Okay, so I’ve seen these braided rope dog toys all over the place, and my furry buddy, Max, goes through toys like crazy. I figured, “Why not try making one myself?” It seemed easy enough, and I had some old fleece blankets lying around that were perfect for this.
Getting Started
First things first, I gathered my materials. I dug out those old fleece blankets – one blue, one gray. Nice and soft, perfect for Max’s sensitive gums. Then, I grabbed a pair of scissors. That’s all, really!
Cutting the Fleece
I started by cutting the fleece into strips. I wasn’t too precise about it, to be honest. I just eyeballed it, making them roughly 2-3 inches wide and as long as the blanket would allow. I ended up with a big pile of blue and gray strips. I think I cut about 9 strips, 3 of each color, planning on making three braids and use 3 strips for each braid.
The Braiding Process
This is where it got a little tricky, but not too bad. I took three strips (one color combination) and tied a knot at the top, leaving a few inches of a “tail.” I pinned the knot to the carpet with my knee to hold everything secure, and then I just started braiding, like you would with hair. Braid, braid, braid, all the way down. Once I reached the end, I tied another knot, as tight as I could. I finished the other two remaining braids.
Assembling It All
After all braids are finished, I grabbed all three braids and tied a big knot at the top end of all three braids, and did the same at the bottom end.
The Final Result!
I ended up with a pretty sturdy-looking rope toy! It was surprisingly strong. Max went nuts for it immediately. He loves chewing on it and playing tug-of-war. And honestly, it’s held up way better than I expected. It was super easy, took maybe 30 minutes total, and saved me some money. Plus, I repurposed those old blankets! Win-win.
If you’re looking for a cheap and easy DIY dog toy, definitely give this a try. Your dog (and your wallet) will thank you!
