Comfort for Critters

     Winter 2026

 ~ Critter News ~

Happy 2026!

As we welcome a new year, I can hardly believe Comfort for Critters will turn 19 this year (in May). Wow, what an exciting ride it has been with all of you! Whether you're crafting blankets every month, cheering us on in our Facebook Group, or something in between, I truly appreciate your support and encouragement. 

Together we accomplished amazing things for homeless pets in 2025. As you read these numbers, I hope you will envision all the furry faces behind the statistics!

22,044 blankets donated in 2025!

374 different shelters supported!

Pets in all 50 states (plus DC) comforted!

Also during 2025, I surveyed a few dozen shelters and assembled new guidelines for our blankets. The number one question everyone asks, "How big should I make my blankets?", still has the same answer. We suggest around 20" square for cats, and around 30" for dogs. With that said, any size in between (or larger than 30"), is great too since shelters help pets in all sorts of sizes. I should mention though, the shelters are asking that the blankets be at least 20" for the length and width.

I also heard that super colorful blankets are much desired! Of course, that doesn't surprise me at all. I suggest that we do not use yarn or fleece that is black, gray or white, except as a small amount (of yarn) for an accent or border. The final "ask" from the shelters is that we try to minimize the number of holes in the blanket, so that should guide the stitches we select. I have some suggestions later in this newsletter on the best stitches to use. I hope they help!

On a personal note, I've also decided to ask volunteers around our homebase in Glen Ellyn, IL to choose one of the 47 shelters we help in the Chicagoland area to support directly with their blankets. I will still be shipping the blankets that are sent to me, but less shipping will help me stretch our current funding as well as help me keep CFC going long-term, as my food pantry job becomes more and more demanding of my time. 

I am happy to report that after asking for material donations towards the end of 2025, I am fully stocked up on both yarn and fleece. Local volunteers should feel free to stop by my home 24/7 and grab supplies from my pickup-bench. Please email me for the address.

Those should be the majority of changes this year, but who really knows! When I crocheted my first pet blanket in 2007, I never imagined CFC would have grown so large or helped so many. Thank YOU for making that possible!

Here's to a blessed year for us all!

Linda

Together we donated 1,758 blankets in October, 1,755 blankets in November and another 2,133 in December. The homeless pets at 144 shelters in 40 states were comforted by you. Here are the happy recipients of your creativity and caring.

If you’ve ever donated a handmade blanket to an animal shelter, you already know the difference it makes. A soft, colorful blanket brings comfort to a dog curled up in a kennel or a cat waiting in a cage. It offers warmth, security, and the gentle reminder that someone cares. 

Over the years, shelters have shared how much they appreciate these handmade gifts. And while every blanket is welcomed and put to use, more and more shelters are requesting blankets that are made with tighter stitches. Why? Because tightly woven blankets can be offered to even more animals. They’re also more versatile and durable!

This doesn’t mean your blankets with open, lacy designs aren’t helpful, they are. But when we crochet blankets with a closer weave, we give shelters the flexibility to use them for the widest range of pets. Here’s why that matters, and how you can create blankets that meet this growing need.

Versatility - Blankets with minimal holes can be used in many more situations. For instance, inside kennels, in transport carriers, at adoption events, or in small cages for cats and small critters. Tighter stitches open doors for shelters to use your blanket anywhere it’s needed.

Extra Warmth - Just like us, animals feel comforted when they’re wrapped in warmth. A dense fabric holds in more heat, making it especially soothing for pets with short hair or those who are anxious in the shelter environment. For animals curled up on cold concrete or in a steel kennel, that extra bit of coziness makes a world of difference.

Durability - Shelter blankets are laundered frequently. A tighter stitch helps the blanket keep its shape through wash after wash, making your handmade gift last longer.

All Blankets Are Still Welcome - It’s important to pause here and emphasize that all blankets are helpful. If your heart led you to create a blanket with a looser stitch or a lacy design, please don’t hesitate to donate it. Those blankets still bring comfort and are put to good use. The message here isn’t about rules—it’s about options. By using tighter stitches, we simply give shelters more flexibility to use your blanket wherever they need it most.

Stitches That Work Best - So what stitches should you try if you want to create a blanket with a tight weave? The good news is that there are many options, ranging from simple to more textured, and all of them create fabric that’s cozy, durable, and beautiful. Of course just using a single crochet would work, but that can be boring (at least to me)! I'd suggest these patterns, for a bit of variety

Lemon Peel Delight

Blanket in the Round

Anita's Weave

Potholder

Each of these patterns will create a blanket that shelters will be able to use widely for virtually any pet. Here's a few more things to keep in mind, as you craft away!

• Hook size matters - Even with a dense stitch, using a smaller hook for your yarn will help create a tighter fabric.
• Use durable yarn - Most shelters wash blankets in hot water and dry them often. Acrylic yarn (worsted weight is a favorite) holds up best. Whatever yarn you use, it needs to be machine washable and dryable.
• Think color - Bright colors not only make the blankets cheerful, but they also help pets stand out to potential adopters. Don’t worry about perfectly matching colors. Shelter pets aren’t picky, and the staff loves unique color combinations!
• Blend stitches. Feel free to mix different stitches in one blanket. As long as the weave stays tight, you’ll end up with a beautiful and practical gift.

