How to Make Cooling Icy Neck Wraps for your Dog

Pugsly Chillin' with his Cooling Neck Tie

On a hot day, it's just as hard for your dog to cool off as it is for you! These cool icy neck wraps keep your dog cool for hours, and are fun and easy to make. They have polymer water gel crystals inside that expand over 400% when soaked in water, and stay cool for hours!

Things You'll Need

• Colorful cotton fabric - 1 ft makes 3 neck ties
• Polymer water crystals - buy online or at your local craft store (usually in the floral section)
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Thread
• Ruler

Instructions

1. 

   The fabric you purchase should be at least 36" wide. Cut it into 4" strips.

2. 

   Fold the strip in half, so that it's 18" long. Then with your ruler, measure 8.5" from the fold and mark it. Do this on both sides. (this center section will become the pocket for your water crystals)

3. Unfold the fabric, and refold it lengthwise, with the back side of the fabric out. No need to pin it.

4. 

   On your sewing machine, stitch the length of the fabric, with a 3/8" hem.

5. Go back and double-stitch the center section that you have marked.

6. 

   Now you need to turn the fabric "snake" right side out. Do this by attaching a safety pin to one end, and pushing it through the inside until the fabric is right side out.

7. At this point, you can iron it flat to make the remaining steps easier.

8. 

   Fold the band in half, and measure 8.5" from the fold.

9. 

   Double-stitch seam across the band at the postion marked in the last step.

10. 

    Insert 1 teaspoon of water crystals into the opening (check that you are adding them to the right end) and shake them down until all are sitting at the seam you just made.

11. 

    Fold the band in half again, and check for the position of the second seam (to close the pocket). It should be directly across from the first when folded in half (pocket length will be 17").

12. 

    Double-stitch across the band at the postion marked in last step to close the pocket.

13. 

    Now finish the ends by folding the fabric in, and stitching across them. You can do this at an angle to give it a more professional look.

14. 

    Put a couple of inches of cold water in the sink, and put the wrap in for 10 - 15 minutes. Watch it grow!

15. 

    Tie it around your dogs neck and start him/her cooling! It will stay cool for several hours without redipping it in water.

Tips & Warnings

• Make these for your family and friends dogs too!

• Make them to sell at craft fairs or online!

• Use Cotton fabric, as it works best.

• Sizes can be adjusted for your dog.

• Pop them in the freezer for a couple minutes to chill them down

• Pack in an ice chest or cooler for a day out.

• Ties will return to their normal size after drying completely. They can be re-hydrated at any time.