DIY Heavy-Duty Fleece Rope Dog Toy

This Friday, August 26th, is National Dog Day. Since my dog demands my attention and takes up all my free time, I thought I would make a post for a rope toy that I made for him.

These ropes are easy and inexpensive to make. They also are very strong and will withstand lots of abuse from even large dogs!

There are lots of steps to this, but don't worry, it is not difficult and it gets easier once you get started.

Needed Supplies: 

Fleece fabric remnants

Scissors

Step 1: Cut the fabric.

Cut 4 strips of fleece between 3" and 4" wide. I cut mine at 4" because my dog is large. If you are making a toy for a small dog, you may want to cut the strips a little thinner.

Fleece stretches in one direction. Cut the fabric so it stretches the length of the strips, not the width.

I used 2 different colors, but you could use all the same color or 4 different colors. I suggest using at least 2 different colors for the first time that you make this. It just makes it easier to see what you are doing. 

You can cut your strips as long as you want for your dog. I suggest cutting the strips the full length of the fabric. As you knot it, the length is going to get shorter. When you get to the desired length, you can stop and trim off the excess.

The cuts do not have to be perfect. I just eyeballed it. You can see that my cuts were pretty jagged and the strips were not exactly the same width through the entire length. I promise that your dog is not going to complain.

Pile the strips on top of each other.

Make a knot at the top. I left about 3" for the fringe.

Step 2: Lay the strips out so 1 strip goes straight out to each side and 2 strips go down the middle. It will kind of look like a person with the knot for the head. I labeled the strips A, B, C, and D to make the explanation easier.

Step 3: Take strip A and cross it over B and C. It should be parallel to strip D.

Step 4: Take strip C and fold it up and over strips A and D.

Step 5: Take strip D and fold it over both the inside and outside parts of strip C.

Step 6: Put the end of strip D under strip B.

Step 7: Put the end of strip D over strip A.

Step 8: Pull all your strips tight. Pull A and D right and left and pull B and C down and up. It doesn't have to be super tight, but tight enough that it isn't going to come loose when your dog is playing with it. It is better to be too tight than too loose.

Your knot will look like a little box. You will notice that the strips are in a different order. D will go to the left, A goes to the right, C goes up and B goes down.

Now, things get a little easier!

Step 9: Fold strip B up over strip D. Fold strip C down over strip A.

Step 10: Fold Strip D over B and through the loop at the top of C. Fold Strip A over C and through the loop at the bottom of B.

Step 11: Pull all your strips tight. Pull A and D left and right and pull B and C up and down. You will now have another box. You will notice that the strips are again in a different order. A goes to the left, D will go to the right, B goes up and C goes down.

Step 12: Fold strip B down over strip A. Fold strip C up over strip D.

Step 13: Fold Strip D over C and through the loop at the top of B. Fold Strip A over B and through the loop at the bottom of C.

Step 14: Pull all your strips tight. Pull A and D left and right and pull B and C down and up.

Strip D will now go to the left, A goes to the right, C goes up and B goes down.

Step 15: Repeat steps 9 through 14. Your rope will begin looking like this.

Step 16: Continue to repeat these steps until the rope is as long as you want for your dog. Make a knot at the end.

Step 17: Trim the ends so all strips are even. If you would like the trim to look a little more full, make a few cuts into each strip. I made my cuts about 1 1/2 inches down.

 Step 18: Go play with your dog!

These ropes are easy to make, inexpensive, and are very strong. They hold up to abuse and tug of war by even large dogs.

These are also great for teething puppies. Just soak it in water, put it in a zip-loc bag, and let it freeze. Then, give it to your puppy to chew on. The cold will help soothe the puppy's gums.

When the rope is dirty, you can throw it right into the washing machine and dryer. The ropes may get stretched out a bit. If you throw it in the dryer, it will shrink back.

These ropes would also make a great donation to your local animal shelter or rescue group.

Now, go have fun with your dog!

Crochet Valentine’s Day Treat Bags

I volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor at the local elementary school once a week. I wanted to put together a little something for the kids for Valentine's day. 

These little bags are quick and easy to make and they use only a small amount of yarn. I am filling mine with candy, but these would also be great for small toys, stickers, erasers, etc.

Size:

The finished bag is 3 ½” wide and is 4 ½” high. You can easily adjust the size of your bag by changing the hook size, using a different weight of yarn, or increasing the length of the foundation chain.

