Molly's Sketchbook: A Dog Leash

There is a new addition at Purl: Harper Hoverson, Joelle's adorable Labradoodle puppy! In celebration of this exciting new arrival I wanted to make Harper something special. Lucky for me we just started carrying 100% cotton webbing, which is perfect for a dog leash! It's 1-inch wide and comes in a great range of colors, plus it's really sturdy which is important for a growing and active puppy like Harper.

Blondes look great in red so I chose the vibrant red webbing and embellished it with our lovely Alphabet Brocaded Ribbon with a pretty cursive letter "H" (for Harper) stitched on it. I was thrilled that we had all the  materials for the leash itself, but worried about where I was going to find the hardware. Much to my surprise Page easily found a substantial snap hook that could attach the leash to Harper's collar at a hardware store (we found a similar one available online here).

Making this leash was unbelievably easy. I sewed the ribbon to the webbing with invisible thread, I was surprised by just how invisible it really ended up being. The finished leash is fully functional, thoroughly practical, and totally cute even though it took less than an hour to make! I want to make one for every dog I know! If you want to make one too please visit my Dog Leash Project Journal here.

Happy Dog Walking!-- Molly

Comments

[jen]

i think i need to get a dog sooner now.

jen

[Tante Sophie]

... gumby wants one ... pokey wants one ... oreo wants one ... mimi wants one ... lucky ... benny ... ginger ... dixie ... ai ai ai ai ai ... will be busy busy that way ... thanks a bunch for sharing harpers gorgeous leash!!! hi paw!!!

[Christine]

This was fabulous and believe me I will be making a leash and collar for my pooch!

[sara]

awe!!! harper is definitely starting to look more and more like her cousin alfie!!! and alfie says he needs a new leash as well!!

[elsa]

oh, I need a DOG ... to spoil and make cute things for. Have cats but they don't care ...

[Amy]

love the leash tutorial- thank you. super cute shaggy dog too!

[Josie]

Harper is SO Cute...so is the leash.

[Anne]

Harper is adorable...looks a lot like my 'doodle Fletcher (fleecy coat). FYI, you can get a lot of fiber off a doodle when they are groomed....spins up nicely, too (and it does not smell doggy!) I have a curly golden doodle as well (Ellie), a beautiful caramel color. I think both 'doodles need new leashes!

[{better than candy}]

where did you get that dog!! it looks JUST like my dog... well, my moms dog. exactly!

[Ashley Schott]

This is the most adorable doggie ever! I want a cockapoo, which is very similar looking just smaller. Anyways, what a fabulous leash!

[Valerie]

Hmm ... maybe you can answer this. In the shop, the cotton webbing is listed as "Purl
1" Cotton Webbing" for $3.00, but there's no mention of quantity. Is that per yard?

[purl bee]

Hi Valerie,
Sorry, thanks for pointing that out! Yes, the price is per yard. We'll add it to the description tonight.

[Bonnie]

Love the leash idea. It's all about the dog. I've been blessed with Gus, a puppy mill survivorr goldendoodle and obviously the half dozen leashes he has isn't enough - I see a new leash in our future. Thank you for the always inspiring Purl Bee.

[Pam]

Harper is WAY adorable. We have a 5 year old Labradoodle - heavy on the doodle, and she is the best dog we have ever had! She is a countersurfer, so don't leave anything yummy on your counters you don't want Harper to have! Best of luck!

[sharon]

Harper is SO adorable...just like her cousin Alfie!! A perfect leash...so CUTE, Molly!

[Barbara]

The leash is adorable, I have often thought about making collars for my dog, is it possible to make collars using the same method?

[purl bee]

Hi Barbara-
I don't see why you couldn't make a collar this way, if you found the proper hardware. If you end up doing it please send us a picture, we'd love to see it!

Thank you!- Molly

[deb]

This is awesome and I"m going to make one for every dog I know... And... I have a Harper, too.

[Laura]

I thought for sure it was a wheaten terrier......which is what my Maggie is....but Harper is cute too...love you web site, blog just everything ya'll do and have.....keep it up!
Laura

[Jan Norton]

Is the ribbon $12.50 a yard? This is a beautiful leash, so bright and fun.

[JulieM]

What an adorable new baby you have! Now that I've seen the leash, I'll have to make one for both of mine. Loved the ribbon trim.

[cathy]

welcome Harper...you're bouncing adorable

[purl bee]

Hi Jan-

Thanks for your comment. The ribbon is actually $12.50 per package. Each package contains 2 meters of ribbon.

Molly

[angela]

Thank you for sharing such a nice application of the Alphabet ribbon. Love your ideas and creations!

[purl bee]

Hi Dee,
Here you go!
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/6694-Carta-Inc-Alphabet-Brocaded-Ribbon

[Elisha]

Ah! I LOVE this.

We just rescued a tiny chihuahua (only 6 weeks and fits in the palm of your hand). We've been searching everywhere for a collar and leash that fits his personality as well as looks cute and comfortable. While we found a tiny harness (that's actually still way too big) we have yet to find a leash that doesn't just kill him with the weight.

I'm going to be using this method with some tiny ribbon and perhaps some hardware used for jewelry to make it lighter.

Thank you for this, it's been SO helpful.