Triangle Bikini Set with Thong Bottom for Dogs

Intermediate Crochet Pattern – Medium Yorkie (approx. 13 lb)

Finished Fit (with ties adjusted):

• Neck circumference: 9–11" (23–28 cm)
• Chest/girth: 13–15" (33–38 cm)
• Back length coverage: 10–12" (25–30 cm)
• Waist (bottom): 12–14" (30–35.5 cm) adjustable
• Crotch width: 1½" (4 cm)
• Designed for a medium Yorkie ~13 lb. Ties allow fine-tuning. Measure your dog’s neck, chest (behind front legs), and waist before starting.

Yarn
Worsted weight (category 4) cotton or cotton-blend recommended for breathability and washability.
Approx. 120–150 yd (110–137 m) total – 80 yd main color (MC) for body, 40–70 yd contrast (CC) for ties/edging if desired.
Example: 1 skein each of two colors.

Hook
US G/6 (4 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions
Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, tape measure. Optional: ¼" elastic (6–8") only if you prefer a non-tie waist casing (ties are safer/default for dogs).

Gauge
14 hdc and 11 rows = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm) in hdc, unblocked.
Make a gauge swatch. Fit depends on gauge. Adjust hook size if necessary.

Abbreviations (US terms)
ch = chain
st(s) = stitch(es)
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together (decrease)
inc = 2 hdc in same st
BLO = back loop only
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
PM = place marker
rep = repeat
FO = fasten off

Notes

• Pattern uses hdc for soft drape and slight stretch.
• Work tightly enough for coverage but not stiff.
• Dog safety: weave all ends securely; ties must be long enough to knot securely but not dangle excessively. Supervise wear.
• Thong bottom has a narrow crotch panel and open sides with ties (not full shorts legs).
• Inline stitch-count checks appear as (count ✓).

Gauge Swatch (required)

With G/6 (4 mm) hook and worsted yarn:
Ch 18.
Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (16 hdc).
Rows 2–12: ch 2 (does not count as st), turn, hdc in each st across.
Measure center 4" × 4". Adjust hook until you obtain 14 hdc × 11 rows = 4".

TRIANGLE BIKINI TOP

Finished triangle: base 7" (18 cm), height 5" (12.5 cm) before ties.

Foundation
With MC, ch 3.
Row 1 (RS): 2 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. (2 hdc)
Row 2: ch 2, turn, inc in first st, hdc in last st. (3 hdc)
Row 3: ch 2, turn, inc in first st, hdc across to last st, inc in last st. (5 hdc)
Row 4: ch 2, turn, inc in first st, hdc across to last st, inc in last st. (7 hdc)
Row 5: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (9 hdc)
Row 6: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (11 hdc)
Row 7: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (13 hdc)
Row 8: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (15 hdc)
Row 9: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (17 hdc)
Row 10: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (19 hdc)
Row 11: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (21 hdc)
Row 12: ch 2, turn, inc, hdc across, inc. (23 hdc)
(23 hdc = approx. 6.5–7" base at gauge ✓)

Do not FO. Continue to ties.

Top Neck Tie (worked from one top corner)
Ch 45 (or length needed to tie comfortably around neck).
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch back to the triangle.
Sl st into the top corner st of the triangle to secure. FO.

Second Neck Tie
Join yarn at opposite top corner of triangle, ch 45, sl st back, secure, FO.

Chest/Underbust Ties (from base corners)
Join MC or CC at one base corner of triangle.
Ch 55 (long enough to tie under chest/behind front legs).
Sl st back along ch, secure to corner, FO.
Repeat on opposite base corner.

Optional Edging
Join CC at any corner, sc evenly around all three sides of triangle (3 sc in each corner), join, FO. Weave ends.

Top Finishing
Block triangle lightly to 7" base × 5" height. Weave all ends securely on WS.

THONG BIKINI BOTTOM

(Adapted from bottom-up shorts construction: narrow crotch replaces full legs; open hips with ties replace continuous leg tubes.)