Needed Materials:

Crochet Hook Size H

Worsted Weight Yarn Main Color – 20 g (bag)

Worsted Weight Yarn Coordinating Color – 5 g (drawstrings and heart)

Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 

4 1/2 sc = 1”

The gauge is not really important for this. I crochet tightly, but this gauge made a 3 ½” x 4 ½” bag.

Bag:

Using the Main Color, Ch 16

2 sc in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc in 13 ch, 2 sc in the last ch. Do not turn. Working on the opposite side of the foundation ch, sc in next 13 ch, join. (30 st) You may want to place a marker on the last sc to help you remember where the round begins.

Row 1: Sc in each sc around. Continue to sc until the bag measures 4” tall or about ½” less than your desired end height.

Drawstring Row: Sl st to join, ch 1, (sc in next sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc) around, join. (10 - ch 2 spaces)

Final Row: Ch 1, (sc in each sc, 2 sc in each ch 2 space) around, join, fasten off.

Drawstring (Make 2):

Using the Coordinating Color, make a chain until it is about 16” long. Fasten off.

Heart:

Using the Coordinating Color, Ch 3

Row 1: (2 dc, 1 hdc) in the 3^rd ch from the hook. Turn. (4 st)

Row 2: Ch 3. 1 dc in each of the (2 dc, 1 hdc), 2 dc into the top of the ch 3. Turn. (6 st)

Row 3: Ch 2. 1 dc in 1^st st, 2dc in next st, sl st in next st, 2 dc in next st, (1dc, 1hdc) in next st, sl st into the top of the ch 3 of row 2.

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Finishing:

Starting at one side of the bag, weave a drawstring through the ch 2 spaces. Starting at the other side of the bag, weave the other drawstring through the ch 2 spaces. Knot the ends of the drawstrings.

Sew the heart onto the bag using the long tail.

Weave in all ends.

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Sc = Single Crochet
Sc2tog = Single Crochet Two Together
To make it easier to print, you can download a pdf of the pattern.

Have a happy Valentine's Day! 

Scrap 2x4 Halloween Monsters

I wanted to make some new Halloween decorations, and I wanted them to be fast and easy to make. I decided to make these little monsters out of scrap 2x4 blocks. I had all the supplies on hand, so they were completely free!

Needed Materials:

Scrap Wood Blocks - I used scrap 2x4s and 1x2s, but you could use 2x3s, 2x6s or any other scrap wood you have laying around.

Paint

Wood Glue

Scraps of fabric (for the mummy)

Here is how I made each of my monsters.

Step 1: Cut your wood

You can cut your blocks to be whatever size you want. I rummaged through my scrap bin and used scraps that were 3"-5".

Step 2: Sand

Ensure that everything is sanded smooth.

Step 3: Paint

I did not use any kind of template. I just drew on a design with pencil and then painted it. You could also do a search for templates and then trace them on.

Step 4: Glue on extra parts (if applicable)

Step 5: Enjoy your Bootiful Halloween decorations!

Frankenstein

Use your wood block and cut two small blocks from a 1x2 for the bolts. You could also use a dowel, screws, or bolts.

Mummy

Use your wood block and paint on the eyes. Then, wrap the scrap fabric around the board, gluing it on as you wrap. I tore strips from an old pillow case, but any kind of scraps that you have laying around would work.

Jack-O'-Lantern

Use your wood block and cut a small block from a 1x2 for a stem. You could also use a dowel or even a stick.

Ghost

Nothing extra is needed for this one. Just paint it!

Black Cat

Use your wood block and cut two triangles from a 1x2 for ears. The eyes I painted are not the greatest, but they work for me. I had originally painted on a nose, mouth, and whiskers on my cat. But then it looked too friendly, so I painted over them. Now I think it looks like Batman. Oh well, he is kind of scary, too!

These scrap 2x4 Halloween monsters are inexpensive, quick, and easy to make. They would make a great kid's project. The kids could personalize the monsters anyway that they want.

DIY Wood Car and Truck Push Toys

If you need a quick, easy, and inexpensive gift for the little person in your life, this may be the perfect project for you. I made this little car and truck out of scraps of wood.

I got to spend the last few days with this little guy, Zachary, while his parents and sister were on vacation.

I decided to make some toys for him to make our time together special. I found the directions to make these cute toy cars on Ana White's website. you can find the full directions and printable templates here.

Here are the steps I took to make mine.

