Raleigh Dog Blanket Free Knitting Pattern – Cozy Cable & Seed Stitch Throw

Wrap your furry friend in the warmth of this textured cable and seed stitch blanket, inspired by the charming streets of Raleigh. This free knitting pattern creates a durable, snuggly throw that's as beautiful as it is functional. The combination of braided cables and a bumpy seed stitch border gives this blanket a classic, rustic appeal that will look stunning in any home—and your dog will absolutely love curling up on it. Whether you're an experienced knitter looking for a satisfying project or a beginner ready to tackle your first cable pattern, this throw is designed to be approachable and rewarding.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
  • Main Color (MC): 800g of soft heather gray
  • Contrast Color (CC): 300g of warm cream
• Needles: US 8 (5mm) circular knitting needle, 32-inch cable (this length is essential to hold all 150 stitches comfortably)
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 6), cable needle, tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (after blocking). Always knit a gauge swatch first to ensure your blanket comes out the right size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This blanket is knitted flat in one piece from the bottom up. The pattern combines a central cable panel with seed stitch borders for a classic, cozy look. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a beautiful heirloom-quality blanket in no time.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• C4F = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• C4B = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• K2tog = knit two together
• P2tog = purl two together
• St(s) = stitch(es)

Pattern Notes

• The blanket measures approximately 30 inches wide by 40 inches long, perfect for medium to large dogs.
• Use a long-tail cast on for a stretchy, neat edge.
• Always slip the first stitch of each row purlwise to create a neat selvedge edge. This will make your edges look professional and make seaming (if needed) much easier.

Cast On

With MC, cast on 150 stitches using the long-tail method. Take your time to ensure the cast-on is even but not too tight—you want the bottom edge to have a bit of give.

Border Setup (Rows 1-10)

Work in seed stitch across all stitches for 10 rows. This creates a dense, non-curling border that frames the blanket beautifully.

• Row 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end.
• Row 2: *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Repeat these two rows until you have 10 rows total. Remember to slip the first stitch of each row purlwise. The seed stitch pattern will naturally alternate, so don't worry if it looks a bit bumpy—that's exactly what you want.

Main Body Pattern

Now you'll begin the main pattern, which has a seed stitch border on each side and two central cable panels. The structure is: 10 seed stitch border stitches, 30 cable panel stitches, 68 seed stitch center stitches, 30 cable panel stitches, 10 seed stitch border stitches. Use your stitch markers to keep track of each section—this is crucial for staying organized.

Row 1 (RS - Right Side)

Slip 1, work seed stitch over next 10 sts (K1, P1 alternating), place marker, work cable panel over next 30 sts as follows: (K6, C4F, K6, C4B, K6) – that's 30 sts, place marker, work seed stitch over next 68 sts, place marker, work cable panel over next 30 sts (same as before), place marker, work seed stitch over last 10 sts, slip last st.

Row 2 (WS - Wrong Side)

Slip 1, work seed stitch over next 10 sts, slip marker, work cable panel over next 30 sts as: (P6, C4B, P6, C4F, P6) – note that on WS, cables are worked as purl cables, slip marker, work seed stitch over next 68 sts, slip marker, work cable panel over next 30 sts, slip marker, work seed stitch over last 10 sts, slip last st.

Rows 3-8

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three more times. On RS rows, work the cable panel as: (K6, C4F, K6, C4B, K6). On WS rows, work as: (P6, C4B, P6, C4F, P6). This alternating pattern creates a beautiful braided cable effect that twists in opposite directions.

Row 9 (RS)

Slip 1, work seed stitch over 10 sts, slip marker, work cable panel as: (K6, C4B, K6, C4F, K6), slip marker, work seed stitch over 68 sts, slip marker, work cable panel as: (K6, C4B, K6, C4F, K6), slip marker, work seed stitch over 10 sts, slip last st. Notice how the cable direction has reversed—this is what creates the braided look.

Row 10 (WS)

Slip 1, work seed stitch over 10 sts, slip marker, work cable panel as: (P6, C4F, P6, C4B, P6), slip marker, work seed stitch over 68 sts, slip marker, work cable panel as: (P6, C4F, P6, C4B, P6), slip marker, work seed stitch over 10 sts, slip last st.

Rows 11-16

Repeat Rows 9 and 10 three more times.

Repeat Pattern

Continue repeating Rows 1-16 until the blanket measures approximately 38 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a Row 16 (WS) to keep the pattern balanced. This is important—ending on the wrong side row ensures your next step (the contrast stripe) starts on a right side row.

Contrast Stripe (Optional but Recommended)

To add a touch of elegance and visual interest, introduce the CC yarn for a 4-row stripe after the main body reaches 36 inches. This stripe breaks up the gray beautifully and adds a designer touch.

• With CC, work 4 rows in seed stitch across all stitches (no cable panels). Simply work K1, P1 across all 150 stitches, remembering to slip the first stitch of each row.
• Then switch back to MC and continue the main pattern for 2 more inches. This will give you a total of 38 inches of main body plus the stripe.

Border Finish

Work 10 rows of seed stitch across all stitches, exactly as the bottom border, to create a symmetrical frame. This mirrors the bottom border and gives the blanket a polished, professional look.

Bind Off

Bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls) to maintain stretch. This is critical—if you bind off too tightly, the edge will pucker and the blanket won't lie flat. Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail, and weave in all ends with a tapestry needle. Take your time with this step; weaving in ends securely ensures your blanket will last for years of snuggles.

Blocking

Wet block the blanket by soaking in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash, gently squeeze out excess (never wring or twist!), lay flat on towels, and pin to the desired dimensions. Allow to dry completely. This evens out the stitches and enhances the cable definition dramatically. Blocking is the secret to a professional-looking finished piece—don't skip it!

Once dry, your Raleigh Dog Blanket is ready to be gifted to your favorite furry friend. The thick, textured fabric will keep them warm and cozy, and the beautiful cable work will make it a cherished piece in your home. Happy knitting!