A shawl collar changes more than the neckline of a crochet dog sweater. Its wider folded shape can frame a Shih Tzu’s face, create extra visual depth around the shoulders, and give plum noir and fog gray a natural place to meet without covering the entire sweater in stripes.
Shih Tzus are compact dogs with broad, deep chests and dense double coats, and the coat itself can make a dog appear larger than its underlying body. That makes individual measurements especially important when planning a close-fitting crochet garment.
The tutorials below include cowl-neck coats, custom-fit pullovers, textured small-dog sweaters, buttoned coats, sleeved designs, and adjustable constructions that can support a shawl-collar interpretation. Not every source teaches a literal shawl collar. Where the original neckline is ribbed, plain, or cowl-shaped, the shawl styling described here is an adaptation concept; follow the creator’s tutorial for the actual construction and verify that any collar modification remains comfortable.
Quick List
- Crochet Plum Noir Wide Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Buttoned Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Coat Sweater
- Crochet Plum Noir Custom-Fit Foldover Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Suzette-Texture Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Plum Noir Color-Block Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Striped Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Plum Noir Lightweight Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Puff-Texture Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Plum Noir Long-Sleeve Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Adjustable Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Coat Sweater
- Crochet Plum Noir Classic Two-Tone Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Back-Extension Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
- Crochet Plum Noir Four-Size Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Coat Sweater
- Crochet Fog Gray Streamlined Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
Treat the Shawl Collar as a Fit Feature, Not Just Decoration
A human shawl collar usually lies open and folds back around the neck. Translating that idea to dog clothing requires more restraint. A Shih Tzu collar should not rise so high that it rubs the jaw, ears, or facial hair, and it should not create a heavy fold that slides forward when the dog lowers its head.
Cowl-neck tutorials are useful starting points because they already create extra fabric around the neck. A ribbed collar can also inspire a smaller foldover treatment when its construction permits. What matters is whether the neckline can still pass comfortably over the head or open sufficiently through a fastening system.
Avoid changing collar depth by guessing at row counts from an unrelated design. First understand how the selected tutorial joins the neck to the chest, because reducing or enlarging that area can affect both circumference and shoulder fit.
Fit the Sweater Over the Shih Tzu You Actually Have
A full-coated Shih Tzu and the same dog after a close grooming can fill a sweater differently. The breed standard describes a dense double coat, so take measurements under the conditions in which the sweater will usually be worn rather than relying on a breed-size label alone.
Chest circumference, neck circumference, back length, foreleg position, and underside length each solve a different fit problem. A sweater can fit around the chest but still pull at the armholes, or fit the back while leaving excessive fabric beneath the belly.
The collar needs special attention on a long-coated dog. You want enough room for the coat without creating such a loose neckline that the sweater rotates. Check the garment while the dog is standing and moving, not only while sitting for a fitting.
Give Plum Noir and Fog Gray Different Jobs
Plum noir is deep enough to act as the visual anchor. It can define a broad collar, central torso, lower band, or sleeves while fog gray provides a softer field around it. Using gray as the dominant shade creates a lighter-looking garment and lets a plum collar become the focal point.
A shawl-style neckline gives you an obvious two-color boundary. One effective approach is a fog gray body with a plum noir foldover collar; another is a plum body with a gray inner collar that becomes visible only when folded back.
Try to keep both yarns compatible in weight and behavior. A loose, drapey gray paired with a firm plum yarn can cause the collar and body to stretch differently even when the colors work perfectly together.
1. Crochet Plum Noir Wide Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
This idea comes closest to the requested neckline. Start with a plum noir body and interpret the source’s substantial cowl as a broad fog gray foldover collar. The supporting tutorial is made to measure and builds the neck separately before joining it and developing the body, leg openings, back shaping, and ribbed finishing.
The Separate Cowl Gives the Collar Its Own Identity
Because the neck begins as a distinct section, you can treat fog gray as a deliberate collar color rather than inserting a random stripe into the torso. The visual separation is useful for a shawl-inspired look.
Before reducing or reshaping that cowl, determine how much of its circumference is necessary for dressing the dog. A collar that looks elegant while lying flat still needs to pass comfortably over the head.
Made-to-Measure Construction Helps With Coat Volume
This source is particularly useful when a Shih Tzu falls awkwardly between standard sizes. Measure with the dog’s usual coat length and check the chest as the body develops.
If the dog is groomed dramatically shorter at different times of year, consider whether you want the sweater to fit the fuller coat or the clipped coat rather than trying to make one tight fit cover both conditions.
