How to Make Sweater Dog Toys  

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How to Make a Recycled Dog Sweater

How to Make a Super-Quick Dog Toy

Linda Permann, contributor

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Trim the ends of the fleece and your toy is finished! If you'd like to give your pal another place to grab on to the braids, just tie a few knots in the finished braid.

Linda Permann

Gather your fleece and cut your strips. Mix and match your scraps to make a colorful toy.

Linda Permann

Holding all three (or six) strips together, tie them in a knot at one end. Begin to braid the long strips of fleece. If using six strands, hold the strands together in sets of two while you are braiding.

Linda Permann

Trim the ends of the fleece and your toy is finished! If you'd like to give your pal another place to grab on to the braids, just tie a few knots in the finished braid.

Photo: Linda Permann

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If you've got a puppy who loves to play tug-of-war, take your fleece scraps and make him an easy-peasy rope toy. You don't need much fleece for this project, so if you don't have any scraps, I suggest you visit the remnant section of your craft store. I'm often able to find remnants for as little as 50 cents. You could make several of these toys for your dog and replace them as they get worn out (if you have a large dog), or just rotate their use while you throw one in the wash.

Note: Please use common sense and supervise your dog while he or she is playing with this toy—if it starts getting chewed to bits, it's time to replace it.

You'll need: Three 3-inch x 40-inch strips of fleece. For a large dog, you might want to double up and braid six strands of fleece. That's it!

Gather your fleece and cut your strips. Mix and match your scraps to make a colorful toy.

Holding all three (or six) strips together, tie them in a knot at one end. Begin to braid the long strips of fleece. If using six strands, hold the strands together in sets of two while you are braiding.

To make a basic braid, pull the left-most strand (blue) over the center strand (pink) and tug tight. Next, pull the right-most strand (multi) over the now center strand (blue) and tug tight. Continue braiding in this manner, braiding the fleece as tightly as possible for a sturdy toy.

The easiest way to get a really tight braid is to put the knot between your knees and keep braiding. Braid until the toy is slightly longer than your desired length and tie the other end in a knot.

Trim the ends of the fleece and your toy is finished! If you'd like to give your pal another place to grab on to the braids, just tie a few knots in the finished braid.

Have fun playing with your furry friend! And remember, the toy is washable, so when it gets slobbery and gross, you can just revive it with a good washing and drying.

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Comments (5)

LindaPermann writes: brownbabe96- you should be able to get fleece at any major chain fabric store (joann's, hancock fabrics, maybe hobby lobby). good luck!
Posted: 2:20 am on June 6th

brownbabe96 writes: well i'm 12 years old almost 13 but decided to help my local animal shelter by making toys.i LOVE ur idea, but how did u get the fleece??? i can't find it anywhere??? I NEED HELP!!!
Posted: 9:52 am on June 5th

Brayden4 writes: ANother great idea! I think denim would work well also. If I were really ambitious, I would go to Home Depot and buy an inexpensive drop cloth (fabric), I would bet that would make quite a few. I tend to think 'large' since my babes are 'large'!

Have fun with whatever you pick!!!
Posted: 6:03 pm on April 18th

LindaPermann writes: Jen- I really think fleece is best suited for this one, but I'd say that knits would work well too (since they're stretchy, they are harder to tear than cotton). I think the key here is to supervise your dog and if the toy gets to the point where anything can be swallowed, toss it and make a new one.
Posted: 12:42 am on February 11th

Jen1964 writes: ... and a dental scrubby too! Nice! What other fabrics would work? Stay away from anything metallic (hurts them)... and avoid dental floss or long strings, since that can lead to wrecking their insides.
Posted: 12:35 pm on February 7th

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