Needed Materials:
1"x4" scrap (7" or longer will be sufficient for the car or truck.)
Toy wheels (or make your own)
Dowel (size depends on your wheels)
4 Washers (size depends on your wheels)
Wood Glue
Paint

Step 1: Draw your vehicle shape on the wood.
You can use the templates provided on Ana White's website or make your own.

Step 2: Cut the outline of your vehicle.
Use a jigsaw to cut the outside of the vehicles out of the 1"x4" boards. I am not the greatest with the jigsaw so the cars I made are far from perfect, but Zach doesn't seem to mind.

Step 3: Cut out the window holes.
Use a hole saw to drill a hole in the window space. Then use the jigsaw to finish the cuts.

Step 4: Make your wheels. (optional)
If you are making your own wheels, use a hole saw to cut out the four wheels. I bought my wheels. They were just over $1 for 4 wheels. You can find them in the hobby section of your DIY store. Ask for the Pine Wood Derby supplies.

Step 5: Cut your dowels.
Cut your dowels to be long enough to go through both wheels and through the 1"x4" piece. Make the dowels slightly longer, because you will need to use a washer between the car and each wheel.

Step 6: Drill the holes for your wheels.
Make sure you drill the hole large enough to fit your dowels. Also, ensure sure that you drill the holes so that they are level with each other. I just eyeballed it when I made the car and the front wheels are lower than the back wheels.

Step 7: Sand all surfaces.
These are going to be in little hands, so be sure that you sand all surfaces very well.

Step 8: Paint.
If there is any chance that these are going to end up in someone's mouth, be certain that you use a child-safe paint and that you seal it very well with mineral oil.

Step 9: Attach your wheels to the dowel.
Use wood glue to attach one wheel to each dowel.

Step 10: Attach the wheels to the vehicle.

Put a washer on the dowel with the wheel. Push the dowel through the vehicle. Put another washer on the other side of the vehicle and glue the other wheel to the dowel.

Step 11: Enjoy!

I made a car and a truck. Ana White's website also has a template for a helicopter. You could easily modify the templates to make any vehicle. Some ideas are train cars, bus, fire truck, ambulance, police car, etc.

Zach loves his new car and truck and they are the perfect size for his little hands!

DIY Scrap 2x4 Bunny

Although there is still some snow lingering in the back yard, I wanted to make a quick spring decoration. I dug through my scrap wood pile for some inspiration. This past winter, my Little Sister made these cute snowmen out of 2x4s. I love how they turned out!

I decided I would make a bunny out of some scrap wood. 

If you would like to make your own, here are the steps I took to make mine.

Needed materials:

2" x 4" @ 6"

1" x 2" - @ 7"

1/4" plywood scrap (optional)

Paint

Wood Glue

Sander or sanding block

Miscellaneous craft supplies (ribbon, wire, pom pom, felt, foam sheet, fabric, etc.)

Step 1: Cut your wood. I used scraps, so I did not have to cut anything, but here are the sizes I used. You can make your cuts any length you want.

Wood cuts:

1 - 2" x 4" cut at 6" (body) - I grabbed a scrap that was about 6" long.

2 - 1" x 2" cut at 3 1/2" (ears) - I used scraps that were about 3 1/2" long.

1 - 1/4" plywood cut at 1 3/8" triangle (nose) - I used a scrap from when I made the charging stations, so the dimensions were not perfect at all. These would also be cute with a larger or smaller sized nose. If you don't have any 1/4" plywood laying around, you could use a piece of felt or foam or even just paint the nose on.

Step 2: Sand your wood pieces. I forgot to take a picture of this step, so this is an old picture, but sand everything. You may also want to round the corners on the nose.

Step 3: Paint your bunny body, ears, and nose. Again, I just used paint that was left over from other projects.

I didn't bother making a template for the inside of the ears. I just painted it by free hand. If you don't want to paint, you could glue on felt, foam, or other fabric for the inside of the ears.

Step 4: Using wood glue, glue on the ears and nose. Again, I forgot to take a picture at that step. Sorry! 

Step 5: Paint on the eyes and mouth. I just did this by free handing it. I'm not very artsy, so my eyes are not great. You could also try using googly eyes for a goofy looking bunny.

Step 6: Add the whiskers and bow. I used some floral wire for the whiskers and a piece of ribbon and a button for the bow. 

Step 7: Add the tail. A bunny would not be complete without a pom pom or cotton ball tail.

This was super easy to make and it didn't cost me anything at all! What makes it great is that it is completely customizable! This would also make a great spring craft for the kids!