Reindeer Sweater for Dogs in Novita Nordic Wool - Downloadable PDF

Reindeer Sweater for Dogs in Novita Nordic Wool – Knitting Pattern Summary

Designed by Sisko Sälpäkivi and published by Novita, this Reindeer Sweater for Dogs is a charming, festive knitting pattern available as a free downloadable PDF. It produces a fitted, pullover-style dog sweater featuring a classic reindeer intarsia motif worked in multiple colours, making it an ideal seasonal project for knitters who want to dress their pets in handmade style. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well-suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping, colourwork, and reading charts.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a knitted sweater designed to fit over a dog's body, covering the back and chest. It is shaped to accommodate the natural contours of a dog, with increases at the sides to widen the body section, strategic marker placements to define leg openings, and decreases toward the neck. A ribbed neckline provides a neat, stretchy finish. The sweater features a bold reindeer intarsia colourwork panel worked from a chart, positioned centrally along the back for maximum visual impact.

The pattern is sized to fit five dog sizes: XS, S, M, L, and XL, accommodating chest circumferences of approximately 34–40 cm up to 66–72 cm and back lengths of approximately 30 cm to 56 cm. The pattern also includes separate marker placement instructions for female and male dogs, accounting for anatomical differences in body shape.

Sizes and Dimensions

• XS: chest circumference approx. 34–40 cm, back length approx. 30 cm
• S: chest circumference approx. 42–48 cm, back length approx. 38 cm
• M: chest circumference approx. 50–56 cm, back length approx. 44 cm
• L: chest circumference approx. 58–64 cm, back length approx. 50 cm
• XL: chest circumference approx. 66–72 cm, back length approx. 56 cm

Back length is measured from the withers to the base of the tail with the dog in a standing position, and chest circumference is measured at the widest point behind the front legs.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Novita Nordic Wool, a DK-weight yarn, worked in several colours to achieve the multicolour reindeer design. The specific colours used are:

• (397) Spruce – the main colour, used for the body of the sweater; required in quantities of 150 g (XS/S), 200 g (M/L), or 250 g (XL)
• (060) Sand – used in the intarsia motif; less than 50 g required
• (010) Off White – used in the intarsia motif; less than 50 g required
• (549) Christmas – used as an accent in the motif; a small amount required
• (099) Black – used as an accent in the motif; a small amount required

No specific needle size is stated in the extracted pattern text, but as a DK-weight project, knitters should swatch to achieve an appropriate gauge for a fitted fabric. Separate yarn bobbins or small lengths of yarn are recommended for the intarsia colourwork sections to prevent tangling between colour areas.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on a range of intermediate knitting techniques, making it a rewarding project for those looking to build their skills:

• Intarsia colourwork: The reindeer motif is worked using the intarsia method, where separate yarn supplies are used for each colour section. Unlike stranded colourwork, intarsia involves twisting yarns at colour joins to prevent holes, and is worked flat from a chart. The chart's midpoint is marked with an arrow to help knitters centre the motif correctly on each size.
• Garter stitch edging: The cast-on edge and side borders of the back piece are worked in garter stitch (knit every row