How to Make a Pet Bed from Recycled Sweaters

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cal patch, contributor

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Gertie loves her new crocheted bed!

Cal Patch

Here's the pile of sweater remnants I'm going to reincarnate as a dog bed...

Cal Patch

...and here they are after cutting into strips and rolling into balls.

Cal Patch

Gertie loves her new crocheted bed!

Photo: Cal Patch

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3. Make the sides. Now you can stop increasing, and work the next round even (one stitch in every stitch), working in the front loop only to create a sharper edge at the turn.

Working in the front loop only for the first round of the sides helps create a sharp turn where the bottom meets the sides.

Work several more rounds, until you have achieved your desired height (after the first round of the sides, revert to working in both loops). When the bed is tall enough, work a few slip stitches to blend into the edge, and finish off. Weave in your tails.

Optional: Make a pillow. Use some more sweater scraps to stitch up a pillow for the bed, and stuff with poly-fill or still more sweater bits. You could also crochet another flat circle piece to cushion the bottom of the bed. Your choice!

Now find a sunny spot for the bed and invite your best friend to try it out. And hey, you deserve a nap, too!

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Comments (8)

dogtrainr writes: These look great, but I do have 1 concern, I have found that my dogs toenails get caught in knitted things, even though we trim them and keep them short, I think I might add in a lining, just to be safe!
Posted: 11:25 pm on December 3rd

stumptious writes: I was both delighted and disappointed to see your tutorial...lol...Because I've been making a VERY SIMILAR bed out of FLARN...leftover fleece strip yarn...and I thought I was being pretty unique. But, your tutorial really is AWESOME...and Gertie is a darling, so I can't stay peeved! Thanks for all the great inspiration on your blog...It's wonderful!
Posted: 10:54 pm on March 20th

Valorietx writes: I am still loving your idea with the t-shirt rugs and now this bed for our fur babies. These are two projects I am definitely tackling this fall/winter. I have been collecting t-shirts for my rug project. It has taken a little longer since I didn't want to use alot of white which are much easier to find that bright colorful shirts. But I have enough to at least get a good start.
You answered a question for me a while back about starting a rug to make it round. I'm still not sure I understand how to do it but with your instructions I think it will be self-explanatory once I get started. However I am wondering about the other shapes like oval, octagon, etc. How do you make those shapes?
I left a comment on the t-shirt article too and now here asking for comments on this and any other ideas for area rugs. I live in a rental with hideous carpet and they are not willing to replace it so I am desperate for ideas on area rugs. Or I would love to rip the carpet out of the whole place and literally paint the cement or something. It would be a million times better than what I have now. I have seen some done that are gorgeous.
Thanks for any help and suggestions.
Valorie
Posted: 9:44 pm on September 16th

TaDaBoutique writes: Really neat idea. I think I will try it with some old t-shirts. My little dog will love it and may make one for my daughter's cat.
Posted: 12:28 am on March 6th

ShayMarWood writes: What a cool idea! It would be a perfect item to donate in an animal fundraiser auction or a no kill shelter. I will be making these.
Posted: 10:41 am on March 3rd

Beefancee writes: Awsome idea! Adorable dog too!
Posted: 8:13 pm on February 22nd

Jen1964 writes: I've been crocheting with old bedsheets & cotton shirting, but they give off lint & threads... contemplating braiding, but that takes too long, and you have the extra step of sewing. So far, I've done placemats, a potholder, and a craftbag with pockets (lined with fabric from a shortened dress. Pockets are same stuff. Except I threw in a zippered pocket from an old pair of cargo pants... just for fun.
SO, I like your method of joining sans thread... and will try it next project. And I bet the knitted cotton doesn't "shed" as much. Besides, it's another look.
I've found that the 1 inch material gives a neat larger size, but a 1/2 inch makes another weight of product just as nice. Must have strong hands for this, so I don't do it often or for long. Wouldn't want to aggravate tendon problems or RSI (repetitive strain injuries).
As for dog beds, my Westie is brutal on them, pawing and scratching. I think this type of yours might actually hold up! Oh, I'd have to use stronger materials, probably, but even if I used the softest stuff available, it would take her years to paw & claw through that crocheting.
Posted: 10:46 am on February 22nd

croqzine writes: Cool idea! I have been crocheting rag rugs lately, and LOVING it. I don't have any pets, but I have friends and family who do - this would be a great gift!
Posted: 3:05 pm on February 10th

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