Ribbed Dog Collar

Supplies Needed:

• 2mm-3mm Nylon cord, or similar material
• 1.25 to 2-inch Buckle (with either 1 or 2 parts)
• 1-inch Metal or Plastic Ring
• Project Board and Pins

Knots Used:

• Vertical Larks Head
• Double Half Hitch
• Square Knot
• Larks Head Knot

Note: Nylon and polypropylene cord can stretch, causing the collar to become loose enough to fall off. So check the collar periodically to make sure it fits. Cotton materials, on the other hand, can shrink if they get wet, which can cause the collar to become way too tight. We don't recommend using cotton, but if you do, wash the ribbed dog collar several times before using it on your pet.

Step 1: Measure your dog’s neck. Make sure the measuring tape is loose enough to admit two fingers. Multiply the measurement by 8. Cut 8 cords, each of them the length you came up with. Prepare the ends with glue, tape, or wax.

Attaching the Buckle

Designing the First Half of the Collar

Tip: If you start with the second strand nearest the right edge, and move towards the left, it’s much easier to make the DHH.

Step 4: When the first row is complete, direct the same holding cord the other direction, and make another row of DHH.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 until you have half the length you need, minus one inch. For example, if you are making a 14 inch collar, stop at 6 inches.

Step 6: Attach all the strands, including the holding cord, to one edge of the ring with Lark’s Head Knots.

Follow the procedure for the Vertical Larks Head: Pass the cord over the ring for the first part of the knot, then under the ring for the second half.

Step 7: Use pliers to pull the ends to the back of the design, through the small openings between the ring and the last row of DHH. Divide the strands into groups of 2. Make tight Square Knots (no fillers) with each group. Apply glue to these knots, front and back. When dry, cut off any excess cord.

Making the Second Half

Step 8: Mount the remaining 4 cords to the bottom of the ring, with Lark’s Head knots. Add an extra loop with the right portion of each cord, passing under the ring first to make the loop.

Step 9: Repeat steps 3 through 5, to make the second half of the ribbed Dog Collar. Stop when you have made the same number of rows as the first half, unless you are using a single buckle. If so, follow step 10. For a 2-part Buckle, follow step 11.

Finishing Touches

Step 10: Did you use a single buckle? The last few rows will need to be designed differently. Start by omitting 2 strands, from the center of the group. Tie 6 rows of Alternating Square Knots, using 3 strands per knot. The design needs to be flat and narrow to fit through the buckle.

Tie a tight Square knot with the cords you omitted, on the back side of the Ribbed dog collar. Apply glue to the knot, and trim off the excess.

When you are finished, direct the remaining 6 cords to the back of the Ribbed Dog collar. Trim the ends until they are 2 inches long. Apply glue to them and to the back of the design. Place something heavy on that portion of the Dog Collar while the glue is drying.

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