Kitty Kooler

Kitty Kooler by Eirak

Project Overview

The Kitty Kooler is an adorable knitted pet bed designed by independent designer Eirak, created specifically as a comfortable summer retreat for cats. This beginner-friendly knitting project combines practical functionality with thoughtful design by incorporating a pool noodle into the structure, creating a supportive and cooling spot perfect for warm weather snuggles with your fluffy feline companion.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a pet bed with finished dimensions of 14 inches by 20 inches in an oval shape, plus an additional 4-inch pocket detail. The bed is designed to be assembled with a pool noodle—specifically the thinner variety with approximately 7.5 inches circumference—which is gently bent to form the supportive structure of the bed. The pool noodle integration creates a nest-like shape that provides both comfort and cooling properties for cats during hot summer months.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Kitty Kooler is worked in the round using a charted knitting pattern. Construction begins with casting on 10 stitches and working in the round, with the first round completed by knitting each stitch. The pattern then progresses through a series of charts that are worked in a specific sequence: Chart A is repeated three times, followed by Chart B, then Chart A three more times, and finally Chart B again. Each round in the charts is worked twice for shaping. Chart C is provided as a reference guide showing half of the completed piece to help visualizers understand the overall construction.

Stitches Used

This beginner-level project employs a variety of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches to create shaping and texture:

• k (knit) - Basic knit stitch
• p (purl) - Basic purl stitch
• ssk (slip, slip, knit) - A left-leaning decrease used for shaping
• k2tog (knit 2 together) - A right-leaning decrease for reducing stitches
• k3tog (knit 3 together) - A double decrease combining three stitches into one
• k3togtbl (knit 3 together through back loop) - A specialized decrease worked through the back loops for a specific stitch orientation
• sl2-k1-p2sso (slip 2 as if to k2tog, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over) - A centered double decrease creating a distinctive decrease line
• yo (yarn over) - An eyelet or lace-creating increase that adds decorative holes to the fabric

Materials and Specifications

The Kitty Kooler requires approximately 225 yards of yarn, which translates to either 1.5 skeins of DK weight yarn or 1 skein of worsted weight yarn. The pattern accommodates both sport and worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility in yarn selection. Knitting is worked on 5.0 mm needles, and the gauge is established at 4.5 stitches by 6 rows per 1 inch. In addition to yarn and needles, you will need one pool noodle—the thinner variety with approximately 7.5 inches circumference is recommended as it bends gently without excessive stress on the knitted fabric.

Difficulty Level

Rated as beginner-friendly and marked as Easy difficulty, the Kitty Kooler is an accessible project for knitters new to working in the round and following charted patterns. While it incorporates multiple decrease techniques and yarn overs, the straightforward construction and clear chart references make it manageable for those building their knitting skills.