How to Make Yarn Wigs for Dogs

This doll's hair is a good example of the style of yarn wig you can make, but you can also leave the yarn free.

It's becoming increasingly common for people to put costumes on their dogs. Some people put clothing on their dogs as a daily habit, but many people costume their dogs for Halloween or other special occasions. Some dogs don't tolerate a costume well, and probably shouldn't be made to wear one, but for those dogs that don't mind, a doggy costume is fun for the family. There are many styles available in pet stores, and especially online, but it's not that hard to make your dog's costume on your own. Make a great wig out of yarn to finish off the costume.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing tape measure
• Yarn
• Book
• Scissors
• Moleskin or other base for the wig
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Elastic band or cord
• Yarn needle
• Nontoxic permanent fabric glue (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Use a flexible sewing tape measure to measure your dog's head.

   Measure the circumference of your dog's head just above where its ears meet its head.

2. Draw a circle on a piece of moleskin with the same circumference as the dog's head, and cut out the circle.

3. 

   Wind the strands of yarn neatly side by side.

   Choose a book with either a width or length that is about as long as you want the hair to hang. Hold the first end of the yarn to the top or side edge of the book with your finger, or use a small piece of transparent tape to hold it in place. Wind the yarn around the book with each strand close to the side of the last strand. Wind the yarn lengthwise or width-wise, depending on how long you want the yarn hair to be when the wig is finished. The yarn should be wound snugly; if it is slipping off the book, then wind it a little tighter.

4. Cut the yarn along one edge of the book -- the side or top, depending on the direction you wound the yarn -- so that you have long strands that are about twice the length you want the yarn hair to be.

5. 

   The seam in the center will hold the yarn together and will look like parted hair, as in the photo.

   Center the strands of yarn on the circle of moleskin, and sew a seam across the middle to hold the yarn in place as well as to look like a part in the yarn hair.

6. 

   Unravel the strands of yarn to make a messy, curly look, similar to the beard in this photo.

   Leave the strands free or braid them, depending on the costume style. For a different look, unravel the yarn by untwisting each strand and fluffing it as shown in the yarn beard in the picture.

7. 

   The flat, white elastic in this photo will work, but if you prefer, there are also very thin elastic cords in a variety of colors available in crafts and jewelry-making stores.

   Measure the dog from one side of its head just where the ears meet, under the chin and to the other side of the head. Cut an elastic cord to this length.

8. Thread a needle with the elastic cord and pull it through one side of the moleskin under the yarn hair. Double-knot the end so it can't pull out of the moleskin. Pull the elastic across to the other side of the moleskin, and knot it as you did the first side, so it becomes a sash to hold the wig onto the dog's head.

Tips & Warnings

• For a different look, add another row of yarn in the same way but from front to back, with the front very short for "bangs".

• Add as many layers as you'd like to make the wig fuller.

• Another way to make the yarn wig is to thread a needle with the yarn and pull each strand through the moleskin so that half the strand hangs on the top of the moleskin and the other half comes out from underneath the moleskin. Leave the strands free or knot them to make them more secure. You can also use permanent fabric glue instead of threading the yarn through.

• Instead of moleskin, try a pair of pantyhose with the legs cut off and sewn up, a shower cap, or a kitchen jar cozy, depending on the size of your dog. Even use any sturdy piece of fabric if needed.

• Moleskin will not slide on the dog's head as easily as most fabric.

• Consider your dog's ears when designing the wig, whether the ears are upright or droopy.

• Don't make the elastic too tight.

• Keep the yarn hair out of your dog's eyes.

• Supervise your dog and any other pets when wearing the wig to make sure none of the animals chew or swallow the yarn.