Felted knits handle more like fabric and are more durable.  (Here are a few tutorials on felting, in case you need them: this one covers both hand & machine felting, here is a printable one on machine felting, and another on hand felting.)

The tutorial has you fitting the sweater by pinning it while it’s on your dog.  This seems like A Very Bad Idea.  I think a better idea would be to mark the sweater where you have it pinched to take up the excess material.  It might not be as precise, but you also won’t risk poking holes in your dog or yourself, which sounds much more pleasant to me.  If you’re making one for a larger dog, I’d check the length of the sleeves before you cut them off.

So check out the tutorial and don’t miss the video that also shows how to make the cardigan dog coat. It can give you a better idea of how this project works.

Here’s a great project (from Finland, nifty!) for a DIY version of the cooler coats like the Swamp Cooler, the Keep Cool Coat, or the Cool K-9 Cooling Vest. All of them use evaporative cooling to keep your dog from over-heating, though obviously you shouldn’t rely on it to keep your dog cool in a locked car or anything like that.

Once your DIY Cooler Coat is finished, just soak it in cool water, ring it out lightly, and place it on your dog.

You’ll need:

• an old towel (try a thrift store if you don’t have one) or terry cloth yardage, amount depends on size of dog
• seam binder (at least 1.5″ wide)
• velcro
• sewing machine
• thread

The instructions recommend leaving the collar off this pattern when making the Cooler Coat.  They also suggest fitting the velcro closure on the neck before working on the stomach closure.

It’s a 4 in 1 jacket that works for all seasons:

1. Full jacket with removable fleece liner
2. Water proof shell with adjustable hood that folds into collar
3. Vest
4. Fleece jacket

I like that it has:

• lots of pockets, including one with a grommet hole for dispensing bags for scooping poop, so you’ll always have what ever you might need on your walk
• a retractable key chain
• a leash for a belt—handy if you’re one of those people who finds lost dogs
• carabiners attached to the leash belt for hands-free walking
• lots of reflective piping for safety
• a back mesh pocket for a water bottle

It’s not available in Men’s sizes yet, but will be soon.

Your jacket doesn’t have to cost much.  Look for remnants at your fabric store—a cute, durable upholstery fabric could be really cute.  You could also use fleece.   Or you could use a blanket from a thrift store.  If you find a fun wool blanket, you could felt it to make a more durable & very cute jacket.

Here are a few tutorials on felting:  this one covers both hand & machine felting, here is a printable one on machine felting, and another on hand felting.

In addition to fabric, you’ll need:

• paper to make the pattern
• sufficient fabric, plus fabric for lining if you plan to line it
• fasteners like buttons, velcro, snaps
• embellishments if you want them

The tutorial shows you how and where to measure.  Then how to transfer the measurements to paper to make the pattern.

Here are some instructions to help flesh out Step 4:

1. fold your fabric in half & place “spine” of pattern on the fold
2. when you cut the fabric, pad the pattern with extra fabric for seam allowances (5/8″ or 1.5cm is standard) unless you’re using fabric that won’t fray such as felt
3. add tabs for fasteners
4. cut out lining if needed, again padding the pattern for seam allowances as above
5. if there will be no lining, hem the jacket
6. if there will be a lining, place RIGHT sides together, sew leaving opening to turn the jacket, turn and finish the jacket
7. add fasteners and any embellishments