Keep the Fold Clear of Facial Hair
A wide collar should settle backward toward the shoulders instead of bunching beneath the chin. On a heavily coated Shih Tzu, evaluate how the collar interacts with ear and neck hair before making the fold more dramatic.
Creator Credit: Loops Only Crochet
2. Crochet Fog Gray Buttoned Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Coat Sweater
Fog gray across the body creates a soft background for a deep plum noir collar. This design differs from the pullovers because the source uses a prominent cowl-neck coat with an underside button closure, giving you another option when pulling a sweater over the head is inconvenient.
Bottom Fastening Changes the Dressing Routine
A buttoned underside can be useful for a dog that dislikes having its legs manipulated through a close pullover. It also gives you access to the body without making the neckline excessively stretchy.
Check button placement while the dog is lying down as well as standing. Hardware should not become a pressure point against the chest or belly.
Plum Noir Can Turn the Collar Into the Main Feature
A solid gray torso lets a broad plum collar carry nearly all of the contrast. That is particularly effective for a shawl-collar look because the neckline already occupies more visual space than a narrow rib.
Repeating plum only in a thin lower edge can connect the palette without distracting from the collar.
A Softer Fold May Suit a Full-Coated Neck
Instead of forcing a crisp tailored fold, allow the collar to sit according to the dog’s coat and neck shape. A very dense Shih Tzu coat may naturally hold the crochet fabric farther away from the body than a short coat would.
Creator Credit: Marly Bird
3. Crochet Plum Noir Custom-Fit Foldover Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
For a cleaner pullover, use plum noir through the main body and fog gray for a foldover neck. Maria’s Blue Crayon’s construction is measurement-led and develops from a ribbed collar into a custom-fitted chest and body, making it useful when standard small-dog sizing does not match the individual Shih Tzu.
Custom Fitting Is Valuable Around a Broad Chest
Shih Tzus have more substance through the body than their small height might suggest. Rather than choosing a sweater only because it is labeled “small,” compare the construction with the dog’s actual chest.
Fit the chest first, then check how the sweater continues toward the back so the whole garment does not become oversized.
A Ribbed Neck Can Inspire a Controlled Fold
The source collar can be worn with different amounts of height, which makes it a practical starting point for a restrained shawl-style fold. Keep fog gray around that neck section and let the plum body begin at the chest transition.
The fold should stay soft enough that it does not push thick neck hair toward the face.
Pullover Tolerance Matters
This sweater goes over the head and requires the front legs to pass through openings. That construction may suit one Shih Tzu perfectly and frustrate another.
If your dog resists pullovers, a buttoned or more open coat elsewhere in this list may be the better structural choice.
Creator Credit: Maria’s Blue Crayon
4. Crochet Fog Gray Suzette-Texture Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
This version uses fog gray across the textured torso and plum noir around a broad collar and lower trim. The supporting dog sweater is worked from the neck downward in one piece and uses a textured body with a ribbed collar, giving the surface more interest than a plain solid sweater.
Texture Keeps Fog Gray From Looking Flat
Fog gray is subtle, so a textured stitch pattern can give the body dimension without introducing another motif or multiple stripes. Plum noir then becomes a strong frame rather than competing decoration.
Compare your finished fabric with the tutorial gauge before deciding that extra coat room is needed; loose gauge and intentional ease are not the same thing.
One-Piece Construction Simplifies the Color Plan
A neck-down garment lets you place the first major color change exactly where the collar finishes. That makes the plum-to-gray transition look structural rather than arbitrary.
If you repeat plum at the lower edge, keep the second accent proportionate to the collar so the small garment does not become visually top-and-bottom heavy.
Watch for Texture Around Long Belly Hair
A very dimensional fabric can catch or compress coat differently from smoother crochet. Check the underside and armholes for rubbing or snagging, particularly if the dog’s hair is kept long.
Creator Credit: Heart Hook Home
5. Crochet Plum Noir Color-Block Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
This idea makes color placement part of the garment structure. Begin with a fog gray neck treatment, move into a broad plum noir torso block, and bring gray back only at the final edge. The supporting tutorial separates the sweater into recognizable neck, body, armhole, color-change, belly-shaping, and border stages.
Use Construction Landmarks for the Color Changes
The collar-to-body transition is a stronger place for a color switch than an arbitrary row. The same is true near the final border.
Large color areas also keep the palette calmer than alternating plum and gray every few rows.
