Vibrant Leopard Dog Sweater in Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling Yarn - M21105 BSAP - Downloadable PDF

Lion Brand Vibrant Leopard Dog Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern M21105 BSAP

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Lion Brand guides knitters through creating a bold, eye-catching leopard-print dog sweater sized to fit small, medium, and large dogs. Worked in Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling yarn, this colorful pet accessory combines a fun animal-print aesthetic with practical, durable construction. The pattern is rated Easy, making it an accessible project for beginner and confident beginner knitters who want to try colorwork without overwhelming complexity.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a fitted dog sweater knitted in the round, designed to cover a dog's back and torso. Three finished size options are available:

• Small: 19½ in. (49.5 cm) chest circumference, 14 in. (35.5 cm) length including bands
• Medium: 23 in. (58.5 cm) chest circumference, 18 in. (45.5 cm) length including bands
• Large: 27 in. (68.5 cm) chest circumference, 21 in. (53.5 cm) length including bands

The sweater features a vibrant leopard spot colorwork design worked across the body, giving it a striking, fashion-forward look that stands out from typical pet knitwear. Finished bands are included in the length measurements, providing a neat, polished edge at the openings.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling yarn (Art. #202), a worsted weight yarn celebrated for its smooth, consistent texture and resistance to pilling — an especially practical quality for pet garments that experience frequent wear and washing. Three colorways are used to achieve the leopard print effect:

• #105 Frost (Color A) – 1 ball for Small, 2 balls for Medium, 3 balls for Large
• #138 Pomegranate (Color B) – 1 ball for Small, 2 balls for Medium and Large
• #195 Hot Pink (Color C) – 1 ball for Small, 2 balls for Medium and Large

The combination of a cool Frost base with warm Pomegranate and vivid Hot Pink accents creates the vibrant, high-contrast leopard pattern referenced in the design name.

Needles and Tools

Required tools include:

• Lion Brand double pointed needles, size 8 (5 mm) – a set of 5, used for knitting smaller circumference sections such as leg openings and bands in the round
• Circular knitting needles – referenced in the additional materials section for working the larger body sections in the round
• Lion Brand stitch markers – used to mark rounds and section boundaries throughout construction
• Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle – for weaving in yarn ends and finishing

Techniques and Construction

This sweater is knitted in the round, a technique that eliminates seaming and creates a smooth, tube-like fabric ideal for fitted garments. Knitting in the round is particularly well-suited to colorwork patterns like this leopard print, as the knitter always faces the right side of the work, making it easier to read and follow the color chart or written color instructions.

The primary technique that defines this pattern is stranded colorwork (also known as Fair Isle-style knitting), in which multiple yarn colors — here, three distinct shades — are carried across the row and picked up as needed to form the leopard spot motif. Managing yarn tension evenly across the back of the work (the "float") is a key skill practiced in this pattern, and the worsted weight yarn makes those floats easier to handle than finer weights would.

The construction also incorporates knitting in the round on double pointed needles for narrower sections, a foundational technique for tubular knitting where circular needles would be too long. Stitch markers are used throughout to keep track of round beginnings and any shaping points.

Stitches Used

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