When you crochet a blanket for an animal shelter, you’re doing more than making something practical. You’re giving an anxious pet a soft place to rest, and you’re reminding shelter staff and volunteers that they’re not alone in caring for these animals. By using stitches with a tighter weave, you’re ensuring that your blanket can comfort even more pets in more situations. It’s a simple shift that makes your handmade gift even more valuable. And remember—every blanket matters. Whether it’s a simple single crochet square, a colorful granny variation, or a tightly woven thermal stitch masterpiece, what truly counts is the love behind every stitch. Thank you for continuing to share your time, your talent, and your heart with shelter pets. Together, we’re wrapping them in comfort and hope, one blanket at a time.

From the City of Albuquerque Eastside Animal Shelter in Albuquerque, NM:  "Thank you so much for the blankets! Our shelter has been receiving blankets for years from your organization. Each blanket brings great comfort to our foster kittens and puppies.Your dream of CFC has brought many blessings to a lot of pet lives as well as people. We are grateful!"

From Clay County Animal Services in Green Cove Springs, FL:  "Thank you for your kind donation. Your generosity in sending blankets will make an immediate difference in the lives of the animals under our care. We appreciate your support. Love the blankets!"

From the Humane Society of Jefferson County in Jefferson, WI:  "Thank you very much for your generous donation of blankets, crocheted by your volunteers. Your gift will be used to support the animals and the animal welfare work that we provide. What a terrific idea to make blankets for shelter pets!"

From the Tiny N Tall rescue in St. Charles, IL:  "Thank you for the blankets! Your kindness is the key to unlocking a world of happiness for our rescues. Thank you for being a part of their journey to their forever homes!"

From the Humane Society of Elmore County in Wetumpka, AL:  "We truly thank you and your wonderful volunteers, for bringing us wonderful blankets to give our pets more comfort and to add to their adoption kits as they leave with new families. These are so special to us, and we are always humbled by this labor of love helping our pets."

From the Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County in Findlay, OH:  "We would like to thank you for your support and your donation of the beautiful hand crocheted blankets for the animals. Because of your generosity, we are able to further our mission in bettering the lives of homeless animals."

From the Almost There Rescue in Phoenix, AZ:  "I just wanted to let you know we received our first shipment of blankets, thank you SO much! They are so beautiful and soft, and our pups will truly appreciate them!"

We make our blankets for diverse reasons, but in the end we share a desire to reach outside of ourselves and help others. These blankets provide comfort to the shelter pets, but also encouragement to shelter staff and volunteers. Thank you all for finding the time to care AND to help our mission to comfort all the pets we can't adopt (but wish we could)!

• "I became suddenly disabled and house bound a few years ago. What I miss most is the ability to help others, instead of me needing all he help. Making blankets for homeless animals gives me a much needed feeling of being able to contribute something. Homeless animals need so much love and it helps me to help them!" ~ Wendy L. in WA

• "My fur babies motivate me to give a little bit of comfort to those animals that don't have a family of their own. Making the blankets provides joy and comfort to me too, and I can play with colors and textures. It's a very rewarding endeavor, and they are super quick to make." ~ Patti C. in CA​

• "I've seen how much my past and current furry girls love to either lay on top or under blankets. I hope the furry ones that are waiting or going to furever homes feel safer and loved when they have a blanket of their own to snuggle up with." ~ Geni O. in IL

• "They tell me that all the new adoptive cat parents love getting a blanket and anything to get them even more excited about their new family member is a good thing!" ~ Maggie S. in CA

• "I wish I could do something for every shelter pet! They are so precious and deserve loving homes, and making blankets is like bringing something homey to them while they wait for adoption. It does my heart good to help them!" ~ Kerry M. in WA

• "I think it's important that animals can have something that keeps them comfortable and safe when they aren't sure where they will be next, or when they will be adopted. We made blankets as part of our compassion class at ASU, demonstrating an intentional act of compassion for those in distress and suffering." ~ Gabriela P. and Claire O. in AZ

• "Pets deserve a safe place to call home. I wish I could take all of them in and provide that for them, but it's beyond my ability to do so. The least I can do is utilize my crafting abilities to bring some semblance of comfort to them in whatever small way I can." ~ Lauren L. in TN

• "Seeing how much my kitties like the blankets they have, I would like to provide some of that comfort to shelter pets that don't have a forever home yet. Secondarily it is a stress reliever for me to knit, crochet or sew for these precious animals." ~ Pam S. in MT

• "The smiles I get when I deliver blankets in person sure makes it worth it. But even more so is seeing the critters in the shelter, and knowing that I got to give them some love and comfort by making them a blanket. Because I can't take them all home with me ... I would REALLY be the 'Crazy Cat Lady' then!" ~ Linda R. in OH

• "I feel valuable after almost a year of being sidelined with hospital stays. Creating blankets helps me as much as the kitties! I'm addicted to crochet & love the waffle stitch!!" ~ Ralph S. in OH​ 

We are now donating 1,500+ blankets regularly every month, which is awesome! It's also A LOT of blankets to filter in and out of my house every month. 

