new pattern - wurstwärmer!
Why yes, that IS German for sausage warmer!
The wiener dog body poses a number of challenges for handknitters—just ask any dachshund owner who’s watched her dog walk right out of a sweater. There’s the obvious length issue, of course–these are long, long dogs. Plus, the dachshund’s superwide chest means that most sweaters’ sleeves are too close together. Sweater necks are rarely long enough, and their sleeves are almost always too long (these two things are largely responsible for most dachshunds being able to escape their sweaters in the blink of an eye). And few dog sweaters are designed to cover that soft, hairless underbelly on a short-haired wiener.
Wurstwärmer is designed to address all of these issues. Short rows add extra material to accommodate a dachshund’s barrel chest. A long, ribbed, generously-sized turtleneck gently hugs the neck and allows for a wide range of neck and chest shapes and sizes. A long body covers the belly, and more short rows curve the sweater over the rump. Short, wide-set triangular sleeves will stay on even the wiggliest pups.
I strongly recommend taking a few measurements (listed in the pattern) and trying the sweater on as you go to make it truly custom-fit, but standard sizes are provided for gift-knitters and those whose dogs refuse to cooperate with measurings or fittings.
Wurstwärmer is knit in the round, with the exception of the short rows, which are knit back-and-forth. If you haven’t knit short rows before, don’t be intimidated. If you can knit and purl in the round, pick up stitches, increase, and decrease, you can knit this sweater.
Cost: $3 US.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS PATTERN WILL BE DONATED TO THE MICHIGAN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A DACHSHUND TO KNIT FOR, YOU MIGHT KNIT THE PATTERN AND DONATE IT TO A LOCAL DACHSHUND RESCUE ORGANIZATION. OR VISIT THE M.A.R.L. WEB SITE TO MAKE A DONATION ON YOUR OWN.
SIZING: XS (S, M, L, XL), to fit chest circumference of 11-13 (14-16, 17-19, 20-21, 22-23) inches.
MATERIALS:
– YARN:
• 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) skeins Hello Yarn Fat Sock (shown in Olive), OR
• 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins Miss Babs Yummy Sport (shown in Teal), OR
• approximately 200-500 yards sport weight wool
– 4mm 16″ circular needle (or size to get gauge)
– 4mm double-pointed needles (or size to get gauge)
– 3 stitch markers
– tapestry needle
– scrap yarn
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March 24th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Just went to rav and bought this. Love the pattern for my little doxie mix and love that the proceeds are going to an animal rescue.
March 25th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Damn, why don’t I know anyone with a dog who could wear this?? I may buy it anyway, just in case I meet someone. LOVE this.
March 25th, 2010 at 8:06 am
What a fantastic idea!!I’m so impressed that you are donating the profits, and that is a super cute sweater. I’ve got to find a weiner dog to knit for!!
March 25th, 2010 at 9:00 am
hahahahahahahahahaha- this is so awesome! now i need a weiner dog of my own.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Best dressed daschund ever.
March 25th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I want a few of these soooooooooo bad for my pooch but I don’t know how to knit. Does anyone know where I can get some of these already made?
March 25th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Holy shit. This is AWESOME! I am going to cast on for one of these for Fred tonight. Thank you, thank you, thank you Flint Knits!
March 25th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Love it! Crush is awesomely cute.
March 25th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Awesome–and your puppy is just too insanely cute
March 25th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I have never bought a knitting pattern before and my doxie might hate me for it but I think I must have this!
March 26th, 2010 at 2:37 am
Thanks so much for the pattern, had to buy it straight away!
I’ve made a few sweaters for my short haired mini-doxie, because she really needs warm clothing during the winter here in Finland. The sweaters fit her really well, but after wearing them for some moments she usually either steps out of them as you described or has managed to pull her short legs inside the sweater and reminds a larva rather than a dog.
This pattern may solve these problems, thanks for sharing!
March 26th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Oh Crush you are the perfect sweater girl!
March 28th, 2010 at 2:04 am
Can you do a whippet next please? Surely as big a challenge to the knitter
April 1st, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I love this! I wish I had a wiener dog just so I could knit them one of these. Your doggy model is seriously cute!
April 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 pm
ah, so cute. i know a little chihuahua who would look pretty sharp in the wurstwarmer.
April 4th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I need a sweater for my Sophie. She is a 14 yr old Doxie rescue. I bought the pattern in hopes I might find a knitter since I don’t know how. Can anyone help me out for a small fee?
Thank you
Alechia
April 16th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I have a Doxie! Now if only I could knit well…
April 26th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
[…] wurstwärmer (donations to date: $130) […]
April 30th, 2010 at 8:12 am
[…] I’m thrilled to report that all the attention paid to Willie has also bumped up sales of the wurstwärmer pattern. Today I made my second monthly donation of wurstwärmer proceeds to […]
May 28th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I just have to say that you have got the cutest most beautiful little girl. My little girl is adorable too, she is 5 and so stinkin’ smart, her name is Xena, the Warrior Wiener dog. I hope your baby’s leg is getting better. I also have a 7 month old Whippet that I may try this pattern for as well since their bodies are a bit awkward too. I’ve spent many hours searching for sweater patterns for my Dachshund and have not been satisfied with anything I’ve seen thus far. I’m excited to get this made for her.
