If you’re looking for a fun challenge, this may just be it! The pattern and the blankets were a bit of a challenge for me to make, and even more of a challenge to document!

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers, so I just knew I had to crochet one. Can you imagine a jet-black kitty, snuggled on colorful sunflower? What family couldn’t adopt, after that sight! I developed this pattern to be easy to do too, and adaptable for really any yarn colors you may have on hand. I hope making this blanket brightens your d...

This is another great pattern to use up remnant yarn. You can also make it by simply alternating two contrasting colors. Either way, it’s beautiful… and an easy pattern (my favorite kind!). Your pet will love it, and if you add a variety of colors, it’ll really brighten up your home too!

As I developed this pattern, and learned this stitch, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it. I had worked crocheted stitches that went “around the post”, and found it a bit tedious. However, in this stitch you’ll be working around a raise double crochet, which I found easy-peasy. I love the adorable lines which formed and thought it added som...

I created this pattern in mid-2020, when it seemed bad news for the US was everywhere. I felt inspired to recreate the flag I so love. The stars were a bit of a challenge, but the little “knots” I tied did the trick. I hope you’ll enjoy creating the blanket and maybe give it to the pet of someone in the military you know!

I choose really bright and vibrant colors to match the energy I saw in this pattern. Feel free to switch around the placement of the spikes, or space them farther apart, if you like. It’s a flexible pattern that will allow you to truly create something that’s one of a kind. If you only have multiple mini-skeins of leftover yarn, these might be ...

If you’d like to make a fun and colorful blanket, but you’re not too strong on crochet (or you lack the time) this is a great solution. Most of the blanket is made with a colorful, washable fleece, and only the border is crocheted. I added five rows of border, which added 5” to each side, but you can only add one row to join the fleece and be d...

I created this blanket, and this pattern, to show how you can make a small blanket, but then expand it quite a bit with a large border. This is a good technique if you’re doing a stitch that you find less-than-fun, or if you have only a small amount of yarn. The center can be one color and the border can be done in a variegated yarn or contrast...

Cats like a lot of things, but there are a handful of treasures they simply love! Combine the soft feeling of yarn, a crunchy grocery bag and a handful of catnip, and you have a wonderful toy they will play with, sleep on and all around cuddle! This PDF is complete directions to make your own mat! It’s so easy to make, you may want one for ever...

This pattern was exciting for me because I tried a new technique. It worked out pretty well too! Instead of cutting the yarn and tying on a new skein to change the color, I just slip-stitched the new color to get it started and let the old color/skein “dangle”. After slip-stitching on the new color, I continued in with the pattern, until it was...

This is one of my favorite patterns since it combines making a round blanket (always fun) with adding sides that make it extra cozy. We’ve donated lots of these to shelter kitties, and each one is loved. I’m sure your own kitty will love it too!

This pattern looks difficult but, trust me, it is not! I had just a partial skein of yarn that changed between purple, pink, orange and yellow and just had to use it! So I paired it with partial skeins of those same colors and I think the result is just great. Be creative with this one and blend your favorite colors. When I finished this blanke...

I started working on this pattern at a point of super-frustration over the “stay-at-home” orders in Illinois during early 2020. My flowers weren’t blooming yet, and I desperately needed something colorful to look at, so I crafted it! I think any kitty would look wonderful (and adoptable!) curled up on a Black-Eye Susan or Coneflower. Choose you...

If it’s summer, this is a pattern you simply have to try. I found it cooled me off, just stitching it together! I imagined a jet-black cat, curled up sleeping on the bright color, and couldn’t stop making these! It may look a bit challenging, but it’s truly just a standard round blanket with some overlay stitching. If you don’t have the standar...

This is another stitch that creates a nice “bumpy” blanket. When I made the sample shown above, my own kitties, couldn’t help but knead it. They don’t do this for every blanket, so I took that as a good sign! I found it easy and quick to create the perfect sized pet blanket too. This would also be a good stitch if you plan to make a larger, pup...

I really had fun with this pattern, since it was easy to do and it can be approached in a variety of ways. The main pattern I created has “puffs” showing up on either side of the blanket. Often shelters will flip over the blankets (in the case of dirt, etc.) so I wanted the blanket to look lovely both ways.

If you’re interested in making a mini-mattress to comfort a shelter pet, this is the pattern for you! I was a bit hesitant at first (it looked difficult and I love to mindlessly crochet)….but I ended up loving the stitch. Be sure to give it at least a few rows, so that you can see the design take shape. I almost gave up too early, but I’m glad ...

This is a really cute stitch to make. As with all the patterns I seem to enjoy, it was easy to do and went fast. The holes are not terribly large, so shelters will use the blanket for all sorts of pets. I can just see a puppy cuddling this blanket!

This pattern combines flat areas, with rows of “V” stitches that really stand out. I think it adds a nice pattern and texture to the blanket. It also makes it very soft and comfy. I just love when the stitches create little puffs because to me it looks so comfy. I hope you agree!