With this in mind, we're asking all volunteers to please donate your blankets directly to a shelter right in your own area. If you don't see one near you on our list, I can help find one for you, and will do all the work getting them signed up. If you choose a shelter from our website list, I can promise you that in-state shipping will be less costly than sending them to me. I do ask though that you let me know, so that I can update my records!

Benefits of donating your blankets locally:

• Cheaper than shipping them to Illinois (if you're out of state)!
• You can email them for a tax receipt and possibly write off the donation (please check with your tax professional).​​
• You'll also get to hear just how much the shelter staff appreciates the blankets Thank you!!!

229,028 blankets donated so far!

Support our mission with the purchase of our pattern books: Crochet for Critters & Crochet for Your Comfort. Each book has 30 crochet patterns that are perfect for pet blankets. They also tell the story of CFC and why crafting helps the crafter, along with the pet! 

E-books here!

Paperback "Crochet for Critters" on Amazon!

Paperback "Crochet for Your Comfort" on Amazon!

Or check out a fun T-Shirt!

This is a brand new pattern, not included in either of my books. I enjoyed creating a blanket with this stitch because it was easy to do, but created a pattern that was on a bit of an angle.

In addition, it didn’t leave large holes, so it’s great for pets! The finished size should be around 20" x 20" which is just perfect for a kitty, but it can be expanded easily to make a dog blanket. I truly hope you enjoy it!

Click here to download the pattern 

As we make our blankets for shelter animals, we’re really doing much more than just keeping a dog or cat warm. We’re creating a little patch of comfort and of kindness. In doing this, we’re also choosing colors that can affect our own mood, and how the pet (and people who see them) feel as well.

Crafting with color isn’t just aesthetic, it’s science! The color of yarn you craft with engages both visual and emotional systems within your brain. Color can increase engagement, raise mood, and make the repetitive motions of knitting or crochet feel more rewarding. Studies show that color–emotion associations are systematic. For example, light yellow can spark joy, while a dark blue can convey sadness. Something to keep in mind, as you choose the palette for your next pet blanket!

How color can affect your mood:

Research in color psychology shows that certain hues consistently evoke emotional responses. However, color–emotion links are statistical tendencies, not rules. Culture, personal memories, and context strongly influence how someone perceives a color. For instance, a shawl that is a family heirloom, but gray in color, may be seen as treasured, not sad. Also, prolonged exposure to a single color may produce different effects than when using a color for a quick project.

While each person (and pet!) is unique, broad patterns are remarkably consistent:

• Warm, bright colors, like yellows, oranges, and pinks can lift energy and signal warmth and friendliness.
• Cool, soft hues, like sky blues, mint greens, and lilacs, tend to project calm and reassurance.
• Muted or “grayed” tones, like taupe, gray-blue, or dusty rose, create a sense of quiet and safety.
• Deep, dark colors, like navy or burgundy, feel grounding and protective, but they can also seem somber if overused.

Animals too are affected by color and contrast. Studies suggest dogs and cats respond better to softer contrasts and warmer mid-tones. Bright neon colors can stress or over-stimulate a pet. Using saturated, warm hues can add energy to a blanket, while muted, cool tones convey calm.

Though all this science is interesting to think about, above all, craft what you love! I simply adore bright colors, and the more the better, when I’m creating my CFC blankets. That enjoyment itself is a powerful motivator and it always boosts my mood. So as we’re doing good, helping shelter pets, we’re also doing good for our own mental health!

If you'd like to keep up-to-date on our mission, follow us on Facebook (or Instagram) and join our Facebook Group, "The Comfort for Critters Team".  We share what we're working on, pet & craft humor, along with tips & tricks for making beautiful blankets. It's a private group that stays 100% positive, 100% of the time! Please join us!

• Updates on our mission
• Craft ideas & patterns
• Pet information
• Animal shelter updates
• Easy ways to help pets
• Lots of "thank you's"!

Once you make blankets:

• Local volunteers are encouraged to drop off their blankets to a shelter near them since we support over 40 shelters in the Chicagoland area! We do encourage you to stop by our homebase in Glen Ellyn, IL to pick up a bag or two of free yarn, for your next batch of blankets!
• If you're outside of our area, please check our "Animal Shelters We Support" page to find a shelter in your state. Then ship your blankets directly to the shelter or drop them off. Please let me know how many you donate, via email or by using our website form.
• Patience is a plus! CFC is a small organization, with just one staff member! I do reply to every email, but it may take me a few days. Thank you!

Have questions? Check out our FAQ page!

3s139 Sequoia Drive 

Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Linda Kastiel Kozlowski Founder & Owner

Info@ComfortForCritters.org

~ Our Mission ~

To comfort all the animal shelter pets we can't adopt (but wish we could), and to be a blessing in the lives of every volunteer, supporter & shelter worker.