Debbie Bliss Apres Ski Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Aprés Ski Dog Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Aprés Ski is a knitted dog sweater designed by Debbie Bliss, available in two sizes to fit small-medium and medium-large dogs. The garment measures 41–50cm in length along the back and 45–56cm around the chest, providing comfortable coverage for pets during cooler weather. This is a complete pullover-style sweater with shaping at the lower back for a tailored fit.

Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project employs stranded colorwork and worked flat construction methods. The stranded technique allows multiple colors to be carried across rows, creating the decorative patterned design shown in the included chart. Working flat means the pieces are knitted in separate panels on straight needles rather than in the round, which is then assembled. The pattern includes ribbed edging for structure and shaping through strategic decreases at the lower back to ensure proper fit around a dog's body.

Stitches Used

The sweater utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork techniques:

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the fabric
• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) creates the smooth, flat base fabric for the body
• Ribbing (alternating knit and purl columns) provides elastic edging at the cast-on and helps the sweater maintain its shape
• Decreases including k2tog (knit two together) and skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) shape the lower back section
• Stranded colorwork from the provided chart introduces patterned design using multiple yarn colors worked simultaneously across rows

Materials

The Aprés Ski is knitted using Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran yarn, a worsted-weight fiber available in four coordinated colors: Camel 05 (A), Black 01 (B), Bark 04 (C), and Ecru 02 (D). The small-medium size requires 2 balls of Camel, 1 ball of Black, 1 ball of Bark, and 1 ball of Ecru; the medium-large size uses 3 balls of Camel and 2 balls each of Black and Ecru. Knitting needles required include a pair of 4.5mm (US 7) needles and a pair of 5mm (US 8) needles, plus a set of 4.5mm double-pointed needles. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 22 rows over 10cm in stocking stitch using the 5mm needles.