How to Crochet a Dog Leash
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New Year, New Series! This year we are starting a BRAND NEW crochet series for DOGS and I couldn’t be more excited. Have you ever wondered how to crochet a leash for your dog? The first free crochet pattern in the 2024 Dog Crochet Series is a crocheted dog leash and it is fabulous. 🐕🦺
How to Crochet a Dog Leash
If you’re reading this post, I’m betting that you, yourself, are a dog lover or that someone you love is a dog lover. Whether you’re making this for your own dog or for a friend’s pup, I love that you love dogs and that you care enough about yours to take them on walks with their fancy new crocheted dog leashes.
I just know that you’ll love this new, year-long dog crochet series and all of the patterns we’ll make throughout the year. The second Friday of each month throughout 2024 I will share a new, free crochet pattern pertaining to dogs (or pets). This could be something to help you care for your pet OR something luxurious just for them. Stay tuned and come back often for fresh new patterns for your furry friend.
Past crochet series on Heart Hook Home:
What’s so awesome about this dog leash pattern is that it is extremely beginner-friendly. In fact, all we’re using is a much stronger variation of the single crochet!
For this dog leash crochet tutorial I am making super sturdy leashes for my mixed breed girl, Cher, and my boyfriend’s German Shorthaired Pointer, Maisey. Maisey is a great dog, if a bit on the wild side, as most GSPs are. 🐕🦺🤪
Crocheted Dog Leash Durability:
I know you may be wondering if this crocheted dog leash will be strong enough for all dogs. My answer to this is that you know your dog best. If you have a hard time walking your dog or controlling your dog on a leash, then create and use this leash at your discretion – or not at all. You know your dog best and if in doubt, better to sit it out. I will say that the larger girl pictured here, Maisey, is a very strong hunting dog. Her breed is notorious for being crazy and spastic, and the leash as outlined below works great for her!
Best yarn for a leash:
You want to use cotton because it will not stretch. The weight of the cotton yarn you use will depend on how large and strong your dog is. The stronger the dog, the larger the yarn weight.
Small Dog Leash: A cotton worsted weight yarn would work fine for a new puppy, a tiny Chihuahua, or a little 5-lb Yorkie for example.
Medium Dog Leash: For my girl Cher who is a mixed breed and weighs around 20 lbs, I am using the 3mm macrame cord. This would work well for most medium weight dogs.
Large Dog Leash: For the bigger dog I am using the 5mm macrame cord (one of the thickest you can readily find) because Maisey is full grown and strong.
In the end, you know your dog best.
Make sure that you are purchasing a spool of macrame cord that has at least 36 meters or 40 yards. The 5mm macrame cord I am using in this tutorial (available in a TON of colors here) comes with an option of 100 meters (109 yards) and is plenty enough for me to make two leashes!
What I love most about this dog leash is that you can make it as short or as long as needed. A typical dog leash is around 60″ in length, including the handle. You may want one shorter for training purposes or longer to suit your needs.
Materials:
Cotton (worsted weight) for tiny dogs or new puppies
-approx. 30 yards for a 60″ long leash
Crochet hook in size 6mm
OR
Macrame cord (3mm) for small dogs
-approx. 40 yards for a 60″ long leash
Crochet hook in size 8mm
OR
Macrame cord (5mm) for stronger dogs
-approx. 36 yards for a 60″ long leash
Crochet hook in size 9mm
AND
(1) Swivel Snap Hook Buckle (similar to these, be sure to get one with a swivel and find an appropriate size for your pet — see note below)
Just like the cotton or macrame cord, there are different grades/weights/sizes for these hooks/buckles. I went in person to my local hardware store to find the best size/option for each of my leashes.
Pattern Notes:
Pattern written using US terms.
For this dog leash pattern we are using the Romanian Cord technique. This type of cord is extremely durable and much thicker than a single strand of cord or yarn. I love it for this project because it is so sturdy and it does not stretch out. Perfect for a dog leash!
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
Follow along with the VIDEO tutorial below.
Dog Leash Pattern:
Start by working around the ring of the clasp, leaving a long enough tail to secure later.
Step 1: Pull up a loop, then chain one, then single crochet around the ring, encompassing the yarn tail and all.
Step 2: Turn, sc in the side loop as pictured.
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Step 3: Turn, sc going through the two parallel loops directly to the left as pictured.
Repeat step 3 until the leash is as long as you like. See notes below about typical dog leash lengths.
You will notice that as you work and because you are working in a spiral, you need to unwind the leash every so often. No biggie! It helps to hold it up and to let the weight of the hook do the unwinding for you.
A standard dog leash is about 60″ long including the handle. Be sure to add extra length to the leash to account for the double backed portion of the loop. For example, if crocheting a standard leash that needs to be 60″ long, you’d need to crochet to about 65″ or 66″ and fold that last 5 – 6″ back on itself as pictured.
When the leash is as long as is desired… Turn and slip stitch going through the two parallel loops (where you would normally have made a sc). Fasten off leaving enough of a tail to VERY securely attach.
Fold the end back on the leash for a total of about 10 – 12″. This will be your handle.
Use a smaller crochet hook to secure the end. Weave in and out, and back through as many times as you feel comfortable.
Note that if you are using a worsted weight yarn a smaller hook is not necessary as a yarn needle will suffice.
Tug and pull on the connection to make sure that it is strong enough for your dog. When you are satisfied, and again using the smaller crochet hook, weave in the tail down through the center of the leash for another 6″ or so, or until you run out of yarn tail to weave in. Clip your yarn.
Handle made!
The final task is to secure the beginning yarn tail around the metal ring and weave the end through the length in a similar manner as the opposite end.
Using a smaller hook, feed the yarn tail up through the center of the leash for 6″ or so, or until you run out of yarn.
You’re finished!
Dog Leash Video Tutorial:
If you would rather watch this video on YouTube, you can find it on my channel here. Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there! 😉
That’s it! These are surprisingly fun and quick to work up, and they are so chic too! Our girls are walking in style now and I can’t wait to see yours. Be sure to tag @HeartHookHome across all social media, or share in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook.
More free patterns:
Dandy Dog Sweater: Easy Crochet Dog Sweater Pattern
Easy Crochet Dog Sweater for Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large Dogs
Dog Poop Bag Holder Free Crochet Pattern
Stellar Dog Sweater Crochet Pattern
18 Awesome Free Crochet Patterns for Pets
