Doggie Sweater: “Rocky’s Delight”

The ‘first-born’ sweater turned my puppers into a bumble-bee… but a very cute bumble-bee!

Hey all!

Originally, I had write down the actual crochet patterns I came up with for these sweaters, but then I realized there was a slight conundrum with that plan: not all dogs are Rocky’s size.

Because each sweater requires different measurements for a comfortable fit, that means the patterns would need to be slightly altered each time - which is a technique not too friendly to beginner crocheters.

So, until I could figure out how to translate size-differences into a cohesive written pattern, I instead decided to showcase each new pattern with a brief synopsis.

And this one comes with a quick story, so, strap in!

I never got to have a puppy growing up. Or anything bigger than a hamster for that matter. Like many other children, my parents labored under the delusion that they would be the ones taking care of a dog if we ever got one - never mind the fact that dogs, as pets, literally demand constant attention in order to survive. From pretty much anyone who happens to be nearby.

(But I digress…)

So, when we adopted our first puppy into the fold back in late 2022, I immediately transformed into an unapologetic dog-mom! We go for long walks, we run circles in the yard; I talk to him like a tiny person (and I swear I think, sometimes, he talks back!); and yes, I now make him little, fashionable sweaters.

Give me an about a month or so, and we’ll have a few matching outfits to promenade in… (it’s gonna happen!)

This sweater is so named because it was the first original design I concocted for my cockapoo, Rockytop. (Don’t at me Kentucky!)

After consulting a couple pattern books I bought, and many online photos for inspiration, I decided that he needed something as easy for me to put on him as it was for him to move in. And, because he’s a naturally precocious one, prone to bouts of high energy, he needed to feel warm and snug without the risk of the sweater falling off or being torn up - hence the back “sleeves” that keep the hem secured to the body.

Originally he was going to be a dragon- but then we ran out of yarn for the wings, so now he’s a dinosaur.

Now, because Rocky’s got a nice furry coat for most of the year, I decided to keep his legs and belly exposed so that he wouldn’t get overheated, but still nice and secure. We’ve noticed that he tends to be a tinsy-bit clingy, and I remembered some friends talking about how some dogs wear thunder-shirts to help with anxiety. Both Rocky’s vet and a trainer have mentioned it, too, and even without the long legs on the sweater, it has done wonders to help keep him calm (usually).

“They call me ‘Santa Paws!’

This style can also be adapted to have long sleeves in both the front and the back, for especially cold days (which, for us Kentuckians, is usually around mid-January through February… with sporadic appearances in June, July, and October for reasons still unknown..!)

With the longer sleeves the sweater does take some extra time to slip on and off, so I would recommend avoiding this variation unless your puppers is used to general wardrobe changes. It did take Rocky some time to get used to wearing his clothes (I legit think he was afraid to go potty while wearing the darn thing, and actually held it in for a while!). But that was because he hadn’t really worn anything since the day we brought him home.

As with most things with pets, let them get used to it little by little, and have lots of treats handy if need be.

But, if your dog happens to enjoy dress-up from the get-go… then by all means, go nuts!

You won’t regret it, lol!!

Rockytop modeling his first few sweaters!