Keep Your Pet Cozy

Welcome to the latest installment of Columbus movers’, E. E. Ward Moving & Storage, “Specialized Room Series!”

You’re not the only one who moved into a new home. Your four-legged companion is also being submerged into a new environment. Help them make the transition into their new home by giving them a new bed! All you need is an old sweater, a needle, some yarn, and some stuffing.

Step 1: Lay sweater out flat. With yarn and a tapestry needle, stitch the seamed edge of the sleeve to the side of the sweater, about halfway down the sleeve from where the armpit meets the side seam.

Step 2: Fold the bottom edge of the sweater up and place the sleeve in front of it. Roll (or fold) the bottom up far enough that both sleeve cuff edges will be able to overlap slightly when placed in front of it.

Step 3: Secure the sleeve to the top of the rolled up sweater edge with a whip stitch or a blanket stitch. Remember that you’re going to stuff the sleeves, so be sure to stitch only through the top layer of the sleeve.

Step 4: Repeat with the other sleeve. As the cuffs overlap slightly in front, put one cuff just inside of the other and stitch down the outside cuff edge along the top layer, just enough that you’ll be able to keep the stuffing inside the tube you’ve just created with the sleeves.

Step 5: Make a running stitch from one “armpit” to the other. Create an arched shape to make a rounder bed. Be sure to go through both layers of sweater fabric. You should now have a “channel” that can be stuffed with batting or old rags (or strips of old sweaters). Stuff until you get a sausage-like ring. If you want to pad the bottom, now is the time to do that as well.

Step 6: Stitch the neck opening closed.

Your furry friend now has a new place to lay their head! One extra benefit is that your sweater will have your scent, which will be comforting to your pet. If you have additional extra sweaters, consider making another pet bed to donate to your local animal shelter.

(Read the full article here.)