Okay, here’s my blog post about making a dog leash from a recycled climbing rope, written in a casual, first-person style:
So, I’ve been seeing these cool dog leashes made from old climbing ropes all over the place, and I thought, “Hey, I can totally do that!” I’m a big fan of upcycling and, you know, not throwing perfectly good stuff away. Plus, my dog, Buster, is a serious puller, so I figured a climbing rope leash would be tough enough to handle him.
First thing I did was, find an old climbing rope, I have asked a lot of my climber friends. Luckily, my buddy Mark had one he was about to retire. It was a bit grimy, but otherwise in decent shape. He just gave it to me, score!
Getting Started
I gathered my materials. Besides the rope, I just needed a heavy-duty snap hook (the kind you’d use for, like, a boat or something) and some strong thread. I also grabbed my scissors, a lighter, and a sewing awl. My wife had a sewing awl I borrowed my wife’s – that thing is sharp!
Putting It All Together
- First, I cut the rope to the length I wanted. I went with about 6 feet, which seems to be a good length for Buster.
- Then, I used the lighter to melt the ends of the rope. This is important! It keeps the rope from fraying. You just hold the flame to the end for a few seconds until it starts to melt and get all bubbly. Be careful not to burn yourself!
- Next I created a loop on the rope.I folded one end of the rope back on itself to make a loop big enough for my hand.
- I used the sewing awl,I punched some holes through both layers of rope and started stitching. I used a sort of criss-cross pattern, going back and forth a bunch of times to make sure it was super secure. I’m no expert sewer, but I figured the more stitches, the better.
- The process is the same with the Snap hook.I looped the other end of the rope through the snap hook and did the same thing – folded it back, punched some holes, and stitched the heck out of it.
The Finished Product
And that’s it! Seriously, it was way easier than I thought it would be. The leash feels super strong and sturdy, and I think it looks pretty cool, too. Buster doesn’t seem to mind it, and it definitely handles his pulling better than his old leash. Plus, I feel good about giving an old rope a new life. Win-win!
If you’re looking for a fun, easy DIY project, I definitely recommend giving this a try. It’s a great way to recycle, and you end up with a super durable leash for your furry friend. Just make sure you use a REALLY strong thread and stitch it well, especially if your dog is a puller like mine!
