I create handmade pet memorial gifts through knitting, designed to preserve the memory of beloved dogs and cats. Many of my customers ask for custom pet keepsakes they can carry with them outside the home, so I often recommend lightweight items like knitted lap blankets or memorial stoles.
Always With You – Portable Pet Memorial products
When people think of portable keepsakes, they often imagine something small like a strap or charm. Since my memorials are made with knitting, the smallest item I offered used to be a lap blanket. Some customers even carried these blankets inside their bags.
However, I often received questions such as:
“When I put the blanket in my bag, it takes up too much space. Do you have something lighter and thinner?”
Others told me they weren’t looking for something to use only after arriving at a destination—they wanted a knitted memorial item they could keep close at all times, even while traveling. For them, a strap or charm simply wasn’t enough.
When I asked why, many said:
“Because the warmth of knitted fabric makes me feel comforted.”
That was when I started experimenting with new knitting techniques and finally introduced the memorial shawl I mentioned at the beginning. It is thin, light, and can be used both as a shawl or a scarf, making it a truly wearable pet memorial.
Feeling That Your Beloved Pet Is Always by Your Side
When a beloved pet passes away, many of us long for ways to feel that they are still always with us. Here are some ideas to keep your pet’s memory close in daily life.
Smartphone Wallpaper
A classic idea, but one of the most powerful. Since we look at our phones every day, having your pet’s photo as the wallpaper can make you feel their presence.
For example, my wife still keeps a picture of her late dachshund—her childhood dog—as her smartphone background. Even though we now share our home with a chihuahua, she says she simply cannot change the wallpaper from the dog she lost.
Straps and Keychains
Another common way is creating or purchasing a pet memorial strap or keychain. These come in many forms: some are made using your pet’s fur, while others contain a photo inside a charm. They are relatively affordable and easy to find online if you search for pet photo keepsakes or pet memorial accessories.
In fact, some specialized products go even further. There are services that transform a pet’s ashes into artificial diamonds, or place a small portion of ashes inside a capsule that you can carry with you as a keepsake.
(Related article: About dividing a pet’s ashes into keepsakes)
Sharing on Social Media
For many of us, checking social media while we’re out has become more of a habit than a conscious choice. Some people simply can’t resist scrolling.
When I do, I often look back at old photos—of my late dog, Muku, as well as the cats I live with now. Browsing through past posts while I’m away from home always brings me a sense of comfort.
Just remember, no distracted walking or “texting while walking”—safety first!
Carrying a Keepsake
As I’ve mentioned in my collection of pet memorial ideas, one meaningful way to feel close to a departed pet is to carry a keepsake. Personally, if one of my cats were to pass away, I would like to turn their collar into a keychain to keep with me.
My dog Muku once wore a large leather collar, and if I had saved it, I could have turned it into a beautiful strap or key fob. Unfortunately, I no longer have it, which I regret a little.
Why not consider remaking a pet’s keepsake into something small and portable—an accessory you can carry with you every day?
Responding to Our Customers’ Wishes
Many of our customers tell us they want a way to carry their pet’s keepsake with them at all times, close to their heart. It helps them feel as though their beloved pet is still always by their side.
With the gentle warmth of knitted fabric, our memorial items can even be used as a lap blanket while traveling—something far beyond what a small strap or keychain can provide.
In response to these heartfelt requests, we will continue doing our best to create warm, knitted pet memorial gifts that offer a sense of comfort and closeness no ordinary charm could ever provide.
