How to Make a Macrame Dog Collar

Make your dog a customized collar using colored hemp.

Macrame is the art of tying knots into bracelets, necklaces, and other types of jewelry using hemp. This type of jewelry is not limited to human use, however. Macrame can also be used to create collars for dogs and cats. By utilizing macrame techniques you can create a colorful custom collar for your dog that will stand out in a crowd. Make a macrame collar using your favorite colors or make several collars using different color palettes -- one for each of the four seasons.

Things You'll Need

• Hemp
• Tape
• 2-part metal buckle
• Piece of board or cardboard
• Tape
• Metal ring
• Needle nose pliers
• Glue

Instructions

1. Measure the circumference of your dog's neck and multiply the measurement by eight. Using the resulting measurement, cut eight equal-length pieces of hemp. Wrap the ends of each piece of hemp with tape to keep it from fraying as you work.

2. Attach four pieces of hemp to one half of the two-part buckle using lark's head knots. Fold one of the four pieces of hemp in half to form a loop at one end then fold the loop over the buckle. Pass the two ends of the folded hemp through the loop and pull it tight. Repeat this process for all four pieces of hemp so you are left with eight strands extending from the buckle.

3. Anchor the buckle to a board or piece of cardboard using tape to keep it steady as you work, then separate the furthest strand to the right from the other strands. Lay this strand horizontally across all the other strands and secure it to the board to the left of the collar. This strand will become the holding cord for your knots.

4. Create double half hitch knots on the holding cord with all the other strands, starting with the second strand furthest to the right. Bring each strand under and wrap it around the holding cord, pulling the end of the string off to the left. Wrap the holding cord a second time with the same strand but finish with the end of the string between the two strands connected with a lark's head knot.

5. Create another half hitch knot using the next strand to the left of the first, repeating the process outlined in step 4. Tighten each knot as you go to make them snug. When you finish a row, lay the holding cord across all of the strands, moving to the right this time, and anchor it to the board. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have completed half the length of your desired collar minus 1 inch.

6. Attach all of the strands to the metal ring using vertical lark's head knots. Each vertical lark's head knot will consist of two parts. First, bring one strand over the ring then pass it under the ring and through the loop formed by the string and pull it tight. Second, pass the same strand under the ring and fold it over the ring then pass the end of the string through the loop and pull it tight.

7. Repeat the process outlined in step 6 for each of the eight strands, pulling each one tight as you work. When finished, use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the ends of the string through the collar to the back of the design. Tie four square knots using pairs of the eight strands and glue the knots to the back of the collar. When the glue is dry, trim away any excess string.

8. Attach the second set of four hemp strands to the bottom of the metal ring using the lark's head knot procedure outlined in step 2. Add an extra loop using the right strand of each pair to the ring by passing the end of the right strand under the ring then folding it over and passing it through the loop.

9. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the second half of your collar is completed. Attach the second half of the two-part buckle using the same procedure you used in step 6 to attach the strands to the metal ring.

10. Finish your collar by pulling each of the strands through to the back side using needle nose pliers. Tie off the strands in pairs using tight square knots and apply glue to secure the knots. Once the knots dry, snip off the excess hemp and try out your completed collar.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a colorful pattern on your dog's macrame collar by using two different colors of hemp. Alternate the two colors when tying the strands to the buckle.

References

• Free Macrame Patterns: Ribbed Dog Collar
• Free Macrame Patterns; Double Half Hitch