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DESCRIPTION

URSA CANIS is a fresh take on a classic look for your pup with clean lines and intuitive shaping. This sweater features seamless, top-down construction, so you can try it on for fit as you go, and simple half-brioche detailing across the underside and legs, creating a stretchy, snug fit for the belly. With 12 sizes and an optional harness hole, this pattern is designed to be a go-to for knitters with cold-prone furry companions.

SIZING

To choose your dog’s size, measure their chest circumference at the widest point (probably just behind their front legs) and choose the size with the closest exact chest measurement. Sweater can fit comfortably with up to 2”/5 cm of positive ease but no more than 1”/2.5 cm of negative ease.

In the photos, Raii (black miniature schnauzer) is wearing a size 4 sweater (17”/42 cm) and her chest circumference is 16.5”/41 cm. Molly (beagle) is wearing a size 7 sweater (23”/57.5cm) and her chest circumference is 22”/55cm.

Finished chest circumference:
In inches: (11, 13, 15, 17) [19, 21, 23, 25] {27, 29, 31, 33}
In centimeters: (27, 32, 37, 42) [47.5, 52.5, 57.5, 62.5] {67.5, 72.5, 78, 83}

To see how the sweater fits across the size range on all different breeds of dogs, check out the test knitting round up here!
 
 
GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS

Gauge: 18 sts and 30 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking

Recommended needles:
- Main needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) 16”/40cm circular (sizes 1-6) or 24”/60 cm circular (sizes 7-12); DPNs for legs if not using magic loop

Notions: stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, darning needle
 
 
YARN

This sweater is designed for a worsted weight yarn or equivalent with two yarns held together. I collaborated with yarn dyer Anne Vally of Little Skein in the Big Wool for this design, who created beautiful custom colorways for both my dog Raii (black miniature schnauzer) and her dog Molly (beagle).

Raii’s sample is made with Harvest Sport (sport weight 100% non-superwash domestic Merino & Rambouillet wool, 312 yds/285 m/100 g) held together with Mohair Lace (lace weight 72% kid mohair/28% silk, 459 yds/420 m/50 g) in color “Raii.”

Molly’s sample is made with Targhee Sweater (worsted weight 100% non-superwash Targhee wool, 220 yds/201 m/100 g) in color “Molly.”

Click here to see all the available colors from Little Skein!

Yarn requirements:
Yards: (150, 165, 180, 200) [225, 255, 290, 330] {375, 425, 480, 540}
Meters: (140, 150, 165, 185) [205, 235, 265, 300] {345, 390, 440, 495}

Other suitable yarns:
$
Peace Fleece Worsted
Briggs & Little Regal
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted
Custom Woolen Mills Mule Spinner

$$
Custom Woolen Mills Field & Forage
Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted
Brooklyn Tweed Shelter

$$$
Little Fox Yarn Fennec
Magpie Fibers Nest
Stone Wool Cormo
Jill Draper Makes Stuff Windham

VIDEO TUTORIAL
Ursa Canis includes the following original video tutorial:
1. Half brioche stitch

SHARING

☀️ See pictures of other Ursa Canis sweaters and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #UrsaCanis. Be sure to tag @jacquelinecieslak too! ☀️