Measurements used
Crotch depth/rise: 3" (7.5 cm)
Crotch panel width: 1½" (4 cm)
Waist circumference (finished, pre-tie): 12–14" (30–35.5 cm) adjustable by ties.

Crotch Panel (Foundation – replaces dual leg tubes)

With MC, ch 8.
Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across. (6 hdc)
Rows 2–8: ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across. (6 hdc)
(6 hdc × 8 rows ≈ 1.7" wide × 3" long ✓ – this is the narrow thong crotch strip that runs between the legs.)

Do not FO. You will now work in the round by adding waist chains and joining.

Joining into Waist Round (crotch-to-body transition)

From end of crotch panel:
Ch 20 (right hip/side chain).
Join with sl st to the opposite short end of the crotch panel (this creates one leg opening).
Ch 20 (left hip/side chain).
Join with sl st to the first short end of the crotch panel (second leg opening formed).

You now have a continuous round: 6 hdc (front of crotch) + 20 ch + 6 hdc (back of crotch) + 20 ch.
Total foundation sts for waist: 52 sts (6+20+6+20 = 52 ✓).

Round 1 (setup)
Ch 2 (does not count as st), hdc in each of the 6 crotch sts, hdc in each of next 20 ch, hdc in each of next 6 crotch sts, hdc in each of next 20 ch, join with sl st to first hdc. (52 hdc ✓)

PM at center front and center back if desired.

Crotch Shaping (short-row style decreases for comfort – prevents bulk)

Round 2
Ch 2, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 18 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 18 sts, hdc2tog, join. (48 hdc: 4 decreases ✓)

Round 3
Ch 2, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 16 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 16 sts, hdc2tog, join. (44 hdc ✓)

Round 4
Ch 2, hdc around, join. (44 hdc)
(Crotch curve now shaped; fabric lies flat without sag ✓)

Body / Waistband

Rounds 5–8
Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join. (44 hdc each round)
(44 hdc ≈ 12.5" circumference at gauge – perfect starting waist for 13 lb Yorkie with tie ease ✓)

Optional ribbed look (Rounds 9–10)
Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around, join. (44 sc)
Repeat for second round if desired.

Hip Ties (instead of closed elastic waist – safer & adjustable for dogs)

FO after last round, leaving a short tail.

Right Hip Tie
Locate the approximate side point (about 11 sts from center front). Join yarn, ch 50.
Sl st back along the ch to the waist edge, sl st to secure. FO.

Left Hip Tie
Mirror on opposite side: join, ch 50, sl st back, secure, FO.

(Alternative: make four shorter ties – two front, two back – and tie at sides.)

Optional Elastic Casing (if preferred over ties)
Work 4 extra rounds of sc after Round 8. Fold casing to inside, whipstitch down, leaving 1" opening. Thread 6–8" of ¼" elastic, overlap ends ½", sew securely, close opening. (Ties remain the recommended default.)

FINISHING (both pieces)

1. Weave in every end securely with yarn needle on WS; tug-test all ties and joins.
2. Block gently: dampen, pin top triangle to 7" × 5" and bottom flat to measurements, dry completely. This sets stitches and smooths the thong crotch curve.
3. Final fit check on dog:
   • Top triangle sits on back or chest; neck ties knot comfortably; chest ties secure under belly behind front legs.
   • Bottom: crotch panel centered between legs; waist sits at natural waist; side ties knot at hips. Should allow full movement, sitting, and potty breaks without shifting.
4. Care: Hand or gentle machine wash cold, lay flat to dry.

Customization notes

• Longer coverage: add 2–4 extra hdc rows to top triangle or bottom waist.
• More coverage on bottom: begin crotch panel with ch 10 (8 hdc) and adjust joining chains to 18 each side to keep waist ~12–14".
• Color blocking: work top in MC, bottom in CC, ties in either.
• Stitch variation: replace hdc with dc for lacier look (re-check gauge and counts; dc gauge is typically 12–13 sts = 4").

Enjoy your pup’s new triangle bikini with thong bottom! Always supervise wear and remove for rough play or unsupervised time.