How to Knit a Dog Harness
Harnesses are an excellent alternative to traditional dog collars, especially if your dog strains against his leash. Rather than concentrating pressure around your dog's neck as a collar would, harnesses distribute pressure over his upper back, shoulders, chest and neck. If you want to outfit your dog with a harness but can't find a stylish option, knit one yourself. With the right yarn and hardware you can make a chic, hand-crafted harness your pup will proudly wear at home, on walks and at the dog park.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Knitting needles
- Yarn
- Nylon carrying thread
- Sewing needle
- D-ring
- Buckle
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Prep Work
-
1
Take your dog's measurements. Measure around his chest behind the shoulder blades, measure across his back from shoulder blade front to shoulder blade front, measure across his neck, starting behind one shoulder blade and ending behind the other shoulder blade and finally, measure the distance between the front of his shoulder blade and directly behind it.
-
2
Knit a gauge swatch. Before you begin knitting your dog's harness, you must figure out how many knitted rows and stitches fit into 4 square inches. With your yarn and nylon carrying thread, knit a 6-inch square in linen stitch (see Resources). Wash and block, and then measure your gauge.
-
3
Create your pattern. Now that you know your gauge, you can determine how many stitches you need to make your harness pieces the desired width and length. You will need to design four 2-inch-wide bands of different lengths to make your harness.
Knitting
-
1
Knit one 2-inch-wide band until it measures the same length as your dog's chest circumference. Continue knitting for 4 inches, creating an eyelet at the center of the band every inch. Knit one more inch and bind off. This is band one.
-
2
Knit one 2-inch-wide band until it equals your dog's across-the-neck measurement. Continue knitting for 4 1/2 inches and bind off. This is band two.
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3
Knit one 2-inch-wide band until it equals your dog's shoulder-blade-to-shoulder-blade measurement. Continue knitting for 4 inches and bind off. This is band three.
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4
Knit one 2-inch band until it measures twice as long as your dog's across-the-shoulder-blade measurement. Bind off. This is band four.
Assembly
-
1
Place bands one and three parallel to one another. The distance between them should equal your dog's across-the-shoulder-blade measurement and the bands' center points should line up.
-
2
Place band four vertically across the center points of bands one and three. Band four's extra length should extend equally from the edge of band one and band three. Pin into place, and slide a D-ring into place on band four. It should rest against the edge of band one. Fold band four's edges under and sew into place. Go over your stitching several times to ensure it is secure.
-
3
Align band two so that its edges extend 2 inches over band one and the edges of band three extend 2 inches over it on both sides. Pin in place and fold band two's edges over band one. Sew until firmly secured. Fold band three's edges under band two and sew until firmly secured.
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4
Slide the buckle over the end of band one without eyelets. Fold 1 inch of band one under itself and sew until firmly secured.
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1
Tips & Warnings
This style of harness works best for smaller dogs.
Using the linen stitch will create a firm, sturdy fabric that will stand up to heavy use.
Linen-wool blends make for extra-sturdy dog harnesses, and a nylon carrying thread will also enhance your harness's strength.
Choose knitting needles a couple of sizes smaller than suggested on the yarn ball band to make a denser, harder-wearing fabric.
