Dog Sweater Legholes Math Help!!!

Good afternoon my lovely fellow knitters!

I am in a quandary as to how to continue my current project. As my photo shows (sorry, this was the easiest way I could think to condense my thoughts and explain it), I’ve started knitting a dog sweater but am struggling with the math for how to split for the legs. Please read the photo info to get an idea of what my struggle is and how you can help :slight_smile:
I was hoping some of you amazing knitting math gurus could help me?

NOTE: hbs = half brioche stitch.
Pattern = Ursa Canis by Jacqueline Cieslak

Welcome to the forum!


I’m assuming that the size 9 measurements fit in other ways, chest size for example. The only thing that needs adjustment is the leg opening. Is that correct?
Usually these leg openings are knit as rectangles without much shaping. Can you work the stitches as given in the pattern for the size 9 but extend the length that you knit leaving that opening? So if you cast off a given number of sts for the opening then knit the separate parts for
6cm in length you would cast off that same number but knit the pieces for 8-10cm. You could then measure the fit of the coat on the dog (again assuming the dog is a willing model) and judge how long to extend the opening for a comfortable fit.
You will also be able to tell if you need to cast off a few more sts for each opening.
Brioche or half-brioche is usually very stretchy so this will help with the fit. You won’t have to be too precise because there will be give in the knit fabric.
It will help to put in a lifeline before you work on the openings so that it’s easy to go back if you need to adjust.

ETA: One other thought. If there is ribbing around the leg, you want the leg opening to be loose because the ribbing or finishing at the leg will pull the opening in and make it smaller. It’s worth making the opening and then adding the finishing if called for before knitting the rest of the sweater just to make sure of the fit.