How to Make a Braided Dog Leash

This braided dog leash is really quick and easy to make, and it's a great project for children or adults alike. With very little investment or things found around your home you can make a braided leash and the color choices are yours. With just four 10 ft lengths of heavy weight thread, nylon or yarn and the hardware from an old leash you will be well on your way to making a personalized dog leash for your favorite dog. You may even consider making a up a few and selling them at a flea market or crafts fair, they come out so nice.

Things You'll Need

  • 4) 10 ft lengths of colored string (3-m). The color choices are yours but to make it simple for the first one you will want to start with 2 of one color and two of another color.
  • Clip with a ring (from a old leash or purchased at a hardware store)
  • Scissors
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      To start your braided dog leash, fold the strings in half, knot the middle of each string onto the ring of the clip following the knotting guide in illustration 1. You can click on the illustration for a larger image.

      When using two colors you will want to knot one of one color followed by two of the other color and the remaining string at the end. So for example on a yellow and blue leash it would be yellow, blue, blue, yellow.

    • 2

      To assure a strong and straight braided dog leash, secure the clip to something immovable, such as a drawer handle, so it will not slip while you are braiding. This will help you to keep the braiding tension steady and straight.

    • 3

      Start to braid your dog leash, treat the two halves of each piece as one strand. You will braid as per the illustration for a perfect leash. Continue braiding until 18 inches from the end.

      Left hand yellow over left hand blue

      Right hand yellow over right hand blue and second yellow

      Left hand blue over left hand yellow

      Right hand blue over right hand yellow and second blue.

      As you repeat this pattern over and over again you will note that the outside left hand string will always cross over one double strand: the outside right hand string will cross over two double strands.

    • 4

      When you have braided your dog leash until only eighteen inches remains unbraided you need to hold on to the end of the braid, and make a single overhand knot from the four double strands as in illustration 3.

    • 5

      After placing the knot you will then continue to braid the strand to the end.

      Fold back the braid until the end is approximately 2 inches beyond the over hand knot and tie an overhand knot in the handle. It should be right next to the first knot, on the side nearest the clip. The first knot will hold the second knot in place, so the loop will not close under pressure.

      Trim the ends of the strings one inch from the knot for a finished look.