Belly Shaping Can Distort Narrow Stripes
As the underside changes shape, a thin horizontal accent can look uneven from the side. A large plum central block tolerates shaping better because the color is not dependent on one perfectly straight line.
The Shawl Collar Can Reverse the Body Colors
A fog gray outer fold with a plum inner neck creates a subtle reversible effect when the collar rolls back. If you use this idea, confirm that the underlying collar construction actually exposes both surfaces attractively.
Creator Credit: it’s erin b.
6. Crochet Fog Gray Striped Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
For readers who want more visible use of both shades, this sweater combines a fog gray base with broader plum noir body stripes and a solid plum collar. The source is a small-dog sweater demonstrated with multiple colors, making it useful for planning a deliberately striped adaptation.
Fewer, Wider Stripes Suit the Shawl Collar Better
A broad collar already creates a strong horizontal shape near the shoulders. Too many thin torso stripes can make the finished garment visually busy.
Consider wider plum sections separated by more generous areas of gray so the collar remains easy to distinguish.
Keep Stripes Aligned Around Leg Openings
Leg openings interrupt the body fabric. Before choosing exactly where a color band should fall, determine how the tutorial handles those openings so a narrow stripe does not break awkwardly around them.
Check the Source Measurements Against the Dog
The demonstrated sweater has stated finished measurements, but those should be treated as source-specific rather than a Shih Tzu standard. Compare them with the individual dog’s neck, chest, and back before choosing this tutorial.
Creator Credit: TwinStarHooks 💫
7. Crochet Plum Noir Lightweight Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
A lighter-looking fabric is useful when you want the shawl collar to provide most of the visual weight. Make the body plum noir but keep the construction streamlined, then use a fog gray fold at the neck. The supporting tutorial is specifically for a small dog sweater and uses a lighter yarn approach than several bulkier options here.
Less Bulk Can Be Helpful Over a Dense Coat
A full-coated Shih Tzu already carries considerable visual volume. A lighter crochet fabric can create coverage without adding the same amount of apparent bulk as a very chunky sweater.
Follow the source’s gauge framework rather than simply replacing a heavier yarn in another pattern.
Let the Gray Collar Provide the Soft Contrast
Fog gray next to plum noir gives the neckline definition without making the whole sweater pale. On a small garment, one broad gray collar can provide enough contrast by itself.
Check Back Length Before Finishing
Small-dog proportions vary. Make sure the sweater reaches the desired point on the back without crowding the tail or extending too far underneath.
Do this before adding decorative edging so adjustments remain easier.
Creator Credit: Crochet It
8. Crochet Fog Gray Puff-Texture Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
For more decorative texture, use fog gray across a raised-stitch body and deep plum around the collar. The supporting tutorial demonstrates a Chihuahua sweater featuring puff and V-stitch texture, so the finished fabric is relevant while the demonstrated sizing should not be treated as Shih Tzu sizing.
Puff Texture Creates Its Own Pattern
Dimensional stitches already give the gray torso plenty of visual activity. Keeping the plum noir area concentrated at the neck prevents the project from looking overloaded.
The darker collar also creates a clean visual boundary between the dog’s facial coat and the textured body.
Do Not Scale Chihuahua Dimensions by Guesswork
A Shih Tzu is differently proportioned and typically more substantial through the chest. Use the source for texture and construction ideas, but rebuild fit around the individual dog rather than enlarging every measurement by the same percentage.
Dense Fabric Needs an Armhole Check
Raised texture can behave differently from a smooth stitch pattern around moving areas. Check whether the upper body remains flexible enough when the dog reaches forward.
Creator Credit: SheiLa Teré
9. Crochet Plum Noir Long-Sleeve Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
Long sleeves make this option immediately different from the sleeveless pullovers. Use plum noir for the body and sleeves, then fog gray for the foldover neck and narrow cuffs. The source demonstrates a long-sleeve dog sweater and discusses adapting the construction for different pets.
Sleeves Add Two More Fit Points
Once sleeves are involved, chest circumference is not enough. Check where each foreleg emerges, how much room the armpit has, and whether the sleeve twists when the dog walks.
Long hair around the legs can make a sleeve feel tighter than the same circumference on a clipped dog.
Gray Cuffs Can Balance the Wide Collar
Repeating fog gray at the sleeve ends visually connects the lower part of the sweater to the collar without needing torso stripes.
Because Shih Tzu legs are short, keep the contrast cuff proportionate rather than borrowing the visual length of a cuff designed for a taller dog.
