping the gusset stitches in stockinette.

4. Divide for front leg holes Add a second ball of yarn and knit back and forth with gusset in stockinette (10 stitches) with a border in ribbing (7 stitches on either side) with the back in ribbing. Slip each first stitch to make a nice edge.

5. Join back circular needle and decrease away the gusset stitches. (72 stitches)

6. For a female dog, you can work in the round to the base of the tail then cast off. For a male dog though, make a cutout. Bind off about 1/5 of the stitches and work back and forth in ribbing, decreasing along the edges every other row when about two inches short of the desired length, then cast off.