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I want to knit this for my little one. And she really is a LITTLE one! She weighs just barely seven pounds. Does the pattern include instructions for different size doxies?
July 18th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
I thought I would know how to knit this but am now totally stuck with the wrap and turn part. Any help out there for me? Or a link to a online tutorial? Thanks!
July 26th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I still need more help with figuring out this pattern. Where can I get additional help that is specific to knitting the Wurstwarmer. The u-tube videos are great but there is some ambiguity about the instructions in a couple of places and the generic knitting instructional videos won’t address those. Much obliged.
July 31st, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Am so glad I got this pattern! The design allows for a perfect fit and is easy- an 11 inch circular needle will make it even easier. For a heavier sweater, you can use a worsted weight yarn (alpaca, angora, and mohair are nice) and knit a size down for girth while keeping your custom length measurements. Yes, I even knit a pair in cashmere. Many thanks from Peanut and Iggy and their knitty Auntie. Hope Crush is doing fine :<}
October 3rd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
[…] to the knitting…. I’ve also started a Wurstwarmer for Henry. I’m having to size this one up since Henry isn’t a tiny dachshund, but I […]
October 31st, 2010 at 1:04 pm
I love the sweater. I have been searching countless hours looking for a sweater knit in the round to fit a Cocker Spaniel. I adopted my Hanna and also foster Annie for the same rescue. I want to donate these sweaters for all the kids as they go to their forever homes. Do you have one for a cocker?
December 28th, 2010 at 5:12 am
AM knitting this pattern. Instructions have problems. Following the neck ribbing, and m1 for increase, the numbers are incorrect. When wrap and turn, while increasing the chest, it says to continue until you have 10 stitches (size M) remining on the chest middle which have not been w and t. This makes the chest too long. I am doing something wrong, and it seems as if you could continue to approx 44 stitches remaining. ????? HELP please.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Help! where is the marker referred to in the “Rump Row” section located? I’m stuck. I’m knitting this out of ‘Amazing’ and up to this point it looks great. Many thanks.
marcia
January 31st, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I have TWO weener dogs to knit for but am too cheap to buy the pattern. Guess I’l just wing it from the picture.
February 21st, 2011 at 7:16 pm
This looks perfect for my ‘grand doxy’, It would look so cute on her and looks like it could keep her warm during this cold weather. Thanks for showing this.
March 7th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
This is awesome…Bought it JUST BECAUSE the money is being donated!
and also cause my doxies are cold here in sunny Los Angeles…
( yes…they are spoiled rotten!)
Thank you so much! Excited to start knitting!
June 23rd, 2011 at 12:46 am
Yes at last a sweater that fits Oliver, and I really enjoyed knitting this pattern, very easy to follow. Thank You
September 12th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
I too have a dachshund & would love to get the pattern as it’s looks great as well as little dakkies (as we call them :)) in Australia do feel the cold. Could you tell me please how or if I too could get this pattern being in Australia?
Congrats to the lady who knitted it as it Truly lovely.
Any reply would be appreciated.
Would so love to have the pattern
September 12th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
In Reply to Samy,April 16th, 2010 at 7:16 pm.
Hey Samy! I would love to knit the pattern for you if you like. If you haven’t already got it
Just let me know!
October 26th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
This is great idea. My poor weiner dog freezes outside and store bought sweaters just don’t fit. If only I knew how to knit!
February 1st, 2012 at 3:52 pm
I had to buy this pattern just for the name alone! I’ve been owned by little wursts for nearly 40 years and have also been active in rescue and fundraising. Sweaters made from this pattern will benefit the West ‘Burb Wieners, a 501c3 charity dedicated to raising funds to pay the medical needs of doxies in shelter and foster care.
February 5th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
This is a super cute sweater!! I own 3 dachshunds and I know the issues of getting sweaters to fit! I crocheted one and it was just a horrible, tight fit for one of my pups. I came up with my own crocheted version that allows for adjustment if doggy gets plump though.
I love this. I know how to knit, but don’t because crochet works so much faster. Lol.
March 21st, 2012 at 9:28 am
Just bought this sweater for my rescued mini dachshund. (I’m looking for another mini…in case anyone knows of one
Not for show or breeding just for a loving pet. Bella (my dachshund) needs a playmate. I have 2 much older dalmatians who don’t play anymore. ;-(
I made a different pattern and she walks right out of it. I can’t wait to get started on this one. It’s spring right now but by this winter she’ll be ready for the snow.
July 25th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Finally figured out the pattern after trying this and that! Now have a nicely fitting doggie sweater for Wiggles.
August 3rd, 2012 at 7:47 am
I have searched high and low for a pattern for my sausage… Would love to have this one. How do I get it in South Africa?
August 3rd, 2012 at 7:53 am
and my sausage looks exactly like the one in the pic…