Compare Warmth With Practicality
The source uses a substantial long-sleeve sweater concept. That extra coverage may not suit every climate, coat length, or dog.
Choose sleeves because they serve the intended use, not simply because they make the garment look more complete.
Creator Credit: Vibes with Dani
10. Crochet Fog Gray Adjustable Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Coat Sweater
This version uses a fog gray main body and plum noir for the neck and perimeter edging. The supporting tutorial covers a dog coat in several sizes and includes adjustment guidance, making it useful when you want a conventional sweater framework that can be evaluated against a Shih Tzu’s individual proportions.
Start With the Closest Size, Then Verify the Shape
A multi-size design gives you a useful starting point, but the size name should not overrule actual measurements. Check neck, chest, length, and leg placement independently.
If one measurement points to a different size, determine which part of the construction can realistically be adjusted rather than simply making the entire garment larger.
Plum Edging Can Outline the Whole Coat
Instead of using a large dark torso area, reserve plum noir for the collar and outer edges. This creates a clear outline against the fog gray body and suits a more tailored shawl-collar look.
An Adjustable Base Is Better Than Forced Proportions
If the selected size fits the chest but not the back, use the tutorial’s adjustment logic rather than changing hook size solely to make the sweater bigger or smaller.
Hook changes also alter fabric density, which can affect the way a shawl collar folds.
Creator Credit: Crochet with Tiffany
11. Crochet Plum Noir Classic Two-Tone Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
This option keeps the body construction comparatively straightforward and puts most of the design emphasis on the two-color palette. Use plum noir as the main field with fog gray at the collar, chest transition, and selected body accents. The source demonstrates a classic dog-sweater construction and explicitly accommodates color changes.
Simple Fabric Makes the Collar More Important
When the torso is not dominated by texture or motifs, a wide gray collar becomes the visual centerpiece. That makes this a useful direction when you want the shawl styling to read immediately.
Plan Color Repeats Before Starting
Repeated bands look more intentional when they relate to the garment’s structure. Decide whether gray will appear only at the neck and edge or also return through the torso.
Avoid adding extra stripes merely to use equal quantities of both colors.
Keep the Underbody Practical
A decorative color plan should not encourage unnecessary length beneath the dog. Check where the sweater finishes around the belly and whether that position works for normal movement and toileting.
Creator Credit: The Crochet Crowd
12. Crochet Fog Gray Back-Extension Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
This sweater uses fog gray through the main neck and chest area, then deep plum noir along an extended back section and the inside of the collar. The supporting tutorial is measurement-aware and specifically shows a separate back-extension stage after the body reaches the lower abdomen.
A Back Extension Separates Two Length Decisions
One useful feature of this construction is that the upper body and extended back are not treated as one uninterrupted tube. That lets you think about rear coverage without automatically making the belly section equally long.
Plum Along the Back Creates a Defined Center Area
A darker rear section can give the sweater a strong visual spine while gray stays near the face and chest. This is more distinctive than putting both colors into repeated horizontal stripes.
Measure the Collar Independently From the Body
The tutorial begins by considering neck measurements. Preserve that logic when adding a shawl-inspired fold; a wider-looking collar still needs the correct underlying circumference.
Creator Credit: Alextitia Tuto Crochet
13. Crochet Plum Noir Four-Size Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Coat Sweater
This coat-style idea uses plum noir as the dominant shade with fog gray around a structured collar and selected bands. The supporting tutorial works from a dog-coat design offered in multiple sizes, giving you a useful comparison point when you prefer a conventional size framework to fully made-to-measure construction.
Breed Labels Are Only a Starting Reference
The source associates its smallest size with very small breeds, but do not assume that makes it automatically correct for every Shih Tzu. Compare the actual pattern dimensions and your dog’s measurements.
A full adult coat can also affect how closely the finished fabric sits.
A Dark Body Can Visually Simplify a Fuller Coat
Plum noir creates one continuous field across the torso, while fog gray at the neckline draws attention upward. This can look cleaner than several alternating colors against long body hair.
Keep the Shawl Fold Smaller Than the Head
Shih Tzus have abundant facial and ear hair. An oversized fold can visually crowd the head even when it is technically loose enough.
Pin or temporarily position the collar before final finishing so you can assess its scale on the actual dog.
Creator Credit: Left Hand Crochet & Knit Tutorials
14. Crochet Fog Gray Streamlined Shawl Collar Shih Tzu Sweater
The final idea strips the concept back to a clean fog gray torso, plum noir neck, and minimal finishing. The source is a full step-by-step crochet dog-sweater tutorial, making it a useful foundation when you want the palette and collar silhouette to do the styling rather than relying on heavy texture.
