Jack Frost is still nipping at your nose, and you can bet he’s nipping at your pets too! As an animal lover, I started adopting senior dogs, as well as special needs dogs, many years ago. One thing I’ve found to be true with the miniature dogs I’ve taken in, is that they’re always looking to snuggle up in a blanket whenever they can. So, this week I’ll show you how to make a super-simple DIY doggie sweater that your pets will LOVE! You could also make these as gifts for friends or family members with pets!  

All you’ll need are some long-sleeved fleece pullovers or cardigans (both of which are easily found at Goodwill). Fleece is awesome because it doesn’t ravel and won’t require any sewing. It’s important to pick a style that has a nice cuff or taper at the end of the sleeve since the sleeve will eventually become our coat. So grab a pair of sharp scissors and take a few quick measurements of your pet.

First, measure the length of your dog from the center of the back of the neck to the base of the tail. Next, for leg holes, measure from the center of the front of the neck to legs, and then the distance in between. I cut my example with curve, emulating another dog coat  I already had. If you have a dog sweater you purchased, you can also use it as a reference. I cut the leg holes round, but you could also simply make slits. This is your project and you just can’t really make a mistake here. Once you’ve finished your sweater, the left over pieces can be made into mini blankets, or they could also be used as dust cloths.  

This is a fun and easy project for you or your kids to do for your pets—cats included! Please shop at one of our well-organized Goodwill stores to find fleece to fit your tastes. Fleece is washable and so comfy for your furry friends during the cold of winter!