As promised yesterday I’ve come up with a quick little pattern for a “Kennel Blanket”. This little blanket can work well for dogs and cats and the size can be changed depending on the size of animal or kennel it is intended for.
Many of the kennel enclosures at shelters have wire bottoms or concrete floors, using washable blanket pads like this can offer the animals a bit of comfort while they wait to meet their forever families. Most local shelters and rescue organizations need blanket/pads.
Since I was making this for our foster puppy I kept it somewhat smallish. Approximate dimensions are 16 x 23 inches (40 x 57.5cm). My idea was that the blanket will go with Beatty when he leaves with his forever family. It will smell familiar since he has been sleeping on it and will hopefully help him make the transition more easily to his new home.
Kennel Blanket
Designed by Andee Graves
Yarn: 3 balls of Worsted Weight yarn (I used Caron One Pounds and about 2.5 oz/129 yds/71g of each color)
These blankets can also be made using up odds and ends of yarn. Sometimes work best to have one continuous strand in the mix though. Just add in another ball of yarn when you have about 6 inches (15 cm) of yarn left. Make sure you weave in ends good, taking it one direction then back the other direction so that puppies and kitties can’t eat the yarn ends.
Hook: Size P / 11.5mm (I used my Susan Bates Lucite hook)
Instructions:
Foundation: Holding 3 strands together, Chain 41,
Row 1: Turn, sc in 2nd chain from hook, (dc in next ch, sc in next ch) 19 times, dc in last ch. [20 sc, 20 dc]
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, (sc in next st, dc in next st) 20 times. [20 sc, 20 dc]
Rows 3 – 25: Repeat Row 2 – 23 times.
Fasten off at end of Row 25, weave in tails.
I hope you have fun making kennel blankets for all the four-legged friends you know and your local shelters.
Mamas2Hands 
Can’t remember where I got it from, back when I was doing dog blankets for LOVE STITCHES, dogs in shelters who had handmade blankets moved into 100% adoption rate. Something about having a human touch available to them made their behavior more desirable…..
Anyone who wonders what their next project should be, consider one of these for your local shelter. Some sweet 4-legged being will thank you!
Yes Michele that is definitely true. I’ve personally seen the difference having something “homey” can do for the adoptability of shelter animals. The element of comfort and calming may be all some of these animals need to let them show shelter visitors how lovable they really are.
Thank you for sharing this pattern, I know it was a while ago but that is the beauty of the internet right? And thank you for fostering too! I too knit and crochet mats for our local animal shelter to help provide the pups and kitties a calming sense of peace while they wait for their forever homes. Happier animals are more likely to be adopted after all! 🙂
So glad you like the pattern, and that you are able to help our four-legged friends too. Every little bit helps.