I’ve tried quite a few “puff” stitches over my many years learning the art of crochet (yes, I consider it an “art”!). I love how puffy they make a pet blanket, and I thought this stitch would be similar. It’s not, but I like it all the same! The stitch turns out large, but it lies perfectly flat. I personally found it a lot easier to manage on ...

I LOVE this stitch because it makes a gorgeous blanket! It looks complicated (at least to me), but it’s truly easy to do. It also reminded me of the many (human) baby blankets I’ve made. I couldn’t help but picture a kitten or puppy in a blanket made with these “seashells”. It works up fast too!

This is an interesting pattern, because it creates one smooth side and one side lined with ridges. I found it quick to work up and fun to create. I did find the “sides” (actually the end of the rows) curled up a bit as I was working. To fix this, I added an extra wide border to hold the edges down. The overall shape wasn’t perfect either, but I...

This pattern blends the cuteness of fleece with the softness and bright colors of vibrant yarn. The rainbow of colors around the perimeter represent the promise we make to the pets we adopt. We’ll be there for them, good or bad, much like the promise God made to mankind, with the rainbow. So, this is one of my very favorite blankets to make for...

The first time I started a blanket with this pattern I used just one strand of yarn. After a few rows I really felt like it was too thin and lightweight for a warm, snuggly blanket. So I tried two strands and it made all the difference. Using two strands also allowed me to use leftover yarn (I didn’t quite have a full skein of either color) and...

Get ready to make a “puffy” pet blanket with this pattern. It’s almost like a miniature pillow-top mattress! I appreciated learning this stitch because it’s quite large, even when using just one strand of yarn. So the blanket is created quickly and sent off to the shelter sooner, rather than later. I find I make more of these “puffy” blankets d...

This is another favorite pattern of mine, since it makes blankets with a bit of texture. Are you catching onto the theme? I love to picture the shelter pets really nestled into the blankets. So I tend to favor patterns that don’t result in a “flat” blanket, but one with many lumps and bumps. However, really any blanket created with love will pr...

If you’re a bit tired, after a long day, this is the stitch for you! It’s a simple pattern and simple stitch (I like simple!), but it makes a truly wonderful blanket. It’s easy, thick and puffy. What’s not to love? As you speed through it, you’ll be picturing all the pets who will enjoy your creation. That’s what I did! It was suggested by one ...

Whatever you do, have fun with this pattern! Create a long fish, wide fish, large fish or small fish. The great thing about making blankets for pets, is that they are not at all picky. Experiment and create a wacky fish, if you want! I found that the final touch of adding a border all around, really makes it all comes together. I used a bit of ...

This pattern combines my love of the Granny Square, with my love of round blankets. So this pattern is just heaven to me! I also appreciate that the resulting blanket is similar to a colorful Mandala! To me it’s perfect to show off a jet-black shelter pet, or really any pet. Adding color to the enclosures can brighten up the entire shelter! Thi...

I found that creating these little “fangs” was fun and super easy! I also appreciated learning this technique, since it can be mixed into any pattern, which you may already have, to create something truly special! You can add lots of “fangs” or just put a few here and there. The sample I created is somewhere in between! I used three colors of y...

This pattern was suggested by Michael A. of Boston, MA and I loved it as soon as I tried it. It involves working behind stitches to make an “X” shape (see picture at right) and creates thick and fluffy blankets. I did find that I had to watch what I was doing (usually I don’t), and not be glued to watching the TV. That’s not necessarily a bad t...

I did some experimentation with this pattern, seeing if I could switch between colors, mid-stream. Once you get started, you’ll see what I mean! I enjoyed being creative, and hope you feel open to exploring your own creativity as you make blankets. There are no mistakes when it comes to pet blankets!

I LOVED doing this stitch, since the blanket that results is so thick (with just one strand of yarn)! It’s really more like a soft, bumpy mattress. I couldn’t help but envision a shelter pet snuggling into it. I think you’re going to love the result as well. I also found it fun to create since it’s versatile. As you add the “little bumps” in th...

This pattern makes a blanket that is super snuggly. It’s thicker than most other patterns, even though it uses just one strand of yarn. It’s quick to work up too, once you get the hang of working around the posts. This took me a little while to get used to, but hang in there. If I figured it out, you can too!

This is one of the easiest patterns in this book, especially for beginners. It’s also a good way to learn the foundation stitches (at least in my opinion) of crochet. It’s comprised of single crochet, half-double crochet and double-crochet stitches. If you find you get bored with patterns that have you doing the same stitch, row after row, you’...

I love making this blanket, especially for shelter pets. It has a wonderful texture, which is just perfect for kitties to knead! With two strands of yarn it’s also a fairly “tight” stitch, which is great as well for the shelters. I like using two strands (whenever possible) so that I can create blankets with unusual color combinations. Two stra...

I am just drawn to making these round and colorful blankets. Part of the allure is that I get to use up the tiny bits of leftover yarn, which I don’t bag for volunteers (they are way too small). I just love keeping them out of the landfill and crafting them into super-colorful blankets! I sometimes use only solid colors (pictured on the left), ...