Free Project - Fluffy Dreams Pet Bed

This year we finally caved and got a pet  - an adorable British Shorthair kitten! Of course, being a knitter and crocheter, I could not fathom not making anything for our new family member. Given that cats generally hate clothes, I decided to make something that our kitty was actually going to use - a cat bed!

And it turned out a huge success. Not only our cat uses it daily, but he had been trying to use it even before it was made :).

This project was also an exercise in recycling and upcycling - a very special and very custom (!) cat pillow was made from my daughter's old pajamas (photo courtesy of Children's Place). 

 The  yarn came from an old project that was inherited from another family member.
 

I used all yarn pretty much to the last inch, making a tiny 'blanket', which compliments the whole set quite well.

 

I am happy to share a free pattern of this pet bed with anyone who wants to make a similar one for their beloved fur babies. 

Fluffy Dreams Pet Bed

This pet bed was made to accommodate a regular size cat but can work for kittens and small to medium dogs or other animals. It measures roughly 50 cm across including the rolled sides (red line on the photo) and 38 cm between the rolled sides (green line on the photo).

If you’d like to create a felted bed, you may need to increase the size (which includes increasing the width of the foundation and the height of the side part).

Materials:

·         Size 8 mm crochet hook

·         Bulky or super bulky weight yarn that yields required gauge (amounts may differ depending on the   brand. For this project about 400 g of yarn was used).

·         Synthetic polyester stuffing or any stuffing that can withstand washing

·         Large sewing needle that can accommodate the matching yarn.

Gauge:

9 double crochet stitches - 10 cm
5 double crochet rows - 10 cm

Description:

This pet bed is worked in a circle in rows of single crochet stitches. It consists of two parts – the foundation and the side.

Foundation:

The foundation part is worked in a circle with regular increases to create a desired shape.

R0:            Crochet 6 CH ST and SL ST in the first CH ST to close the ring.

R1:            Crochet 3 CH ST and crochet the following in the ring: 1 DC, *2 CH ST, 2 DC*, repeat from * to * 5 more times, 2 CH ST, SL ST to join the first DC and close the ring. There should be 6 segments (1 segment of 3 CH ST and 1 DC and 5 segments of 2 DC stitches) separated by 2 CS stitches in this row.

R2:            Crochet 3 CH ST, 1 DC in the base of the 3 CH ST, 1 DC in the DC of the previous row, 1 DC in the 2 CH ST of the previous row, *2 CH ST, 1 DC in the 2 CH of the previous row, 2 DC in the 2 SC of the previous row, 1 DC in the 2 CH of the previous row*. Repeat from * to * 4 more times, 2 CH ST, SL ST to join the first DC and close the ring. There should be 6 segments (1 segment of 3 CH ST and 3 DC and 5 segments of 4 DDC stitches) separated by 2 CH stitches.  

R3-10:       Continue working in a similar manner, adding 2 DC for each of the 6 segments, separated by 2 CH ST.

R11:          Add 2 DC for each of the 6 segments, which will result in 22 DC in each of the 5 segments and 21 DC in the segment with 3 CH ST (3 CH ST at the beginning of the row and 131 DC). DO NOT add 2 CH ST between segments in this row. At this point the bed foundation should measure about 44 cm in diameter.

Side:

The pet bed side part is worked in a circle without increases to create a desired shape.

R12:          Crochet 3 CH ST and 131 BPSC above the DC of the previous row. BPSC will mark the beginning of the side part.

R13-23:     Crochet 3 CH ST and 131 DC above the SC of the previous rows. Fasten off and break yarn. Weave in the ends. Once finished crocheting, the side should be about 24 cm in height.

This is how the pet bed looks in the process of being crocheted:

 This is how the pet bed looks when crocheting is finalized:

Assembly:

Lay the pet bed on a flat surface. Thread the needle with matching yarn and start sewing the top of the side to the R11 of the foundation, so that the resulting seam is on the inside of the pet bed. As you continue sewing, start stuffing the resulting hollow tube with stuffing of your choice. Ensure the ends of the side align with stitches of R11.  Continue stuffing to achieve the desired look and feel of the pet bed. Once you complete stuffing, secure the thread, cut off the end and weave in the end.

Should you stuff it before or after felting? Opinions differ. To ensure the best result, you can assemble and stuff the pet bed prior to felting, but leave a little opening in the seam between the side and the foundation if there is a significant change in the size after felting and you need to add or remove stuffing.

This is how the pet bed looks after it is stuffed, washed and dried:

Abbreviations (US version):

BPSC   back post single crochet 

CH ST  chain stitch

R          row

DC       double crochet

SC        single crochet

SL ST   slip stitch