Ursa Canis: For the discerning dog
URSA CANIS is a fresh take on a classic look for your pup with clean lines and intuitive shaping. This sweater features seamless, top-down construction, so you can try it on for fit as you go, and simple half-brioche detailing across the underside and legs...
URSA CANIS is a fresh take on a classic look for your pup with clean lines and intuitive shaping. This sweater features seamless, top-down construction, so you can try it on for fit as you go, and simple half-brioche detailing across the underside and legs, creating a stretchy, snug fit for the belly. With 12 sizes and an optional harness hole, this pattern is designed to be a go-to for knitters with cold-prone furry companions.

PATTERN DETAILS
Instead of posting all the details here, I have created a PDF with all the essential information that you can download here.
YARN SPOTLIGHT: Little Skein in the Big Wool
I collaborated with yarn dyer Anne Vally of Little Skein in the Big Wool for this design, who created beautiful custom colorways for both my dog Raii (black miniature schnauzer) and her dog Molly (beagle).
- Raii’s sample is made with Harvest Sport (sport weight 100% non-superwash domestic Merino & Rambouillet wool, 312 yds/285 m/100 g) held together with Mohair Lace (lace weight 72% kid mohair/28% silk, 459 yds/420 m/50 g) in color “Raii.”
- Molly’s sample is made with Targhee Sweater (worsted weight 100% non-superwash Targhee wool, 220 yds/201 m/100 g) in color “Molly.”
Click here to view the Ursa Canis collection from Little Skein!
Please note, alternative yarn suggestions at a variety of price points are available on the Ravelry and Payhip listings.
With/without harness hole
The pattern includes instructions for adding an optional harness hole, which you can see in some of the test knits below.
TEST KNITTING ROUND-UP
SIZE 2 — Frankie
Dog breed: very small miniature dachshund (under 7lbs)
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Jamie
👉 See Jamie’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Jamie on Instagram @witt_knitter


SIZE 3 — Cochoate
Dog breed: Mix, golden doodle with chihuahua
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Rocío
👉 See Rocío’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Rocío on Instagram @lrociosr


SIZE 3 — Lentil
Dog breed: Greyhuahua (mix)
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Brandi
👉 See Brandi’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Brandi on Instagram @Brandimaemakes


SIZE 4 — Bella
Dog breed: French bulldog
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Arthella
👉 See Arthella’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Arthella on Instagram @heiressknits


SIZE 4 — Laika
Dog breed: Half beagle / half neighbor dog
Harness hole: yes
Knitter: Rachel
👉 See Rachel’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelofferdahl


SIZE 4 — Raii (pattern model)
Dog breed: miniature schnauzer
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Jacqui (designer)


SIZE 5 — Agnus
Dog breed: yorkie
Harness hole: yes
Knitter: Kathleen
👉 See Kathleen’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Kathleen on Instagram @kgm5px


SIZE 5 — Neko
Dog breed: Chihuahua, Boston Terrier, Miniature Poodle Mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Emily
👉 See Emily’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Emily on Instagram @tinylaser


SIZE 5 — Elsa
Dog breed: Miniature schnauzer
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Caitlin
👉 See Caitlin’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Caitlin on Instagram @knit26_


SIZE 5 — Bowser
Dog breed: American bully
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Emme
👉 See Emme’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Emme on Instagram @Rocksteadyemme


SIZE 5 — Monty
Dog breed: Mini Dachshund
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Kelly
👉 See Kelly’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Kelly on Instagram @HeavyKnitter


SIZE 5 — Yawa
Dog breed: Jack Russel
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Melanie
👉 See Melanie’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Melanie on Instagram @Woolrules


SIZE 5 — Beanie
Dog breed: Boston Terrier
Harness hole: yes
Knitter: Emily
👉 See Emily’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Emily on Instagram @emily.c.gillies


SIZE 6 — Daisy
Dog breed: Boston Terrier
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Rochelle
👉 See Rochelle’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Rochelle on Instagram @yarnelleknits


SIZE 6 — Rustine
Dog breed: Boston Terrier
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Marie-Reine
👉 See Marie-Reine’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Marie-Reine on Instagram @aufildutempsjelaine


SIZE 6 — Purl
Dog breed: Labradoodle
Harness hole: yes
Knitter: Janine
👉 See Janine’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Janine on Instagram @Willcoknits


SIZE 7 — Jack
Dog breed: Poodle mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Elisa
👉 See Janine’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Janine on Instagram @weckum


SIZE 7 — Winston
Dog breed: Cattle dog mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Candiss
👉 See Candiss’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Candiss on Instagram @Candissmakes


SIZE 7 — Norman
Dog breed: Boston terrier
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Emily
👉 See Emily’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Emily on Instagram @Cemweecurt


SIZE 7 — Daisy
Dog breed: Mostly German Shepherd, some mutt
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Rebekah
👉 See Rebekah’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Rebekah on Instagram @limoncelloknits


SIZE 7 — Theo
Dog breed: Shih Tzu
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Gillian
👉 See Gillian’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Gillian on Instagram @everyfibreofmybeing


SIZE 7 — Molly (pattern model)
Dog breed: Beagle
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Anne (yarn dyer)
👉 See Anne’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Anne on Instagram @littleskeinanne


SIZE 8 — Cassie
Dog breed: Beagle/Australian Shepard mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Ember
👉 See Ember’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Ember on Instagram @erb325


SIZE 8 — Nola
Dog breed: Mini Australian shepherd
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Sylvan
👉 See Sylvan’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Sylvan on Instagram @_sylvant


SIZE 9 — Molly
Dog breed: English Pointer mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Patrice
👉 See Patrice’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Patrice on Instagram @beesinthepines


SIZE 9 — Fitz
Dog breed: Hound mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Sara
👉 Follow Sara on Instagram @hernameissaralynn


SIZE 9 — Whiskey
Dog breed: Pit Bull & Lab mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Jamie
👉 See Jamie’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Jamie on Instagram @knitigation


SIZE 10 — Phoebe
Dog breed: Pittie/lab mix
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Rin
👉 See Rin’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Rin on Instagram @russetfiberstudio


SIZE 12 — Andromeda
Dog breed: Not a dog, a mini pig!
Harness hole: no
Knitter: Jennifer
👉 See Jennifer’s project page on Ravelry
👉 Follow Jennifer on Instagram @Jenn_rackley

