Chihuahua Puppy Jumper

Here's Petal's Cabled Jumper. She's fairly happy wearing it, and it certainly keeps her warm on these chilly Canberra winter days! Chihuahuas are very barrel chested and tiny, which makes it difficult for them to fit standard dog jumper patterns.



This is an adaptation of the Need for Tweed Dog Sweater (Rav link) by Shiri Mor

Size : Chihuahua Puppy - 3 months old (chest measurement ~ 23 cm / 9")

Needle : 3.75 mm / US 5
Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 8 Ply, 30 metres - machine washable

Back

CO 20 sts

Knit ~7 cm (2.5”), with garter st borders, cables or pattern as desired.

Pattern I did :
RS : k3, p1, k4 (cable twist every 6th row), p4, k4 (cable twist every 6th row), p1, k3
WS : k4, p4, k4, p4, k4

When get to desired length :
Decrease at each end of row, every second row, for 5 rows (k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1).

Bind off loosely.

Belly strap

CO 11 sts
Knit ~3 cm (1”) in garter st
Decrease at sides (k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1) in alt rows until have 3 or 4 sts left. Leave sts on st holder.

Put it together
Sew Belly band to Back piece at sides (see photo). The narrow end of the belly piece should line up with the widest edge of the back piece.

Pick up stitches around the neck section (20 sts from back, cast on 6 new sts, slip the 3 or 4 sts from end of belly band, cast on 6 new sts = 35 sts total).

Knit in the round for 4-6 rows. Knit a few short rows for the chest section to make it deeper, as you go around. This section isn't really wide enough in this first jumper, I'll experiment with the next version and update these instructions accordingly.

Bind off loosely, darn in ends.

The nice big leg holes mean it’s easier to get on, and more comfy for a pup who isn’t used to wearing stuff.

Final step : Get onto squiggly puppy, somehow!