Christmas Elf Dog Sweater Knitting Pattern

Knit something extra magical for your pup this holiday season with the Christmas Elf Dog Sweater Knitting Pattern.

This festive knitted dog sweater features bold red, green, and white stripes, a cozy ribbed neck, and the option to add sleeves—perfect for winter walks, Christmas photos, and snuggly evenings at home.

This dog sweater knitting pattern is worked in chunky/bulky yarn on 6 mm (US 10) needles and uses simple stitches (stockinette and 1x1 rib), making it an enjoyable project for confident beginners and experienced knitters alike.

The pattern includes three sizes – small, medium, and large – and can be easily adjusted for body length and chest width so you can customise the fit for your dog.

This PDF pattern includes:

• Step-by-step written instructions for 3 sizes: S, M, L
• Clear size information and finished measurements
• Gauge details
• Abbreviations list
• Instructions for the back, chest/underside, neck, optional sleeves, and finishing
• Tips for adjusting the length and fit of your knit dog sweater

You can even use the same yarn to create a matching striped elf hat for your dog and complete the festive look.

Please note: This is a digital knitting pattern (PDF download), not a finished dog sweater. No physical item will be shipped.

This pattern is written in English only

• MATERIALS NEEDED

Yarn

Yarn: Bulky/Chunky/12-ply yarn that works with 6 mm (US 10) needles

• Sample shown: Alize Lanagold Classic (49% wool / 51% acrylic, 240 m / 262 yds per 100 g)
• Colours used:
• Yarn A – Green (shade 29)
• Yarn B – White (shade 62)
• Yarn C – Red (shade 56)

Approximate yarn requirements (total):

• Small: 100 g – approx. 240 m / 262 yds
• Medium: 150 g – approx. 360 m / 393 yds
• Large: 170 g – approx. 400–410 m / 445 yds

Balls needed (all sizes):

• Yarn A (Green): 1 x 100 g ball
• Yarn B (White): 1 x 100 g ball
• Yarn C (Red): 1 x 100 g ball

Needles:

• 6 mm (US 10) knitting needles for working flat
• 6 mm (US 10) circular needles or DPNs for knitting the neck and sleeves in the round

Notions:

• Stitch markers
• Tapestry/yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Tape measure

• SKILLS

Confident Beginner / Easy–Intermediate

You should be comfortable with:

• Casting on and binding off
• Knit and purl stitches
• Working 1x1 ribbing and stockinette stitch
• Simple increases and decreases
• Knitting flat and in the round
• Basic seaming and picking up stitches

• SIZING

Pattern includes three sizes: Small, Medium, Large.

The length of the body and the width of the chest are easily adjustable.

Finished Measurements (approx., with ribbing relaxed):

Small (S)

• Chest width at widest point: 7–8 in / 18–20 cm
• Chest/body circumference: 14–16 in / 36–41 cm
• Back length (excluding collar): 11.5 in / 29 cm

Medium (M)

• Chest width at widest point: 10–12 in / 25–30 cm
• Chest/body circumference: 20–24 in / 51–61 cm
• Back length (excluding collar): 15.5 in / 39 cm

Large (L)

• Chest width at widest point: 15–16 in / 38–41 cm
• Chest/body circumference: 30–32 in / 76–81 cm
• Back length (excluding collar): 18.5 in / 47 cm

You can lengthen or shorten the body and neck within the pattern instructions to customise the fit for your dog.

• SELLING FINISHED ITEMS

Small batch sales of finished pieces made from this pattern are permitted, but the seller must use their own photographs, and credit must be given to Handy Little Me as the designer.

• HELP

Join The Handy Little Me Knitting + Crochet Community to connect with other makers of Handy Little Me patterns for help with techniques and pattern-related questions.