A Plain Body Gives You More Freedom at the Neck
A simpler torso can support a broader collar without making the whole garment feel elaborate. Keep the body fog gray and let the plum fold become the strongest feature.
Smooth Fabric Makes Fit Problems Easier to See
Without raised texture or many stripes, pulling around the chest or excess fabric around the waist is easier to notice. Use that visibility to check the garment before final edging.
Minimal Color Placement Works Well on a Small Frame
You do not need equal amounts of plum noir and fog gray. A relatively small dark collar against a large gray body can create enough contrast for the two-color concept to read clearly.
Creator Credit: Lanas y ovillos
Which Shih Tzu Shawl Collar Sweater Direction Should You Choose?
For the closest starting point to a true shawl or broad foldover neckline, compare the made-to-measure Loops Only Crochet construction with Marly Bird’s buttoned cowl-neck coat. The first puts customization at the center, while the second changes the dressing method with an underside closure.
For a Shih Tzu whose proportions do not fit a standard size comfortably, Maria’s Blue Crayon and the measurement-aware Alextitia construction give you more room to plan around the individual dog.
If texture is the priority, the Heart Hook Home option creates an all-over textured body, while the SheiLa Teré-inspired version makes raised puff texture much more prominent. The long-sleeve Vibes with Dani approach is the most distinct choice when extra leg coverage matters.
For color-focused designs, it’s erin b. supports large planned color blocks, TwinStarHooks provides a stronger striped direction, and The Crochet Crowd offers a simpler framework where plum noir and fog gray can become the main design feature.
Conclusion
A plum noir and fog gray Shih Tzu sweater works most convincingly when the shawl collar is connected to the construction rather than added only as decoration. A broad plum collar can anchor a gray sweater, while a fog gray fold can soften a dark plum body and reveal a second shade when it turns back.
Fit deserves priority over the color plan. Allow for the individual dog’s coat, check chest and leg movement independently, and decide whether a pullover, buttoned coat, sleeves, or made-to-measure body is the most practical starting point.
For exact collar construction, sizing, shaping, and finishing, follow the original tutorial attached to the project you choose. Use the plum noir, fog gray, and shawl-collar ideas here as styling and adaptation guidance rather than combining protected stitch or shaping sequences from different creators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn any crochet dog sweater into a Shih Tzu shawl collar sweater?
Not every construction adapts equally well. A cowl, tall ribbed collar, or separately constructed neckline gives you more material to work with than a narrow finished neck. Before changing the collar, determine how it connects to the chest and whether the altered opening will still fit safely over the dog’s head.
Should I measure a Shih Tzu with the coat compressed or fluffy?
Measure the dog in the coat condition in which the sweater will normally be worn, without pulling the tape excessively tight. A full coat and a recent short grooming can produce noticeably different garment fit. The goal is enough room for comfortable movement without leaving so much excess fabric that the sweater twists.
Is a shawl collar better than a turtleneck for a long-coated Shih Tzu?
Neither is universally better. A soft foldover collar may sit more openly around the neck, while a turtleneck can provide more continuous coverage. The better choice depends on the dog’s coat, tolerance for clothing, head size, and how the neckline behaves when the dog moves.
Which color should dominate: plum noir or fog gray?
Use plum noir as the main color when you want a darker, more defined silhouette. Use fog gray across the body when you want the garment to appear lighter and the plum collar to become the focal point. The two shades do not need to occupy equal areas.
How do I stop a wide crochet collar from sliding toward a Shih Tzu’s face?
Start with a correctly fitted underlying neckline rather than relying on the fold itself to hold the sweater in place. The collar should settle toward the shoulders without being excessively heavy. If it repeatedly moves forward, reconsider the collar depth, fabric weight, and neck fit instead of simply tightening the opening.
Is a buttoned dog coat easier for a heavily coated Shih Tzu?
It can be easier for some dogs because it reduces the need to pull a close-fitting garment over the head or manipulate the legs through tight openings. Buttons and other closures still need to be positioned where they do not rub, press into the body, or become accessible for chewing.
What should I check before wearing a shawl collar sweater with a harness?
Confirm where the harness sits and where its leash attachment needs to emerge. Do not assume that a general dog-sweater tutorial provides compatible access. A collar or back opening should not interfere with the harness fit, and the sweater should not bunch beneath straps or restrict shoulder movement.
