Garter Stitch Pet Shelter Blanket

This easy blanky is the perfect way to add a bit of comfort to the life of a cat or dog in an animal shelter. When they find a new home, they can take the blanket home with them to help in the transition to an unfamiliar environment

Size

Small (Large)

22×22 (33×33) inches

Materials

320 (640) yards of super bulky weight wool blend machine washable yarn divided in 2 colors.You will need 1 extra ball of the CC for the optional I-cord edging. The sample blanket is made with Plymouth Encore Mega with burgundy as the MC and black as the CC.

Knitting needles:

Size 11 (8mm) needles or size to obtain gauge 

Two size 11 (8mm) double pointed needles for optional I-cord edging.

Tapestry needle

Gauge

Approx 2 sts and 4 rows = 1″ in garter stitch (knit every row)

Blanket

Note: Each ridge in garter stitch is made from 2 rows of knitting.

Square 1

CO 24 (36) sts with MC. Work in the following stripe pattern until you have 24 (36) garter ridges: Knit 2 rows with MC, knit 2 rows with CC. Bind off.

Square 2

On the left edge of square 1 with RS facing you, pick up 24 (36) sts with MC. This counts as the first row.

Work in the following stripe pattern until you have 24 (36) garter ridges: Knit 8 (12) ridges in MC, 8 (12) ridges in CC, 8 (12) ridges in MC.

Bind off.

Square 3

On the left edge of square 2 with RS facing you, pick up 24 (36) sts with MC.

Work as for square 1.

Square 4

On the left edge of square 3 with RS facing you, pick up 24 (36) sts with MC.

Work as for square 2.

Finishing

With WS facing you, sew edge of square 1 to edge of square 4.

If desired, add I-cord edging. With CC, work 1 row of 4 stitch applied I-cord around the entire edge of the blanket as follows:

Using double pointed needles, cast on 4 sts.

Insert the tip of the right needle into the first stitch on the edge of the blanket. Slide the 5 sts to the other end of the dpn.

*K3, k2tog through the back loops (1 I-cord stitch and 1 blanket stitch).

Insert the tip of the right needle into the first stitch on the edge of the blanket. Slide the 5 sts to the other end of the dpn.

Repeat from * until all sts have been worked.

Bind off. Sew the ends of the I-cord together. Weave in ends.