Welcome to the forum!
There is no need to cast on sts. You’ll be picking up sts along a cast on edge (perhaps the back of the sweater?) between the markers then following the directions for knitting the hood. Here’s a video for picking up sts in case that helps.
Thank you so much! I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what this meant. After you responded, it finally clicked in.
The best news! Good going.
Thank you so much for these tutorial guides!
I’ve had to start my second jersey because I messed up on the hoodie section.
I get to the point where I have ended the back shaping and have left my stitches on a spare needle.
For the next hood section, where am I picking up the required stitches in relation to the spare stitches on the needle?
Do I incorporate them, or pick up on either side of them?
Hope this makes sense….
Welcome to the forum!
What is the name of your pattern? If it’s like the one above, the sts are picked up in the center area at the cast on.
If your pattern reads differently, you can post a few rows of the directions for the hood. Just a couple of rows please due to designer copyright.
This may not help here but in future, a lifeline or two may prevent having to rip back or start over on a project.
Thank you for this quick response!
Yes, it’s the same dog hoodie jersey Bernat pattern as above.
Back shaping: Cast off 6 (7-9-13) sts beg next 2 rows. 42 (54-64-96) sts. Next row: (RS). Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. Next row: Purl. Rep last 2 rows to 26 (36-42-66) sts. Cont even until work after neckband measures 10 (121⁄2-151⁄2-21) ins [25.5 (32-39.5-53.5) cm], ending with purl row. Leave sts on a spare needle.
*I’m fine until this point. I have cast on edge, stitches on spare needle, and cast on edge on the other side. Now, for the hood, when I have placed markers, do I pick up and knit stitches behind or in front of stitches on spare needle? *
Hood: Place markers along cast on edge on 6th (7th-9th-10th) st from each edge. (RS). Pick up and knit 29 (33-41-63) sts between markers along cast on edge. Purl 1 row. Next row: (RS). K14 (16- 20-31). M1. K1 (place marker on center st). M1. Knit to end of row. Next row….
OK, the back ends with the stitches on a spare needle, 26sts for the smallest size. The beginning, the cast on edge is 40sts with no stitches on hold. The cast on edge should be a straight edge across with increases on the following rows. There won’t be sts on hold here.
This is a simple diagram (not to scale) of the sweater showing the direction of knitting from bottom to top and the area to pick up sts for the hood in red.
Oh my hat! I was picking up stitches for hoodie on the wrong edge. 
No wonder my poor terrier was looking like Quasimodo!
Thank you so much for this sketch!!!
I think I’m being to understand.
For the next section:
Back Ribbing: (RS). With circular needle pick up and knit 33 (37-51-67) sts along body from marker to back. K26 (36-42-66) from spare needle, dec 1 st at center. Pick up and knit 33 (37-51-67) sts along opposite side of body to marker. 91 (109-141-197) sts. Do not join in rnd. Knit 8 rows. Cast off. Sew neck and belly seam.
Please can you explain (illustrate) from which point I pick up, knit, pick up? Am I back at the top edge, by my spare needle?
What does ‘don’t join in the round’ mean?
So, is this the section that shows the ribbing at tail end on the picture?
I guess I am having difficulty picturing where the neck and belly seams are going to be and how to join it all together?
Am I correct in saying that the pattern forms the garment from the top to bottom?
Thanks again for taking the time to answer these convoluted questions!
Sounds like you’ve got it right. Yes, the sweater is knit from the neck and chest to the tail end.
For the back ribbing, you placed markers 5 inches (smallest size for example) from the neckband. If you didn’t place the markers, you can do so now by measuring from the neck now.
Pick up sts from the right edge (red arrow near top of drawing), knit across held sts and continue pick up to the second marker. Don’t join the sts as you would with a seamless hat to knit in the round. Knit these sts back and forth.
For the neck and belly seam, I placed a dashed line in the drawing but it may be best to try this on the dog and see where it would be comfortable to place the seam. Make sure that it’s easy to get it over the dog’s head without tugging and that the neck won’t be too tight.
You’re an absolute 
! Thanks for this. I get it now. I’m excited to get going! Greetings from windy Cape Town.
