How to Braid Dog Leashes From Nylon Webbing

Braiding a leash for your dog is a relatively simple craft project. Leashes are important for keeping your dog safe and under control when you are outdoors with your dog. Store-bought leashes are usually expensive and can be uncomfortable for your dog. Creating a homemade leash is more economical than purchasing a leash in a store. Designing your own leash also allows you to choose more comfortable materials for your dog.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch nylon cord
  • Utility knife
  • 3/4-inch or 5/8-inch swivel eye snap
  • Measuring tape
  • 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch splicing fid
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and cut the nylon webbing. Cut four equal-length pieces of nylon cord roughly 3 feet longer than the length of the leash you want to make using a utility knife. Use 1/8- to 1/4-inch strands, depending on the size of your dog and the leash strength you need. Use a lighter to heat seal all of the cord ends to prevent fraying.

    • 2

      Weave the cords together. Knot the cords together at one end. Tie the knotted end to the swivel eye snap and clip the swivel eye snap to a stable object. Cross one cord over top of another using all four cords in the same pattern repetitively. Make sure to keep the cords taught as you weave them together. Keep the cords taught to ensure an even weave pattern. Continue to weave the cords together until you have reached the opposite end, leaving enough room to knot the cords at the opposite end. Knot the four cords together.

    • 3

      Create the handle loop. Attach the splicing fid to one end of the braided cord. Slide the fid completely through the braided cord about 6 or 7 inches from the end of the cord to make a loop. Pull the fid until roughly 1 to 1 1/2 inch inches of cord come through behind the fid. Rotate the fid back toward the braided cord and push the fid through both sides of the loop you just made roughly 1/2 inch above where you originally pulled the fid through the braided cord. Push the fid back through the original splice hole to hide the loose end of the braided cord in the body of the rope.

    • 4

      Create a loop for the swivel eye bolt. Use the same process you used to create the handle loop to create the loop that holds the swivel eye bolt. Make the loop 3 inches long instead of 6 to 7. You can attach the swivel eye bolt in one of two ways. The first is to place the swivel eye bolt on the rope before you make the loop and then make the loop around the swivel eye bolt. The second is to make the loop without the swivel eye bolt on the rope. Slide the swivel eye bolt onto the rope with the completed loop. Then run the handle loop through the loop for the swivel eye bolt and pull the rope taught to secure the swivel eye bolt.

    • 5

      Test the leash strength. Before you walk your dog using the leash, test the leash strength. Attach the swivel eye bolt to a fixed object such as a chain link fence. Pull strongly on the leash several times. Inspect the leash for structural integrity.